GB2503205A

GB2503205A - Leak detector

Info

Publication number: GB2503205A
Application number: GB1207900.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Alexander Michael Mcgiffen
Original assignee: EYDENT COMPUTING Ltd
Current assignee: EYDENT COMPUTING Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-04
Filing date: 2012-05-04
Publication date: 2013-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-04
Also published as: GB2503205C; GB201207900D0; GB2503205B; WO2013164558A1

Abstract

A leak detector for detecting leaked liquid on a surface, has a housing 2; an absorbent pad 3, attached to the housing, for placing against the surface; and, a circuit board 5 in the housing, carrying electrical circuitry 6 including a circuit branch 7 comprising two spaced apart electrically conducting elements 8 each extending through the housing into the pad; wherein in a non-leak state the circuit branch is electrically open by virtue of the spacing between the two elements and in a leak state leaked liquid absorbed by the pad provides an electrical conduction medium between the two elements thereby electrically closing the circuit branch. The housing may comprise a pair of slots 12 through which a fastening mechanism, strap 11, is fed. The fastening mechanism 11 comprises the absorbent pad 3. The fastening mechanism 11 may comprise a hook and loop fastening means. The fastening means / strap 11 may be wrapped around a pipe to secure the leak detector in position (fig. 1, 2).

Description

Leak Detector The present invention relates to leak detection devices.

Appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers and tumble driers, and other liquid containing vessels such as boilers and pipe lines, can leak and when they do they can cause a considerable amount of damage to the surrounding environment, and most likely a person's property. If the leak is not spotted and fixed early, the escaping liquid can flood an area, damage flooring, leak through into further properties. and cause expensive damage.

Another source of leaking water can comprise rainwater that has leaked into a property through the roof during periods of heavy rainfall or stormy conditions. When a leak occurs in a loft space. or similar location, a person is unlikely to know that it has occulTed until it causes damage to the ceiling of the floor below. By this time the damage has again been done to plasterwork, and to the actual structure of the building.

Leak detection alarms that are already on the market typically comprise a moisture sensor, configured to detect liquid and relay a signal to a circuit, These devices are often quite arge, and therefore difficult to locate and operate in hard to reach places such as under the sink. Due to their size and configuration. they tend to have to be located further away from the likely source of the leak, and thereby the alert is somewhat delayed to when the actual leak started to occur. They are often not suitable to place in a loft space, and do not lend themselves to being used in a multitude of different locations. They are also often costly pieces of equipment, making people unlikely to own more than one item, even though there are numerous thcations in which a leak may occur.

The pnor art shows a number of devices for detecting when an appliance, pipe or other vessel has leaked.

US5058421 (Alexander et al) discloses a leak and liquid level detector that incorporates a transistor as its main operating element. The device can be positioned horizontally to detect leaks, or positioned vertically to detect a change in liquid level in a tank, pipe or suchlike. The device comprises an electncally insulating housing, the transistor being located within said housing, a pair of base contacts connectible in series to said base, a power source, and access means within the housing for permitting liquid to enter to bndge the gap between contacts thus completing the circuit. The device is not designed to be located in hard to reach locations, and therefore at the very source of a likely leak. It also relies upon the ingress of water into the device, which may take some time from when the leak actually began to occur. By this time considerable damage may have been done.

Devices such as those described in the prior art are not designed to be located at the very source of where the leak is likely to occur, and therefore do not incorporate means to alert the very instance that liquid is leaked from an appliance, vessel or pipe.

They are not cost-effective to allow a person to install multiple units in all of the locations where there is a risk of a leak, and they do not lend themselves to being used in these different locations and environments.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a teak detector for detecting leaked liquid on a surface, having: a housing; an absorbent pad attached to the housing, for placing against the surface; and, a circuit board in the housing, carrying electrical circuitry including a circuit branch comprising two spaced apart electrically conducting elements each extending through the housing into the pad; wherein in a non-leak state the circuit branch is electrically open by virtue of the spacing between the two elements and in a leak state leaked liquid absorbed by the pad provides an electrical conduction medium between the two elements thereby electrically closing the circuit branch.

Preferably, the electrical circuit may include a further branch comprising two further spaced apart electrically conducting elements each extending through the housing into the pad.

Preferably, each conducting element may comprise a metal prong.

The circuitry may further include an alarm which is switched on by the circuit branch going from open to closed.

The aThrm may be audible andlor visible.

Preferably, the power supply for the electrical circuitry may comprise at least one battery in the housing.

The leak detector may comprise a fastening mechanism for fastening the housing and thereby the pad in place on the surface.

Preferably, the pad is part of or attached to the fastening mechanism.

The fastening mechanism may comprise a strap. band or belt.

The pad may be part of or attached to the strap, band or belt.

Preferably, the housing may comprise at least two slots and the strap, band or belt threads through each of the slots.

The strap. band or belt may comprise hook and eye fasteners.

