Leak detector

• US 5,440,917 A
• Filed: 04/28/1994
• Issued: 08/15/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Glenn Smith
• Original Assignee: Glenn Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Don T., Smith, Glenn T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raevis, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIGGINS, JOHN DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/234,369
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40, 73/49.2, 73/40.5, 73/49.5, 340/592, 340/605, 340/620
• US Class Current: 73/40
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/16 using electric detection means G01M3/045, G01M3/06, G01M3/12, G01M3/20, G01M3/24, G01M3/26 take precedence

Abstract

A leak detector apparatus, comprising as an integral part of its construction, an absorbant ring with a conductive strip running around its entire inner surface. The absorbant ring is placed inside a "U" shaped non-conductive ring that has a conductive strip running around the entire inner surface of the inside wall. The leak detector apparatus also comprises a low voltage power supply, a low voltage light, a test switch, a wall plate, and some insulated wire. The assembled rings act as a sensor when placed on the floor, open side down, around the outside of the sewage line flange. Water leaking from where the commode sewage line connects thereby flows towards or collects on parts of the leak detector apparatus, which activates the leak detector, turning on the light and alerting the property owner of the leak by means of the light alarm, thus allowing the owner an opportunity for repairs to be made before water damage occurs.

Claims

1. A leak detector apparatus formed into a removeable clamp, gasket, or flange type member for placement around the circumference, periphery, perimeter, or base boundary of a fluid-handling pipe, pump, vessel, or household component such as a tub, sink, or commode, comprising the following elements:

a rigid U-shaped ring consisting of an outside diameter wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, an inside diameter wall with an inside surface and an outside surface (inside surface being that surface of the two parallel walls that face one another), and a bottom ring secured fully around and flush with the edge of said walls, thusly forming said U-shaped ring, with an electrically conductive strip secured fully around on the inside diameter wall, and an absorbant band made from swellable, fluid-absorbing material, non-conductive electrically with an outside diameter surface attached fully around the inside surface of said outside diameter wall of "U"-shaped ring;

where said absorbant band has an inside diameter surface with an electrically conductive strip secured fully around said inside diameter surface such that said conductive strips are arranged concentrically and facing each other, but not contacting anywhere along the circumference due to an air gap separating the facing surfaces of the two internal conductor strips within said U-shaped ring;

a wire lead from the positive terminal of a low voltage power supply is connected to one side of a low voltage warning lamp, with another wire lead from the other side of said warning lamp connected to the conductive strip on the absorbant band, while another wire lead from the negative terminal of said power supply is connected to the other conductive strip on the U-shaped ring, such that the said air gap serves to separate the two said conductive strips with a uniform circumference spacing and maintain an open electrical circuit while the leak detector apparatus is maintained under dry conditions (no leak-status), so as to provide voltage for a visible alarm in case a leak develops and exposes said apparatus to wet conditions (leak status) that alter the prior separation spacing and circular geometry between the two said conductive strips for a closed circuit situation; and

a test switch is included with two wire leads therefrom connected across the two said conductive strips, thereby illuminating said warning lamp during a status check test of said leak detector apparatus, performed at will by owner/operator;

said test switch, said warning lamp, and said power supply are each mounted on a local remote wall plate, as placed at an observer accessible location on wall, with appropriate gauge wire used throughout for all electrical interconnections.

2. A method using the leak detector apparatus of claim 1, wherein said U-shaped ring is placed around liquid-handling/conveying components at areas where leaks might occur;

when a leak develops in the vicinity of said apparatus, said absorbant band swells in the presence of such leaking fluid, thereby pressing the two said conductive strips together into direct contact at one or more segments along their circumference spacing, which closes and completes the electrical circuit formed by the two said conductive strips with said power supply and said warning lamp, thus turning on the said warning lamp as mounted on said wall plate, and promptly alerting the property owner to the early problem of escaping fluid at said component.

3. A leak detector apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said absorbent ring is replaceable, making the leak detector re-usable.

4. A leak detector apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said low voltage power supply can be a battery or a transformer.