Technical field

The present invention relates to a water-stop system for a building or a mobile structure.

A water-stop system is a system that is intended to reduce or prevent water leaks and subsequent damages to buildings or mobile structures, such as residential buildings, office buildings or mobile homes. In its simplest form, such a system includes a valve, such as a solenoid valve, installed in the supply line of an appliance which may be subject to leakage, such as a washing machine, an ice maker, a coffee machine, a dishwasher, a water heater, or the like. The system also includes a sensor for detecting leakage of water. The sensor is normally mounted below the appliance and arranged to control the valve. If the presence of water is detected by the sensor, the valve is automatically closed. In more advanced systems, the valve is installed in the main water line of the building, and is controlled by several sensors, each monitoring its own appliance.

Advantageously, by installing such a water-stop system, water leaks may be reduced, or even prevented. This is an important effect, as each year water damage accounts for large costs to society. Further advantageously, insurance companies may provide a discount on insurance fees if the building or mobile structure is equipped with such a water-stop system. In addition, in many countries building regulations render the installation of water-stop systems mandatory for new buildings, such as the Norwegian Tec 10 regulations and its expansion Tec 17.

In addition to water damage, both fires and gas leaks may cause harm to property and health, thereby imposing large costs on society. Fires, for instance, cause loss of human life, every year. As a preventive measure, it is therefore required by law in many countries that all buildings must be equipped with smoke alarms that emit a warning sound in the event of a fire. Gas leaks present a different problem, in that these can be difficult to detect. In countries where gas is used for household purposes, such as heating, lighting, powering of appliances, and I or food preparation, gas leaks and explosions caused by such leaks often result in fatalities, injuries and I or damage to property.

It is desirable to integrate smoke alarms and I or gas alarms with a water-stop system. However, problems can arise with such a combination if a fire occurs in the building or mobile structure where the system is installed. If the fire is extinguished with water from the buildings' water supply, water may readily be detected by one of the water leakage sensors, thereby activating the water-stop system. The undesired consequence is that the water supply needed for extinguishing the fire is abruptly choked. Consequently, the water-stop system must then be deactivated, which can be a cumbersome task during the chaotic situation when a fire occurs, especially if the person involved is not familiar with the water-stop system. In this manner, valuable time, needed to contain the fire, may be lost. If, in addition, a fire occurs in a building or mobile structure where gas is used, the rescue services may be reluctant to enter the building or mobile structure until the gas supply is properly shut off. Therefore, there is a clear need for an improved system, which overcomes the above-mentioned problems.

Summary of the invention

The present invention concerns a water-stop system according to claim 1. The present invention also concerns a method for operating a water-stop system according to claim Y.

Figures

Fig. 1A schematically shows a water-stop system according to the present invention.

Fig. IB schematically shows details of a water-stop system according to the present invention.

Detailed description

The present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying figures. The same reference signs denote the same features in the figures an in the description hereinbelow.

Fig. 1A schematically shows a water-stop system according to the invention. The system includes a water valve 1. Optionally, the system may include more than one water valve 1. The water valve 1 may, for instance, be arranged to be connected to the main water supply 2 of a building or mobile structure. The building may be a residential building, such as a home or a holiday house. Alternatively, the building may be an office building, an educational building, an industrial building, a warehouse, a sports center, or the like. Further alternatively, mobile structure may be a mobile home, a camper van, or a boat. The water valve 1 can preferably be a solenoid valve, or a motor-controlled valve.

The system further includes at least one controller 3. The controller 3 includes a CPU 3' and a memory unit 3", coupled to the CPU 3', as schematically shown in fig. IB. The controller also includes a power supply and an input / output interface (not shown). The controller is further provided with control logic, arranged to control operation of the system. The controller further may include a transceiver 3"', to receive signals from the sensor(s) included in the system (described below), and I or to receive and transmit signals from and to a remote unit (described below). The water valve 1 is connected to the controller 3. The water valve 1 may be connected to the controller 3 by a wireless connection. Alternatively, the water valve 1 may be connected to the controller 3 by a cable connection. The water valve 1 is remotely controlled by the controller 3. The controller 3 thereby controls whether the water valve 1 is opened or closed.

