Water detection system and method
First Claim
1. A system for detecting the presence of a conductive liquid, the system comprising:
- an alarm housing, including a power source, an alarm, and a relay; and
a sensor housing, for detecting the liquid, having two probes and a switching and amplifying transistor, the sensor housing located remotely from the alarm housing;
wherein the switching and amplifying transistor is electrically coupled to the power source, the alarm, and the relay, so as to form an alarm circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water detection system for detecting water and activating an alarm is provided. The water detection system includes an alarm relay and a water sensor. The water sensor includes a solid state switching and amplifying circuit for detecting low levels of current flow and amplifying the signal to activate the alarm relay. In one embodiment, the water detection system further includes an alarm panel, including visual and audible alarms activated by the alarm relay. In one embodiment, the water detection system includes multiple water sensors for providing zone protection. In one embodiment, the alarm relay is configured to shut-down the device causing the presence of water. A method for implementation of the water detection system is also provided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for detecting the presence of a conductive liquid, the system comprising:
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an alarm housing, including a power source, an alarm, and a relay; and
a sensor housing, for detecting the liquid, having two probes and a switching and amplifying transistor, the sensor housing located remotely from the alarm housing;
wherein the switching and amplifying transistor is electrically coupled to the power source, the alarm, and the relay, so as to form an alarm circuit.
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2. A system for detecting the presence of a conductive liquid in an operating environment, the system comprising:
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a sensor housing including a first probe and a second probe coupled to an amplifying and switching transistor and first and second terminals located across the amplifying and switching transistor, the first probe and second probe configured to contact any of the conductive liquid present in the operating environment; and
an alarm housing, located remotely from the sensor housing, including an alarm relay for activating an alarm, the alarm relay electrically coupled to the first and second terminals of the sensor to form an alarm circuit. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A water detection circuit, powered by a power source, for detecting the presence of water, the water detection circuit comprising:
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a relay coil adapted to be activated by the flow of a sufficient amount of current;
a first probe and a second probe configured to contact the water, the first and second probes forming a first switch connected in series with the power source and the relay coil; and
a second switch connected in series with the power source and the relay coil and connected in parallel with the first switch, the second switch including a switching transistor activated by an amplifying transistor coupled to its base, wherein the amplifying transistor is activated upon the presence of water between the first and second probes. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of detecting water at a remote location and signaling the detection, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a sensor housing, including a first probe and a second probe for contacting the water, at a detection location, the sensor housing further including a switching and amplifying transistor having a first terminal and a second terminal; and
coupling the sensor housing to a second housing including an alarm, a relay, and a power source to form an alarm circuit, wherein the second housing is positioned at a remote location from the sensor housing. - View Dependent Claims (20)
connecting a base and a collector of an amplifying transistor, in the alarm circuit, to the first and second probes; and
connecting a collector and an emitter of a switching transistor to the first terminal and the second terminal.
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Specification