Shut-off system for preventing water damage

• US 5,967,171 A
• Filed: 06/05/1998
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George W. Dwyer Jr
• Original Assignee: George W. Dwyer Jr
• Inventors: Dwyer, George W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/092,119
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 137/78.1, 137/312, 307/118, 340/605, 361/178, 251/292
• US Class Current: 137/78.1
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/60 Audible signals
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/47 Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps safety arrangements D06F37/42
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/081 Safety arrangements for preventing water damage
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/046 with electric means, e.g. electric switches, to control the motor or to control a clutch between the valve and the motor F16K31/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/045 with electrical detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/18 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/42 Switches operated by change of humidity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1842 Ambient condition change responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

A system for use with a normally open manually actuated water valve, or any other suitable manually actuated device, for automatically closing the valve, or device, upon sensing water. The system includes at least one water sensor electrically connected to a motorized actuator mounted on the valve, or device, whereby a signal is transmitted either by electrical conductor, or in an alternate embodiment by RF transmission, to the motorized actuator upon sensing water, whereby said manual valve is automatically actuated to its closed position. The system may be installed on an otherwise conventional manual shut-off valve, without replacing the valve or otherwise interrupting flow through the valve.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with an existing manual water valve having a rotatable valve stem, said apparatus for preventing water damage by automatically closing the water valve upon sensing water leaking from a source downstream from the water valve, said apparatus comprising:

at least one water sensor, said at least one water sensor including a pair of spaced conductors forming a normally open electrical switch, said apparatus including resistance measuring circuitry whereby a uniform body of water bridging a gap between said spaced conductors completes an electrical circuit;

means for rotationally actuating said manual valve connected to said valve stem by a connector, said connector formed about a connector axis and having an end defining an aperture which is coaxial with said axis, said connector aperture terminating at a concavely tapered surface for aligning said valve stem in axial alignment with said connector axis, said means for rotationally actuating electrically connected to said at least one water sensor and responsive to said electrical switch such that said means for actuating causes rotation of said valve stem for closing said valve upon completion of said electrical circuit.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said water sensor includes a housing having a pair of opposing side walls, at least one of said side walls having a lower edge portion defining a cut-out, said housing containing a pair of spaced conductors.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connector further defines a plurality of radial threaded set-screw apertures for receiving a plurality of corresponding set-screws, said set-screws for rotationally anchoring said valve stem to said connector.

4. An apparatus for use with a manual water valve having a rotatable valve stem, said apparatus for preventing water damage by automatically closing the water valve, by rotating the valve stem, upon sensing water leaking, said apparatus comprising:

at least one water sensor, said at least one water sensor including a housing having a pair of opposing side walls, each of said side walls having a lower edge defining a notch, said housing further having a normally open mechanical switch including a pair of movable switch elements and a pair of hygroscopic wafers, said wafers having the characteristic of expansion upon exposure to water, each of said wafers disposed between one of said side wall notches and one of said movable switch elements, whereby water entering said housing through one of said notches will cause expansion of at least one of said wafers thereby closing said switch;

means for generating rotational torque;

a mechanical couple connecting said means for generating rotational torque to the valve stem;

said means for generating rotational torque electrically connected to said at least one water sensor whereby closure of said switch completes an electrical circuit thereby activating said means for generating rotational torque and rotating said valve stem;

said mechanical couple including a shaft having a first end connected to said means for generating rotational torque and a second end, said second end including a valve stem connector defining a valve stem receiving aperture for receiving the valve stem therein, said connector further including means for anchoring said valve stem to said connector such that rotation of said shaft causes rotation of the valve stem for closing the valve.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, further including a handle adapted for mounting on said shaft, whereby manual actuation of the valve is maintained by removal of said means for generating rotational torque and mounting said handle on said shaft second end.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, further including means for anchoring said means for generating rotational torque relative to the valve.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said means for anchoring includes an elongated rigid member having a first end connected to said means for generating rotational torque and a second end adapted to be fixed to a portion of pipe.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said elongated rigid member second end is arcuate and includes a plastic outer coating.

9. An apparatus, for use with a manual water valve having a rotatable valve stem, said apparatus for preventing water damage by automatically closing the water valve upon sensing water, said apparatus comprising:

at least one water sensor, said at least one water sensor including a housing having side walls defining lower edge forming at least one notch, said housing further containing a pair of spaced electrical contacts, said contacts electrically connected to a resistance measuring circuit, said contacts and said circuit functioning as a normally open electrical switch whereby the presence of a uniform body of water between said contacts closes said switch;

means for generating rotational torque;

a mechanical couple connecting said means for generating rotational torque to the valve stem;

said mechanical couple including a shaft having a first end connected to said means for generating rotational torque and a second end, said second end including a valve stem connector defining an axial valve stem receiving aperture for receiving the valve stem therein, said connector aperture having a concavely tapered surface, said surface for guiding said valve stem to a position in axial alignment with said connector axis, said connector further including means for anchoring said valve stem to said connector such that rotation of said shaft causes rotation of the valve stem for closing the valve;

said means for generating rotational torque electrically connected to said at least one water sensor whereby closure of said switch activates said means for generating rotational torque thereby causing rotation of said mechanical couple and the valve stem;

a rigid member having a first end fixed to said means for generating rotational torque and a second end fixed relative to the valve, for rotationally anchoring said means for generating rotational torque relative to said valve.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said rigid member second end defines an arcuate portion, said arcuate portion having an external coating, said external coating comprising an electrically insulating material.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said electrical connection between said means for generating rotational torque and said at least one water sensor includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver.