WATER DETECTION UNIT AND SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A leak detector apparatus for use on a floor and in conjunction with an appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source, the leak detector apparatus comprising:
- a non-conducting mat shaped and dimensioned to rest atop the floor and to be positioned under, beside, or around the appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source, the mat comprising one or more layers and having a plurality of water collector cups therein;
a pair of spaced apart sensor wires extending within or beneath one of the one or more layers of the mat and extending through the water collector cups, the sensor wires being operative to sense the presence of water in the cups; and
an electronics module associated with the sensor wires and electrically coupled thereto for triggering an alert in response to the presence of water in one or more of the cups.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A leak detector apparatus and system for use with a plumbing fixture, appliance or other potential water leak source. The leak detector apparatus includes an electrically non-conducting mat that is shaped and dimensioned to rest on the floor. The mat comprises multiple layers of non-conducting closed cell foam and has a plurality of water collector cups formed therein. Spaced-apart sensor wires are provided and form a peripheral sensor that extends between the multiple layers of the mat body and the sensor wires generally extend through the water collector cups. The sensor wires are operative to sense the presence of water in the cups. An electronics module is provided and is associated with the sensor wires and electrically coupled to the sensor wires for triggering an alert in response to the presence of water in one or more of the cups.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A leak detector apparatus for use on a floor and in conjunction with an appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source, the leak detector apparatus comprising:
-
a non-conducting mat shaped and dimensioned to rest atop the floor and to be positioned under, beside, or around the appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source, the mat comprising one or more layers and having a plurality of water collector cups therein; a pair of spaced apart sensor wires extending within or beneath one of the one or more layers of the mat and extending through the water collector cups, the sensor wires being operative to sense the presence of water in the cups; and an electronics module associated with the sensor wires and electrically coupled thereto for triggering an alert in response to the presence of water in one or more of the cups. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A leak detector apparatus for use on a floor and in conjunction with an appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source, the leak detector apparatus comprising:
-
a non-conducting mat shaped and dimensioned to rest atop the floor and to be positioned under, beside, or around the appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source; a pair of spaced apart sensor wires extending within or beneath the mat and extending generally along at least one peripheral edge thereof, the sensor wires being operative to sense the presence of water along a peripheral edge of the appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source; and an electronics module associated with the sensor wires and electrically coupled thereto for triggering an alert in response to the presence of water. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A leak detection system for use on a floor and in conjunction with two or more appliances, plumbing fixtures or other potential water leak sources, the leak detector system comprising:
-
a plurality of leak detection mats adapted to be placed on the floor positioned under, beside, or around an appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source, each leak detection mat including one or more sensors for detecting the presence of liquid; a plurality of local processors electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors, the local processors being provided at least one per leak detection mat; and a master controller in communication with the local processors for monitoring the function and operation of each local processor. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
-
Specification