Fluid detecting alarm system

• US 4,939,504 A
• Filed: 09/27/1989
• Issued: 07/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miller, Robert A.
• Original Assignee: Miller, Robert A.
• Inventors: Miller, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US07/413,130
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 340/604, 340/605, 340/616, 340/620, 340/618, 200/61.04, 200/61.05, 73/304 R
• US Class Current: 340/604
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/241 for discrete levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/242 Mounting arrangements for electrodes

Abstract

A fluid detecting alarm system includes a source of electric current, an alarm electrically connected to the source, a normally open switch electrically connected to the alarm for de-energizing the alarm when the switch is open and energizing the alarm when the switch is in current-conducting condition, and a medium, responsive to the presence of the fluid, for causing the switch to conduct current. In particular, a self-contained liquid water detecting system has a well with a mouth opening through a lower wall of a case. The switch takes the form of two electrodes, spaced apart, and bridged by a dry pulverulent salt, substantially nonconductive when dry and conductive when wet. The open mouth of the well is closed by an adhesive coated foraminous sheet, to retain the salt but to permit liquid water to pass through to wet the salt to cause it to conduct sufficiently to energize the alarm.

Claims

1. A self-contained liquid water detection alarm system comprising a case having a well with a mouth opening through a lower wall of said case, electrically operated alarm means carried by said case, and an electric circuit inside said case, said circuit comprising a battery, electrically connected on one side to said alarm means and on the other side to one of two electrodes projecting into said well, the other of said electrodes being electrically connected to the said alarm means, said electrodes being spaced from one another a distance to ensure that no current will pass between them in the absence of a conducting medium, a dry medium bridging the space between said electrodes, said medium being a pulverulent salt, substantially non-conductive when dry and conductive when wet, and water pervious closure means over said open mouth to retain said salt and to permit ingress of water.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the salt is sodium chloride.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the closure is an adhesive-coated pad removably adherent to said lower wall.

4. The system of claim 1 including a test circuit including a normally open manually operable switch for by-passing said electrodes.

5. A liquid detection alarm system comprising a case having a well with a mouth opening through a lower wall of said case, electrically operated alarm means, and an electric circuit inside said case, said circuit being electrically connected to a source of current, on one side to said alarm means and on the other side to a contact of a normally open switch having spaced contacts exposed in said well, another of said switch contacts being electrically connected to said alarm means, said contacts being spaced from one another a distance to ensure that no current will pass between them in the absence of a conducting medium, a dry medium bridging the space between said contacts, said medium being a pulverulent salt, substantially non-conductive when dry and conductive when wet, and water pervious closure means over said open mouth to retain said salt and to permit ingress of water.