Water leakage detection and gas shut-off device

• US 5,844,492 A
• Filed: 10/02/1997
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John J. Buffin Sr
• Original Assignee: John J. Buffin Sr
• Inventors: Buffin, John J. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/942,948
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 340/632, 340/633, 340/634, 340/605, 340/690, 236/20 R, 236/1 H, 236/21 R, 236/21 B, 236/26 A, 126/363, 261/DIG. 31, 237/19, 237/10, 137/65
• US Class Current: 340/632
• 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 15/31 of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2035 using fluid fuel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1407 Combustion failure responsive fuel safety cut-off for burners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

A gas leak and cut-off device is provided including a gas-powered hot water heater having a cylindrical configuration with a circular top face, a circular bottom face, and a cylindrical periphery formed therebetween. The bottom face has a plurality of stanchions coupled thereto and extending downwardly for engaging a recipient surface. A gas input pipe is provided having a first end connected to a gas supply and a second end connected to the periphery of the hot water heater for supplying gas thereto to heat water. A plurality of monitors are each mounted in spaced relationship on the recipient surface with the outboard ends in line with the periphery of the water heater. Each monitor is adapted for generating an activation signal only during the detection of fluid. A control valve is mounted on the horizontal portion of the gas input pipe and has an unbiased open orientation for allowing gas to be supplied to the water heater during the lack of receipt of power and a biased closed orientation for precluding gas from being supplied to the water heater only during the receipt of power. Control circuitry is connected between the monitors and control valve for supplying power to the control valve upon the receipt of at least one activation signal.

Claims

1. A new and improved gas leak and cut-off device comprising, in combination:

a gas-powered hot water heater having a cylindrical configuration with a circular top face, a circular bottom face, and a cylindrical periphery formed therebetween, the bottom face having four stanchions coupled thereto and extending downwardly and each terminating with a circle base plate for engaging a recipient surface;

a gas input pipe with both a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, the gas input pipe having a first end connected to a gas supply and a second end connected to the periphery of the hot water heater for supplying gas thereto to heat water;

a plurality of monitors each including an L-shaped bracket formed of a horizontal extent mounted on the recipient surface and a vertical extent integrally coupled to the horizontal extent and extending upwardly therefrom with a circular bore formed therein, each monitors further including a rigid cylindrical housing with an outboard face, an inboard face, and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space, the outboard end having a plurality of minuscule bores formed therein and the periphery having threaded grooves formed therein adjacent to the inboard end thereof, wherein a portion of the periphery with the grooves formed therein has a reduced diameter, each monitor further having a hexagonal nut included for threadedly engaging the grooves of the housing when the inboard end of the housing is passed through the aperture of the bracket thereby securing the housing in parallel relationship with the horizontal extent of the bracket, the monitors mounted in spaced relationship on the recipient surface with the outboard ends in line with the periphery of the water heater, wherein four monitors are included spaced in 90 degrees relationship with respect to an adjacent one of the stanchions, whereby each monitor has a liquid detection switch situated within the interior space of the corresponding housing for generating an activation signal only during the detection of fluid;

a control valve mounted on the horizontal portion of the gas input pipe and having an unbiased open orientation for allowing gas to be supplied to the water heater during the lack of receipt of power and a biased closed orientation for precluding gas from being supplied to the water heater only during the receipt of power; and

control circuitry distanced 10 feet from the water heater and connected between the monitors and control valve via wires housed in insulated pipes for supplying power to the control valve upon the receipt of at least one activation signal, wherein the power is supplied until the drying of the monitors and the depression of a reset switch.