CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims the priority of, and expressly incorporates by- reference herein the entire disclosure of. United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/618,940, filed January 18, 2018.

FIELD

[0002] This present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining a volume of a pipe network.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art

[0004] The National Fire Protection Association standard NFPA 13, governing the design and installation of water based fire sprinkler systems, requires that dry and preaction fire sprinkler systems be provided with supervisory' pressure via an air compressor, nitrogen generator, or other reliable source. This supervisory pressure provides two main functions. First, the supervisory _' pressure inhibits water from entering a sprinkler system pipe network via a differential pressure valve, until sufficient activation events occur to release the water and allow it to flow past the valve and into the sprinkler system pipe network. Second, the superv sory' pressure ensures pipe network integrity. In a fire sprinkler pipe network that is tilled with water during normal operation, a compromise in the pipe network would be evident by the presence of water leaking from the compromised area of pipe. In a pipe network filled with atmospheric pressure gas instead of water, a compromise in the pipe network would not be immediately evident. NFPA 13 requires that the source of compressed gas used to maintain supervisory pressure on the dry or preaction system is sized to take the pipe network from atmospheric pressure to operating pressure in thirty minutes or less. In order to meet the“30-minute fill requirement” as it is known in the industry, the volume of the sprinkler system pipe network must be known as well as the volumetric output of the compressed gas source.

[0005] Current technology and methods used to size a compressor or other supervisory gas source require the volume of the sprinkler system pipe network to be known. Because fire sprinkler systems are often unique and complex in their piping designs, it is difficult to determine their volume. Generally accepted practices within the industry as described below are either labor intensive or inaccurate.

[0006] One current industry practice is to design fire sprinkler systems with computer programs such as computer aided design (CAD) programs. These programs have an integrated tool to perform hydraulic flow calculations on a designed fire sprinkler system, in order to show that the system meets the design requirements of NFPA 13. One of the calculations these programs can perform is determining a volume of the sprinkler system. However, it is very common for fire sprinkler systems to be installed with variances from the initial design (e.g., construction/installation documents), which is evident by the industry- defined term of “as-built” drawings. These variances occur due to design changes that happen after the system is initially designed, as well as field coordination issues. These changes can be significant and will affect the volume of the fire sprinkler system, thereby- resulting in an inaccurate volume calculation by the CAD program.

[0007] As another approach, plan“take off” is a generally accepted construction industry term used to describe manual calculation of a value using physical plans. A sprinkler system volume can be calculated using the“take off’ method by tabulating the total linear footage of every- pipe size and schedule that is part of the fire sprinkler system, as shown on the physical plans. Next, using sizing charts to determine the internal diameter of each pipe size and schedule, calculations can be performed to determine the total volume of each system. This method of calculating a system volume is extremely labor intensive, and thus very expensive. In addition, when this method is performed on construction/installation documents and not“as-built” drawings, the resulting calculations can be subject to the same inaccuracies of the CAD method described above.

SUMMARY

[0008] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for determining a volume of a pipe network that includes a gas source for supplying a gas to a pipe network: a flow' rate measuring device configured to measure a volume of the gas supplied by the gas source to the pipe network; a pressure sensing device configured to sense a gas pressure in the pipe network; and a controller configured to determine a volume of the pipe network based on the measured volume of gas and the sensed gas pressure.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for determining a volume of a pipe network that includes a gas source for supplying a gas to a pipe network; a flow rate measuring device configured to measure a volume of the gas supplied by the gas source to the pipe network, wherein the flow rate measuring de vice is configured measure at least one of: n instantaneous volume of gas passing through the flowmeter, and a total volume of gas released by the gas source during a specified period of time: a pressure sensing device configured to sense a gas pressure in the pipe network; and a controller configured to determine a volume of the pipe network based on the measured volume of gas and the sensed gas pressure. [001 1] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided A system for determining a volume of a pipe network that includes a gas source for supplying a gas to a pipe network; a flow rate measuring de vice configured to measure a volume of the gas supplied by the gas source to die pipe network; a pressure sensing device configured to sense a gas pressure in the pipe network; and a controller configured to determine a volume of the pipe network based on the equation V _tot = (14.7) * (Q _3vg * t) / (P _fjjj + 14.7), where V _tot is a total volume of the pipe network, Q _3vg is tin average volumetric flow rate, t is time, and Pai _l is a pipe network pressure after the gas is supplied to the pipe network.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of determining a volume of a pipe network that includes die steps of supplying a gas to the pipe network; measuring a volume of the gas supplied by die gas source to the pipe network; sensing a gas pressure in the pipe network; and determining a volume of the pipe network based on the measured volume of gas and the sensed gas pressure.

