Water treatment system with moisture detector
First Claim
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1. A water treatment system comprising:
- a light source chamber;
a light source within the chamber, the light source having a resistance;
a moisture-detecting device within the chamber, the device electrically connected in parallel with the light source and having a first resistance greater than the resistance of the light source when a preselected level of moisture is not present, the device having a second resistance less than the resistance of the light source when the preselected level of moisture is present; and
a control circuit operatively connected to the light source and to the moisture-detecting device, wherein the moisture-detecting device provides a relatively low resistance pathway preventing the light source from receiving power when the preselected level of moisture is present.
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Abstract
A water treatment system including a UV bulb, a moisture detector, and a control circuit responsive to the moisture detector to terminate power to the bulb when moisture is detected. The moisture detector includes a nonconductive substrate and a pair of conductors on the substrate. When moisture is not present, the detector is nonconductive. However, when moisture accumulates on the detector, the moisture provides a conductive path between the conductors so that the detector becomes conductive. When moisture is detected, the control circuit terminates power to the bulb and/or provides an appropriate indication to the system user.
35 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A water treatment system comprising:
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a light source chamber; a light source within the chamber, the light source having a resistance; a moisture-detecting device within the chamber, the device electrically connected in parallel with the light source and having a first resistance greater than the resistance of the light source when a preselected level of moisture is not present, the device having a second resistance less than the resistance of the light source when the preselected level of moisture is present; and a control circuit operatively connected to the light source and to the moisture-detecting device, wherein the moisture-detecting device provides a relatively low resistance pathway preventing the light source from receiving power when the preselected level of moisture is present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A light source assembly comprising:
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a chamber wall defining a light chamber; a light source within the chamber, the light source having a resistance; power means for powering the light source; control means for controlling the power means, the control means including a moisture detector within the light chamber, the moisture detector electrically connected in parallel with the light source and having a first resistance greater than the resistance of the light source when moisture is not present within the chamber, the moisture detector having a second resistance less than the resistance of the light source when moisture is present within the chamber, wherein the moisture detector provides a relatively low resistance pathway when moisture is present to shunt current around the light source. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A water treatment system comprising:
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a water chamber through which water flows; a light chamber normally water-free; a light source within the chamber, the light source having a resistance; and a detector means within the light chamber for detecting the presence of water, the detector means electrically connected in parallel with the light source and having a first resistance greater than the resistance of the light source when water is not present on the detector means, the detector means having a second resistance less than the resistance of the light source when moisture is present on the detector means, the detector means providing a low resistance electrical path when water is detected within the light chamber to reduce current through the light source. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A lighting assembly comprising:
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a chamber; a light source within the chamber, the light source having a resistance; and a water detector within the chamber, the water detector electrically connected in parallel with the light source and having a first resistance greater than the resistance of the light source when water is not present within the chamber, the water detector having a second resistance less than the resistance of the light source when water is present within the chamber, the water detector providing a conductive path when water is present within the chamber to reduce current to the light source. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification