Water heater alarm
First Claim
1. A water sensor and alarm system for storage hot water heaters comprising:
- an alarm housing having a rear surface, a top open end, a front audible alarm opening, and two bottom holes separated by a standoff;
a cap connected to said alarm housing and covering said top open end;
a printed circuit board positioned within said alarm housing;
an annunciator electrically connected to said printed circuit board and able to produce an audible signal, said annunciator positioned near said front audible alarm opening;
two electrical contacts electrically connected to said printed circuit board near said two bottom holes;
a source of electrical power electrically connected to said printed circuit board; and
two fluid sensors each extending through a different one of said two bottom holes in said alarm housing and electrically connected to a different one of said electrical contacts, wherein when said alarm housing is attached to a hot water heater tank with said standoff adjacent to the surface supporting the hot water heater tank, and further when fluid leaking from the hot water heater tank contacts both of said fluid sensors, an electrical circuit is completed that activates said annunciator to provide audible notification that a leak has occurred.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water sensor and alarm system for storage water heaters comprising an alarm housing, embedded battery, annunciator, and two bottom exposed fluid sensors separated by a stand-off. The system is designed for prompt owner notification when fluid is detected adjacent to a hot water heater tank. Notification is audible, and optionally may be in the form of remote notification, such as but not limited to a signal transmitted to the home security device connected to a 24-hour security monitoring network, or a smart phone, tablet, or other smart device. The alarm housing can be easily and quickly mounted to the side of the water heater tank. Ultra low power consumption is an important benefit provided by the alarm system, which continues during low battery warnings and water detection alarming. Also, the audible alarm may optionally include a boost circuit to amplify annunciator loudness, but at a tradeoff with conserving power.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A water sensor and alarm system for storage hot water heaters comprising:
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an alarm housing having a rear surface, a top open end, a front audible alarm opening, and two bottom holes separated by a standoff; a cap connected to said alarm housing and covering said top open end; a printed circuit board positioned within said alarm housing; an annunciator electrically connected to said printed circuit board and able to produce an audible signal, said annunciator positioned near said front audible alarm opening; two electrical contacts electrically connected to said printed circuit board near said two bottom holes; a source of electrical power electrically connected to said printed circuit board; and two fluid sensors each extending through a different one of said two bottom holes in said alarm housing and electrically connected to a different one of said electrical contacts, wherein when said alarm housing is attached to a hot water heater tank with said standoff adjacent to the surface supporting the hot water heater tank, and further when fluid leaking from the hot water heater tank contacts both of said fluid sensors, an electrical circuit is completed that activates said annunciator to provide audible notification that a leak has occurred. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification