Water leakage detection device

• US 5,188,143 A
• Filed: 03/09/1992
• Issued: 02/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert G. Krebs
• Original Assignee: Robert G. Krebs
• Inventors: Krebs, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US07/848,078
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 137/312, 137/392, 122/504, 122/504.2, 122/507, 126/344, 126/374, 126/383, 126/388, 307/118, 307/112, 307/113, 200/61.04, 200/61.05, 200/DIG. 2, 200/DIG. 40, 200/DIG. 41, 340/604, 340/605, 340/620, 340/623, 340/624, 340/625, 340/514, 340/515, 73/313, 361/178, 341/20, 341/32
• US Class Current: 137/312
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/12 Preventing or detecting fluid leakage
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/20 characterised by control inputs
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/17 Means for retaining water leaked from heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2007 for water heaters
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/16 using electric detection means G01M3/045, G01M3/06, G01M3/12, G01M3/20, G01M3/24, G01M3/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/42 Switches operated by change of humidity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/02 Body attached switches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/40 Moisture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/41 Liquid contact
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7306 Electrical characteristic sensing

Abstract

A water leakage detector is disclosed herein sensitive to the presence of moisture, having an elongated sensor strip comprising a pair of conductors separated by insulation. Each conductor includes an electrode coupling with a wire lead extending via a cable to an electrical plug. A circuit housing is provided having an audible alarm operably connected to an electrical socket adapted to detachably connect with the plug. A low voltage battery and auxiliary output socket are carried on the housing and connected with the alarm and the first mentioned socket whereby the presence of moisture across the pair of sensor conductors activates the alarm. A battery test pair of electrodes is provided to manually test battery condition.

Claims

1. A water leakage detector comprising:

an elongated flexible sensor having a pair of band conductors separated in fixed spaced-apart parallel relationship and further having two opposite ends adapted to be overlapped to provide a continuous sensor;

said conductors encased in insulative material with a portion of each conductor exposed to contact leakage water;

an audible alarm coupled to said sensor flexible band conductors at any desired location along said continuous sensor responsive to leakage water contact of said exposed conductor portions to initiate an audible signal; and

a low voltage battery source of power selectively coupled between said audible alarm and said sensor.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including:

a battery and audible alarm test means coupled in parallel with said sensor to said audible alarm and said battery source of power.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 including:

an outlet socket coupled in parallel with said battery source of power to provide an auxiliary source of power.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said sensor includes means for elevating said sensor above floor level so as to be responsive to water leakage of a given height.

5. A water leakage detector comprising:

an elongated, flexible water sensor having parallel conductors terminating in opposite ends adopted to be over-lapped to provide a continuous sensor;

an audible alarm;

a low voltage battery source of power;

a battery and alarm test means electrically connecting said audible alarm and said battery source of power together in parallel with said water sensor;

said water sensor selectively coupled at any desired location along said sensor conductors and to said battery source of power responsive to the presence of water contact with said sensor conductors to initiate power to said audible alarm;

said alarm test means includes a pair of electrodes in fixed spaced-apart relationship connected in parallel with said audible alarm to said battery source of power; and

said spaced-apart electrodes define a gap adapted to be bridged by the moist finger of the user to momentarily energize said audible alarm.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said sensor comprises a pair of elongated conductors separated by insulation;

connectors attached to each of said conductors respectively;

an insulative means sealing said conductors to said separating insulation; and

a portion of said conductors exposed from said insulative means and said separating insulation adapted to be contacted by leakage water to complete an electrical circuit.