Device for detecting a liquid leak

Abstract

Device (1) for detecting a liquid leakage, wherein a leakage detection function of the device (1) is lockable so that the leakage detection function is protectable against unauthorized use.

Claims

1. A device for detecting a liquid leakage, comprising a leakage detection function, wherein the leakage detection function of the device (1) is lockable so that the leakage detection function can be protected against unauthorized use, and wherein the leakage detection function is locked in an ex-factory state of the device (1).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the leakage detection function can be mechanically locked or unlocked.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the leakage detection function is electronically lockable or unlockable.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the leakage detection function is lockable or unlockable by an electronic key.

5. The device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a communication device (11) by means of which a locking or unlocking of the leakage detection function can be controlled remotely.

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) is connectable to a liquid channel (5).

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) is designed in the manner of a liquid meter.

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a controller (8), wherein the controller (8) is set up to perform the steps: a) receiving an electronic unlock signal or lock signal, b) checking the unlock signal or lock signal, and c) enabling or unlocking the leakage detection function depending on the check in step b).

Description

(1) In the following, the invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail with reference to the illustration. It should be noted that the illustration shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, however, without being limited thereto. By way of example, it shows schematically:

(2) FIG. 1: A device for detecting a liquid leak in a liquid consumption unit.

(3) FIG. 1 shows a schematically illustrated device (1) in a liquid consumption unit (9), which may, for example, be a residential building. The device (1) is arranged in a liquid channel (5), through which liquid can be conducted from a liquid source (10) to at least one consumer (4). In addition, the device (1) comprises a flow sensor (6), by means of which the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the liquid channel (5) can be determined. Here, the device (1) is therefore designed in the manner of a liquid meter, by means of which the liquid consumption of at least one consumer (4) or the liquid consumption unit (9) can be determined. For this purpose, the device (1) can be supplied with electrical energy by means of an energy source not shown here, for example in the manner of a (rechargeable) battery or a public energy supply network. Furthermore, the device (1) is provided with a valve (2) in the manner of a solenoid valve, by means of which the liquid channel (5) can be closed off when a leakage is detected. For detecting the leakage, the device (1) has a leakage detection function. The leakage detection function of the device (1) can be supplied with electrical energy by the energy source of the device (1) or by another energy source, for example by way of a PowerNet. If a different energy source is being used, said source can also be employed to charge a rechargeable battery of the device (1). For the purpose of implementing the leakage detection function, in the embodiment of the device (1) shown here, the valve (2) can be closed to form a pressurized space (3) in the liquid channel (5). In this case, the pressurized space (3) extends from the valve (2) to the consumer (4). Furthermore, the device (1) is provided with a pressure sensor (7), by means of which a pressure and thus a pressure drop in the pressurized space (3) can be determined after closing the liquid channel (5) with the valve (2). The closing of the liquid channel (5) by means of the valve (2) takes place once the flow sensor (6) of the device (1) has determined that no liquid is being withdrawn via the liquid channel (5) from the liquid source (10) by at least one consumer (4). The valve (2), the flow sensor (6) and the pressure sensor (7) are connected in a data-carrying manner to a controller (8) of the water meter (5) wirelessly or by radio connection. The controller (8) is also connected to a communication device (11), by means of which a locking or unlocking of the leakage detection function can be controlled remotely. For this purpose, the controller (8) can establish a connection to a control system, which is not shown here, via the communication device (11), for example via the internet.

(4) The present invention can reduce the initial cost of a device for detecting a liquid leak.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(5) 1 Device 2 Valve 3 Pressurized space 4 Consumer 5 Liquid channel 6 Flow sensor 7 Pressure sensor 8 Controller 9 Liquid consumption unit 10 Liquid source 11 Communication device