EP0062575B1 - Electrical device to detect water leaks - Google Patents

Electrical device to detect water leaks Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0062575B1
EP0062575B1 EP82400568A EP82400568A EP0062575B1 EP 0062575 B1 EP0062575 B1 EP 0062575B1 EP 82400568 A EP82400568 A EP 82400568A EP 82400568 A EP82400568 A EP 82400568A EP 0062575 B1 EP0062575 B1 EP 0062575B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mentioned
sheet
substance
flexible
metallic sheets
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP82400568A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0062575A1 (en
Inventor
Théo Coutlis
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AT82400568T priority Critical patent/ATE24066T1/en
Publication of EP0062575A1 publication Critical patent/EP0062575A1/en
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Publication of EP0062575B1 publication Critical patent/EP0062575B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition
    • H01H35/42—Switches operated by change of humidity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for detecting the various water leaks in non-accessible installations, as well as accidental flooding of cellars or attics.
  • Water leaks in non-accessible installations can lead to various drawbacks, for example: if a water leak appears in a built-in siphon, it is not noticed until the water has penetrated the ground and passed through the ceiling.
  • the device according to the invention makes it possible to avoid drawbacks of this kind. It is placed below the point where a water leak can take place and, thanks to an alarm system, it sends a signal to a receiving station warning that the leak has started.
  • the operation of the device according to the invention is based on the principle of electrolytic dissociation ...
  • the device is a switch which reacts to the presence of water, independently of the general conditions of humidity and temperature.
  • the sheet placed between the sheets plays the role of a dielectric and prevents the circuit between the conductors from closing; if however, water contacts the surface of the perforated sheet, it penetrates into the holes, wets the sheet and thus causes the dissociation of the NaCl which, acting as an electrolyte, allows electrolysis between the two sheets (electrodes) .
  • the electrical circuit between the two conductors is thus closed and a control signal is sent for an auxiliary circuit.
  • the tempered paper is changed by raising one of the two aluminum plates.
  • the device described in said document aims mainly to detect the presence of water inside a car.
  • the object of the present invention is the creation of a device for detecting water leaks in installations where the leaks are not easily controllable due to the placement of the installations. Said object is achieved thanks to the implementation of the features presented in claim 1.
  • the device comprises a flexible sheet made with a flexible, water-repellent or impermeable material, such as for example a water-repellent fabric preserving moisture, a layer of a hydrolizing substance and two flexible metal sheets and thin spread in parallel on said substance.
  • An electrical conductor is connected to each metal sheet.
  • Said ply may, according to another characteristic of the invention, be sectioned into several parts, each of which constitutes an independent switch.
  • the device can thus be arranged on different lengths and widths.
  • a hydrolizing substance 2 such as NaCl.
  • Two metal sheets 3 are spread in parallel on said hydrolizing substance 2.
  • Contact terminals 6 pass through the assembly, each terminal being connected, both with a metal foil 3 and with a conductive wire 7.
  • the conductive wires 7 lead to a signaling device, not shown (being conventional).
  • said contact terminals 6 consist of press studs; in this case the ends of the conducting wires 7 are also provided with press studs (male or female).
  • the device shown in Figure 1 can be sectioned into several parts, each having a contact terminal on each metal sheet. Each part in Figure 2 thus constitutes an independent breaker.
  • the device can be arranged, as required, on different lengths and widths.
  • each of the two metal sheets 3 can be perforated or replaced by two flexible metal grids placed in parallel. This embodiment allows faster dissociation of substance 2.
  • the device can be used to detect water leaks in installations that are inaccessible due to their placement. We can install it in advance under a roof to be built or under any other construction likely to have water leaks in the future such as a cellar or an attic, or even a water station with a very narrow space.
  • the device can also be placed in a garden in order to be warned in the event of a rain beginning and thus be able to take certain precautions.
  • Particularly interesting applications for the installation of the device are, for example: under the sanitary facilities of bathrooms in hotels, buildings or factories.

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  • Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)

Abstract

1. Electrical device for water leak detection, specified by the assembly of : a) a flexible and thin sheet (1) of damp-proof and waterproof material b) a coat (2) of hydrolytic substance layed on the mentioned sheet (1) c) two thin and flexible metallic sheets (3) layed in a parallel direction on substance (2) ; the two mentioned metallic sheets being separated by a short distance, each metallic sheet (3) having at least one contact plug (6) which can be connected with a conducter wire (7) d) a signalisation and/or alarm system which is connected to the wires (7) by a power source, the assembly arrangement being such that water coming from an accidental leak reachs the mentioned hydrolytic substance which separates, becomes conducive, closes the electrical circuit formed by the mentioned metallic sheets (3) and the electric wires (7) and releases the mentioned signalisation and/or alarm system.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif pour détecter les différentes fuites d'eau dans les installations non accessibles, ainsi que les inondations accidentelles des caves ou greniers.The present invention relates to a device for detecting the various water leaks in non-accessible installations, as well as accidental flooding of cellars or attics.

