Egress point localization

Abstract

A system for determining a location of an egress point in a plumbing system that includes a branched system of pipes within a building is provided. The system includes a first sensor that is configured to measure a first pressure signal as a function of time at a first location within the plumbing system, and a second sensor that is configured to measure a second pressure signal as a function of time at a second location within the plumbing system. The plumbing system includes multiple branch points between the first location and the second location. The system also includes a processor that is configured to determine a temporal difference between a first pressure drop in the first pressure signal and a second pressure drop in the second pressure signal, and use the temporal difference to determine an estimated location of the egress point in the plumbing system.

1 . A portable device for analyzing water in a plumbing system, the portable device comprising:
 a pipe;   an adapter that is configured to connect the pipe with an output of a water source within the plumbing system;   at least one sensor that is configured to measure information about water within the pipe;   a processor that is configured to analyze the information from the at least one sensor; and   a transceiver that is configured to receive the information from the processor and transmit the information to at least one of a network, a cloud analyzer, or a user device.   
     
     
         2 . The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the water source comprises at least one of a faucet, a spout, a shower head, an aerator, or an outdoor spigot. 
     
     
         3 . The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , the portable device further comprising:
 a one-way valve that is configured to regulate water flow into the pipe from the water source;   a water level sensor that is configured to detect when the pipe is filled with the water; and   a shutoff valve that is configured to prevent the water from exiting the pipe.   
     
     
         4 . The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , the portable device further comprising:
 a temperature sensor that is configured to measure a temperature of the water within the pipe; and   a pressure sensor that is configured to measure a pressure of the water within the pipe,   wherein the processor is further configured to detect a leak in the plumbing system by analyzing at least one of the temperature or the pressure of the water within the pipe.   
     
     
         5 . The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , the portable device further comprising:
 a display that is configured to show the information.   
     
     
         6 . The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , the portable device further comprising:
 a thermal device in an area that encompasses an estimated location of an egress point, wherein the thermal device measures an infrared signal, and a leak is identified within an infrared image using the infrared signal according to a temperature estimate provided by the infrared image.   
     
     
         7 . The portable device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the infrared signal is used to modify the estimated location of the egress point. 
     
     
         8 . A plumbing system including a branched system of pipes within a building, the plumbing system comprising:
 a portable device comprising:
 a pipe; 
 an adapter that is configured to connect the pipe with an output of a water source within the plumbing system; 
 at least one sensor that is configured to measure information about water within the pipe; 
 a processor that is configured to analyze the information from the at least one sensor; and 
 a transceiver that is configured to receive the information from the processor and transmit the information to at least one of a network, a cloud analyzer, or a user device. 
   
     
     
         9 . The plumbing system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the water source comprises at least one of a faucet, a spout, a shower head, an aerator, or an outdoor spigot. 
     
     
         10 . The plumbing system as recited in  claim 8 , the portable device further comprising:
 a one-way valve that is configured to regulate water flow into the pipe from the water source;   a water level sensor that is configured to detect when the pipe is filled with the water; and   a shutoff valve that is configured to prevent the water from exiting the pipe.   
     
     
         11 . The plumbing system as recited in  claim 8 , the portable device further comprising:
 a temperature sensor that is configured to measure a temperature of the water within the pipe; and   a pressure sensor that is configured to measure a pressure of the water within the pipe, wherein the processor is further configured to detect a leak in the plumbing system by analyzing at least one of the temperature or the pressure of the water within the pipe.   
     
     
         12 . The plumbing system as recited in  claim 8 , the portable device further comprising:
 a display that is configured to show the information.   
     
     
         13 . The plumbing system as recited in  claim 8 , the portable device further comprising:
 a thermal device in an area that encompasses an estimated location of an egress point, wherein the thermal device measures an infrared signal, and a leak is identified within an infrared image using the infrared signal according to a temperature estimate provided by the infrared image.   
     
     
         14 . The plumbing system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the infrared signal is used to modify the estimated location of the egress point. 
     
     
         15 . A method for localizing an egress point within a plumbing system, the method comprising:
 connecting by an adapter, a pipe of the plumbing system with an output of a water source within the plumbing system;   measuring by at least one sensor, information about water within the pipe;   analyzing by a processor, the information from the at least one sensor; and   receiving by a transceiver, the information from the processor and transmitting the information to at least one of a network, a cloud analyzer, or a user device.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the water source comprises at least one of a faucet, a spout, a shower head, an aerator, or an outdoor spigot. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 regulating by a one-way valve, water flow into the pipe from the water source;   detecting by a water level sensor, when the pipe is filled with the water; and   preventing by a shutoff valve, the water from exiting the pipe.   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 measuring by a temperature sensor, a temperature of the water within the pipe;   measuring by a pressure sensor, a pressure of the water within the pipe; and   detecting by the processor, a leak in the plumbing system by analyzing at least one of the temperature or the pressure of the water within the pipe.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 showing the information on a display.   
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 measuring an infrared signal by a thermal device, wherein a leak is identified within an infrared image using the infrared signal according to a temperature estimate provided by the infrared image.