IE86637B1

IE86637B1 - A passive water leak detector

Info

Publication number: IE86637B1
Application number: IE20130156A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Mchale Thomas
Original assignee: Mchale Thomas
Priority date: 2012-05-16
Filing date: 2013-05-03
Publication date: 2016-04-06
Also published as: IE20130156A1; GB201208636D0; GB2502111B; GB2502111A; IES20130155A2; IES86291B2

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a water detector comprising a self-contained power source, a moisture sensor pad, an alarm, and a casing housing the power source, the moisture sensor pad and the alarm; the water detector activating the alarm using the self-contained power source when the moisture sensor pad detects a predetermined level of moisture in a surrounding environment of the water detector; wherein, the casing comprises a substantially elongate body having an upper, free end, and, a ceiling-abutting plate connected to a lower end of the elongate body. The advantage of providing the water detector having a substantially elongate body is that the water detector can be quickly and easily installed in a ceiling by inserting the free end of the water detector through a hole in the ceiling so that a majority of the elongate body is situated above the ceiling, hidden from view, with substantially only the ceiling abutting plate on view. <Figure 1>

Description

"A passive water leak detector" Introduction This invention relates to a passive water leak detector, and in particular to a ceiling mounted passive water leak detector.

Water leaks are common throughout homes, particularly in old buildings where pipe work has become eroded and has deteriorated. The leaking water, sometimes known as escaping water, may be a gradual release of water from the water piping system into the building. If the water leak is relatively small and gradual, and, the escaping water flows into an unseen area, over time, the amount of water can build up to substantial levels and cause serious damage to the fagade and to the integrity of the building.

The cost in financial terms of having to repair damage to properties due to escaping water is very high. It is estimated that approximately 65% of the net expenditure by insurance companies on property claims is due to escaping water. Early detection of escaping water can greatly reduce the financial cost of repairs and could also save potentially affected area of the property from being damaged or destroyed.

There are many known types of water detectors on the market at the moment. However, the known water detectors essentially fall into one of two categories: passive water detectors and active water detectors.

Passive water detectors detect a water leak and will raise an alarm or signal the presence of a water leak. The passive water detectors are typically stand alone units which are battery powered. They are relatively inexpensive and use a simple moisture detection sensor which causes the alarm to be raised if water leaks onto it. The alarms may audible alarms or illuminated alarms such as flashing lights. The passive water systems are usually wall mounted, or, a large number of the passive water detection units are designed to be placed on the floor. In this way the passive water detection systems/alarms are easy to install. -2Active water detectors also detect the presence of water and raise an alarm, but the active water detectors also perform some type of function to prevent the escaping water from causing any further damage. This is typically the closure of the water supply to the building by activation of a motorised valve of the rising main. Most active water detectors use a water/moisture sensor but other also employ a flow rate meter and timer to detect unusual water usage patterns.

The present invention is directed to a passive water detector, although it will be readily appreciated that the passive water detector of the present invention may be used in conjunction with other active water detectors, motorised valves and similar such water leak detection and prevention system devices.

The problem with present water detectors is that the detector is mounted on a wall or sits on the floor. However, water escaping from a pipe between the floors in a building will not be detected unless a ceiling mounted water detector is used. Such ceiling mounted passive water detectors are difficult to install, adding to the cost of installing a water detection system.

It is a goal of the present invention to provide an apparatus that overcomes at least one of the above mentioned problems.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is directed to a water detector comprising a self-contained power source, a moisture sensor pad, an alarm, and a casing housing the power source, the moisture sensor pad and the alarm; the water detector activating the alarm using the self-contained power source when the moisture sensor pad detects a predetermined level of moisture in a surrounding environment of the water detector; wherein, the casing comprises a substantially elongate body having an upper, free end, and, a ceiling-abutting plate connected to a lower end of the elongate body.

The advantage of providing the water detector having a substantially elongate body is that the water detector can be quickly and easily installed in a ceiling by inserting the free end of the water detector through a hole in the ceiling so that a majority of the -3elongate body is situated above the ceiling, hidden from view, with substantially only the ceiling abutting plate on view.

In a further embodiment, the alarm is housed within the casing so as to be visible on an outwardly presented face of the ceiling-abutting plate.