The system includes at least one leakage sensor 4a. In the embodiment of fig. 1A two leakage sensors 4a are shown. The system may, however, include more leakage sensors, such as 3 - 20, or even more leakage sensors. The number of leakage sensors may be chosen according to the number of appliances or locations within the building or mobile structure that must be monitored for water leakage. The at least one leakage sensor 4a may for instance, be an ultrasonic wavelength sensor, or an electrical conduction-based sensor.

The system further includes at least one smoke sensor 4b. In the embodiment of fig. 1A two smoke sensors 4b are shown. The system may, however, include more smoke sensors 4b, such as 3 - 20, or even more smoke sensors. The number of smoke sensors 4b may be chosen according to existing fire regulations. The at least one smoke sensor 4b may, for instance, be an optical smoke sensor, an ionization-based smoke sensor, an infrared imaging gas sensor, or a semiconductor gas sensor.

Optionally, the system may further include a gas valve 5, see fig. 1A, and at least one gas sensor 4c. Optionally, the system may include more than one gas valve 5. The gas valve 5 may, for instance, be arranged to be connected to the main gas supply 6 of the building or mobile structure. The gas valve 5 can preferably be a solenoid valve, or a motor-controlled valve. The gas valve 5 is remotely controlled, by the controller 3. The controller 3 thereby controls whether the gas valve 5 is opened or closed.

In the embodiment of fig. 1A two gas sensors 4c are shown. The system may, however, include more gas sensors 4c, such as 3 - 20, or even more gas sensors 4b. The number of gas sensors 4c may be chosen according to the number of appliances or locations within the building or mobile structure that must be monitored for gas leakage. The at least one gas sensor is configured to detect the presence of gas, and optionally the concentration of gas. The at least one gas sensor 4c may, for instance, be an electrochemical gas sensor, a photoionization gas sensor, an infrared imaging gas sensor, or a semiconductor gas sensor.

The controller 3 is configured to receive signals from the at least one leakage sensor 4a, the at least one smoke sensor 4b, and the optional at least one gas sensor 4c. Each sensor 4a, 4b, 4c may communicate wirelessly with the controller 3. Thereto, each sensor 4a, 4b, 4c includes a transmitter 4' configured to communicate a signal 7 wirelessly to the transceiver 3', as schematically shown for a leakage sensor 4a in fig. IB. Alternatively, some or all sensors 4a, 4b, 4c may be connected to the controller 3 by a cable connection. The controller 3 is further configured to close the water valve 1 and I or the optional gas valve 5 upon receiving a signal from one or more of the sensors 4a, 4b, 4c. Specifically, the controller is configured to close the water valve 1, when receiving a signal from the leakage sensor 4a only. The controller 3 is also configured to close the optional gas valve 5 when receiving a signal from the smoke sensor 4b and I or the gas sensor 4c. Furthermore, the controller is configured to disregard any signals from the leakage sensor 4a, and to open, or to keep open, the water valve 1, when receiving a signal from the smoke sensor 4b and I or the gas sensor 4c. The controller 3 is thereby configured to allow signals from the smoke sensor 4b and I or the gas sensor 4c to override signals from the leakage sensor 4a. Advantageously, the system thereby avoids a shut-off of the water supply in case of a fire or a gas leak.

The system may further include an alarm 8, see fig. IB. The alarm 8 may be a visible or audible alarm. The audible alarm may, for instance, include sirens and I or spoken text with information on the emergency situation and I or on which action to take for occupants of the building or mobile structure. The alarm 8 is connected to the controller 3. The controller 3 is configured to activate the alarm 8 upon receiving a signal from one or more of the sensors 4a, 4b, 4c. The alarm 8 may include one or more speakers and I or lights. The one or more speakers and I or lights may be placed at strategic locations the building or mobile structure, such that occupants of the building or mobile structure may evacuate or take action. The alarm 8 may be configured to emit different sounds and I or light depending on which sensor activated the system.

