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Water sensor system

  • US 5,428,347 A
  • Filed: 01/12/1993
  • Issued: 06/27/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A water detector system for the detection of standing water indicative of an abnormal condition in a building or other habitable structure, said system comprising:

  • (a) a power circuit having an input to be connected to a source of alternating current, and an output to which is connected an electrical appliance to be protected, said power circuit having at least two electrically conducting leads, said electrically conducting leads connected at one end to said input, and at their respective other ends to said output, said electrical appliance receiving its electrical power through said leads of said power circuit;

    (b) a lower circuit board connected to said power circuit comprising(i) means for interrupting the electrical circuit between said input and said output of said power circuit when a fault is detected by said system thus disconnecting the electrical appliance from the source of alternating current;

    (ii) means for controlling said means for interrupting;

    (iii) means for electrically isolating said means for interrupting from said means for controlling;

    (iv) means for sounding an alarm in response to conditions that would engage said means for interrupting;

    (c) an upper circuit board comprising(i) means for connecting said upper circuit board to said lower circuit board, said means for connecting electrically isolating said upper circuit board from said lower circuit board;

    (ii) means for initiating alarm signals responsive to the detection of standing water, said alarm signals being passed to said means for sounding an alarm on said lower circuit board through said means for connecting said upper circuit board to said lower circuit board;

    (iii) means for initiating control signals responsive to the detection of standing water, said control signals being passed to said means for controlling said means for interrupting through said means for connecting said upper circuit board to said lower circuit board;

    (iv) means for passing said control signals from said upper circuit board to external control devices, whereby the external control devices, in response to said control signals, perform functions responsive to the detection of standing water, including disconnecting said electrical appliance from said source of alternating current;

    (d) means for sensing water connected to said upper circuit board for generating water detection signals for initiating said alarm signals and said control signals;

    (e) means for preventing said electrical appliance from reconnecting to said source of alternating current until said means for preventing is manually reset thus resetting said means for interrupting; and

    (f) means for initiating alarm signals and control signals in response to a blown fuse.

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