In a further embodiment, the ceiling abutting plate comprises the outwardly presented face and an opposed ceiling-abutting face.

In a further embodiment, the maximum diameter of the elongate body is in the range of 15mm to 25mm.

Preferably, the maximum diameter of the elongate body is substantially 20mm.

In a further embodiment, the water detector further comprises a plurality of clips arranged adjacent the lower end of the water detector; wherein, the clips are located at a preset distance from a ceiling-abutting face of the ceiling-abutting plate, such that the preset distance is substantially equal to the thickness of a ceiling board into which the water detector is to be installed.

In a further embodiment, the clips are biased and deformable, so as to deform to allow the water detector to be partially inserted through a hole in the ceiling and bias back into an at-rest state securing the water detector in the ceiling.

Preferably the hole in the ceiling is substantially 22mm in diameter.

In a preferred embodiment, a diameter of the ceiling-abutting plate is greater than the diameter of the substantially elongate body.

In yet a further embodiment, the diameter of the ceiling-abutting plate is greater than the hole in the ceiling.

In a further embodiment, the water detector is substantially 100mm in height. -4ln a further embodiment, the alarm may also be used to indicate that a low power condition is presented in the self-contained power source.

In a further embodiment, the water detector further comprises a printed circuit board; the printed circuit board receiving a signal from the moisture sensor pad that a predetermined level of moisture is present and the printed circuit board being connected to the alarm to activate the alarm.

In a further embodiment, the water detector further comprises wireless communications means capable of relaying the status of the alarm to a central controller unit.

In a further embodiment, the water detector comprises an audible alarm. In a further embodiment, the the water detector comprises a visual alarm.

In a preferred embodiment, the visual alarm is located behind an outwardly-presented face of the ceiling abutting plate; and, the outwardly-presented face of the ceiling abutting plate comprises translucent material so as to allow the visual alarm to be seen only when the visual alarm is illuminated.

In a further embodiment, the elongate body is substantially cylindrically-shaped. In a further embodiment, the elongate body is substantially conically-shaped.

The present invention is further directed towards a method of installing a water detector as defined hereinabove, wherein, the method of installing the water detector comprises the steps of boring a hole through a ceiling board; and, pushing the upper free end of the elongate body of the water detector through the hole until a ceilingabutting face on the ceiling-abutting plate of the water detector abuts against a lowermost face of the ceiling board.

In a further embodiment, the method of installing the water detector further comprises the step of registering the water detector with a central controller unit by handshaking the central controller unit with the water detector. -5ln a further embodiment, the method of installing the water detector further comprises the step of handshaking the water detector with any motorised valves which form part of a water leak detection and prevention system.

Detailed Description of Embodiments The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a water detector in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section view of the water detector of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the water detector of Figure 1 installed in a ceiling board; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a water detector in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and, Figure 5 is a cross-section view of the water detector of Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 inclusive, there is provided a water detector indicated generally by reference numeral 100. The water detector 100 comprises a casing 102 having a substantially elongate body 104 having an upper, free end 106, and, a ceiling-abutting plate 108 connected to a lower end 110 of the elongate body 104. In a preferred embodiment and as is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the elongate body 104 is substantially cylindrically-shaped, although it will be understood that a conicallyshaped body and the like could also be used. The diameter of the ceiling-abutting plate 108 is preferably greater than the diameter of the elongate body 104.

The diameter of the elongate body 104 is in the range of 15m to 25mm and is preferably 20mm. In the case that the elongate body 104 is 20mm in diameter, the -6elongate body 104 can fit through a hole of approximately 22mm in diameter. The diameter of the ceiling-abutting plate 108 is preferably 25mm to 40mm in diameter, and is ideally 25mm in diameter.

The water detector 100 further comprises a self-contained power source 112, such as a battery. A moisture sensor pad 114 is housed within the casing 102 and is powered by the self-contained power source 112. Finally, a visual alarm 116 is also housed within the casing 102. Although the alarm 116 is a visual alarm, it will be understood that in an alternative embodiment an audible alarm may be used instead or in conjunction with the visual alarm 116. In the case that the alarm 116 is a visual alarm, such as a light emitting diode, in a first embodiment, at least a portion of the visual alarm is presented so as to be visible when the water detector 100 is installed in a ceiling. That is to say, the alarm 116 is housed on an exterior of the casing so as to be visible on an outwardly presented face 117 of the ceiling-abutting plate 108. In Figures 1 and 2 inclusive, the visual alarm 116 is mounted on the outwardly presented face 117 of the ceiling-abutting plate 108.