In operation, the at least one leakage sensor 4a may detect a water leakage. A signal 7 is then sent by the sensor 4a to the controller 3. The controller 3 then closes the water valve 1, connected to the main water supply 2. If the at least one smoke sensor 4b detects smoke and I or if the optional at least one gas sensor 4c detects gas, these sensors will also send a signal to the controller 3. The controller 3 will then close the optional gas valve 5. Additionally, the controller will open, or keep open, the water valve 1, and disregard any signals from the at least one leakage sensor 4a. Thereby the controller 3 lets a signal from the smoke sensor 4b and I or from the gas sensor 4c override signals from the leakage sensor 4a. Advantageously, the smoke sensor and the gas sensor thereby have absolute priority, ensuring that the water supply is kept up and the gas supply is shut off in case of a fire and I or gas leak. Thereby, dangerous situations where a fire can expand unchecked due to a shut-off water supply may be avoided. Only resetting of the smoke sensor and I or the gas sensor can make the waterstop system operational again. Once the emergency situation has been resolved, a user should therefore reset the water-stop system. Upon receiving a signal from any of the sensors 4a, 4b, 4c, the controller 3 preferably sends a warning signal to a user. Furthermore, the controller 3 preferably activates the alarm 8. Thereby, occupants receive a potentially life-saving warning and may either take action or evacuate.

In the water-stop system according to the present invention, the water valve 1 and the optional gas valve 5 can additionally be controlled via a control panel or a remote control. The system may thereto further include an application for a mobile device, or a program for a computer or a control panel, configured to communicate with the controller 3. The mobile device may be a tablet computer, a laptop, a smartphone, or a smartwatch. The application or computer program may include a graphical user interface (GUI), with options for displaying graphical and I or textual information. Furthermore, the GUI may include means for sending instructions to the controller 3. Advantageously, a user can thereby remotely close the water valve 1 and I or the optional gas valve 5. In the event of a water leakage, a fire and / or a gas leak, the system will take action as described hereinbefore, and notify the user, preferably via a wireless connection. The application or computer program may further allow a user to activate the alarm 8 and I or to send spoken messages to occupants of the building or mobile structure, through the speakers of the alarm. The application or computer program may further be configured to display graphical or textual information to the user. The information may include which sensor 4a, 4b, 4c has sent a signal to the controller 3 and possibly, where the sensor is located in the building or mobile structure. The application or computer program may further be arranged to allow integration with third party applications or computer programs and I or to be integrated in an internet-of-things (I-o-T) system. Thereby, the water-stop system may be coupled with other monitoring and control systems, be integrated in a smartbuilding solution or form part of an I-o-T solution for one or more buildings or mobile structures.

In a further embodiment, the system may include one or more of a security alarm, a carbon monoxide detector, and / or a GPS module. The security alarm may include at least one motion detection sensor, at least one IR sensor, and / or at least one camera. The security alarm is preferably connected to the controller 3. Thereby, the system may warn a user when an intruder enters the structure and, for example, preventively close the gas valve 5. The optional at least one camera may be used to assess the intruder situation remotely. The controller 3 and optionally other elements of the system may be secured against tampering, such that the system cannot be altered or turned off by an unauthorized person.

The at least one camera may also be used to visually monitor smoke, in case of a fire. Preferably, the at least one camera is thereto integrated with the at least one smoke sensor 4b. The system is preferably configured to active the integrated camera when a smoke sensor 4a senses smoke and triggers the system. Advantageously, the user may thereby be provided with a real-time image of the situation at the location where the smoke and I or fire occurs. The application or computer program may further be configured to display information from the security alarm to the user. For instance, sensor location information, or a live feed from one or more cameras may be streamed by the application or computer program at a users' request.

The optional carbon monoxide detector may include one or more carbon monoxide sensors. Each carbon monoxide sensor may be coupled to the controller 3. The controller 3 is preferably configured to activate the alarm 8 upon receiving a signal from the carbon monoxide detector. Thereby occupants of the structure may take action by ventilating, or by evacuating. Additionally, the application or computer program may be configured to display information from the carbon monoxide detector to the user.

The controller 3 may additionally be connected to an external service, such as a security service, and I or to emergency services, such as the police, ambulance, or the fire brigade. The optional GPS module may provide location information to the external service. This may be especially advantageous for a mobile structure, which may change locations. The GPS module may further be used for geofencing. The user may then receive a warning when the mobile structure is moved unauthorized. The controller may then automatically close the water valve 1 and / or the gas valve 5 for safety reasons.