Patent Publication Number: US-2022236137-A1

Title: Plumbing stack leak test cell

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/910,883, filed Jun. 24, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62865559 filed on Jun. 24, 2019 for PLUMBING STACK LEAK TEST CELL, which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a plumbing stack. More particularly, the present invention relates to a semi-automated testing device for plumbing stacks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Section 312.2 of the 2018 International Plumbing Code (“Code”) requires that plumbing stacks undergo drainage and vent water testing. Specifically, the Code requires that a water test be applied to the drainage system in its entirety or in sections. If applied to the entire system, all openings in the piping shall be tightly closed, except the highest opening, and the system shall be filled with water to the point of overflow. If the system is tested in sections, each opening shall be tightly plugged except the highest openings of the sections undergoing testing, and each section shall be filled with water. However, sections shall not be tested with less than a 10-foot head of water. 
     Currently, these tests are performed manually and are therefore time consuming and prone to error. As such, it would be advantageous to have a streamlined testing mechanism for plumbing stacks. 
     SUMMARY 
     Semi-automated testing devices for a plumbing stack are disclosed. A semi-automated testing device in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise a transfer pump configured to automatically fill the plumbing stack; at least one automated gripping element configured to grip a supplemental pipe coupled to a pipe of a plumbing stack to be tested via a connection; at least one automated sealing element configured to seal the connection; and at least one water level sensor configured to measure a water level of the supplemental piping. A method of testing the plumbing stack with the semi-automated testing device is also provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a testing device in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of the testing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of an automated gripping element of the testing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the automated gripping element of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an automated sealing element of the testing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a section along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the automated sealing element of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a water level sensor of the testing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a back view of the water level sensor of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a section along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary view of parts of the water level sensor of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged fragmentary view of parts of the water level sensor of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart of a method of testing a plumbing stack with the testing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A semi-automated testing device for a plumbing stack is disclosed. The testing device is a streamlined testing mechanism for plumbing stacks. The testing device may be used inside a factory to test newly assembled plumbing stacks to confirm that they are sealed properly before they are inserted into walls. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a testing device  100 .  FIG. 2  is a back view of the testing device  100  of  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a semi-automated testing device  100  for performing drainage and vent water testing on a plumbing stack  6  is provided. Certain components of the testing device  100  may be automated. For example, the testing device  100  may comprise at least one automated gripping element  10 , at least one automated sealing element  20 , at least one automated water level sensor  30 , and a transfer pump  2  for automatically filling of the plumbing stack  6 . These automated elements eliminate time consuming and error-prone manual steps of testing plumbing stacks. 
     The testing device  100  may also comprise one or more of the following components: a water reservoir  1 , a water manifold  3  for distribution to all stacks, a directional control valve  4  for controlled filling, a drain manifold  5 , a trough  9  for catching leaks, supplemental piping  7  for the required water head and a fitting  8  for filling and draining of the plumbing stack  6 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the plumbing stack  6  is installed into the testing device  100 . Pipes of the plumbing stack  6  runs up through the automated gripping elements  10  to the automated sealing elements  20 . The automated sealing elements  20  connect the pipes of the plumbing stack  6  to the supplemental piping  7 . The supplemental piping  7  connects to the automated water level sensors  30 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of an automated gripping element  10  of the testing device  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the automated gripping element  10  of  FIG. 3 . The automated gripping element  10  grips and secures the plumbing stack  6  to the testing device  100 . The gripping element  10  reduces movement of the plumbing stack  6  during testing and thereby prevents damages to the plumbing stack  6 . With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the at least one automated gripping element  10  may comprise a two finger clamp  13  and a single finger clamp  14  for gripping and securing a pipe of the plumbing stack  6  during testing. The testing device  100  may include multiple gripping elements  10  so that one gripping element  10  may be pair with one pipe of the plumbing stack  6 . Alternatively, the testing device  100  may include multiple gripping elements  10  per pipe of the plumbing stack  6 . The two finger clamp  13  may be coupled to a first gripping bracket  16 A and the single finger clamp  14  may be coupled to a second gripping bracket  16 B. The first gripping bracket  16 A may be coupled to a first jaw portion  12 A and the second gripping bracket  16 B may be coupled to a second jaw portion  12 B. The first jaw portion  12 A and the second jaw portion  12 B may be connected via a body portion  11 . The body portion  11  may be attached to a clamp mount bracket  15 . The automated gripping element  10  may be attached to the testing device  100  via the clamp mount bracket  15 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an automated sealing element  20  of the testing device  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  is a section along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the automated sealing element  20  of  FIG. 5 . With reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , the at least one automated sealing element  20  is automated and may comprise at least one pipe seal. The at least one pipe seal may provide for automated pneumatic sealing between a pipe of the plumbing stack  6  and a pipe of the supplemental piping  7 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In an embodiment, the at least one automated sealing element  20  comprises a pipe seal for a first diameter  21 , a pipe seal for a second diameter  22 , and a pipe seal for a third diameter  23 . The automated sealing element  20  may accommodate plumbing stacks  6  having various diameter pipe. The pipe seals  21 ,  22 ,  23  may be enclosed in a case  25 . The at least one automated sealing element  20  may further comprise a top pressurized housing  24 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a water level sensor  30  of the testing device  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 9  is a back view of the water level sensor  30  of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a section along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . With reference to  FIGS. 8-10 , the at least one water level sensor  30  is configured to measure the water level in the plumbing stack  6  to detect leaks. In an embodiment, the at least one water level sensor  30  comprises a bobber sensor  45 . The bobber sensor  45  comprises a bobber  45   a  attached to a base  45   b . The bobber sensor  45  is configured to measure a level of water within the water level sensor  30 . The bobber sensor  45  may be located in a body portion  41  of the water level sensor  30 . The body portion  41  may comprise a window  42  made of a clear material, such as a clear acrylic, so that the bobber sensor  45  may be viewed from the outside. A gasket  44  may be located between the body portion  41  and the window  42  to seal the window  42 . 