The water detector 100 activates the alarm 116, using the self-contained power source 112, when the moisture sensor pad 114 detects a predetermined level of moisture in a surrounding environment of the water detector 100. Gratings 118 situated around the lower end 110 of the casing 102 allow moisture to pass through the casing 102 and contact the moisture sensor pad 114. The water detector 100 will likely be installed beneath water using appliances, and water-dependent installations such as showers, baths, saunas and the like. The moisture sensor pad 114 should be sensitive to detect the presence of any escaping water or water leaks, but should be preferably configured to ignore condensation and other ambient moisture which would occur naturally.

The water detector 100 is installed in a gap between a ceiling board, such as a plasterboard ceiling, and a roof deck which forms part of the floor above the ceiling. In this manner, the water detector 100 will detect water in this gap between floors where it could have otherwise built up unnoticed until a substantial amount of damage had been caused. -7 The water detector is approximately 100mm in height in a preferred embodiment as this allow the water detector 100 to be installed in the gap between the ceiling board and the roof deck immediately above the ceiling board.

The water detector may also comprise a printed circuit board, commonly known as a PCB, 120. The printed circuit board 120 may be used to monitor, manage and control the operation and activation of the alarm 116, and, the remaining power capacity of the self-contained power source 112. The printed circuit board 120 receives a signal from the moisture sensor pad 114 that a predetermined level of moisture is present in the area adjacent the water detector 100 and, the printed circuit board 120 then activate the alarm 116.

Clips 122A-122D are provided adjacent the lower end 110 of the water detector 100. The clips 122A-122D are located at a preset distance indicated generally by reference numeral 124 from the a ceiling-abutting face 126 of the ceiling-abutting plate 108, such that the preset distance 126 is substantially equal to the thickness of a ceiling board (not shown) into which the water detector 100 is to be installed. This allows for easy installation, as a hole of requisite size may be bored in the ceiling board, and the elongate body 104 of the water detector 100 is simply inserted through the hole until the clips 122A-122D retain the water detector 100 in place in the ceiling.

Referring to Figure 3, wherin like parts previously described have been assigned the same reference numerals, the water detector 100 is installed by boring a hole 302 through a ceiling board 304, and, inserting the upper free end 106 of the elongate body 104 of the water detector 100 through the hole 302 until a ceiling-abutting face (not shown) on the ceiling-abutting plate 108 abuts aginst a lowermost face 306 of the ceiling board 304. The clips 122A-122D deform and deflect so as to retract into complimentary receiving grooves on the elongate body 104 which consequently allows a majority of the elongate body 104, and in particular the clips 122A-122D, to be inserted through the hole 302. The clips 122A-122D are biased so as to spring back into an at-rest position, at which position the clips 122A-122D retain the water detector 100 in the ceiling board 304 by preventing the water detector 100 from sliding out of the hole 302. In this manner, the water detector 100 is installed, in a -8relatively quick and easy manner, partially in the gap between the ceiling board 304 and a roof deck 308 from the floor immediately above the ceiling, which are typically separated by a joist 310. The outwardly presented face 117 of the ceiling-abutting plate 108 is visible in the ceiling board 304 when the water detector 100 is installed in the ceiling board 304.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 inclusive, wherein like parts previously described have been assigned the same reference numerals, there is provided in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a water detector indicated generally by reference numeral 400. The water detector 400 comprises a casing 102 having a substantially elongate body 104 having an upper, free end 106, and, a ceilingabutting plate 108 connected to a lower end 110 of the elongate body 104. The elongate body 104 is substantially cylindrically-shaped. The diameter of the elongate body 104 is restricted to allow the elongate body 104 to pass through a hole of approximately 22mm in diameter.

As before, the water detector 400 comprises a self-contained power source 112, a moisture sensor pad 114 which is housed within the casing 102 and is powered by the self-contained power source 112, and, a visual alarm 116 also housed within the casing 102.

