SE2430123A1

SE2430123A1 - Valve unit comprising on board a detection unit of hydraulic parameters

Info

Publication number: SE2430123A1
Application number: SE2430123A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Alessandro Locatelli; Andrea Forni; Andrea Pellegrini; Mauro Mazzolini; Nicola Saleri
Original assignee: Eurotermo S R L
Priority date: 2023-03-14
Filing date: 2024-03-12
Publication date: 2024-09-15

Abstract

Valve unit configured to be installed in a hydraulic circuit, the valve unit comprising a body having a first and a second port fluidically connected by a first supply line, a third port fluidically connected to the first supply line by a second supply line, wherein in use the first port is fluidically connected to a pressurized distribution line of e.g. drinkable water, the second port to a user utility and the third port to a drainage line; the valve unit being operable in use among a regular use configuration, wherein first and second port are open while the third port is closed so that the pressurized distribution line supplies the user utility while the supply to drainage line is interrupted; among a shut off configuration, wherein the first and third port are closed and second port is open so as to interrupt the supply from pressurized distribution line downstream the second port; and further among a by-pass configuration wherein the first port is closed and second and third port are open so as to cause the emptying of the hydraulic circuit downstream the second port via the drainage line and; the valve unit further comprising on board a detection unit configured to detect hydraulic parameters downstream the second port, the valve unit being connected in data exchange to an electronic control unit programmed to perform the steps of providing the valve unit in regular use configuration and running a first test based on data from the detection unit, said data being captured when the pressurized distribution line is fluidly connected to the utility via the valve unit; providing, based on the first test, either a first output representative of an allowable water consumption or a second output representative of an undesired water consumption; where the second output is generated, running a second test based on data from the detection unit when the pressurized distribution line is fluidly disconnected from the pressurized distribution line via the valve unit; the second test generating either a third output representative of an allowable water leakage situation, including a zero-leakage configuration, or a fourth output representative of an undesired leakage.

Description

"VALVE UNIT COMPRISING ON BOARD A DETECTION UNIT OF HYDRAULIC PARAMETERS" DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of valves, in particular to a valve unit comprising on board a detection unit of hydraulic parameters, e.g. pressure and floW rate, such valve unit being configured to have an inlet port connectable to a Water pressurized distribution line of a hydraulic circuit, e.g. of drinl of such valve unit is also described.

PRIOR ART In a Water circuit having a single inlet and at least one manual utility, such as for example a faucet of a sinl<, and an automatic utility, such as a Washing machine, it is important to identify anomalies in Water consumption, due for example a localized leal< on a pipe of the hydraulic circuit. In this Way, damages can be prevented from flooding to the rooms and the building, caused, for example, by Water infiltration in a structure of the building or on a finish such as plaster, Wallpaper or Wooden floor. Furthermore, in the event of a leal< While the user is not present e.g. in the house or from a pipe hidden in a Wall, it is difficult to react on time to stop the leal< immediately it occurs, With the consequence that such leal< spread Water creating a flood inside the rooms of a house. Moreover, being the hydraulic circuit of a house generally connected to the domestic Water pressurized distribution line of a building, in the event of a leal< the Water continues floWing until such floW is stopped, e.g. closing the main valve generally interposed between the domestic Water pressurized distribution line and the hydraulic circuit of the house. As it can be understood, the operation of stopping the domestic Water floW coming from the pressurized distribution line requires the physical presence of the owner of the house or of a technician, e.g. to manually close the main valve, resulting then in a delay in the readiness of stopping the leal< and at the same time in an amplification of the Water spilling, With related damages.

It is then a felt need that of developing solutions through Which immediately stopping Water supply from a pressurized distribution line in case of a leal< from a pipe in a hydraulic circuit, that can be also easily installed in an existing hydraulic circuit and at the same time avoid any Water spilling from the pipe Where the leal< is detected in order to minimize flooding and damages inside e.g. a house.

SCOPE AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has the scope to solve at least partially the above mentioned needs, Wherein such scope is achieved through a valve unit according to claim 1.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valve unit is configured to be installed in a hydraulic circuit, e.g. of a house, and comprises a body having a first and a second port fluidically connected by a first supply line, and a third port connected to the first supply line by a second supply line. In particular, When the valve unit is mounted in a hydraulic circuit, the first port is fluidically connected to a pressurized distribution line, e.g. a line connected to the delivery line of the building domestic Water Which is in turn connected to the aqueduct. The second port, instead, is fluidically connected to one or more user utility, e.g. a shoWer or a faucet, via a distribution branch supplied by the pressurized distribution line. The third port, instead, is fluidically connected to a drainage line, e.g. a pipe connected to a drainage Water netWorl< external to the house. Such a valve unit further comprises a first and a second valve, Wherein the first valve has an inlet connected to the first port and an outlet connected to the first and second supply line. The second valve, instead, has an inlet connected to the second supply line and an outlet connected to the third port. Moreover, the first and second valve are operable between an open and a closed position, so that it is possible to define different operating conditions of the valve unit by combining the opening and closing of the first and second valve. In particular, the valve unit is operable in a regular use configuration, Wherein the first and second port are open, i.e. first valve is open, While the third port is closed, i.e. second valve is closed, so that the pressurized distribution line supplies the user utility via the valve unit While the drainage line is fluidically disconnected. Furthermore, valve unit is operable in a shut off configuration, Wherein the first, second and third port are closed, i.e. first and second valve are closed, so as to interrupt the supply from pressurized distribution line doWnstream both the second and third port. Furthermore, valve unit is operable in a by-pass configuration Wherein the first port is closed and second and third port are open, i.e. first valve is closed and second valve is open, so that it is possible to empty the hydraulic circuit doWnstream the second port via the drainage line. According to an aspect of the present invention, through the valve unit it is possible to detect anomalies occurring in the hydraulic circuit, such as a leal achieve such result, a control method of the valve unit is described. In particular, to perform such control method of the valve unit, the electronic control unit is programmed to perform the following steps: - providing the valve unit in regular use configuration and running a first test based on data from the detection unit, e.g. flow rate and pressure, said data being captured When the pressurized distribution line is fluidly connected to the user utility via the valve unit. In this way, Water supply to utilities is not interrupted during the first test, therefore allowing the users to l - providing, based on the first test, either a first output representative of an allowable water consumption or a second output representative of an unallowable water consumption. In particular, allowable water consumption is the amount of water drawn from utilities by the users, wherein the setting of the allowable water consumption can be defined by the user according to own preferences, also including leal example of a leal a domestic utility. For this reason, such electronic control unit is programmed to perform a further step of: - Where the second output is generated, running a second test based on pressure and/ or floW rate data from the detection unit When the pressurized distribution line is fluidly disconnected from the second port and the user utility via the valve unit. In particular, to perform such test, the valve unit is sWitched from regular use to shut off configuration, so that domestic utilities doWnstream the valve unit are fluidically disconnected from the pressurized distribution line. Therefore, With respect to the first test, such second test requires to interrupt the Water supply to from pressurized distribution line to domestic utilities, but it is more precise and provides more accurate and more reliable results. In particular, the second test generates either a third output representative of an alloWable Water consumption, including a zero-leakage configuration, or a fourth output representative of an unalloWable Water consumption, e.g. a leal hydraulic circuit, e.g. from a pressure drop identification. In this Way, a user can react With readiness as the unalloWable Water consumption is notified, for example by sWitching the valve unit in by-pass configuration so as to empty the hydraulic Circuit doWnstream the second port in order to e.g. avoid to flood the house With consequent damages caused by a Water spilling from a pipe. For example, by the comparison of pressure values measured by the detection unit during the second test With an initial pressure measured When the valve unit is sWitched to shut off configuration While keeping domestic utilities closed, it is possible to determine if there is a leal With respect to initial pressure measured.

BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The constructive and functional characteristics of the valve unit can be better understood from the detailed description that folloWs, Wherein reference is made to the attached figures Which represent a preferred and non-limiting embodiment thereof, Wherein: 0 Figl shoWs a scheme as a Whole of a hydraulic circuit in a house according to prior art; 0 Fig.2 shoWs a scheme of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 0 Fig.3 shoWs a scheme as a Whole of a hydraulic circuit in a house comprising the valve unit according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 0 Fig.4 shoWs the scheme as a Whole of the hydraulic circuit of Fig.2 With the valve unit arrangement in case of a leal valve unit according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION During the description that folloWs, preferred embodiments refer to a valve unit installed in a hydraulic Circuit Where fluid floWing is drinl According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shoWn in Fig.3 the pressurized distribution line 1 is connected via a valve unit V1 to the delivery line of the building domestic Water, Which is in turn connected to the aqueduct. In particular, the pressurized distribution line 1 is configured to supply Water to utilities located on the ground floor of the building, presenting a first distribution branch 10 connected to a hydraulic circuit for the garden irrigation, a second distribution branch 11 connected to utilities in the kitchen, e.g. sinl< and dishWasher, and a third distribution branch 12 connected to utilities in the bathroom, e.g. sinl< and toilet faucet. Moreover, such pressurized distribution line 1 has a fourth distribution branch 13, configured to supply domestic Water to utilities located on the first floor of the house, e.g. to a heater, toilets, etc. According to the invention, as shoWn in Pig.2, the valve unit V1 comprises a body 20 that has a first port P1 Which can be connected to a pressurized distribution line 1, e.g. drinl Water utility, Wherein these first and second ports P1, P2 are fluidically connected in such a Way as to define a first supply line 25 through Which the domestic Water coming from the pressurized distribution line is delivered to a domestic Water utility passing through the valve unit V1, i.e. entering the body 20 through the first port P1 and leaving through the second port P2 via the first supply line 25. Furthermore, the body 20 comprises a third port P3 fluidically connected to the first supply line 25 by means of a second supply line 26 preferably arranged inside the body 20, such third port P3 being connectable to a drainage line D configured to receive the Water coming from the pressurized distribution line and the distribution branch doWnstream the second port P2. Furthermore, the valve unit V1 can be operable in use in a regular use configuration R1, Wherein the first and second port P1, P2 are open While the third port P3 is closed so that the pressurized distribution line 1 supplies the user utility U While the supply to drainage line D is interrupted. Moreover, the valve unit V1 can be also operable in a shut off configuration R2, Wherein the first and third port P1, P3 are closed and second port P2 is open so as to interrupt the supply from pressurized distribution line 1 doWnstream the second port P2. Furthermore, the valve unit V1 can be also operable in a by-pass configuration R3 Wherein the first port P1 is closed and second and third port P2, P3 are open so as to cause the emptying of the hydraulic circuit doWnstream the second port P2 via the floW toWards the drainage line D. In particular, in order to have such configurations, the valve unit V1 comprises a first valve 21, e.g. an electromechanical valve, arranged inside the body 20, having such first off valve an inlet fluidically connected to the first port P1 and an outlet fluidically connected to the first supply line 25, and a second valve 22, e.g. an electromechanical valve, having an inlet fluidically connected to the second supply line 26 and an outlet fluidically connected to the third port P3. Furthermore, such first and second valve 21, 22 are operable betWeen an open and a closed configuration, so as to alloW or interrupt the floW passage via the ports of valve unit.

