US5040409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sprinkler alarm
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-04-04
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Granted: 1991-08-20
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Expires: 2010-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic sensor and associated electronic circuitry are used to determine when a catastrophic leak (as e.g. may be caused by a sprinkler nozzle being broken off a pipe) occurs in a sprinkling system. When a catastrophic leak is detected, an alarm signal is generated and a shutoff valve may be actuated in order to prevent loss of fluid and possible damage that can occur due to localized high flow of the fluid that is being sprayed. The acoustic sensor responds to a frequency range of acoustic signals that encompasses the generally low frequency signals generated by the relatively unconstrained flow of fluid through a pipe, as well as the higher frequency signals generated by flow of fluid through one or more nozzles. Electronic signal processing means are employed to form a ratio of the acoustic power in two different frequency regions and to generate an alarm signal when flow generates an excess of low frequency acoustic power.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Kiewit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/24; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for detecting a broken pipe in a sprinkler system comprising a source of fluid under pressure to be sprinkled, at least one pipe to transport said fluid, at least one valve for controlling flow in said pipe, and at least one sprinkler head, comprising: an acoustic transducer placed in acoustic contact with the pipe proximal to said valve; signal processing means comprising amplification means to amplify the output of said acoustic transducer, low-pass filter means attached to the output of said amplification means, first signal conditioning means attached to the output of said low pass filter means to derive an index of the acoustic power at frequencies below a first predetermined frequency, high-pass filter means, attached to the output of said amplification means, second signal conditioning means attached to the output of said high pass filter means to derive an index of the acoustic power at frequencies above a second predetermined frequency; electronic logic circuit means to calculate the ratio of said index of acoustic power at frequencies below said first predetermined frequency to said index of acoustic power above said second predetermined frequency and to generate an alarm signal if said ratio exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for detecting a broken pipe in a sprinkler system comprising a source of fluid under pressure to be sprinkled, at least one pipe to transport said fluid, at least one valve for controlling flow in said pipe, and at least one sprinkler head, comprising: an acoustic transducer placed in acoustic contact with the pipe proximal to said valve; signal processing means comprising amplification means to amplify the output of said acoustic transducer, low-pass filter means attached to the output of said amplification means, first signal conditioning means attached to the output of said low pass filter means to derive an index of the acoustic power at frequencies below a first predetermined frequency, high-pass filter means, attached to the output of said amplification means, second signal conditioning means attached to the output of said high pass filter means to derive an index of the acoustic power at frequencies above a second predetermined frequency; electronic logic circuit means to calculate the ratio of said index of acoustic power at frequencies below said first predetermined frequency to said index of acoustic power above said second predetermined frequency and to generate an alarm signal if said ratio exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising alarm display means capable of visually or audibly indicating when said alarm signal is generated during the operation of said sprinkler head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising alarm display latching means capable of maintaining said indication of alarm signal generation for an indefinite period subsequent to the termination of sprinkling.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a shutoff valve that is actuated whenever said alarm signal is generated, thus shutting off flow in said pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising analog to digital conversion means as part of said first and said second signal conditioning means whereby the outputs of said first and said second signal conditioning means are converted to a digital format so that said electronic logic circuit means may operate digitally.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising microprocessor circuitry to provide said electronic logic circuit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
138 words
Method of detecting a broken pipe in a sprinkler system comprising a source of fluid under pressure to be sprinkled, at least one pipe to transport said fluid, at least one valve for controlling flow in said pipe, and at least one sprinkler head, comprising: detecting an acoustic signal with an acoustic transducer placed in acoustic contact with the pipe proximal to said control valve; processing said acoustic signal to derive both an index of the acoustic power at frequencies below a first predetermined frequency, and an index of the acoustic power at frequencies above a second predetermined frequency; calculating the ratio of said index of acoustic power at frequencies below said first predetermined frequency to said index of acoustic power above said second predetermined frequency and generating an alarm signal if said ratio exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
Method of detecting a broken pipe in a sprinkler system comprising a source of fluid under pressure to be sprinkled, at least one pipe to transport said fluid, at least one valve for controlling flow in said pipe, and at least one sprinkler head, comprising: detecting an acoustic signal with an acoustic transducer placed in acoustic contact with the pipe proximal to said control valve; processing said acoustic signal to derive both an index of the acoustic power at frequencies below a first predetermined frequency, and an index of the acoustic power at frequencies above a second predetermined frequency; calculating the ratio of said index of acoustic power at frequencies below said first predetermined frequency to said index of acoustic power above said second predetermined frequency and generating an alarm signal if said ratio exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method recited in claim 7 further comprising visually or audibly indicating when said alarm signal is generated during the operation of said sprinkler head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising maintaining said indication of said alarm signal generation for an indefinite period subsequent to the termination of sprinkling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 7 further comprising shutting off flow of fluid through said pipe whenever said alarm signal is generated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
127 words
A system for detecting a broken pipe in a sprinkler system comprising a source of fluid under pressure to be sprinkled, at least one pipe to transport said fluid, at least one valve for controlling flow in said pipe, and at least one sprinkler head, comprising: an acoustic transducer placed in acoustic contact with said pipe proximal to said valve and suitable to provide an electronic representation of the acoustic power spectrum in said pipe; signal processing means suitable to amplify the output of said acoustic transducer, and to determine the ratio of the acoustic power at frequencies below a first predetermined frequency to the acoustic power at frequencies above a second predetermined frequency and to generate an alarm signal if said ratio exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
127 words
A system for detecting a broken pipe in a sprinkler system comprising a source of fluid under pressure to be sprinkled, at least one pipe to transport said fluid, at least one valve for controlling flow in said pipe, and at least one sprinkler head, comprising: an acoustic transducer placed in acoustic contact with said pipe proximal to said valve and suitable to provide an electronic representation of the acoustic power spectrum in said pipe; signal processing means suitable to amplify the output of said acoustic transducer, and to determine the ratio of the acoustic power at frequencies below a first predetermined frequency to the acoustic power at frequencies above a second predetermined frequency and to generate an alarm signal if said ratio exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as recited in claim 11 further comprising alarm display means capable of visually or audibly indicating when said alarm signal is generated during the operation of said sprinkler head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising alarm display latching means capable of maintaining said indication of said alarm signal generation for an indefinite period subsequent to the termination of sprinkling.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as recited in claim 11 further comprising a shutoff valve that is actuated whenever said alarm signal is generated, thus shutting off flow in said pipe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-19 | 1995-02-18 | 1995-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-19 | 1999-02-18 | 1999-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-19 | 2003-02-18 | 2003-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |