INTEGRATED WATER DETECTOR
First Claim
1. A leak detector pad comprising:
- a circuit board having a bottom surface and a top surface;
spaced first and second electrically conductive traces located on the bottom surface of the circuit board;
an electronic circuit mounted on the top surface of the circuit board and including,a first segment adapted to apply an AC voltage waveform between the traces on the bottom surface of the circuit board,a second segment adapted to create a measure of a capacitance between the traces based upon an AC current flowing between the traces as a result of the AC voltage waveform, anda third segment adapted to create an alarm signal if the measure of capacitance provided by the second segment indicates a presence of fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A leak detector pad comprising a circuit board having a bottom surface and a top surface, spaced first and second electrically conductive traces located on the bottom surface, and an electronic circuit mounted on the top surface. The circuit includes a first segment adapted to create an alternating current (AC) voltage waveform, a second segment adapted to apply the AC voltage waveform between the traces on the bottom surface of the circuit board, a third segment adapted to create a measure of a capacitance between the traces based upon an AC current flowing between the traces as a result of the AC voltage waveform, and a fourth segment adapted to create a direct current (DC) voltage alarm signal if the measure of capacitance provided by the third segment indicates the presence of fluid.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A leak detector pad comprising:
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a circuit board having a bottom surface and a top surface; spaced first and second electrically conductive traces located on the bottom surface of the circuit board; an electronic circuit mounted on the top surface of the circuit board and including, a first segment adapted to apply an AC voltage waveform between the traces on the bottom surface of the circuit board, a second segment adapted to create a measure of a capacitance between the traces based upon an AC current flowing between the traces as a result of the AC voltage waveform, and a third segment adapted to create an alarm signal if the measure of capacitance provided by the second segment indicates a presence of fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A leak detector comprising:
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a circuit board having a bottom surface and a top surface, and holes connecting the bottom and top surfaces; spaced first and second electrically conductive traces located on the bottom surface of the circuit board; and an electronic circuit mounted on the top surface of the circuit board and connected to the traces through the holes in the board, the circuit including, a sensing portion for creating a measure of a capacitance between the traces based upon a current flowing between the traces and a signal generating portion for creating a voltage alarm signal if a measure of the capacitance indicates presence of fluid about the bottom surface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A leak detector for use with a water pump comprising:
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a circuit board having a surface; spaced first and second electrically conductive traces located on the surface of the circuit board; and an electronic circuit mounted on the circuit board and connected to the traces, the electronic circuit adapted to measure a capacitance between the traces, and create a voltage alarm signal if the capacitance indicates fluid. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification