Automatic water shut off system to prevent overflow of a plumbing device

• US 20040007264A1
• Filed: 01/14/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anthony M. Bootka
• Original Assignee: Anthony M. Bootka
• Inventors: Bootka, Anthony M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,810,902 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/312
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/242 automatically actuating supply or draining valves
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 11/00 Other component parts of water-closets pipe-joints or couplings in general F16L , e.g. noise-reducing means in the flushing system noise-reducing means in combination with flushing valves E03D9/14, flushing pipes mounted in the bowl, seals for the bowl outlet, devices preventing overflow of the bowl contents; devices forming a water seal in the bowl after flushing, devices eliminating obstructions in the bowl outlet or preventing backflow of water and excrements from the waterpipe
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0091 by measuring fluid parameters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 10/30 Flood prevention; Flood or storm water management, e.g. using flood barriers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7306 Electrical characteristic sensing

Abstract

A control circuit for a plumbing device that has a drain line and a water supply line includes a water sensor generating a potential overflow level signal in response to the water level in the plumbing device caused from a restricted drain line, an electrically controlled valve coupled to the drain line, and a controller coupled to the water sensor and the valve. The controller closes the valve in response to the potential overflow level signal.

Claims

1. A control circuit for a plumbing device having a drain line and a water supply line comprises:

a water sensor generating a potential overflow level signal in response to the water level in the plumbing device caused from a restricted drain line;

an electrically controlled valve coupled the supply line; and

a controller coupled to the water sensor and the valve, said controller closing the valve in response to a potential overflow level signal.

2. A control circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein the water sensor is an electrical water sensor.

3. A control circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said water sensor is disposed within a plumbing device.

4. A control circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said water sensor is disposed adjacent to the plumbing device.

5. A control circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said water sensor comprises a continuity sensor.

6. A control circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said valve has a manually operated override.

7. A control circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein the plumbing device comprises a plurality of plumbing devices and said water sensor comprises a plurality of water sensors.

8. A control circuit as recited in claim 1 further comprising an alarm coupled to said controller, said alarm operated in response to said potential overflow level signal.

9. A control circuit as recited in claim 1 further comprising an alarm interface coupled to said controller, said alarm interface operated in response to said potential overflow level signal.

10. A control circuit for toilet assembly having a toilet bowl and a water supply line comprising:

a water sensor disposed within the bowl, said water sensor generating a water level signal in response to the water level in the bowl;

an electrically controlled valve coupled the supply line; and

a controller coupled to the water sensor and the valve, said controller controlling the valve in response to the water level signal.

11. A control circuit as recited in claim 10 wherein the water sensor is an electrical water sensor.

12. A control circuit as recited in claim 10 wherein said water sensor comprises a continuity sensor.

13. A control circuit as recited in claim 10 wherein said valve has a manually operated override.

14. A control circuit for a hot water tank comprising:

a water supply line;

a water sensor generating an overflow level signal in response to the water level adjacent to the hot water tank;

an electrically controlled valve coupled the supply line; and

a controller coupled to the water sensor and the valve, said controller closing the valve in response to the overflow level signal.

15. A control circuit as recited in claim 14 wherein the water sensor is an electrical water sensor.

16. A control circuit as recited in claim 14 wherein said water sensor comprises a continuity sensor.

17. A control circuit as recited in claim 14 wherein said valve has a manually operated override.

18. A method of operating a plumbing device comprising:

detecting a potential overflow from a plumbing device; and

closing a valve in a supply line in response to the step of detecting.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein detecting comprises detecting a potential overflow in a toilet bowl.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 further comprising manually opening the valve.