In this Way, for example, When the valve unit V1 is mounted in a hydraulic circuit, it is possible to switch the valve unit in a regular use, shut off and by-pass configuration by combining the opening/ closing of the first and second valve 21, 22. Furthermore, the valve unit V1 comprises on board a detection unit S configured to detect hydraulic parameters, e.g. floW rate and pressure. In particular, such detection unit S comprises a floW meter 23 and a pressure sensor 24 arranged on board the valve unit in such a Way as to measure in use a floW rate and a pressure value of the Water floWing via the first supply line 25, so that it is possible to knoW the hydraulic parameters of the Water outfloWing both from the second and third port P2, P3, When the first and second valve 21, 22 are open. Moreover, the valve unit V1 is connected to a programmable control unit programmed to receive in use signals coming from the floW meter and pressure sensor 23, 24 and to elaborate such signals in order to control the operating configuration of the valve unit. For example, the floW meter installed can be a calorimetric floW meter, Whose Working principle is based on the physical principle of heat transfer in moving fluids. In particular, such device has a measuring probe immersed in use in the fluid and comprises a pair of temperature sensors, Wherein a first temperature sensor is heated at a predefined temperature While the second temperature sensor measures the temperature of the fluid floW. Therefore, from the comparison of the information about temperature contained in the signals coming from each temperature sensor, it is possible to determine the floW rate from the temperature difference among the first and second temperature sensors.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shoWn in Fig.3 the constructive characteristics of the valve unit V1 are eXploited to control the delivery of the Water floW coming from the pressurized distribution line 1 to the domestic Water utilities of the house. In particular, the first port P1 of the valve unit V1 is connected to a Water distribution line outside the building, e.g. the aqueduct, While the second port P2 is connected to the pressurized distribution line 1 supplying the distribution branches (10, 11, 12, 13), While the third port P3 is connected to the drainage line D. As shown in Fig.3, the arrangement of the valve unit V1 in the hydraulic Circuit is such that When it is in a regular use configuration, the first valve 21 is open so the Water floW can pass through the first supply line 25 to provide Water to domestic utilities both on the ground floor and first floor. The second valve 22 instead is closed so that the drainage line D does not receive Water. According to an aspect of the present invention, as shoWn in Fig.4, in case for example a Water leal Fig.3 and 4, While a second valve unit V2 is installed on the first distribution branch 10, i.e. the garden irrigation Water supply, and a third valve unit V3 is installed on the fourth distribution branch 13, i.e. the first ﬂoor domestic utilities Water supply. Under conditions Without leal of the neighbours, as the Water could permeate into the Walls from the ﬂooded area to the ll adjacent apartment. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the operating configuration of the valve unit, in particular the first and second valve 21, 22 is electronically adjusted by the electronic control unit. In particular, the electronic control unit is programmed to open and close each valve of the valve unit based on the measurement of hydraulic parameters performed by the detection unit, Wherein such measurement is then exploited in order to determine Whether anomalies are present in the hydraulic circuit, e.g. a leal According to an aspect of the present invention, in order determine Whether anomalies are present in the hydraulic circuit, e.g. a leal - l - receiving a signal from the detection unit S, e.g. from floW meter 23 and/ or pressure sensor 24, Wherein such signal contains information about at least one hydraulic parameter, e.g. floW rate and/ or pressure, measured on the first supply line 25, so that it is possible to l - elaborating such signal in order to determine Whether the at least one measured hydraulic parameter reaches a first predefined threshold T10, preferably set by the user, being such first predefined threshold representative of a predefined hydraulic parameter, e.g. 12 quantity of Water or elapsed time of Water supplied doWnstream the second port P2. For example, if the first predefined threshold T10 is 30 litres or 5 minutes of Water supply doWnstream the second port P2 to a domestic utility, e.g. to a shower, once the measured hydraulic parameter reaches such threshold the electronic control unit can be configured to switch the valve unit from regular use configuration to shut off configuration, so that pressurized distribution line 1 is prevented from suppling the distribution branch doWnstream the valve unit. In particular, the electronic control unit can be programmed to operate in this Way for example in order to avoid a Water spilling from a pipe until it is not repaired in case of a leakage in a distribution branch doWnstream the valve unit. In this case, the amount of Water spilling out from the pipe can be limited to the amount of Water supplied till reaching the first predefined threshold. Advantageously, this also results in a reduction of the flood inside the house With a consequent significant reduction of the damages to the user and/ or to neighbour apartment, especially in those situations Wherein the user does not permanently live in a house, e.g. a Winter or summer holiday house, so that a Water spilling Would continue until the user does not physically reaches the house or if neighbour notifies the user While the leakage keeps on spilling out. Preferably, When the first predefined threshold T10 is reached, a notification is sent to the user e.g. via a mobile application installed on the user smartphone, so that even if the user is not physically present in the house to detect the leakage he can be notified remotely. For example, after receiving notification, the valve unit can be remotely sWitched from regular use configuration to shut off configuration via the mobile application. Moreover, in order to remove the Water in the hydraulic circuit doWnstream the valve unit, the electronic control unit can be programmed to sWitch such valve unit from shut off to by-pass configuration, i.e. first port P1 is closed and second third port P2 is open, so that the remained Water in the distribution branch Water can be removed 13 via the drainage line D, e.g. a pipe connected to water network outside the house. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, first test TI can be performed using machine learning algorithms, wherein flow rate and pressure sensor during the day transmit to the control unit time history signals containing information about measured flow rate and/ or pressure values. Therefore, the electronic control unit is programmed to elaborate such signals, in particular to elaborate the big amount of data received in order to detect any potential anomaly in the hydraulic circuit. For example, by monitoring flow rate and pressure downstream the valve unit by generating corresponding time histories, when a variation of a hydraulic parameter occurs, through such machine learning algorithms after the completion of a training step, is possible to identify if there is an anomaly within the hydraulic circuit. For example, the machine learning algorithm comprises the step of providing input data representing the pressure and/ or flow sensors time history during a "small" leal configuration as the first predefined threshold TIO is reached. Therefore, the user may be 14 remotely notified, e.g. via the mobile application, of an anomaly detected in the hydraulic Circuit While it can be for example another user that is using a domestic utility. In other cases, Where for example machine learning algorithms are adopted, due to the big amount of data to elaborate, it can happen that sometimes the elaboration of such data ends up in the determination of a false positive. As a consequence, due to the lacl< of a very high accuracy and in the reliability of results obtainable by the first test T1, the latter is particularly useful to provide an alert to the user When a hydraulic parameter reaches the first predefined threshold T1O so that the user can be notified and react With readiness as the notification is received. An advantage of test T1 is that it provides an output When a floW of Water is adducted toWards the utilities, so that current use or situation is monitored e.g. in real time.

