Method and device for automatic flushing

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatic flushing of fluid lines, in particular potable water lines. The invention further relates to a device for automatic flushing of fluid lines, in particular potable water lines. The invention is based on the technical problem to provide a method and a device for automatic flushing which allows a flushing behaviour that is better-suited to the circumstances and more reliable. The technical problem is solved by a method for automatic flushing of at least one fluid line, in particular a potable water line, in which a temperature profile of the fluid is measured, in which the measured data are evaluated and in which the automatic flushing of the at least one fluid line is influenced by an outcome of the evaluation.

Claims

1. A method for automatic flushing of at least one fluid line, wherein the at least one fluid line is a cold potable water line or a hot potable water line, in which a temperature profile of the fluid in the at least one fluid line is directly or indirectly measured; in which data generated from the measurement of the temperature profile is evaluated by determining whether, over a specified length of time, the temperature of the fluid in the at least one fluid line is constant or varies; and in which a flushing process of the at least one fluid line is influenced by an outcome of the evaluation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flushing process is triggered, ended, not triggered, inhibited and/or continued by the outcome of the evaluation.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising continuing the flushing process until a temperature threshold and/or a temperature gradient threshold is exceeded or fallen below.

4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising continuing the flushing process until a constant temperature is measured for a specified length of time.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flushing process is triggered if a constant temperature is measured for the specified length of time.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flushing process is triggered if for the specified length of time an insufficiently fast change in temperature is measured.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flushing process is inhibited if for the specified length of time a sufficiently fast change in temperature is measured.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature is measured by means of a temperature sensor on the at least one fluid line.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature is measured at a T-piece of the at least one fluid line.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flushing process is inhibited if a varying temperature is measured for the specified length of time.

11. A device for automatic flushing of fluid lines for performing the method according to claim 1, comprising: means for measuring the temperature; means for capturing, storing, and evaluating the temperatures measured; and means for performing a flushing process are provided.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein a temperature sensor is provided on at least one fluid line.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein means for measuring the temperature are provided at a T-piece or a U-piece.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid line is a potable water line.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the fluid lines are potable water lines.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein means for measuring the temperature are provided as a separate component for flexible positioning on the fluid lines.

Description

(1) In the following using embodiments shown in a drawing the invention is explained in more detail. The drawing shows as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 a connector piece at which a temperature profile can be measured;

(3) FIG. 2 a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 a front view of the device from FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 a temperature profile during the execution of an embodiment of the method according to the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 a further temperature profile during the execution of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a connector piece 1 of a pipe system, on which using the method according to the invention a temperature profile can be indirectly measured. A clamp-on temperature sensor 2 is secured by means of a sensor mount 4 to the connector piece 1. Here the connector piece 1 is in the form of a double connector piece or a T-piece. The fluid in the pipe system flows via one of the openings 6 in the connector piece and under normal use flows through the other opening 8 out of the connector piece 1 again. If a flushing process is taking place, the fluid flows out of the third opening 10 out of the connector piece 1. Basically, however, other embodiments for measuring the temperature profile are also conceivable.

(9) FIG. 2 now shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention for flushing potable water lines. The embodiment is not limited to the flushing of potable water lines, however.

(10) On a base frame 12, a part of a first so-called water run 100 is mounted on the base frame. A magnetic valve 16, two flat sealing adapter pieces 18, 20 and a pipe section 22 are already mounted. The first water run 100 optionally also has a connector piece 1 and an optional shutoff device 14. By means of the connector piece 1 the device is for example connected to an existing pipe system, in particular a ring line.

(11) If for a flushing process the magnetic valve 16 is opened, the water flows through the connector piece 1, through the opened shutoff device 14, which is connected by means of an adapter piece 18 to the magnetic valve 16, through the opened magnetic valve 16, which by means of a further adapter piece 20 is connected to a length of pipe 22 and through the length of pipe 22 into the outlets 24. This takes place by means of a free outflow in order not to bring about any contact between the pipe system to be flushed and the waste water system. The water then flows via two outlets 24 in the form of siphons, not shown, into the waste water system.

(12) The device also has a power supply unit 26 and a control module 28. The control module 28 allows the measurement of the temperature profile by means of the temperature sensor 2, the evaluation of the measured data and control of the magnetic valve 16. Data from a backflow sensor system can also be processed by the control module 28.

(13) The base frame also offers sufficient space for the implementation of a second water run 100. This has a similar construction to the first water run 100, but can be designed differently. It is also possible to provide just one water run or more than two. The cabling of the electronic components is not shown in this drawing.

(14) FIG. 3 shows a front view of the device from FIG. 2. Now here both water runs 100 and 100 are incorporated. The first water run 100 can for example be a cold water run, while the second water run 100 is a hot water run.

(15) FIG. 4 shows a device similar to that from FIG. 3. For the purposes of clarity not all the references used in FIG. 2 or 3 are shown, even if corresponding elements are present. In contrast to the device from FIG. 3 only one outlet 30 with a siphon, not shown, is provided. The temperature sensors 2, 2, the magnetic valves 16, 16 and the backflow sensors, not shown, have a cabled connection with the control module 28. It is also conceivable, however, for wireless communication between the individual elements to be provided.

(16) Further, a cover 32 is shown for covering the base frame. The cover 32 has an opening 34, via which in a simple manner access can be gained to the control module 28, even if the cover is mounted. The cover can be sealed off by a cover plate 36.

(17) FIG. 5 shows an example of a temperature profile during the execution of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. During the time up until t.sub.1 no use is made of the hot water line. For this reason the temperature does not change substantially and is below the temperature T.sub.2. The temperature T.sub.2 is by way of example 60 C. If the time up until t.sub.1 is too long, a flushing process is triggered. Because of the hot water the temperature increases and the flushing process can be ended at time t.sub.3, if the temperature threshold T.sub.2 has been exceeded. In order to save water, however, the flushing process can be ended as early as time t.sub.2, if only a slight change in temperature takes place and for example a temperature gradient threshold is exceeded. So there is no need to wait until a temperature threshold has been exceeded or fallen below, which may not be reached or only slowly reached.

(18) Finally, FIG. 6 shows a further temperature profile during the execution of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The solid curve shows the temperature profile of a hot water line. When in use the measured temperature regularly exceeds a temperature threshold T.sub.2 (shown by the upper line with short dashes), which allows usage to be inferred and a scheduled flushing process to be inhibited or the restarting of a timer which measures the time when not in use in order that in the event of a correspondingly long non-usage a flushing process is triggered.

(19) Similarly, the curve with the long dashes shows the temperature profile of a cold water line. Here usage accordingly results in a falling below a temperature threshold T.sub.1 (shown by the lower line with short dashes) and as a result a scheduled flushing process can for example be inhibited or a timer can be restarted.