A TESTING DEVICE FOR BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES

Abstract

A testing device for backflow prevention devices, the testing device comprising a first connection portion adapted for connection to one of a high pressure side or a low pressure side of a backflow prevention device, a second connection portion adapted for connection to the other of the high pressure side or the low pressure side of the backflow pressure device, and an electronic differential pressure gauge positioned in fluid communication with the first connection portion and the second connection portion and adapted to measure the differential pressure between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the backflow prevention device.

Claims

1. A testing device for backflow prevention devices, the testing device comprising a first connection portion adapted for removable connection to one of a high pressure side or a low pressure side of a backflow prevention device, a second connection portion adapted for removable connection to the other of the high pressure side or the low pressure side of the backflow pressure device, and an electronic differential pressure gauge positioned in fluid communication with the first connection portion and the second connection portion and adapted to measure the differential pressure between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the backflow prevention device.

2. The testing device according to claim 1 wherein the testing device further comprises a pressure gauge associated with the first connection portion and adapted to measure fluid pressure at the side of the backflow prevention device to which the first connection portion is attached.

3. The testing device according to claim 1 wherein fluid flows from the backflow prevention device into the testing device through the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

4. The testing device according to claims 1 wherein the electronic differential pressure gauge is associated with a measurement portion of the testing device.

5. The testing device according to claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the fluid entering the testing device through the first connection portion and the second connection portion is directed into a measurement portion of the testing device.

6. The testing device according to claim 1 wherein the electronic differential pressure gauge is provided with one or more differential pressure transducers.

7. The testing device according to claim 6 wherein measurements taken by the one or more pressure transducers are electronically communicated to a calculation portion of the electronic differential pressure gauge.

8. The testing device according to claim 1 wherein the electronic differential pressure gauge includes an electronic display.

9. The testing device according to claim 1 wherein the testing device is provided with a wireless connection device.

10. The testing device according to claim 9 wherein the wireless connection device is in electronic communication with the electronic differential pressure gauge.

11.The testing device according to claim 9 wherein the differential pressure measured by the electronic differential pressure gauge is transmitted by the wireless connection device to an electronic device associated with a user.

12. A testing device for backflow prevention devices, the testing device comprising a first connection portion adapted for removable connection to one of a high pressure side or a low pressure side of backflow prevention device, a second connection portion adapted for removable connection to the other of the high pressure side or the low pressure side of the backflow pressure device, and an electronic differential pressure gauge positioned in fluid communication with the first connection portion and the second connection portion and adapted to measure the differential pressure between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the backflow prevention device, wherein the testing device is provided with a wireless connection device, and wherein the differential pressure measured by the electronic differential pressure gauge is transmitted by the wireless connection device to an electronic device associated with a user.

13. A testing device when used for testing Pitot tubes located in a conduit of a fire sprinkler system, the testing device comprising a first connection portion adapted for removable connection to one of a high pressure side or a low pressure side of a Pitot tube, a second connection portion adapted for removable connection to the other of the high pressure side or the low pressure side of the Pitot tube, and an electronic differential pressure gauge positioned in fluid communication with the first connection portion and the second connection portion and adapted to measure the differential pressure between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the Pitot tube.

14. The testing device according to claim 13 wherein the Pitot tube is an annubar averaging Pitot tube.

15. A method for monitoring fluid pressure in a backflow prevention device, the method including the steps of: a. Connecting a testing device to the backflow prevention device, the testing device including an electronic differential pressure gauge; b. Entering, using an electronic device associated with a user, an identifier associated with the backflow prevention device into an electronic backflow prevention device testing system; c. Receiving, with the electronic device, one or more differential pressure measurements generated by the electronic differential pressure gauge; d. Entering the one or more differential pressure measurements into an electronic record associated with the backflow prevention device to create an updated electronic record; and e. Writing the updated electronic record to an electronic database associated with the electronic backflow prevention device testing system.