This hoWever may negatively impact output accuracy of test T1 as, in same instances, an alloWable situation is classified as an unWanted situation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in order to determine if the first alert is representative of an actual anomaly in the hydraulic circuit or if it is just a false positive, the electronic control unit is further programmed to trigger a second test T2 When a measured value reaches the first predefined threshold T10. In particular, in order to run such second test T2, the electronic control unit is programmed to perform the folloWing steps: - keeping or sWitching the valve unit in shut off configuration, i.e. first and third ports P1, P3 are closed and second port P2 is open, so that Water supply from the pressurized distribution line 1 toWards the distribution branch doWnstream the valve unit is interrupted, as Well as the supply of the of the drainage line. In this Way, a fixed amount of Water doWnstream the valve unit remains inside the hydraulic circuit doWnstream the valve unit, unless a user draWs Water from a domestic utility or a Water spilling due to a leal - receiving a signal from pressure sensor 24 as the valve unit is sWitched in shut off configuration at a time instant S1, such signal containing information about pressure value measured downstream the valve unit at time instant S1; - receiving signals from pressure sensor 24 during a predefined period of time S2 subsequent to time instant S1, such signals containing information about pressure values measured downstream the second port P2; - elaborating the signals representative of pressure values during the predefined period of time S2 in order to provide a second alert to the user When one of the measured pressure values is below to a second predefined threshold T20 lower than the pressure measured at time instant S1. - switching the valve unit, based on the step of elaborating, to by-pass configuration, i.e. first port P1 is closed and second and third port P2, P3 are open, so as to cause the Water remained downstream the second port P2 to flow in the drainage line D via the third port P3.

Such second test T2 is useful to determine whether there is pressure decrease over time downstream the valve unit with respect to an initial pressure value measured when the valve unit is switched in a shut off configuration. As it can be understood, such second test T2 has to be performed without opening the domestic utilities downstream the valve unit, otherwise hydraulic circuit is emptied and pressure values change accordingly. In particular, under such conditions and in the event a measured pressure value is below the second predefined threshold T20, such second test T2 is particularly useful to confirm whether the potential anomaly notified after the first test T1 is an actual anomaly, e.g. a leakage. For example, a decrease in the pressure below the second predefine threshold without opening any domestic utility can be associated to a leal domestic utilities closed, such second test T2 is preferably run during a period of the day 16 Wherein the Water demand of domestic Water is loW or null, e.g. during the night. HoWever, in case a domestic utility is open, the electronic control unit is programmed to interrupt such second test, making a neW attempt as the domestic utility is closed again. Therefore, test T2, being performed in non-use conditions of the appliances and With the latter disconnected from the pressurized Water distribution, is more invasive than test Tl for the user but test T2, for the same reasons, provides a much more precise output than that of test Tl.

Preferably, such second test T2 can be also run remotely by the user upon notification of the first alert from the first test Tl, e.g. via the mobile application. Therefore, upon notification of the anomaly representative of a leakage, the valve unit can be sWitched to by- pass configuration so that the Water remained doWnstream the valve unit in the hydraulic, and still not spilled out from the leakage, can floW out from the hydraulic circuit via the drainage line, thus preventing the risk of flooding the house and avoiding damages that Would have caused the Water spilling in the house.

The valve unit described in the present invention can be provided to a user in a pre- assembled configuration, e.g. in a package With all the components, i.e. first and second valve, detection unit, etc. already integrated therein, so that to install the valve unit in a hydraulic circuit it is sufficient to, e.g. by removing it from the package, fluidically connect the first, second and third port P1, P2, P3 to the corresponding branches of such hydraulic circuit. 17

Claims

1.CLIAMS Valve unit (V 1, V2, V3) configured to be installed in a hydraulic circuit, such valve unit comprising a body (20) having a first and a second port (P1, P2) fluidically connected by a first supply line (25), and a third port (P3) fluidically connected to the first supply line (25) by a second supply line (26), Wherein in use the first port (P1) is ﬂuidically connected to a pressurized distribution line (1) of e.g. drinl user utility (U) via the hydraulic circuit and the third port (P3) to a drainage line (D); the valve unit (V 1, V2, V3) being operable in use among a regular use configuration (R1), Wherein the first and second port (P1, P2) are open While the third port (P3) is closed so that the pressurized distribution line (1) supplies the user utility While the supply to drainage line (D) is interrupted; among a shut off configuration (R2), Wherein the first and third port (P1, P3) are closed and second port (P2) is open so as to interrupt the supply from pressurized distribution line (1) doWnstream the second port (P2); and further among a by-pass configuration (R3) Wherein the first port (P1) is closed and second and third port (P2, P3) are open so as to cause the emptying of the hydraulic circuit doWnstream the second port (P2) via the drainage line (D) and; the valve unit (V 1, V2, V3) further comprising on board a detection unit (S) configured to detect hydraulic parameters doWnstream the second port (P2), the valve unit being connected in data eXchange to an electronic control unit (Z) programmed to perform the steps of: - providing the valve unit (V 1, V2, V3) in regular use configuration (R1) and running a first test (T1) based on data from the detection unit (S), said data being captured When the pressurized distribution line (1) is ﬂuidly connected to the utility via the valve unit (V 1, V2, V3); - providing, based on the first test (T 1), either a first output representative of an alloWable Water consumption or a second output representative of an unalloWableWater consumption; - Where the second output is generated, running a second test (T 2) based on pressure and/ or floW rate data from the detection unit (S) When the pressurized distribution line is fluidly disconnected from the second port (P2) and the user utility (U) via the valve unit (V 1, V2, V3); the second test (112) generating either a third output representative of an alloWable Water leal an unalloWable Water consumption based on a time history of the pressure and/ or floW rate measured by the detection unit (S) While the pressurized distribution line (1) is disconnected from the second port (P2) and the user utility (U).

2. Valve unit (V 1, V2, V3) according to claim 1, Wherein the detection unit (S) comprises a floW meter (23) and a pressure sensor (24), so that the measured hydraulic parameters comprise scalar quantities representative of floW rate and pressure values.

3. Valve unit (V 1 , V2, V3) according to claim 2, Wherein the floW meter (23) is a calorimetric floW meter.

4. Valve unit (V 1, V2, V3) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first and a second valve (21, 22) operable betWeen an open and a closed position, Wherein the first valve has an inlet fluidically connected to the first port (P1) and an outlet to the first supply line (25), and the second valve has an inlet fluidically connect to second supply line (26) and an outlet to drainage line (D).

5. Control method (M) of a valve unit (V 1, V2, V3) configured to be installed in a hydraulic circuit, such valve unit comprising a body (20) having a first and a second port (P1, P2) fluidically connected by a first supply line (25), and a third port (P3) fluidically connected to the first supply line (25) by a second supply line (26), Wherein in use the first port (P1) is fluidically connected to a pressurized distribution line (1) of e.g. drinl - providing the valve unit (V 1, V2, V3) in regular use configuration (R1) and running a first test (T1) based on data from the detection unit (S), said data being captured When the pressurized distribution line (1) is fluidly connected to the utility via the valve unit (V 1, V2, V3); - providing, based on the first test (T 1), either a first output representative of an alloWable Water consumption or a second output representative of an unalloWable Water consumption; - Where the second output is generated, running a second test (T 2) based on pressure and/ or floW rate data from the detection unit (S) When the pressurized distribution line is fluidly disconnected from the second port (P2) and the user utility (U) via the valve unit (V 1, V2, V3); the second test (T 2) generating either a third output representative of an alloWable Water leal an unalloWable Water consumption based on a time history of the pressure and/ or floW rate measured by the detection unit (S) While the pressurized distribution line (l) is disconnected from the second port (P2) and the user utility (U).

6. Control method (M) according to claim 5, further comprising the step of fluidically connecting the second port (P2) to the third port (P3) so as to cause the Water in the hydraulic circuit doWnstream the second port to floW in the drainage line (D) via the valve unit.

7. Control method (M) according to claim 5, comprising the further step of interrupting the second test (T 2) When a domestic utility (U) doWnstream the valve unit is open, and repeating the second test When said domestic utility is closed.