Water leak detection and correction device

• US 6,369,714 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Onsite Pro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Scott A. Walter
• Inventors: Walter, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/528,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20020008627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 340/605, 340/604, 340/618, 340/620, 137/803, 137/804, 137/805, 137/312, 137/551
• US Class Current: 340/605
• 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

Abstract

A water leak detection apparatus comprises a sensor, a control unit and a valve module. The sensor is adapted to be placed below a water line or coupling. The valve module is positioned as far upstream on a water line as possible. The control unit actuates the valve module and an audible alarm when the sensor detects a water leak. The valve module closes a valve positioned along the water line to restrict flow through the water line until the control unit has been manually reset. The control unit also features a trigger button to allow the valve to be manually cycled for cleaning, for instance.

Claims

1. A water leak detection and correction device comprising:

a power source comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

a first relay coil comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said power source being connected to said first terminal of said first relay coil;

a liquid sensor comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said liquid sensor being connected to said second terminal of said first relay coil, said liquid sensor not comprising an amplifying circuit;

a reset switch comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said reset switch being connected to said second terminal of said liquid sensor and said second terminal of said reset switch being connected to said second terminal of said power source;

a first normally open relay comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

said first terminal of said first relay being connected to said first terminal of said power source;

a first electrically operated valve comprising a fist terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said first valve being connected to said second terminal of said fist relay and said second terminal of sad first valve being connected to said second terminal of said power source;

said first relay being operatively controlled by said first relay coil such that said first relay is closed when current flows through said first relay coil;

a second normally open relay comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

said first terminal being connected to said first terminal of said power source and said second terminal being connected to said first terminal of said reset switch such that when said second relay is closed power is supplied to said test relay coil even if said liquid sensor no longer senses liquid;

a third normally open relay comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal being connected to said fist teal of said power source,

said second relay and third relay being controlled by said first relay coil; and

an alarm circuit comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said alarm circuit being connected to said second terminal of said third relay and said second terminal of said alarm circuit being connected to said second terminal of said power source.

2. A water leak detection and correction device comprising:

a power source comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

a rectifier comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal, the first terminal of the rectifier being connected to the first terminal of the power source, the second terminal of the rectifier being connected to the second terminal of the power source,

a first relay coil comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said third terminal of said rectifier being connected to said first terminal of said first relay coil;

a second relay coil comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said third terminal of said rectifier being connected to said first terminal of said second relay coil;

a liquid sensor comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said liquid sensor being connected to said second terminal of said first relay coil and to said second terminal of said second relay coil, said liquid sensor not comprising an amplifying circuit;

a reset switch comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said reset switch being connected to said second terminal of said liquid sensor and said second terminal of said reset switch being connected to said fourth terminal of said rectifier;

a test switch comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

said first terminal of said test switch being connected to said second terminal of said first relay coil and said second terminal of said second relay coil, said second terminal of said test switch being connected to said first terminal of said reset switch;

a first normally open relay comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

said first terminal of said first relay being connected to said first terminal of said power source

a second normally open relay comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

said first terminal of said second relay being connected to said first terminal of said power source;

a first electrically operated valve comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said first valve being connected to said second terminal of said first relay and said second terminal of said first valve being connected to said second terminal of said power source;

a second electrically operated valve comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said second valve being connected to said second terminal of said second relay and said second terminal of said second valve being connected to said second terminal of said power source;

said first relay and said second relay being operatively controlled by said first relay coil such that said first relay and said second relay are closed when current flows through said first relay coil;

a third normally open relay comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

said first terminal being connected to said third terminal of said rectifier and said second terminal being connected to said first terminal of said reset switch such that when said third relay is closed power is supplied to said first relay coil and said second relay coil even if said liquid sensor no longer senses liquid;

a fourth normally open relay comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal being connected to said third terminal of said rectifier,

said third relay and fourth relay being controlled by said second relay coil; and

an alarm circuit comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal of said alarm circuit being connected to said second terminal of said fourth relay and said second terminal of said alarm circuit being connected to said fourth terminal of said rectifier.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the device consists of four separable components, said first valve and said second valve being a first component, said power source comprising a power source enclosure and being a second component, said liquid sensor being a third component and a control enclosure being a fourth component, said control enclosure containing said rectifier, said first relay coil, said second relay coil, said first relay, said second relay, said third relay, said fourth relay, said test switch, said reset switch and said alarm circuit.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said alarm circuit comprises a buzzer and a lamp, said lamp being visible through a portion of said enclosure.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said liquid sensor comprises an elongate strip.