Method and apparatus for detecting stagnant water

Abstract

A method of detecting stagnant water includes flowing a water in a pipe and producing electrical energy via the flow of the water. The electrical energy is stored in an energy store. A change of state of the energy store is detected and information about possible stagnation of the water is obtained from the change of state of the energy store. An apparatus for detecting stagnant drinking water includes a generator for producing electrical energy, an energy store for storing that energy, a control and analysis unit which detects the charge state of the energy store and a signal transmitter which emits a signal depending on the charge state of the energy store.

Claims

1. A method of detecting stagnant water, comprising: producing electrical energy in a pipe section by flowing a drinking water in the pipe section, storing the electrical energy in an energy store, discharging the energy store after a predetermined time period if the drinking water remains stationary in the pipe section, wherein the energy store is selected that a discharge time is shorter than a time period after which the drinking water is considered to be stagnant, detecting a charge state of the energy store via a control and analysis unit, and obtaining information about a stagnation condition of the drinking water from the charge state of the energy store.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising deriving information about a degree of freshness of the drinking water from information about the stagnation condition of the drinking water.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising indicating the degree of freshness of the drinking water by at least one of acoustically and visually.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that when the energy store is discharged the drinking water is indicated, after a predetermined discharge time, as being fresh.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the discharge time is adjustable.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that determining the discharge time comprises, discharging the drinking water once, measuring a water temperature during the step of discharging and setting the discharge time on the basis of a change in water temperature.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the energy store is constructed in the form of a capacitor.

8. A method of detecting stagnant water comprising: flowing water in a pipe; producing electrical energy via the flow of the water, storing the electrical energy in an energy store; fully discharging the electrical energy from the energy store after a predetermined time period if the water remains stationary in the pipe, wherein the energy store is selected that a discharge time is shorter than a time period after which the drinking water is considered to be stagnant; detecting a charge state of the energy store via a control and analysis unit; and wherein information about a stagnation condition of the water is obtained from the charge state of the energy store.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the water is a drinking water.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising detecting a temperature of the water and setting the discharge time on the basis of a change in water temperature.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising indicating a degree of freshness of the water by at least one of acoustically and visually.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising deriving information about a degree of freshness of the water from information about a stagnation condition of the water.

13. A method of detecting stagnant drinking water comprising: providing a unit on an end member or an intermediate member of an outlet of a water pipe, the unit including a generator, an energy store and a signal transmitter, flowing water in the water pipe; producing electrical energy via the generator; storing the electrical energy in the energy store; fully discharging the electrical energy from the energy store after a predetermined time period if the water remains stationary in the water pipe, wherein the energy store is so selected that its discharge time is shorter than a time period after which the drinking water is considered to be stagnant; detecting a charge of state of the energy store via a control and analysis unit; and indicating a condition of the water via the signal transmitter in dependence on the charge state of the energy store.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing in conjunction with the described exemplary embodiment. The drawing shows:

(2) FIG. 1: a schematic view of the basic construction of a detection apparatus in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) The apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a generator 1, which is arranged in a pipe section (not shown). The generator 1 is driven by a turbine located in the pipe section through which water flows and thus produces electrical energy. The energy is stored in an energy store 2, which can be constructed, for instance, in the form of a capacitor. Reference numeral 3 designates a signal transmitter, which produces, for example, an optical signal when fresh water is at the tap connection. The components 1, 2 and 3 can be accommodated in a unit 4, which is, for instance, an end member or an intermediate member 4 for a water outlet.