GB2623757A - Water guardian - Google Patents

Abstract

A water leak location system for pipework comprising i) an entry system centrally fed from a base coupler 1 that temporary connects to existing pipework, the distal end has a cable gland 4 and is end-capped over the pressure gauge 8; ii) conformable stopper 8 and transmitter 17 attached to a line 16 that passes through the cable gland. In use, the stopper and transponder are placed into the pipework, and the entry system attached to a service meter manifold instead of a meter/ blanking plug. Water pressure within the pipework causes the stopper to travel along the pipework, until it passes a leak. The loss of water pressure stops the stopper and registers on the pressure gauge. A proprietary detector picks up the transmitter signal/location on the surface. Alternatively, the entry system (fig 8) is modified for use when pipework has been cut or replaces an in-line meter. A modified head (19, fig19) may also be used with a water meter to assist in the retrieval of the stopper and transmitter by reversing the water pressure.

Description

LEAK LOCATOR

The invention relates to a device which is adapted to locate the position of leaks within buried or hidden water services. An underground water service may be determined on the surface to run from point A to point B on plans, but the underground pipework often follows a circuitous route, having to take into account physical features such as other buried services, drainage runs, foundations, and strata. Many leak locating systems have been produced, utilising sound, gas, vibration, water pressure and air pressure, to name a few. These systems are usually introduced into the buried pipework, courtesy of an excavation. Access is often achieved by cutting into the excavated service pipe before introducing the testing media into the service or conducting media. As the detecting media travels along the pipework under test, the location of the detector is transmitted to the surface, often by radio signal, whereby it is plotted. Depending on the makeup of the testing media, each format utilises a different mechanism to determine some change within the body of the pipe which is indicative of the presence of a leak. For example, a water pressure based system will be equipped with a gauge which is able to register pressure drop as the detection media travels along the pipe to reach the point of leak.

A number of problems persist when utilising current forms of leak detection equipment. Apart from in the case of specially adapted meter manifolds, there is a requirement to access and enter buried pipework in order to test. The specially adapted manifolds are both new and currently rare commodities, and are so adapted as to limit inspection access to only a small specific section of products currently available within the leak detection industry. The vast majority of water meter manifolds in place have been insitu for decades and support no such specialist detection entry facility. In order to access the standard water service network it will be necessary to excavate, locate, and cut an entry point into the pipe to allow access for the detection media, with the requirement that the disturbed path or highway surface is reinstated after test. Another problem persisting is that whilst sweeping bends are able to be negotiated by most detecting media, very few are able to pass through 90 degree elbow or tee fittings. At these fitting points the internal bore of the service pipe is further reduced due to the necessary introduction of proprietary inserts, designed to strengthen the pipe to maintain shape and to permit tight connection. The radius within the fittings themselves is also too tight to allow the passage of most detecting media. Those few detection systems that are able to pass elbows and fittings do so only after having been manually adjusted to downsize by the operator, thereafter requiring manual upsizing before continuing the leak location exercise beyond the fitting, which is both a painstaking and time consuming process. A likely location for a leak to manifest itself would be at such a fitting position, and to maintain uninterrupted progress of the detection media at these points without loss of pressure would be a significantly better method to safeguard the integrity of the test.

The invention is a leak detection system which is designed to be temporarily integrated into the standard existing water service infrastructure in order to investigate pipework integrity, without having to cut into service pipework and without needing to excavate. Access is achieved by temporarily removing items within the conducting media in order to permit the substitution of these parts by elements of the detection media. The detection media is connected into the service meter manifold in place of the meter, or the meter blanking plug. The insitu manifold non-return valve is 2.

removed and a separate non return valve is substituted in an alternative position. The detection equipment is manually connected to the manifold using the threaded port which housed the meter or blanking plug. Once the conforming stopper and transmitter/transponder are introduced into the service network through the entry equipment and made watertight, water pressure is applied by opening the service tap. Water pressure influences the conforming stopper to travel along the pipework under test. The detection system requires no further alteration or involvement from the operator, other than to surface plot the direction of the detection equipment signal whilst restricting the forward speed of the conforming stopper. At the same time the operator will monitor the integral pressure gauge to determine the pressure within the pipework as the conforming stopper moves forward. Bends, kinks, elbows and tees are no barrier to the detector, which relies upon its size, shape and texture to be able to conform to the various diameters and radii through which it travels, under the pressure of the water service itself.

