The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 1991
Filed:
Apr. 04, 1990
David A Kiewit, Palm Harbor, FL (US);
Other;
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.