[0013] Further aspects and areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that various aspects and features of this disclosure may be implemented individually or in combination with one or more other aspects or features. It should also be understood that the description and specific examples herein are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0014] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. [001 S] Fig. l is a diagram of a system for determining a volume of a pipe network according to one example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0018] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising,"“including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. [0019] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only- used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as“first,”“second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0020] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another elements) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below-. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0021] A system for determining a volume of a pipe network according to one example embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in Fig. 1, and indicated generally by reference number 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the system 100 includes a gas source 102, a flow rate measuring device 104, a pressure sensing device 106, and a controller 108.

[0022] The gas source 102 supplies a gas to a pipe network 110, and the flow rate measuring device 104 is adapted to measure a volume of the gas supplied by the gas source 102 to the pipe network 110. The pressure sensing device 106 is adapted to sense a gas pressure in the pipe network 110.

[0023] Therefore, the controller 108 can determine a volume of the pipe network 110 based on the measured volume of gas from the flow rate measuring device 104, and the sensed gas pressure from the pressure sensing device 106. By determining the volume of the pipe network 110 based on a measured volume of gas supplied to the pipe network 110 and a sensed pressure of the pipe network 110, the system 100 can provide increased accuracy, increased speed, and decreased cost compared to current methods of pipe network volume calculation.

[0024] The gas source 102 may be any suitable source for supplying pressurized gas to the pipe network, including a nitrogen generator, an air compressor, etc. The supplied gas may be an inert gas such as nitrogen, and may depend on the type of gas source 102. For example, a nitrogen generator may supply a gas having a high nitrogen concentration (e.g., above 95% nitrogen, above 98% nitrogen, above 99% nitrogen, etc.), and a low oxygen concentration. An air compressor may supply gas having a composition similar to atmospheric air.

[0025] In some embodiments, the flow' rate measuring device 104 (e.g., gas volumetric flow rate measuring device) is a flowmeter. The flowmeter can measure an instantaneous volume of gas passing though the flowmeter (e.g., the instantaneous volume of gas supplied by the gas source 102 to the pipe network 110).

[0028] Alternatively, or in addition, the flowmeter can measure a total volume of gas released in a specified period of time (e.g., the total volume of gas supplied by the gas source 102 to the pipe network). The specified period of time may correspond to a governing standard fill requirement, such as thirty minutes, etc. For example, the governing standard for the installation of fire protection systems, NFPA 13 (Installation of Sprinkler Systems) requires that the supervisory gas source for a dry or preaction fire protection system be sized such that it can bring the pipe network of the system to operating pressure within thirty (30) minutes or within sixty (60) minutes for pipe networks operating in areas maintained below 5°F.

[0027] Non-limiting examples of suitable flowmeter types include mechanical flowmeters (e.g., rotary piston, gear, turbine, paddle wheel), pressure-based flowmeters (e.g., venture, orifice plate), variable-are flowmeters, optical flowmeters, vortex flowmeters, sonar measurement flowmeters, electromagnetic, ultrasonic, and Coriolis flowmeters, and laser Doppler measurement flowmeters.

[0028] The pressure sensing device 106 may include a pressure transducer that senses gas pressure in the pipe network 1 10.

[0029] In some systems, the pipe network 110 may involve a more complex arrangement. In such cases, the pipe network 110 may be divided into multiple zones with each zone forming a sub-network of piping. In some cases, gas may be supplied to each zone independently and in others to both zones simultaneously either by use of multiple gas sources or by dividing a flow of gas from a single gas source to each zone. Flow' control devices may be utilized at the entiy to each zone to independently control the flow' of gas into that zone

[0030] In an exemplary' embodiment, a pressure sensing device 106 may he located in fluid communication with one of the pipe network zones in order to measure the gas pressure in that zone alone. In an alternate embodiment, multiple pressuring sensing devices 106 may be incorporated into the system with each pressure sensing device 106 measuring the gas pressure in a separate zone of the pipe network 110.

