Leak detector

Abstract

Examples of a leak detection system are disclosed. In one example according to aspects of the present disclosure, a leak detection system includes a housing defining an interior, the housing connected to a component of a water distribution system. The leak detection system also includes a leak detection sensor contained within the interior of the housing and configured to detect a leak within the water distribution system. Additionally, the leak detection system includes a digital signal processing circuit in communication with the leak detection sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A leak detection system comprising:
 a housing defining an interior, the housing connected to a component of a water distribution system;   a leak detection sensor contained within the interior of the housing and configured to detect a leak within the water distribution system; and   a digital signal processing circuit in communication with the leak detection sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communication circuit contained within the interior of the housing and in communication with the leak detection sensor, the communication circuit configured to communicate leak detection data.   
     
     
         3 . The leak detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the communication circuit is configured to communicate leak detection data using a radio frequency (RF). 
     
     
         4 . The leak detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the communication circuit and the digital signal processing circuit are components of a circuit board. 
     
     
         5 . The leak detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the communication circuit is a component of a first circuit board and the digital signal processing circuit is a component of a second circuit board. 
     
     
         6 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the digital signal processing circuit is configured to store leak detection data detected by the leak detection sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the leak detection sensor includes piezoelectric material. 
     
     
         8 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the leak detection sensor is connected to the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second leak detection sensor contained within the interior of the housing.   
     
     
         10 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the leak detection sensor is configured to detect a leak by sensing leak data periodically. 
     
     
         11 . The leak detection system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the leak detection sensor is configured to detect a leak by sensing leak data periodically, and   the second leak detection sensor is configured to sense a pipe burst and a tamper event continuously.   
     
     
         12 . The leak detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the leak detection sensor is dampened by one of a coating or an adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 sampling, by a leak detection sensor, an area of a water distribution system for an acoustic signal;   correlating, by a processor, an acoustic waveform of the acoustic signal with an event unrelated to a leak in the water distribution system; and   filtering, by the processor, the acoustic waveform correlated with the event unrelated to the leak in the water distribution system from the acoustic signal.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising determining, by the processor, when the acoustic waveform correlated with the event unrelated to the leak in the water distribution system spikes. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using, by the processor, a Fourier Transform to determine when the acoustic waveform correlated with the event unrelated to the leak in the water distribution system spikes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising storing, by the processor, the filtered acoustic signal in a memory device. 
     
     
         17 . A leak detection system comprising:
 a housing defining an interior, the housing connected to a component of a water distribution system;   a leak detection sensor contained within the interior of the housing and configured to detect a leak within the water distribution system; and   a circuit board contained within the interior of the housing, the circuit board including a communication circuit and a digital signal processing circuit, the communication circuit and digital signal processing circuit in communication with the leak detection sensor, the digital signal processing circuit configured to store leak detection data stored by the leak detection sensor, and the communication circuit device configured to communicate leak detection data.   
     
     
         18 . The leak detection system of  claim 17 , wherein the digital signal processing circuit and a microcontroller unit are components of a circuit board. 
     
     
         19 . The leak detection system of  claim 18 , wherein the microcontroller unit is configured to operate continually, and wherein the digital signal processing circuit is configured to operate periodically. 
     
     
         20 . The leak detection system of  claim 17 , wherein the leak detection sensor is configured to detect a leak by sensing leak data periodically.