Water leakage detection and flood prevention device

• US 6,057,770 A
• Filed: 03/10/1998
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward Justesen
• Original Assignee: Edward Justesen
• Inventors: Justesen, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/037,486
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 340/605, 340/514, 340/652, 340/631, 340/643
• US Class Current: 340/605
• 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

Abstract

A device for detecting water leakage and preventing flooding from a water-utilizing appliance connected to water supply lines with water hoses, comprising a main electric unit which attaches to a power line. The main electric unit includes outlets, into which the power cords of the water-utilizing appliance are plugged, and a plurality of water sensor strips extending from the main electric unit for detecting the presence of water. The water leakage detection and flood prevention device further comprises solenoid-actuated cut-off valves connected between the water supply lines and the water hoses of the water-utilizing appliance. When a water leak is detected by the water sensor strips, a circuit breaker within the main electric unit shuts off, cutting power to the outlets and the solenoid-actuated cut-off valve, thereby disconnecting the water supply and electric power to the water-utilizing appliance in order to prevent a flood.

Claims

1. A water leakage detection device for use with a water-utilizing appliance having a water hose, and a power cord, said device comprising:

a) a plurality of interchangable water sensing strips for detecting water, said water sensing strips placed near the water-utilizing appliance where water is likely to exist in the event of a water leakage including placing the strips on water pipes and a ground surface;

b) a solenoid-actuated cut-off valve connected to the water hose for shutting off water supply in the event a water leak is detected; and

c) a main electric unit electrically connected to a power supply line, said main electric unit including at least one outlet, into which the power cord of the water-utilizing appliance is plugged, said main electric unit also including a circuit breaker which is electrically connected to the power supply line, the water sensor strips, the solenoid-actuated cut-off valve and the outlet such that when water leak is detected by the water sensing strips, the circuit breaker shuts off, disconnecting power to the outlet and the solenoid-actuated cut-off valve.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the main electric unit further comprises a test button and a reset button for manually operating the circuit breaker for selectively turning the solenoid-actuated cut-off valves and the outlets, on and off.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the main electric unit further comprises a LED light and an alarm, said LED light and said alarm electrically connected to the water sensor strips and the power supply line such that said LED light flashes and said alarm generates warning sound in the event of the water sensor strips sensing presence of water in order to alert household occupants that a problem of water leak may exist.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein each of the water sensor strips further comprises:

a) an exterior covering, said exterior covering having a plurality of holes;

b) first and second conductors disposed within said exterior covering; and

c) a plurality of contact sensors formed on the first and second conductors, such that when the contact sensors are exposed to water that enters the exterior covering through said holes, electric current is allowed to flow between the first and second conductors.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the water-utilizing appliance has water hoses that are connected to a hot-water supply line and a cold-water supply line, wherein the plurality of water sensing strips further comprise a first water sensor strip for wrapping around the water hose connected to the cold-water supply line, a second water sensor strip for wrapping around the water hose connected to the hot-water supply line, and a third water sensor strip for placing on the floor near the water-utilizing appliance.