16. A method for monitoring fluid pressure in a backflow prevention device according to claim 15 wherein the testing device comprises the testing device.

17. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0091] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0092] FIG. 1 illustrates a testing device for a backflow prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] FIG. 2 illustrates a testing device for a backflow prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of a backflow prevention device.

[0095] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a method for monitoring fluid pressure in a backflow prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] FIG. 5 illustrates a testing device for Pitot tubes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0097] FIG. 1 illustrates a testing device 10 for a backflow prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The testing device 10 includes a first connection portion 11 adapted for connection to a high pressure side or a low pressure side of a backflow prevention device (not shown) and a second connection portion 12 adapted for connection to the other of the high pressure side or the low pressure side of the backflow prevention device (not shown).

[0098] A portion of the fluid entering the device 10 through the first connection portion 11 and the second connection portion 12 is directed to the measurement portion 13. The measurement portion 13 comprises a conduit in which a differential pressure transducer (obscured) is positioned. Fluid entering the testing device 10 through the first connection portion 11 enters the measurement portion 13 through a first end 14 thereof, while fluid entering the testing device 10 through the second connection portion 12 enters the measurement portion 13 through an opposed second end thereof 15. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the differential pressure transducer (obscured) is positioned substantially half ways between opposed ends 14, 15 of the measurement portion 13.

[0099] The differential pressure transducer (obscured) is located within the measurement portion 13 so as to substantially preclude the flow of liquid past the differential pressure transducer in either direction. Instead, the differential pressure transducer measures the difference in fluid pressure between the fluid entering from the first end 14 of the measurement portion 13 and fluid entering from the second end 15 of the measurement portion 13.

[0100] The differential pressure transducer (obscured) is electronically connected to a calculation portion of the electronic differential pressure gauge 16 so that differential pressure measurements measured by the differential pressure transducer (obscured) is electronically communicated to the electronic differential pressure gauge 16 for calculation and/or conversion and display on the electronic display 17 of the electronic differential pressure gauge 16 and, optionally, transmission to an electronic device (not shown).

[0101] Fluid entering the first connection portion 11 flows through conduits 18, 19 towards the outlet portion 20, while fluid entering the second connection portion 12 flows through conduit 21 towards the outlet portion 20. An analogue pressure gauge 22 is associated with the first connection portion 11 such that the pressure of the fluid entering the testing device 10 through the first connection portion 11 may be measured. By measuring the pressure of the fluid entering the device 10 through the first connection portion 11 and the differential fluid pressure, the pressure of the fluid entering the device 10 through the second connection portion 12 may be calculated if required.

[0102] A valve 23 is located on conduit 19 and may be used to prevent fluid entering the device 10 through the first connection portion 11 from flowing to the outlet portion 20. Similarly, a valve 24 is located on conduit 21 and may be used to prevent fluid entering the device 10 through the second connection portion 12 from flowing to the outlet portion 20.

[0103] A further valve 25 is associated with the outlet portion 20 and may be used to retain fluid within the testing device 10 during use.

[0104] FIG. 2 illustrates a testing device 30 for a backflow prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The testing device 30 is very similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1, with the exception that the testing device 30 includes a wireless connection device 31 in electronic communication with the electronic differential pressure gauge 16. The wireless connection device 31 is adapted to allow one or more electronic devices (not shown) to receive the measured differential pressures from the electronic differential pressure gauge 16. In this embodiment, the wireless connection device 31 is in electronic communication with the electronic differential pressure gauge 16 via one or more wires or cables (obscured).

[0105] The wireless connection device 31 of FIG. 2 includes a router (obscured) and a transmitting device in the form of an antenna 32. The antenna 32 wirelessly transmits the measured differential pressures to the electronic device (not shown).

[0106] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of a backflow prevention device 33. The backflow prevention device 33 includes a first test cock 34 on a high pressure side of the device 33 and a second test cock 35 on a low pressure side of the device 33. In use, it is envisaged that the first connection portion and the second connection portion of the testing device (not shown in this Figure) will be connected to the first test cock 34 and the second test cock 35.

[0107] An identifier 36 in the form of a tag bearing a QR code is connected to the backflow prevention device 33. In use, a user will enter the identifier 36 scan the identifier 36 into an electronic backflow prevention device testing system (not shown) by scanning the identifier with an electronic device (not shown) such as a mobile telephone, computing tablet or the like. In this way, differential pressure measurements measured by the testing device (not shown in this Figure) may be received on the electronic device (not shown), and therefore entered into the electronic backflow prevention device testing system, from the wireless connection portion (not shown in this Figure) of the testing device (not shown in this Figure).

[0108] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a method 40 for monitoring fluid pressure in a backflow prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this Figure, a testing device 30 is connected to a backflow prevention device 33. A user scans an identifier 36 associated with the backflow prevention device 33 using an electronic device 41.

[0109] The electronic device 41 is in electronic communication with a server 42 via the Internet 43. When the user scans the identifier 36 with the electronic device 41, the identifier is sent to the server 42. The server is in electronic communication with a database 44 containing electronic records associated with one or more backflow prevention devices, with each backflow prevention device being assigned a unique identifier. Thus, upon receipt of the identifier 36, the server 42 retrieves the electronic record associated with the backflow prevention device 33 and electronically communicates this to the electronic device 41.

[0110] The testing device 30 measures differential pressure in the backflow prevention device and transmits the differential pressure measurements to the electronic device 41. The differential pressure measurements are used to create an updated electronic record that is transmitted to the server 42 by the electronic device 41. When the user confirms that the differential pressure measurements are acceptable, accurate and/or correct, the updated electronic record is written to the database 44 by the server 42.

[0111] FIG. 5 illustrates a testing device 50 for Pitot tubes according to an embodiment of the present invention. The testing device 50 includes a first connection portion 11 adapted for connection to a high pressure side or a low pressure side of a Pitot tube (not shown) and a second connection portion 12 adapted for connection to the other of the high pressure side or the low pressure side of the Pitot tube (not shown).

[0112] A portion of the fluid entering the device 10 through the first connection portion 11 and the second connection portion 12 is directed to the measurement portion 13. The measurement portion 13 comprises a conduit in which a differential pressure transducer (obscured) is positioned. Fluid entering the testing device 50 through the first connection portion 11 enters the measurement portion 13 through a first end 14 thereof, while fluid entering the testing device 50 through the second connection portion 12 enters the measurement portion 13 through an opposed second end thereof 15. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the differential pressure transducer (obscured) is positioned substantially half ways between opposed ends 14, 15 of the measurement portion 13.

[0113] The differential pressure transducer (obscured) is located within the measurement portion 13 so as to substantially preclude the flow of liquid past the differential pressure transducer in either direction. Instead, the differential pressure transducer measures the difference in fluid pressure between the fluid entering from the first end 14 of the measurement portion 13 and fluid entering from the second end 15 of the measurement portion 13.

[0114] The differential pressure transducer (obscured) is electronically connected to a calculation portion of the electronic differential pressure gauge 16 so that differential pressure measurements measured by the differential pressure transducer (obscured) is electronically communicated to the electronic differential pressure gauge 16 for calculation and/or conversion (such as to kPa or inHg) and display on the electronic display 17 of the electronic differential pressure gauge 16.

[0115] Fluid entering the first connection portion 11 flows through conduit 18 towards the outlet portion 20, while fluid entering the second connection portion 12 flows through conduit 21 towards the outlet portion 20.

[0116] A valve 23 is located on conduit 18 and may be used to prevent fluid entering the device 50 through the first connection portion 11. Similarly, a valve 24 is located on conduit 21 and may be used to prevent fluid entering the device 50 through the second connection portion 12.

[0117] A further valve 25 is associated with the outlet portion 20 and may be used to retain fluid within the testing device 50 during use.

[0118] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0119] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0120] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.