The surface may comprise the surface of a pipe, cylinder or vessel and the strap, band or belt wraps around the pipe, cylinder or vessel.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example. to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a leak detector in position about pipe work beneath a sink or similar vessel; Figure 2 shows a leak detector in position about pipe work associated with a radiator or similar heating vessel; Figure 3 shows the leak detector in plan view; Figure 4 shows the leak detector of Figure 3 in side view; Figure 5 shows the underside of the leak detector of Figures 4 and S showing one configuration of a fastening mechanism and plurality of conducting elements; and.

Figure 6 shows the leak detector in exploded view, showing one configuration of electrical circuitry.

In the figures, like references denote like or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows the leak detector I that is configured such that it can provide an early warning of a leak from an appliance, pipe or other apparatus that is liable to leaking. The leak detector I is for placing underneath washing machines, dishwashers.

tumble dryers and other similar appliances, or to be placed on the floor adjacent to baths, showers and sinks, and can also be attached to pipes and other liquid crying systems.

The leak detector I comprises a housing 2 that houses an absorbent pad 3 for absorbing any liquid that is present around the leak detector 1. The leak detector 1 is placed or secured to a surface 4 that may comprise the surface of a pipe, an appliance, a floor or other suitable surface onto which liquid is liable to leak. Figure 1 shows the leak detector 1 attached to a pipe underneath a sink. Figure 2 shows the leak detector 1 secured to radiator pipe work, in a position where should the radiator leak, the leak detector I would be able to provide an early warning to the presence of liquid.

Figure 3 shows the leak detector 1 in plan view showing a fastening mechanism II that comprises a flexible strap. The flexible strap allows the housing 2 to be secured to a pipe. The fastening mechanism 11 may alternatively comprise a band or belt to wrap around the pipe, cylinder or vessel and may incorporate hook and loop fastening means to secure one end of the strap to the other when in position. The fastening means II may also comprise an adhesive to adhesively bond one end of the strap to the other, which may peel and stick. The fastening means 11 may also comprise hook and eye fasteners, or other suitable fastening means used to join a portion or a strap, belt or band to another portion of a strap, band or belt. The fastening mechanism 11 may comprise a single strap, band or belt, fastened to itself and secured to the housing 2, or alternatively it may comprise a plurality of straps. bands or belts that are secured to each other to secure the housing 2 into position.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the kak detector 1, showing the fastening mechanism 11 fed through a plurality of slots 12 in the housing 2. The fastening mechanism II incorporates an absorbent pad 3 within which are provided a pair of conducting elements 8. The conducting e'ements 8 are supplied to the absorbent pad 3 by a circuit branch 7 that is electrically connected to electrical circuitry 6. The electrical circuitry 6 may comprise a PCB, and incorporates a power source 10, and alert means 9 and further electncal components to provide the leak detection alert circuit.

Figure 5 shows the underside of the leak detector I showing the housing 2 with a pair of slots 12 through which the fastening mechanism 11 or strap is fed. The fastening mechanism 11 comprises the absorbent pad 3. or incorporates the absorbent pad 3 within its structure. The absorbent pad 3 may be sewn, adhesively bonded or sandwiched between two layers of strapping. The strap itself may also be sufficiently absorbent to be the adhesive pad 3. At pair of conducting elements 8 are embedded or located within the absorbent pad 3. There may be one pair of conducting elements 8, or further pairs of conducting dements 8 distributed within the absorbent pad 3. The conducting elements 8 are in electrical contact with a circuit branch 7. The circuit branch 7 is in electrical contact with the electrical circuitry 6 of the circuit board 5. This relays power from the at least one power source 10 to the conducting elements 8.

When there is no liquid within the absorbent pad 3 there is no electrical connection between the conducting elements 8 within the absorbent pad 3. 1-lowever when the absorbent pad 3 contains any liquid, an electncal connection is made between the conducting elements 8, and the circuit is completed. The alert means 9 mat comprise an audible or a visua' alert or both, to generate an audible alarm or a visual signal indicating that liquid is present in the absorbent pad 3. This therefore alerts a user to the presence of liquid within the absorbent pad 3 and therefore detects a leak in the location in which the leak detector i has been placed.

The housing 2 may be of any suitable shape or size to be located around or adjacent to a pipe. cylinder, vessel or appliance. In one particular embodiment the housing 2 comprises a two-part circular shell formed from polypropylene by injection moulded or otherwise. The two part housing 2 clips or slots together to house the electrical circuitry 6. The power source 10 may comprise a plurality of lithium cell batteries. In one embodiment the power source 10 may comprise two lithium cell batteries that can be placed within power sow-ce holders such as coin battery mounts.

The alert 9 may comprise an SMD electromagnetic buzzer, that generates a sufficiently audible alert to alert a user.

