Method and apparatus for detecting stagnant water

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016202094-A1
Application number	US-201514978600-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 22, 2015
Priority date	Jan 14, 2015
Publication date	Jul 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method of detecting stagnant water includes flowing a water in a pipe and producing electrical energy via the flow of the water. The electrical energy is stored in an energy store. A change of state of the energy store is detected and information about possible stagnation of the water is obtained from the change of state of the energy store. An apparatus for detecting stagnant drinking water includes a generator for producing electrical energy, an energy store for storing that energy, a control and analysis unit which detects the charge state of the energy store and a signal transmitter which emits a signal depending on the charge state of the energy store.

First claim

1 . A method of detecting stagnant water,
wherein electrical energy is produced in a pipe section by flowing a drinking water, wherein the electrical energy is stored in an energy store, wherein the charge state of the energy store is detected, and wherein information about possible stagnation of the drinking water is obtained from the charge state of the energy store.

2 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the degree of freshness is derived from the stagnation of the drinking water.

3 . A method as claimed in claim 2 , characterised in that the degree of freshness of the water is indicated by at least one of acoustically and visually.

4 . A method as claimed in claim 2 , characterised in that when the energy store is discharged the drinking water is indicated after a predetermined discharge time as “fresh”.

5 . A method as claimed in claim 4 , characterised in that the discharge time is adjustable.

6 . A method as claimed in claim 4 , characterised in that in order to determine the discharge time, water is permitted to discharge once, that the water temperature during the discharge is measured and that the discharge time is determined on the basis of the change in water temperature.

7 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the energy store is constructed in the form of a capacitor.

8 . Apparatus for detecting stagnant drinking water, including
a generator for producing electrical energy, an energy store for storing the electrical energy, a control and analysis unit, which detects the charge state of the energy store, and including a signal transmitter, which emits a signal depending on the charge state of the energy store.

9 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , characterised in that the signal is an optical signal.

10 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , characterised in that it is constructed as an end member or an intermediate member for a water outlet.

11 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , characterised in that the energy store is constructed in the form of a capacitor.

12 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , characterised by an input device, by means of which the control and analysis unit can be supplied with a time period.

13 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , further including a temperature sensor.

14 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the water outlet comprises a water faucet.

15 . A method of detecting stagnant water comprising:
flowing water in a pipe; producing electrical energy via the flow of the water; storing the electrical energy in an energy store; detecting a charge state of the energy store; and wherein information about possible stagnation of the water is obtained from the charge state of the energy store.

16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the water is a drinking water.

Assignees

• Neoperl Gmbh

Inventors

• Ruhnke Christof

Classifications

• F03B13/10

  Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors · CPC title

• G01N33/18

  Water · CPC title

• F24D17/0073

  Arrangements for preventing the occurrence or proliferation of microorganisms in the water · CPC title

• E03C2201/40

  Arrangement of water treatment devices in domestic plumbing installations · CPC title

• E03C1/10 Primary

  Devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes, e.g. means for aerating self-closing flushing valves (vacuum-breakers in general F16K, F16L) · CPC title