Auto shutoff overflow controller

• US 6,998,990 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steve Johnson
• Original Assignee: Steve Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAI, ANNE VIET NGA
• Application Number:
  US10/656,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20050062611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 340/612, 340/616, 340/618, 340/620, 340/605, 137/312, 682/08
• US Class Current: 340/620
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/081 Safety arrangements for preventing water damage
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/24 Overflow devices for basins or baths E03C1/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/2406 Overflow alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 1/00 Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/244 comprising oscillating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/12 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

The automatic shutoff overflow controller comprises a circuit which engages between a source of power and a water processing device, the controller, sensing an undesirably high water level in a liquid containment into which water drains from the device, shutting off the device and producing an audible warning that such condition exists.

Claims

1. An automatic shutoff overflow controller for use in shutting off a powered liquid processing device when an undesirably high level of liquid is sensed in a liquid containment for liquid draining from the device, the controller comprising a sensor circuit engaged between the device and a source of power therefor and including conductive sensor probes placed at a desired level within the liquid containment such that, when the probes become immersed in liquid, an audible warning is produced and flow of power from the source to the device is interrupted, the sensor probes being mounted in a housing, the housing being engaged to an outlet end of an outlet hose from the device and the housing including an open end into which the probes extend, the open end of the sensor housing being adjacent to and extended beyond the outlet opening of the outlet hose.

2. The controller of claim 1 wherein the circuit includes a connector engaged to a source of power.

3. The controller of claim 2 wherein the circuit further includes an atria to which the device is electrically engaged.

4. The controller of claim 3 wherein a normally open relay is positioned between the connector and the atria.

5. The controller of claim 4 wherein a comparator is functionally engaged to the relay in a manner to cause closing of contacts of the relay when voltage across the probes exceeds a reference voltage to effectively disconnect the device from the source of power.

6. The controller of claim 5 wherein the comparator also powers on an audio signal generator upon closing the relay contacts.

7. The controller of claim 6 wherein the circuit includes a timer for causing the audio signal generator to cycle on and off when the relay contacts are closed.

8. The controller of claim 7 wherein the circuit includes a visual indicator of the status thereof which is normally green and changes to red when the relay contacts are closed.

9. The controller of claim 8 wherein the circuit is reset when sufficient liquid is removed from the containment therefor to decrease the liquid to a level below the probes.