The conforming stopper and a means of detection such as a radio transmitter or sonde are end attached to a line which is restrained by the operator to permit the stopper to steadily travel along the pipe under investigation. The line is fed into the entry system through a proprietary cable gland, whose seals are adjusted so as to permit the passage of the line through the entry equipment and service pipe whilst resisting egress of water and hence maintaining pressure within the pipework. The gauge mounted on the entry system monitors the water pressure within the entry system and pipework. As the conforming stopper passes the leak point, the resultant water loss registers on the pressure gauge and the stopper ceases to progress along the pipe. The detection signal is picked up on the surface whereupon the location is pinpointed through a proprietary detector.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6. Figure 7. Figure 8. Figure 9.

In figure 1., the invention comprises a pipe 2. mounted upon a base 1., which is sized and thread matched to the water meter port on the service manifold. (or water meter plug port in the absence of a meter). The pipe 2. is end connected into a "Y" junction 3. To one leg of the Y junction 3. is 3.

fitted a threaded connector and reducers. and the reducers. is connected to a cable gland 4. To the other leg of the "y" junction 3. is fitted a tee fitting 6. The tee fitting 6. is connected to a pressure gauge 8. and the open end is end capped 7.

In figure 2. the water service manifold is shown with the meter blanking plug 9. insitu on the top of the manifold base 13. Were the service to be metered, the plug would be removed and meter placed in the same position as the blanking plug.

In figure 3. the blanking plug has been removed and replaced with the threaded base 1., which in turn connects the entry pipe2., in this case metal, to the water meter manifold 13., in the position formerly occupied by the water meter plug 9.

In figure 4. the water meter or plug 9. is removed from the manifold along with the non-return valve 10. which occupied the meter manifold exit point. In this embodiment the entry equipment utilises copper as the entry pipe 2. but the entry pipe could be MDPE, alloy, or plastic, composite, or alloy. The threaded base 1. facilitates connection to the manifold meter port.

Figure 5 shows a strap, or ring 12. which is threaded to accept a replacement non return valve 25. The ring is placed within the manifold and a watertight rubber seal 14. is achieved between the meter manifold and replacement non return valve 11., as the non return valvell. is threaded through the strap 12. into the water entry aperture 15. in the manifold.

Figure6. shows an embodiment of the conforming stopper 18. along with the line 16,and transmitter/sonde 17.

Figure 7. shows the replacement non-return valve 25. positioned within the strap 12., which in turn is positioned at the manifold water entry point.

Figure 8. shows the head of the entry system detached from the entry pipe 2. In this embodiment the system can be used without accessing the service at the manifold. Where an in-line meter can be removed, flexible connectors are used to join the open ends of the pipework to the open ends of the tee 6. and base adaptor 23. In figure 8. the tee is shown connected to an MDPE to copper/brass adaptor 23, which may be directly connected to one open end of the service pipe in lieu of a flexible connector. The connection could be made through a number of components and materials, including, but not limited to, brass, copper, plastic or alloy. In the absence of a water meter it will be necessary to excavate, in the case of buried pipework, and cut into the service under test, thereafter connecting the entry system head to both open service pipe ends, again using flexible connectors applied to the open ends of the tee fitting 6. Or alternatively connecting the adapting base 23. The conforming stopper and sonde are fed into the test pipe and secured to the line, which will have been pre-inserted through the cable gland 4. and all connections are made good. Water is introduced into the system and the ensuing pressure encourages the detection equipment to move along the service pipe under test.

