Fluid leak detection device

• US 20040046671A1
• Filed: 09/03/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey A. Ninberg
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey A. Ninberg
• Inventors: Ninberg, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,084,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/605
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture

Abstract

A fluid leak detection device includes a platform having at least one fluid concentration zone forming a fluid detection area. Two electrically conductive members are positioned in the fluid concentration zone such that a gap is formed between the electrically conductive members. A fluid detector is coupled to the electrically conductive members and is configured to generate a fluid detection signal in response to the presence of a fluid between the electrically conductive members. A notification system is coupled to the fluid detector, wherein the notification system is activated in response to the fluid detection signal.

Claims

1. A fluid leak detection device, comprising:

a platform having at least one fluid concentration zone forming a fluid detection area;

a first and second electrically conductive member, positioned in said fluid concentration zone, wherein a gap is formed between said first and second electrically conductive members;

a fluid detector coupled to said first and second electrically conductive members and configured to generate a fluid detection signal in response to the presence of a fluid between said first and second electrically conductive members; and

a notification system coupled to said fluid detector, wherein said notification system is activated in response to said fluid detection signal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said platform has a low-friction surface.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said platform is folded so as to have a V-shaped cross-section and said first and second electrically conductive members are positioned along a central fold of said platform in a substantially parallel configuration.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said platform is resilient and configured to deform such that the device can be positioned under a low profile fluid source.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said platform is configured to direct fluid to said fluid detection area.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrically conductive members, wherein said platform is folded to provide a plurality of fluid concentration zones, and a pair of said electrically conductive members are positioned in each of said fluid concentration zones such that a gap is formed between each conductive member of each pair of electrically conductive members, and wherein one end of each of said electrically conductive members is coupled to said fluid detector.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid detector comprises a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein said first terminal of said battery is coupled to a first of said pair of electrically conductive members, and said notification system comprises an indicator having a first terminal coupled to a second of said pair of electrically conductive members and a second terminal coupled to said second terminal of said battery.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said indicator is at least one of an audio indicator and a visual indicator.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said notification system comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a notification signal to an alarm monitoring system in response to receipt of said fluid detection signal.

10. A fluid detection device, comprising:

a corrugated platform having a plurality of folds forming a plurality of fluid concentration troughs and having a pair of electrically conductive members positioned along each fluid concentration trough of said plurality of folds;

a power source having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal coupled to a first electrically conductive member of each pair of electrically conductive members; and

a fluid detection indicator comprising a first terminal coupled to a second electrically conductive member of each pair of electrically conductive members, and a second terminal coupled to said second terminal of said battery, wherein said fluid detection indicator is activated in response to fluid present between any of said pairs of electrically conductive members.

11. The fluid detection device of claim 10, wherein said fluid detection indicator comprises an audio indicator.

12. The fluid detection device of claim 10, wherein said fluid detection indicator comprises a visual indicator.

13. The fluid detection device of claim 12, wherein said fluid detection indicator further comprises an audio indicator.

14. The fluid detection device of claim 10, wherein said power source is a battery.

15. The fluid detection device of claim 10, wherein said platform has a low-friction surface.

16. The fluid detection device of claim 10, wherein said electrically conductive members are metallic strips.

17. The fluid detection device of claim 10, wherein said platform is resilient and deformable.

18. A fluid leak detection device, comprising:

a folded, lightweight platform with a low-friction surface having a fluid concentration trough in a region proximate a central fold;

a pair of electrically conductive members positioned along said fluid concentration trough, wherein a gap is formed between said electrically conductive members proximate a lowest point of said fluid concentration trough;

a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein said first terminal is coupled to one end of a first electrically conductive member of said pair of electrically conductive members; and

an audible fluid detection indicator having a first terminal coupled to one end of a second electrically conductive member of said pair of electrically conductive members, and a second terminal coupled to said second terminal of said battery, wherein said audible indicator is activated in response to the presence of fluid between said first and second electrically conductive members.

19. The fluid leak detection device of claim 18, wherein said audible fluid detection indicator is a piezo buzzer.

20. The fluid leak detection device of claim 18, further comprising a visual fluid detection indicator.

21. The fluid leak detection device of claim 18, wherein said electrically conductive members are metallic strips.