[0031] In multi-zone pipe networks, the arrangement of the flow rate measuring device 104 may' similarly' vary . For example, a single flow rate measuring device 104 may be utilized. In other embodiments, multiple flow rate measuring devices 104 may be located adjacent to the entry to each zone to more specifically determine a volume of gas flowing into that particular zone.

[0032] If the pipe network 1 10 includes multiple zones and the gas source 102 is supplying gas to only one of the zones, the pressure transducer may sense a gas pressure in only that zone.

[0033] In some embodiments, the flow rate measuring device 104 and/or the pressure sensing device 106 may be integral with the gas source 102, connected with the gas source 102, etc. For example, the flow rate measuring device 104 may be connected to an output of the gas source 102 to measure gas supplied to the pipe network 110 by the gas source 102.

[0034] Alternatively, or in addition, the flow rate measuring device 104 and/or the pressure sensing device 106 may be positioned remote from the gas source 102. For example, a system vent, gas analyzer, etc. may be coupled to the pipe network 110, and the pressure sensing device 106 may be located in the system vent, the gas analyzer, etc.

[0035] As described above, the controller 108 is configured to determine the volume of the pipe network based on the measured volume of gas and the sensed gas pressure. For example, the controller 108 may determine the volume of the pipe network based on the equation V _tot = (14.7) * (Q _3vg * t) / (R«h + 14.7), where V _tot is a total volume of the pipe network (or zone), Q _{a g} is an average volumetric flow rate, t is time, and R _6!! is a pipe network pressure after the gas is supplied to the pipe network. In this case, 14.7 is a constant for 14.7 pounds per square inch equaling one atmosphere of pressure.

[0036] Therefore, the controller 108 can determine the volume of the pipe network 110 by measuring the change in pressure in the pipe network 110 that occurs in response to a measured amount of gas supplied to the pipe network 110 by the gas source 102. If the pipe network 1 10 starts at one atmosphere of pressure, the change in pressure can be determined by measuring the pressure in the pipe network 110 after the measured amount of gas has been supplied by the gas source 102.

[0037] Tire controller 108 described herein may he configured to perform operations using any suitable combination of hardware and software. For example, the controller 108 may include any suitable circuitry, logic gates, microprocessors), computer- executable instructions stored in memory, etc. operable to cause the controller 108 to perform actions described herein (e.g , determining a volume of the pipe network 110, etc.).

[0038] The controller 108 may be integrated with the gas source 102, connected with the gas source 102, etc. The controller 108 may receive measured gas volumes from the flow' rate measuring device 104, and sensed gas pressures from the pressure sensing device 106, using any suitable connection(s). For example, the controller 108 may be wared to the flow rate measuring device 104 and/or the pressure sensing device 106, may be in wireless communication with the flow' rate measuring device 104 and/or the pressure sensing device 106, etc.

[0039] The system 100 may be used to determine the volume of any suitable pipe network. For example, the pipe network 110 may be a fire protection sprinkler system pipe network, such as a wet pipe sprinkler system, a dry pipe sprinkler system, etc. In those cases, a source of water may be connected to the pipe network 1 10 to supply pressurized wnter to the pipe network 110, at least one sprinkler head may be connected to the pipe network 110 to allow wnter to exit the pipe network in the event of a fire, etc. As should be apparent, in some embodiments the system 100 may be used to determine the volume of a pipe network 110 that is not part of a fire protection sprinkler sy stem.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an exemplary- method of determining a volume of a pipe network is disclosed. The method generally includes supplying gas to a pipe network, measuring a volume of the gas supplied by the gas source to the pipe network, sensing a gas pressure in the pipe network, and determining a volume of the pipe network based on the measured volume of gas and the sensed gas pressure.

[0041] In some embodiments, measuring may include measuring at least one of an instantaneous volume of gas passing through a flowmeter, and a total volume of gas supplied to the pipe network during a specified period of time. Supplying gas to the pipe network can include supplying gas from at least one of a nitrogen generator and an air compressor. The pipe network may comprise a wet pipe fire protection sprinkler system or a dry pipe tire protection sprinkler system.

[0042] In some cases, determining includes determining the volume of the pipe network based on the equation V _tot = (14.7) * (Q _avg * t) / (Pmi + 14.7), where V _tot is a total volume of the pipe network, Q _{avg i} s an average volumetric flow rate, t is time, and P is a pipe network pressure after the gas is supplied to the pipe network.

[0043] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.