Water management and leak detection for hot water tank

• US 7,114,514 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andre Houle
• Original Assignee: Andre Houle
• Inventors: Houle, Andre
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US10/660,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20060169321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 137/312, 220/571, 222/108
• US Class Current: 137/312
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/0005 for water heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/17 Means for retaining water leaked from heaters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/00 Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

A water management and leak detection has a containment system to contain hot water tank leaks and and electrical circuits that manage water flow and electricity to the hot water tank.

Claims

1. A water management and leak detection apparatus for a hot water tank comprising:

a rigid secondary container to contain the hot water tank, the rigid secondary container consisting of two halves mated together around the hot water tank, the secondary container having a check valve for receiving water from outside of the secondary container and a drain for evacuating water from the secondary container;

attachment means to attach the two halves together around the hot water tank;

a water sensor for detecting water inside the secondary container;

a bail pump for pumping water detected by the water sensor inside the secondary container and evacuating the water through the drain; and

shut off means for shutting off a main water valve in response of the water sensor detecting water inside the secondary container whereby in use, the apparatus detects either water leaks originating from the hot water tank or from flood water originating from outside the water tank to thereby prevent flooding of an area in proximity of the hot water tank.