GB2369707A - Domestic flood prevention device - Google Patents

Domestic flood prevention device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2369707A
GB2369707A GB0029066A GB0029066A GB2369707A GB 2369707 A GB2369707 A GB 2369707A GB 0029066 A GB0029066 A GB 0029066A GB 0029066 A GB0029066 A GB 0029066A GB 2369707 A GB2369707 A GB 2369707A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
sensor
machine
appliance
domestic
prevention device
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0029066A
Other versions
GB0029066D0 (en
Inventor
Malcolm David Warner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0029066A priority Critical patent/GB2369707A/en
Publication of GB0029066D0 publication Critical patent/GB0029066D0/en
Publication of GB2369707A publication Critical patent/GB2369707A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/421—Safety arrangements for preventing water damage
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
    • D06F39/081—Safety arrangements for preventing water damage
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/042—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point by using materials which expand, contract, disintegrate, or decompose in contact with a fluid
    • G01M3/045—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point by using materials which expand, contract, disintegrate, or decompose in contact with a fluid with electrical detection means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/16—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
    • G01M3/165—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means by means of cables or similar elongated devices, e.g. tapes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/40—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using electric means, e.g. by observing electric discharges
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/20—Status alarms responsive to moisture

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A device has a sensor that detects overspill or leaking from a domestic appliance such as a washing machine or a dish washer. The device can automatically respond to disconnect the mains electricity supply to the appliance and actuate valves to shut off hot and cold water feeds to the appliance. The device sensor may comprise a mat sensor having two metallic conducting strips separated by a non conducting water absorbent material. The device may have an override switch to trigger the device independent to the sensor. The device may be battery powered and may have a low battery warning.

Description

DOMESTIC FLOOD PREVENTION DEVICE This invention is a device designed to prevent flooding from domestic washing machines and dishwashers.
Most of us have experienced a domestic flood that results from the malfunction of either a washing machine or a dishwasher. The problem is usually made worse by the severity of the flood, as water is pumped out of the machine with relentless force. For those who live in flats, particularly conversions, the result is often catastrophic as water pours through to the flat below destroying decoration, carpets and furniture, as well as being an electrical fire and safety hazard.
The device consists of a sensor to detect free water leaking from the machine and a switching device which not only disconnects the mains supply but also in turn operates an actuator (Fig 1). The actuator, when switched, closes both hot and cold water feeds thus terminating the supply of water to the machine. The system has a simple override mechanism which can be manually reset.
The sensor (Fig 3) consists of a sheet of insulating material with metallic conducting strips. A thin absorbent material, itself non conducting, covers. this and provides a simple barrier to prevent accidental shortening whilst being permeable to water. The sheet is easily attached to the base of the appliance, overlapping the edges, and particularly extending beyond the back of the machine so that any overspill triggers the device.
The electrical switching circuit is operated from a low voltage battery. The circuit is completed when water contact is made with the sensor.
Completion of this circuit operates a solenoid which (a) cuts out the mains electrical supply to the machine and (b) operates the actuators closing the hot and cold feeds. (Fig 2) The switching mechanism has a simple override button so that the appliance can be operated at will despite the presence of water, should this be desired. There is a low battery warning device incorporated into the circuit.
This invention will prevent many domestic floods from washing machines and dishwashers. It is a simple inexpensive device whose components are at present mass produced and easily obtainable.

Claims (4)

  1. CLAIM 1. The device detects the early overspill from a washing machine or dishwasher.
  2. 2. The system disconnects the mains electrical supply to the machine thus preventing more water being pumped from the machine.
  3. 3. Actuator valves turn off the hot and cold feeds to the machine preventing further flooding.
  4. 4. The system has an override mechanism and low battery warning device.
GB0029066A 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Domestic flood prevention device Withdrawn GB2369707A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0029066A GB2369707A (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Domestic flood prevention device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0029066A GB2369707A (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Domestic flood prevention device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0029066D0 GB0029066D0 (en) 2001-01-10
GB2369707A true GB2369707A (en) 2002-06-05

Family

ID=9904078

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0029066A Withdrawn GB2369707A (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Domestic flood prevention device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2369707A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2384900A (en) * 2002-02-04 2003-08-06 George Robert Kirk Device for warning of the presence of moisture
WO2012025500A1 (en) * 2010-08-26 2012-03-01 Inficon Gmbh Method for testing leak tightness
EP2035613B1 (en) 2006-06-30 2018-08-08 Arçelik Anonim Sirketi Washing machine provided with a device for detecting the color of the laundry to be washed

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2583190A1 (en) * 1985-06-07 1986-12-12 Siouffi Francois Device for monitoring appliances using a supply of water or conducting liquid
GB2184749A (en) * 1985-12-30 1987-07-01 George Barber Gill Leak protection apparatus
GB2186722A (en) * 1986-02-17 1987-08-19 John Arthur Webb Detecting leakage of liquid from machines
US4789853A (en) * 1987-06-15 1988-12-06 Gentiluomo Joseph A Detection device for electrically conductive fluids
US4845472A (en) * 1986-11-06 1989-07-04 Hkg Industries, Inc. Leak sensing alarm and supply shut-off apparatus
GB2329501A (en) * 1997-09-12 1999-03-24 Carlton Ashley Rae A liquid overflow detection system
GB2354098A (en) * 1999-09-07 2001-03-14 Carlton Ashley Rae Overflow or leak detector arrangement for domestic appliance

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2583190A1 (en) * 1985-06-07 1986-12-12 Siouffi Francois Device for monitoring appliances using a supply of water or conducting liquid
GB2184749A (en) * 1985-12-30 1987-07-01 George Barber Gill Leak protection apparatus
GB2186722A (en) * 1986-02-17 1987-08-19 John Arthur Webb Detecting leakage of liquid from machines
US4845472A (en) * 1986-11-06 1989-07-04 Hkg Industries, Inc. Leak sensing alarm and supply shut-off apparatus
US4789853A (en) * 1987-06-15 1988-12-06 Gentiluomo Joseph A Detection device for electrically conductive fluids
GB2329501A (en) * 1997-09-12 1999-03-24 Carlton Ashley Rae A liquid overflow detection system
GB2354098A (en) * 1999-09-07 2001-03-14 Carlton Ashley Rae Overflow or leak detector arrangement for domestic appliance

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2384900A (en) * 2002-02-04 2003-08-06 George Robert Kirk Device for warning of the presence of moisture
EP2035613B1 (en) 2006-06-30 2018-08-08 Arçelik Anonim Sirketi Washing machine provided with a device for detecting the color of the laundry to be washed
WO2012025500A1 (en) * 2010-08-26 2012-03-01 Inficon Gmbh Method for testing leak tightness

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0029066D0 (en) 2001-01-10

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)