Plumbing flood control system

• US 6,523,562 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2002
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger Harper
• Original Assignee: Roger Harper
• Inventors: Harper, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US10/054,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20020062865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 137/312, 137/387, 137/392, 137/487.5, 137/429, 122/504.2, 122/505, 122/507, 307/118, 340/604, 340/605, 340/620, 340/623, 340/624, 340/625, 361/178, 200/81.4, 200/81.5, 200/84.R, 200/84.B, 200/183, 200/190, 200/230, 733/05, 733/06, 733/07, 733/08
• US Class Current: 137/312
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/16 using electric detection means G01M3/045, G01M3/06, G01M3/12, G01M3/20, G01M3/24, G01M3/26 take precedence
• 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: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7306 Electrical characteristic sensing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7423 Rectilinearly traveling float

Abstract

A control system for stopping a plumbing-related flooding situation in a building includes at least one sensor for accumulating water and producing a low voltage electrical control signal when sufficient water is accumulated. An actuating system receives the control signal and in turn routes 110 volt current to an electrically activated valve located in a main feed conduit of the plumbing system. The reopening of the valve is achieved by a manually operated electrical switch.

Claims

1. A flood control system for use in conjunction with the plumbing system of a building having one or more floors and an electrical supply system, said control system comprising:

1) a number of sensors for detecting an accumulation of water, each sensor located at an elevation below a floor where potential leakage of water may occur from said plumbing system, and comprised of an accumulating housing having a bottom panel equipped with a drainage aperture for achieving emptying of water from said housing by gravity impetus, and provided with means for transmitting an electrical control signal indicative of a detected accumulation of water,

2) an actuator system which receives said control signal and provides interaction with said electrical supply system, and further provides a low voltage current serving as said control signal, and

3) an electrically activated valve located in said plumbing system and adapted to close in response to said control signal.

2. The control system of claim 1 wherein said accumulating housing contains a float mechanism which, upon rising, causes completion of an electrical circuit, thereby producing said control signal.

3. The control system of claim 2 wherein said electrical circuit which produces said control signal carries a 24 volt current.

4. The control system of claim 1 wherein said actuator system is protected by an enclosure.

5. The control system of claim 3 wherein said actuator system is connected to said electrical supply system, and contains a transformer for producing said 24 volt current.

6. The control system of claim 5 wherein said actuator system further includes a stop relay which receives said control signal and in response thereto routes 110 volt AC current from said electrical supply system to close said electrically activated valve.

7. The control system of claim 6 wherein said actuator system is further provided with an open relay activated by a manual switch in a manner to cause reopening of said electrically activated valve.

8. The control system of claim 6 further containing a pull-out type of electrical disconnect switch for rapidly and safely cutting off the supply of 110 volt current to said actuator system.

9. The control system of claim 1 wherein a feed tube conveys water into said housing from an overlying floor surface.

10. The control system of claim 9 wherein filter means are associated with said feed tube adjacent said floor surface.

11. The control system of claim 9 wherein water dissipating means are disposed below said drainage aperture.

12. The control system of claim 11 wherein said water dissipating means is an open-celled, water-absorbent sponge.

13. A kit comprising the components of claim 1.

14. The control system of claim 1 wherein said accumulating housing can hold between 50 and 200 cc of water.

15. The control system of claim 1 wherein said electrically activated valve is comprised of motor drive means and a ball valve.

16. The control system of claim 15 wherein said ball valve includes means to make and break a 110 volt electrical circuit in the course of rotative movement between open and closed positions.