GB2348033A

GB2348033A - Water leakage warning device

Info

Publication number: GB2348033A
Application number: GB9905859A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas George Foggin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-16
Filing date: 1999-03-16
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Also published as: GB9905859D0

Abstract

The device is designed to produce an alarm and electrically disconnect the mains power from such items as washing machines and dishwashers etc. in the event of water coming into contact with a detector connected to this device. This detector would normally be placed under the protected washing machine etc. Its purpose is to limit the volume of water available to cause damage in the event of water leaking from within the washing machine etc. It will also alert any person nearby if such a leak should occur.

Description

Water Leakage Warning Device This invention is intended to give the operator of such items as washing machines and dishwashers a warning of water leaking from this type of appliance or any other type of appliance or equipment using water and an electrical supply.

Water leaking from appliances can cause varying degrees of damage to the surrounding fabric of the property. If undetected this damage can be substantial. This invention is intended to give the occupant of the property a warning of such leakage.

This invention is a device that will detect water by means of electrical conductors and will by electronic, electro-mechanical or mechanical means disconnect the electrical supply to electrical items using water, for example washing machines, dishwashers. This device will also provide an audible and/or visual alarm and/or remote alarm on detection of water.

This device may also contain a Residual Current Device (R. C. D.). It will normally be powered by the electrical mains supply, but may be powered by alternative means.

Referring to the drawing on Page 2.

Item 1 is an electrical switch e. g. solid state relay (S. S. R.), relay or contactor. It can also be a modified R. C. D. Item 2 is an electronic or electro-mechanical device, which will cause item 1 to disconnect the electrical supply to the protected appliance or equipment if water is detected by item 3, item 2 also produces an audible and/or visual and/or remote alarm. Item 3 is a detector consisting of 2 or more electrical conductors which are electrically insulated from each other, but will allow an electrical current to flow between these conductors when in contact with water, this may or may not be of printed circuit design.

Claims

Claims 1) This device, on detection of water will produce an audible and/or visual alarm and/or remote alarm.
2) This device will disconnect the electrical supply to any protected appliance i. e. washing machine, on detecting water.
3) The action taken in claim 2, will limit the quantity of water available to cause water damage, to that contained in the protected appliance, providing the electrically operated water valves which allow water to enter the protected appliance are in good working order.
4) This device will not limit water damage caused by water leakage externally to the electrically protected appliance i. e. washing machine. In this case it will only take action as in claims 1 and 2 if water comes into contact with its water detector device.
5) This type of Water Leakage Warning Device could be built in to an appliance using water where a warning of leakage is desirable.
6) This type of Water Leakage Warning Device could be built as a plug in adaptor or in any type of enclosure connected in series with the electrical supply to the protected appliance.
7) The detector of this Water Leakage Warning Device will operate at a safe voltage and current