Les fuites d'eau dans les installations non accessibles peuvent amener à des différents inconvénients, par exemple : si une fuite d'eau apparaît dans un siphon encastré, celle-ci n'est aperçue que lorsque l'eau a pénétré le sol et traversé le plafond.Water leaks in non-accessible installations can lead to various drawbacks, for example: if a water leak appears in a built-in siphon, it is not noticed until the water has penetrated the ground and passed through the ceiling.

Le dispositif selon l'invention permet d'éviter des inconvénients de ce genre. Il est posé au-dessous de l'endroit où une fuite d'eau peut avoir lieu et, grâce à un système d'alarme, il envoie à un poste récepteur un signal avertissant du commencement de la fuite.The device according to the invention makes it possible to avoid drawbacks of this kind. It is placed below the point where a water leak can take place and, thanks to an alarm system, it sends a signal to a receiving station warning that the leak has started.

Le fonctionnement du dispositif, selon l'invention, est basé sur le principe de la dissociation électrolytique... Le dispositif est un interrupteur qui réagit à la présence d'eau, indépendamment des conditions générales d'humidité et de température.The operation of the device according to the invention is based on the principle of electrolytic dissociation ... The device is a switch which reacts to the presence of water, independently of the general conditions of humidity and temperature.

Le document US-A-3127.485 décrit un interrupteur du type ci-dessus mentionné. Il comporte deux tôles en aluminium rigides et perforées, sur chacune desquelles un conducteur électrique est soudé. Une feuille de papier trempée dans une solution de NaCI est interposée entre les deux tôles. Les différents éléments sont maintenus solidaires au moyen d'un cadre rigide.Document US-A-3127.485 describes a switch of the type mentioned above. It has two rigid and perforated aluminum sheets, on each of which an electrical conductor is welded. A sheet of paper dipped in a NaCl solution is interposed between the two sheets. The different elements are held together by means of a rigid frame.

Dans des conditions normales, la feuille placée entre les tôles joue le rôle d'un diélectrique et empêche la fermeture du circuit entre les conducteurs ; si toutefois, de l'eau contacte la surface de la tôle perforée, elle pénètre dans les trous, mouille la feuille et provoque ainsi la dissociation du NaCI lequel, faisant fonction d'électrolyte, permet l'électrolyse entre les deux tôles (électrodes). Le circuit électrique entre les deux conducteurs est ainsi fermé et il est envoyé un signal de commande pour un circuit auxiliaire.Under normal conditions, the sheet placed between the sheets plays the role of a dielectric and prevents the circuit between the conductors from closing; if however, water contacts the surface of the perforated sheet, it penetrates into the holes, wets the sheet and thus causes the dissociation of the NaCl which, acting as an electrolyte, allows electrolysis between the two sheets (electrodes) . The electrical circuit between the two conductors is thus closed and a control signal is sent for an auxiliary circuit.

Après usage, on change le papier trempé en surélevant l'une des deux plaques d'aluminium. Le dispositif décrit dans ledit document vise principalement à détecter la présence d'eau à l'intérieur d'une voiture.After use, the tempered paper is changed by raising one of the two aluminum plates. The device described in said document aims mainly to detect the presence of water inside a car.

Le but de la présente invention est la création d'un dispositif pour détecter les fuites d'eau dans des installations où les fuites ne sont pas facilement contrôlables à cause du placement des installations. Ledit but est atteint grâce à la mise en oeuvre des caractéristiques présentées à la revendication 1.The object of the present invention is the creation of a device for detecting water leaks in installations where the leaks are not easily controllable due to the placement of the installations. Said object is achieved thanks to the implementation of the features presented in claim 1.

Selon une caractéristique essentielle de l'invention, le dispositif comporte une nappe flexible faite avec un matériau souple, hydrofugé ou imperméable, tel que par exemple une toile hydrofugée préservant de l'humidité, une couche d'une substance hydrolisante et deux feuilles métalliques flexibles et minces étalées parallèlement sur ladite substance. Un conducteur électrique est connecté à chaque feuille métallique.According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a flexible sheet made with a flexible, water-repellent or impermeable material, such as for example a water-repellent fabric preserving moisture, a layer of a hydrolizing substance and two flexible metal sheets and thin spread in parallel on said substance. An electrical conductor is connected to each metal sheet.

Ladite nappe peut, selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, être sectionnée en plusieurs parties, chacune desquelles constitue un interrupteur indépendant. Le dispositif peut ainsi être disposé sur les longueurs et largeurs différentes.Said ply may, according to another characteristic of the invention, be sectioned into several parts, each of which constitutes an independent switch. The device can thus be arranged on different lengths and widths.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention donné à titre d'exemple et représenté au dessin annexé, dans lequel :

  • La figure 1 représente en perspective un rouleau flexible comportant une nappe selon l'invention ;
  • La figure 2 représente en perspective un tronçon dudit rouleau flexible (sectionné du rouleau) qui constitue ainsi un détecteur indépendant.
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example and represented in the appended drawing, in which:
  • Figure 1 shows in perspective a flexible roller comprising a sheet according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 shows in perspective a section of said flexible roller (sectioned from the roller) which thus constitutes an independent detector.

- Sur les figures, une première nappe 1 faite avec un matériau hydrofugé, telle qu'une nappe de toile hydrofugée, est recouverte avec une couche d'une substance hydrolisante 2 telle que du NaCI. Deux feuilles métalliques 3 sont étalées parallèlement sur ladite substance hydrolisante 2. Une deuxième nappe 4, faite avec un matériau non hydrofugé, recouvre l'ensemble ainsi formé. Ladite deuxième nappe 4 peut être retirée avant l'utilisation du dispositif. Des bornes de contact 6 traversent l'ensemble, chaque borne étant connectée, à la fois avec une feuille métallique 3 et avec un fil conducteur 7. Les fils conducteurs 7 amènent à un dispositif de signalisation, non représenté (étant conventionnel).- In the figures, a first sheet 1 made with a water-repellent material, such as a sheet of water-repellent canvas, is covered with a layer of a hydrolizing substance 2 such as NaCl. Two metal sheets 3 are spread in parallel on said hydrolizing substance 2. A second sheet 4, made with a non-water-repellent material, covers the assembly thus formed. Said second ply 4 can be removed before using the device. Contact terminals 6 pass through the assembly, each terminal being connected, both with a metal foil 3 and with a conductive wire 7. The conductive wires 7 lead to a signaling device, not shown (being conventional).

En conséquence de la fragilité du dispositif (souple et mince) lesdites bornes de contact 6 sont constituées de boutons-pression ; dans ce cas les extrémités des fils conducteurs 7 sont également pourvues de boutons-pression (mâle ou femelle).As a result of the fragility of the device (flexible and thin), said contact terminals 6 consist of press studs; in this case the ends of the conducting wires 7 are also provided with press studs (male or female).

Le fonctionnement du dispositif est le suivant :

  • Le dispositif est placé dans un endroit où une fuite d'eau est possible. Lors d'une fuite d'eau, l'eau qui coule pénètre dans l'ensemble et dissocie la substance 2. Celle-ci agit comme interrupteur et ferme le circuit formé par les conducteurs 7 et les feuilles métalliques 3. Un témoin signal est ainsi déclenché.
The operation of the device is as follows:
  • The device is placed in a place where water leakage is possible. During a water leak, the flowing water enters the assembly and dissociates the substance 2. This acts as a switch and closes the circuit formed by the conductors 7 and the metal sheets 3. A signal lamp is thus triggered.

Le dispositif représenté à la figure 1 peut être sectionné en plusieurs parties, chacune comportant une borne de contact sur chaque feuille métallique. Chaque partie figure 2 constitue ainsi un rupteur indépendant.The device shown in Figure 1 can be sectioned into several parts, each having a contact terminal on each metal sheet. Each part in Figure 2 thus constitutes an independent breaker.

Le dispositif peut être disposé, selon les besoins, sur des longueurs et des largeurs différentes.The device can be arranged, as required, on different lengths and widths.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention. chacune des deux feuilles métalliques 3 peut être perforée ou bien remplacée par deux grilles métalliques souples posées parallèlement. Cette forme de réalisation permet une dissociation plus rapide de la substance 2.According to another characteristic of the invention. each of the two metal sheets 3 can be perforated or replaced by two flexible metal grids placed in parallel. This embodiment allows faster dissociation of substance 2.

Le dispositif peut être utilisé pour détecter les fuites d'eau dans des installations non accessibles à cause de leur placement. On peut l'installer d'avance sous une toiture à construire ou sous toute autre construction susceptible d'avoir des fuites d'eau dans l'avenir comme une cave ou un grenier, ou encore un poste d'eau avec un espace très étroit. On peut aussi placer le dispositif dans un jardin afin d'être averti en cas de commencement d'une pluie et pouvoir ainsi prendre certaines précautions.The device can be used to detect water leaks in installations that are inaccessible due to their placement. We can install it in advance under a roof to be built or under any other construction likely to have water leaks in the future such as a cellar or an attic, or even a water station with a very narrow space. The device can also be placed in a garden in order to be warned in the event of a rain beginning and thus be able to take certain precautions.

Des applications particulièrement intéressantes pour l'installation du dispositif sont, par exemple : sous les sanitaires des salles de bains dans les hôtels, les immeubles ou les usines.Particularly interesting applications for the installation of the device are, for example: under the sanitary facilities of bathrooms in hotels, buildings or factories.

Il s'agit donc d'un dispositif de large diffusion pour ses utilisations très variées et par son coût de revient convenable qui permet de le jeter après utilisation.It is therefore a widely used device for its very varied uses and by its suitable cost price which makes it possible to throw it away after use.

Claims (5)

1. Electrical device for water leak detection, specified by the assembly of :
a) a flexible and thin sheet (1) of damp-proof and waterproof material
b) a coat (2) of hydrolytic substance layed on the mentioned sheet (1)
c) two thin and flexible metallic sheets (3) layed in a parallel direction on substance (2) ; the two mentioned metallic sheets beeing separated by a short distance, each metallic sheet (3) having at least one contact plug (6) which can be connected with a conducer wire (7)
d) a signalisation and/or alarm system which is connected to the wires (7) by a power source. The assembly arrangement beeing such that water coming from an accidental leak reachs the mentioned hydrolytic substance which separates, becomes conducive, closes the electrical circuit formed by the mentioned metallic sheets (3) and the electric wires (7) and releases the mentioned signalisation and/or alarm system.
2. Device according to claim 1, specific by the fact that the mentioned assembly can be set on different lengths and widths, it can be cut in different sections, each section including a contact plug on each metallic sheet therefore acting as an independant switch.
3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, specific by the fact that it includes another coat (4) set above the mentioned metallic sheets (3), the mentioned other coat (4) made of a flexible non dam-proof and not waterproof material to absorb water. It can also be taken of before use.
4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, specific by the. fact that each of the mentioned metallic sheets (3) can be replaced by an flexible expanded metalic sheet to improve separation of the mentioned substance (2).
5. Device according to claims 1 to 4, specific by the fact that the mentioned contact plug (6) are press buttons, a part of the mentioned (male- inside) crossing the device assembly ; the other part beeing welded on the conducer (wire) therefore connecting the device with the signalisation and/or the alarm system.
EP82400568A 1981-03-30 1982-03-29 Electrical device to detect water leaks Expired EP0062575B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82400568T ATE24066T1 (en) 1981-03-30 1982-03-29 ELECTRICAL DEVICE FOR DETECTING LEAKAGE.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8106306A FR2502740A1 (en) 1981-03-30 1981-03-30 ELECTRICAL DEVICE FOR DETECTING WATER LEAKS
FR8106306 1981-03-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0062575A1 EP0062575A1 (en) 1982-10-13
EP0062575B1 true EP0062575B1 (en) 1986-12-03

Family

ID=9256765

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82400568A Expired EP0062575B1 (en) 1981-03-30 1982-03-29 Electrical device to detect water leaks

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0062575B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE24066T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3274596D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2502740A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2687503B1 (en) * 1992-02-17 1997-04-11 Rene Nicolas IMPROVEMENT IN THE LIGHTING SYSTEM LIGHTING SYSTEM.
US9245438B2 (en) 2014-05-27 2016-01-26 Delta Faucet Company Water leak detector for a pipe having a retention reservoir
CA3010340C (en) 2015-12-31 2021-06-15 Delta Faucet Company Water sensor

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3127485A (en) * 1961-06-26 1964-03-31 Robert V Vitolo Rain trigger switch
US3492449A (en) * 1968-05-17 1970-01-27 Wilfred E Kenny Water actuated circuit closer
US3715702A (en) * 1971-06-23 1973-02-06 Honeywell Inc Relative humidity sensor
JPS5077339A (en) * 1973-11-16 1975-06-24

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2502740A1 (en) 1982-10-01
EP0062575A1 (en) 1982-10-13
ATE24066T1 (en) 1986-12-15
DE3274596D1 (en) 1987-01-15
FR2502740B1 (en) 1984-08-24

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