Gas Water Heater Shut Off Apparatus

• US 20030177818A1
• Filed: 06/10/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Bronson, John M.
• Application Number:
  US10/250,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20030177818A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/49.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/32 for containers, e.g. radiators

Abstract

An apparatus that operates to detect the presence of a water leak in a gas water heater, and to automatically shut off both an electrically activated water supply valve and a gas shut off means in response to the detection of the leak. The apparatus comprises a float activated electrical switch positioned in a water collection pan located in close proximity to the bottom of the water heater, to control activation of an electrically operated valve for shutting off the supply of water to a gas water heater. The apparatus further comprises a gas shut off means for shutting off the gas supply in response to closure of the float activated electrical switch.

Claims

1. An improved apparatus for detecting a water leak and automatically shutting off a gas water heater of the type having a pressure relief valve and a thermocouple for generating a voltage when a flame is present, the apparatus comprising:

an electrically operated valve, wherein the valve shuts off the supply of cold water to the water heater when electrically powered;

a gas valve configured to remain open when connected to the thermocouple voltage source;

a connector means for providing an electrical connection between the gas valve and thermocouple such that the thermocouple voltage supplied to the gas valve may be interrupted through the connector means;

a switching means for interrupting the supply of thermocouple voltage to the gas valve, wherein the switching means is connected to the connector means, and interrupts the thermocouple voltage when the switching means is electrically powered;

a pan located in close proximity to the bottom of the gas water heater for collecting water leaking from the water heater tank or pressure relief valve; and

a water level detection switch means located within the pan for connecting an electrical power source to the switching means-and the electrically operated valve in response to a predetermined amount of water in the pan, such that the switching means interrupts thermocouple voltage to effect closing of the gas valve and the electrically operated valve shuts off the supply of water to the water heater.

2. The improved apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector means comprises an adapter having a pair of terminals for enabling an electrical connection in series with the gas valve and thermocouple, and is configured to connect to the gas valve and thermocouple connectors.

3. The improved apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switching means comprises a relay having normally closed contacts, wherein the contacts are opened when the relay coil is electrically powered.

4. The improved apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water level detection switching means comprises a float activated electrical switch.

5. An improved apparatus for detecting a water leak and automatically shutting off a gas water heater of the type having a pressure relief valve, the apparatus comprising:

a first electrically operated valve, wherein the valve shuts off the supply of cold water to the water heater when the first valve is electrically powered;

a second electrically operated valve, wherein the second valve shuts off the supply of gas to the water heater when the second valve is electrically powered;

a pan located in close proximity to the bottom of the gas water heater for collecting water leaking from the water heater tank or pressure relief valve; and

a water level detection switch means located within the pan for connecting an electrical power source to the first and second electrically operated valves in response to a predetermined amount of water in the pan, such that the first electrically operated valve shuts off the supply of water to the water heater and the second electrically operated valve shuts off the supply of gas to the water heater.

6. The improved apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first electrically operated valve is configured to shut off the supply of water to the inlet of the water heater gas valve when electrically operated.

7. The improved apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second electrically operated valve is configured to shut off the supply of gas to the inlet of the water heater gas valve when electrically operated.

8. The improved apparatus of claim 5, wherein the water level detection switching means comprises a float activated electrical switch.

9. An improved apparatus for detecting a water leak and automatically shutting off a gas water heater of the type having a pressure relief valve, the apparatus comprising:

a first electrically operated valve, wherein the valve shuts off the supply of cold water to the water heater when the first valve is electrically powered;

a second electrically operated valve, wherein the second valve shuts off the supply of gas to the water heater when the second valve is no longer electrically powered;

a switching means for switching an electrical power source to either the first or second electrically operated valves, wherein electrical power is switched to the Second electrically operated valve when the switching means is not actuated, and electrical power is switched to the first electrically operated valve when the switching means is actuated;

a pan located in close proximity to the bottom of the gas water heater for collecting water leaking from the water heater tank or pressure relief valve; and

a water level detection switch means located within the pan for connecting an electrical power source to actuate the switching means in response to a predetermined amount of water in the pan, such that the first electrically operated valve shuts off the supply of water and the second electrically operated valve shuts off the supply of gas to the water heater.

10. The improved apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first electrically operated valve is configured to shut off the supply of water to the inlet of the water heater tank when electrically operated.

11. The improved apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second electrically operated valve is configured to shut off the supply of gas to the inlet of the water heater gas valve when electrically operated.

12. The improved apparatus of claim 9, wherein the switching means comprises a single pole relay having a normally closed contact, wherein the normally closed contact provides power to the second electrically operated valve, and upon powering the relay coil the normally closed contact is opened to cause the second electrically operated valve to close.

13. The improved apparatus of claim 9, wherein the water level detection switching means comprises a float activated electrical switch.