Leak detector
First Claim
1. A leak detector apparatus formed into a removeable clamp, gasket, or flange type member for placement around the circumference, periphery, perimeter, or base boundary of a fluid-handling pipe, pump, vessel, or household component such as a tub, sink, or commode, comprising the following elements:
- a rigid U-shaped ring consisting of an outside diameter wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, an inside diameter wall with an inside surface and an outside surface (inside surface being that surface of the two parallel walls that face one another), and a bottom ring secured fully around and flush with the edge of said walls, thusly forming said U-shaped ring, with an electrically conductive strip secured fully around on the inside diameter wall, and an absorbant band made from swellable, fluid-absorbing material, non-conductive electrically with an outside diameter surface attached fully around the inside surface of said outside diameter wall of "U"-shaped ring;
where said absorbant band has an inside diameter surface with an electrically conductive strip secured fully around said inside diameter surface such that said conductive strips are arranged concentrically and facing each other, but not contacting anywhere along the circumference due to an air gap separating the facing surfaces of the two internal conductor strips within said U-shaped ring;
a wire lead from the positive terminal of a low voltage power supply is connected to one side of a low voltage warning lamp, with another wire lead from the other side of said warning lamp connected to the conductive strip on the absorbant band, while another wire lead from the negative terminal of said power supply is connected to the other conductive strip on the U-shaped ring, such that the said air gap serves to separate the two said conductive strips with a uniform circumference spacing and maintain an open electrical circuit while the leak detector apparatus is maintained under dry conditions (no leak-status), so as to provide voltage for a visible alarm in case a leak develops and exposes said apparatus to wet conditions (leak status) that alter the prior separation spacing and circular geometry between the two said conductive strips for a closed circuit situation; and
a test switch is included with two wire leads therefrom connected across the two said conductive strips, thereby illuminating said warning lamp during a status check test of said leak detector apparatus, performed at will by owner/operator;
said test switch, said warning lamp, and said power supply are each mounted on a local remote wall plate, as placed at an observer accessible location on wall, with appropriate gauge wire used throughout for all electrical interconnections.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A leak detector apparatus, comprising as an integral part of its construction, an absorbant ring with a conductive strip running around its entire inner surface. The absorbant ring is placed inside a "U" shaped non-conductive ring that has a conductive strip running around the entire inner surface of the inside wall. The leak detector apparatus also comprises a low voltage power supply, a low voltage light, a test switch, a wall plate, and some insulated wire. The assembled rings act as a sensor when placed on the floor, open side down, around the outside of the sewage line flange. Water leaking from where the commode sewage line connects thereby flows towards or collects on parts of the leak detector apparatus, which activates the leak detector, turning on the light and alerting the property owner of the leak by means of the light alarm, thus allowing the owner an opportunity for repairs to be made before water damage occurs.
31 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A leak detector apparatus formed into a removeable clamp, gasket, or flange type member for placement around the circumference, periphery, perimeter, or base boundary of a fluid-handling pipe, pump, vessel, or household component such as a tub, sink, or commode, comprising the following elements:
- a rigid U-shaped ring consisting of an outside diameter wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, an inside diameter wall with an inside surface and an outside surface (inside surface being that surface of the two parallel walls that face one another), and a bottom ring secured fully around and flush with the edge of said walls, thusly forming said U-shaped ring, with an electrically conductive strip secured fully around on the inside diameter wall, and an absorbant band made from swellable, fluid-absorbing material, non-conductive electrically with an outside diameter surface attached fully around the inside surface of said outside diameter wall of "U"-shaped ring;
where said absorbant band has an inside diameter surface with an electrically conductive strip secured fully around said inside diameter surface such that said conductive strips are arranged concentrically and facing each other, but not contacting anywhere along the circumference due to an air gap separating the facing surfaces of the two internal conductor strips within said U-shaped ring;
a wire lead from the positive terminal of a low voltage power supply is connected to one side of a low voltage warning lamp, with another wire lead from the other side of said warning lamp connected to the conductive strip on the absorbant band, while another wire lead from the negative terminal of said power supply is connected to the other conductive strip on the U-shaped ring, such that the said air gap serves to separate the two said conductive strips with a uniform circumference spacing and maintain an open electrical circuit while the leak detector apparatus is maintained under dry conditions (no leak-status), so as to provide voltage for a visible alarm in case a leak develops and exposes said apparatus to wet conditions (leak status) that alter the prior separation spacing and circular geometry between the two said conductive strips for a closed circuit situation; and
a test switch is included with two wire leads therefrom connected across the two said conductive strips, thereby illuminating said warning lamp during a status check test of said leak detector apparatus, performed at will by owner/operator;
said test switch, said warning lamp, and said power supply are each mounted on a local remote wall plate, as placed at an observer accessible location on wall, with appropriate gauge wire used throughout for all electrical interconnections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- a rigid U-shaped ring consisting of an outside diameter wall with an inside surface and an outside surface, an inside diameter wall with an inside surface and an outside surface (inside surface being that surface of the two parallel walls that face one another), and a bottom ring secured fully around and flush with the edge of said walls, thusly forming said U-shaped ring, with an electrically conductive strip secured fully around on the inside diameter wall, and an absorbant band made from swellable, fluid-absorbing material, non-conductive electrically with an outside diameter surface attached fully around the inside surface of said outside diameter wall of "U"-shaped ring;
Specification