The conducting elements 8 may be sewn within the absorbent pad 3, or may be sewn within the fastening mechanism ii where the fastening mechanism ii is a fabric strap. The fabric strap may incorporate VelcroTM means to secure the strap about a pipe, vessel or cylinder. The surface of the housing 2 provides a suitable surface on which company branding or other insignia can be displayed.

To use the leak detector I the user removes the cover section of the housing 2 and places the power source 10 within the power source holders that form part of the electrical circuitry 6. The cover section of the housing 2 is clipped back onto the base section of the housing 2. The user attaches the leak detector ito an appropriate surface, such as about a pipe, cylinder or other vessel, or places the leak detector i onto a surface adjacent to an appliance or in a further location where a leak may occur. The leak detector i is fastened to the pipe, for an example, by wrapping the fastening mechanism I or strap about the pipe and securing it with fastening means into position. Fastening means such as hook-and-loop fastening means allows the strap to be releasably secured into position.

Any liquid that leaks from the vessel, appliance or pipe penetrates the fastening mechanism II or strap, and thus penetrates the absorbent pad 3. In doing so the liquid makes contact with the conducting elements 8 within the absorbent pad 3 forming a circuit. When the circuit is complete, the alert 9 is activated to aler the user to the presence of liquid that may have leaked from the appliance, vessel or pipe. -10-

The conducting elements 8 may comprise metal prongs, or other suitable conducting element 8 that can be contained within the absorbent pad 3. Figure 6 shows one possible configuration of leak detector device I in exploded view, showing the arrangement of fastening mechanism Ii to conducting elements 8, to circuit branch 7. to electrical circuitry 6 to alert 9.

In this specification, the word "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

All of the features enclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disdosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features andlor steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification induding any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

-ii -The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disdosed. -12-

Claims

CLAIMSI. A leak detector for detecting leaked liquid on a surface, having: a housing; an absorbent pad attached to the housing, for placing against the surface; and, a circuit board in the housing, carrying electrical circuitry including a circuit branch comprising two spaced apart dectrically conducting elements each extending through the housing into the pad; wherein in a non-leak state the circuit branch is electrically open by virtue of the spacing between the two elements and in a leak state leaked liquid absorbed by the pad provides an electrical conduction medium between the two elements thereby electrically closing the circuit branch.
2. A detector according to claim 1 wherein the electrical circuit includes a further branch comprising two further spaced apart electrically conducting elements each extending through the housing into the pad.
3. A detector according to claim I or claim 2 wherein each conducting element comprises a metal prong.
4. A detector according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the circuitry further includes an alarm which is switched on by the circuit branch going from open to closed.

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5. A detector according to claim 4 wherein the alairn is audible andlor visible.
6. A detector according to any of claims I to 5 wherein the power supply for the electrical circuitry comprises at least one battery in the housing.
7. A detector according to any of claims ito 6 further comprising a fastening mechanism for fastening the housing and thereby the pad in place on the surface.
8. A detector according to claim 7 wherein the pad is part of or attached to the fastening mechanism.
9. A detector according to claim 7 wherein the fastening mechanism is a strap, band or belt.i5 10. A detector according to claim 9 wherein the pad is part of or attached to the strap, band or belt.11. A detector according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the housing comprises at least two slots and the strap, band or belt threads through each of the slots.12. A detector according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the strap, band or belt comprises hook and eye fasteners. -14-13. A detector according to claim 9 wherein the surface is the surface of a pipe, cylinder or vessel and the strap, band or belt wraps around the pipe, cylinder or vessel.14. A detector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMSI. A leak detector for detecting eaked liquid on a surface, having: a housing; an absorbent pad attached to the housing. for p'acing against the surface; a fastening mechanism comprising a strap, band or belt, for fastening the housing and thereby the pad in place on the surface; wherein the pad is part of or attached to the strap, band or belt; a circuit board in the housing. carrying electrical circuitry including a C\J 10 circuit branch comprising two spaced apart electrically conducting elements each extending through the housing into the pad; 0 wherein in a non-leak state the circuit branch is electrically open by virtue of the spacing between the two elements and in a leak state leaked liquid absorbed by the pad provides an electrical conduction medium between the two elements thereby electrically closing the circuit branch.2. A detector according to claim I wherein the electrical circuit includes a further branch comprising two further spaced apart electrically conducting elements each extending through the housing into the pad.3. A detector according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each conducting element comprises a metal prong.4. A detector according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the circuitry further includes an alarm which is switched on by the circuit branch going from open to closed.5. A detector according to claim 4 wherein the alarm is audible and/or visible.6. A detector according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the power supply for the electrical circuitry comprises at least one battery in the housing.7. A detector according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the housing comprises at least two slots and the strap, band or belt threads through each of the slots. 0)0 8. A detector according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the strap, band or belt compnses hook and eye fasteners.9. A detector according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the surface is the surface of a pipe, cylinder or vessel and the strap, band or belt wraps around the pipe, cylinder or vessel.
10, A detector substantially as hereinbefore descnbed with reference to the accompanying drawings.