Figure 9. shows the proprietary manifold head 19., which may be superimposed on the manifold in the meter position. The manifold head comprises two compartments, the first being a central core 20. connecting into the threaded manifold port which housed the original non-return valve. The 4.

second compartment 21. is the void within the remainder of the manifold head. Both compartments are watertight sealed from each other. Each compartment is equipped with a threaded port 22. and 26. to facilitate the connection of a hose. A hose may be connected to the outer compartment port 22. and fed over ground to the external tap of the service under test. A second hose or pipe is connected to inner exit port 26. of the inner compartment 20. By using the hose to connect compartment 21. to an outside tap on the property under test and opening the manifold service tap at high pressure, water will flow through the outside compartment and along the hose to the external tap of the property which is under service test. Thereafter the flow will travel through the external tap in a reverse direction back along the tested service to the manifold, emerging through the inner compartment port 22. and discharging water through the hose attached to the inner compartment port. The pressure so created, combined with the physical encouragement as the operative pulls back the line and conforming stopper provides for ease of recovery of the detection media back to the manifold.

Figure 4. shows the equipment connected to a water meter manifold. Prior to installation, the entry pipe 2. and base 1. are centrally fed with a line 15. which enters through the cable gland 4. and exits at the base 1. The line is end-fitted with a conforming stopper 13. and detection equipment 17., which may be in the form of, but not limited to, a sonde, a magnet, a transmitter or a transponder. The threaded base 1. is then mechanically fixed to the manifold, effectively substituting the meter or blanking plug with the entry equipment and providing a water tight connection. The pipework 2. extends upward to allow for ease of operator use since the manifold is buried at 750mm below ground level. At the head of the detection pipework the equipment splits from the single riser pipe into two separate pipes, in the form of a "Y" or "V" junction 3. At the end of one pipe is fitted a pressure gauge 8. and a sealed cap 7., and at the other end a cable gland 4. Once in position the equipment is made watertight to the manifold, save for the cable gland. By mechanically securing the cable gland 4. around the line and opening the manifold service tap so that the line is able to pass with minimum water egress, water flows through the manifold and along the service pipe whilst simultaneously flowing into the equipment. The tap at the property end of the service pipework which is under test is opened, allowing throughflow of water, and the resultant pressure encourages the conforming stopper and detection equipment to move with the flow along the service pipe. The conforming stopper never forms a water tight seal, as water seeps between its circumference and the pipe wall. Nevertheless, the resistance of the conforming stopper to the applied water pressure is sufficient to be quantifiable on the equipment's pressure gauge. The stopper is line-restrained by the operator to travel at a comfortable speed, and critically the stopper automatically changes shape to conform to the different radii and diameters within inserts, fittings, elbows and tees. The conforming stopper is comprised of material such as sponge, hollow rubber or composite, or may be in a membrane form stretched over a flexible frame, or may be plastic, whose texture will permit it to deform and re-shape to accommodate the different pipe bores encountered through fittings and straight pipework, whilst still maintaining a barrier to the water pressure 5.

applied. From the point at which water service pressure is introduced, the operator will monitor the gauge, letting out line whilst waiting for the moment at which the conforming stopper passes the leak point. The water loss due to the leak having been passed results in the stopper ceasing to move and at the same time the leak causes pipework pressure loss to be evidenced on the gauge. The signal transmitted by the signal source from the underground leak is then picked up by specialist equipment to enable the location to be positioned on the surface by the operative. The equipment mounted on the manifold is then removed and the detector retrieved to the manifold by physically pulling the line back through the pipe or alternatively by removal at the leak location exposure. In cases where distances are excessive the proprietary manifold head, figure 9 may be mechanically introduced in the meter position. The manifold head enables water to be surface run from the manifold through a hose to the outside tap of the property under test in order to reverse pressurise the service, and thereby utilise water service pressure to assist the manual retrieval of the detection equipment back through the pipe to the manifold. Upon retrieval of the detection media, the supplementary detection elements are removed from the service media and the original non-return valves are repositioned, and the water meter (or blanking plug in the absence of a meter) is reconnected. No reinstatement of roadway or footpath is required, and the leak point will have been identified for potential programming into rectification works. The advantages of pre-identification of leaks are many, in that access, plant choice, finishes to be reinstated, and other pertinent job factors may be relayed to leakage teams in advance of site visit.

In the event that the investigation involves a service which is not fitted with a meter manifold, but uses instead an in-line meter, the head of the entry equipment may be dismantled from the base and upstand pipework as shown in figure 8. After temporarily removing the in-line meter, the head section of the entry system may be deployed in place of the meter to carry out the test. The detection media, stopper and line are threaded into the service through the head section, the line exiting through the cable gland prior to adjustment for water retention. The cap 7 over the pressure gauge is removed and flexible connectors or tails are mechanically fitted to the open service pipe end and the gauge leg of the entry fitting. The system head base 23. is connected to the other open service pipe end. Service water is introduced by opening the tap at the service/ mains junction and the entry fitting head and pipework are pressurised for the test to proceed. The test then follows the same format as adopted in the meter manifold situation, with the detection media and entry fitting being removed upon completion prior to reinstatement of the meter. No cutting or permanent alteration of service pipework will have been carried out avoiding the need for service reinstatement.

The conforming stopper may be spherical as shown, but may also take on different shapes, such as, but not limited to, oval, bullet shaped, shuttlecock shaped, conical, domed, or a pipe "pig" shape. The stopper is comprised of a material whose design, texture and size will permit it to travel along the inside of the pipe, whilst sufficiently resisting water pressure so that a reading on the pressure gauge is produced and maintained. Crucially, this resistance must remain whilst the stopper is being pressurised through fittings which may be encountered within the water service in order for forward progress to be uninterrupted. The integrity of the stopper to water resistance, whilst maintaining forward momentum and simultaneously shape changing to conform to the different internal constraints of the element under test is the detection target. The test itself could be likened to a 6.

vehicle hill start, whereby water pressure is the accelerator and textural resistance of the stopper the clutch, the target being to carry out the test whilst applying as little water pressure as necessary. A stopper, therefore, which may not be texturally ideal to the topography under test may still be utilised for test by accordingly regulating the input of water pressure at the service tap.

The sonde, transmitter, or signaller 17. is fixed a short distance behind the conforming stopper along the line, or alternatively, the signal equipment may be integrated within the conforming stopper itself. The sonde is a signal transmitter which may be battery or generator powered. Alternatively, a magnet may be used to trace the detection equipment. In battery form, the sonde is articulated to the battery in order for the equipment to negotiate passage through fittings. When powered by a generator, the insulated cable may also fulfil the function of the transmitter as well as the line which retains the conforming stopper 18.

The system provides the operator with the means to access buried service pipework by connecting into the service as a substitute for elements of the conducting equipment itself, and without needing to excavate or break into the pipe. Once installed into the service the system proceeds through pipework, bends, kinks, and fittings without external modification. Upon completion of the test exercise the system is removed and the original service components reinstated.

Claims (4)

1. Claims 1. A water leak detection unit comprising a means to connect to the existing water service network as a temporary extension, centrally fed through a base coupler with a line-restrained compressible conforming stopper and a transmitter, the line entering the unit through a pressure-resistant gland, and the unit end-capped over a pressure gauge, providing a semi-sealed superimposed extension to the service pipework, and thereby facilitating a pressure test of the integrity of the system without invasive activity such as pipe cutting, excavation, or associated remedial works.
2. 2. A water leak detection unit according to claim 1, in which the stopper is ergonomically and texturally formed to alter shape under pressure to conform to different internal service diameters, enabling the stopper to be influenced under the applied pressure to progress unimpeded and without operator involvement through bends, 90 degree elbows, tees, and strengthening inserts, thereafter regaining its initial form whilst providing gauge quantifiable resistance to pressure throughout its progress.
3. CO 3. A water leak detection unit according to claim'. In which the unit may be mechanically modified to facilitate testing of service pipework by cutting into the service and flexibly connecting for test purposes in instances where mechanical superimposition is not possible.
4. 4. A water leak detection unit according to claim 1. In which the manifold head is mounted 1- over the service manifold to directionally reverse the fluid flow direction through the service Cr) to retrieve the conforming stopper and transmitter.