     The body portion  41  of the at least one water level sensor  30  may be coupled to the supplemental piping  7  connected to the plumbing stack  6 . The at least one water level sensor  30  may also be coupled to a pipe element  31  via a first coupling element  33  and an adapter  32 . The first coupling element  33  may comprise a tee connector  33   a  and a socket connector  33   b . The pipe element  31  is configured to receive an overflow of water from the supplemental piping  7 . 
     The at least one sensor  30  may further comprise an adjustment mechanism  34  for adjusting the height of the bobber sensor  45 . In an embodiment, the adjustment mechanism  34  may comprise an adjustment bracket  34   a , a grommet  34   b , and a pipe  34   c . In an embodiment, the height of the adjustment bracket may be adjustable via a screw  35  and a washer  36 . The grommet  34   b  may center the pipe  34   c  within the body portion  41 . In an embodiment, the pipe  34   c  may be comprised of steel. A first end of the pipe  34   c  may be coupled to the adjustment bracket  34   a . A second end of the pipe  34 c opposite the first end may be coupled to a first end of a second coupling element  43 . A second end of the second coupling element  43  opposite the first end may be coupled to the bobber sensor  45 . 
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart of a method  1300  of testing a plumbing stack  6  with the testing device  100 . Step  1310  includes receiving a plumbing stack  6 . The plumbing stack  6  includes the details and embodiments of a plumbing stack  6  described above. 
     Step  1320  includes inserting the plumbing stack  6  into the testing device  100  for testing. 
     Step  1330  includes securing the plumbing stack  6  to at least one automated gripping element  10  and at least one automated sealing element  20  of the testing device  100 . The automated gripping elements  10  and the automated sealing elements  20  include the details and embodiments described above. After the plumbing stack  6  is inserted into the testing device  100 , the two finger clamp  13  and the single finger clamp  14  of each automated gripping element  10  grips and secures a pipe of the plumbing stack  6  to the testing device  100 . The pipes of the plumbing stack  6  extend up through the gripping elements  10  of the testing device  100  to the automated sealing elements  20 . Each automated sealing element  20  automatically seals a pipe of the plumbing stack  6  with a supplemental piping  7  of the testing device  100 . As stated above, the supplemental piping  7  provides the required water head for testing. In one embodiment, the supplemental piping  7  may provide  10  feet of water head for testing. After the plumbing stack  6  is secured to at least one automated gripping element  10  and at least one automated sealing element  20  of the testing device  100 , an operator may connect a hose to the water source and plug any remaining openings in the plumbing stack  6 . 
     Step  1340  includes starting the automatic test cycle. When the automatic test cycle begins, actuators may open and a water pump  2  turns on to fill the plumbing stack  6 . The plumbing stack  6  and testing device  100  are filled with water to the at least one automated water level sensor  30 . The automated water level sensors  30  include the details and embodiments described above. Once the water reaches a height within the water level sensor  30  that the bobber sensor  45  may read the water level, the actuators are closed and the water is turned off. After the water is turned off, a timer may begin. 
     Step  1350  includes monitoring the water level for a specified time. The specified time may be determined by engineering or plumbing standards and/or codes. The water level is monitored by the water level sensors  30 . The water level sensors  30  read and indicate whether the water level drops below a specified level. If the water level drops below the specified level, there may be a leak or defect in the plumbing stack  6 . The water level sensors  30  may read “on” when the water level is above the specified level and “off” when the water level is below the specified level. 
     Step  1360  includes determining whether the plumbing stack  6  passes or fails based on a reading of the water level sensors  30 . If any of the water level sensors  30  read “off” or otherwise indicate that the water level dropped below an acceptable specified level, the plumbing stack  6  fails. If all the water level sensors  30  read “on” or otherwise indicate an acceptable water level throughout the duration of testing, the plumbing stack  6  passes. If the plumbing stack  6  passes, the stack may be certified per engineering or plumbing standards or codes such as Section 312.2 of the 2018 International Plumbing Code. After the test is complete, the testing device  100  may automatically dump the water from the plumbing stack  6  and testing device  100 . The plumbing stack  6  may also be released from the testing device  100 . Passing or certified plumbing stacks  6  may be prepared for delivery while failing plumbing stacks  6  may be disposed. 
     Having thus described in detail a preferred selection of embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made to the testing device  100  without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.