The visual alarm 116 is housed behind a continuous outwardly presented face 402 of a ceiling abutting plate 108, where the continuous outwardly presented face 402 is opposite a ceiling abutting face 126 of the ceiling abutting plate 108. The visual alarm 116 is housed in a void 404 in the ceiling abutting plate 108 between the ceiling abutting face 126 and the continuous outwardly presented face 402. The continuous outwardly presented face 402 is made of a translucent material to allow the visual alarm 116 to be seen only when the visual alarm is illuminated. When the visual alarm 116 is not illuminated, the continuous outwardly presented face 402 appears to be solid, and preferably white in colour so as to match and blend with the ceiling. In short, when installed, the water detector 400 will be observed to be a small bump in the ceiling. Particularly so when the water detector 400, or at least the continuous outwardly presented face 402 of the water detector 400 is colour matched to the colour of the ceiling into which it is installed. In a preferred embodiment, the -9continuous outwardly presented face 402 is curved so as to minimise any edges that could cause shadows, which would in turn draw attention to the water detector 400 when installed.

The water detector may also comprise a printed circuit board, commonly known as a PCB, 120. The printed circuit board 120 may be used to monitor, manage and control the operation and activation of the visual alarm 116, and, the remaining power capacity of the self-contained power source 112.

Clips 122A-122D, as described hereinbefore, are provided adjacent the lower end 110 of the water detector 400.

In use, the water detector 400 activates the visual alarm 116, using the self-contained power source 112, when the moisture sensor pad 114 detects a predetermined level of moisture in a surrounding environment of the water detector 400. Where the water detector 400 comprises a printed circuit board 120, the printed circuit board 120 receives a signal from the moisture sensor pad 114 that a predetermined level of moisture is present in the area adjacent the water detector 400 and, the printed circuit board 120 then activates the visual alarm 116.

The water detector 400 will likely be installed beneath water using appliances, and water-dependent installations such as showers, baths, saunas, hot water tanks, water storage tanks, and the like.

In a further embodiment, the alarm 116 may be used to alert the user when the power source 112 is low or malfunctioning.

In yet a further embodiment, the water detector 100, 400 may comprise wireless communication means to allow the water detector 100, 400 to communicate with a central controller (not shown). The water detector 100, 400 may signal to the central controller that no water/moisture has been detected, that a small amount of water/moisture has been detected wherein the amount of water/moisture is below a preset level and/or that the amount of water/moisture which has been detected is above the preset level. The central controller may preferably be connected to other - 10component parts such as motorised valves which can shut off the water supply to a building or a particular part of a building. It will also be understood that the water detector 100, 400 may be hard wired to a water leak detection and/or prevention system, although the wireless water detector 100, 400 as described hereinbefore is preferable for retrofitting the water detector 100, 400 into an existing building.

It will be generally understood that the water detector 100, 400 may form part of an overall water leak detection and/or prevention system comprising ceiling mounted water detectors 100, 400, floor level water detectors (not shown), motorised valves (not shown), slave valves (not shown) and one or more controller units (not shown) which are all communicatively connected to one another via a wireless communications network or a wired communications network.

It will be generally understood that in a further embodiment of the water detector which is not shown, the water detector may be formed with a substantially elongate body 104 which is effectively a solid rod of between 2mm to 15mm in diameter. The solid rod will have an upper, pointed free end 106, and, a ceiling-abutting plate 108 connected to its lower end 110. The substantially elongate body 104 will having clip 122A-122D provided adjacent the lower end 110 of the elongate body 104 as described herein before, or a spring-biased retaining clip could be used alternatively. In this embodiment of the water detector not shown, and indeed embodiments of the water detectors (1200, 400) described hereinbefore, it will be understood that the self-contained power source 112, the moisture sensor pad 114, and the visual alarm 116 will be housed within the casing 102 of the ceiling-abutting plate 108.

The terms "comprise" and "include, and any variations thereof required for grammatical reasons, are to be considered as interchangeable and accorded the widest possible interpretation.

Claims

1. A water detector comprising a self-contained power source, a moisture sensor pad, an alarm, and a casing housing the power source, the moisture sensor pad and the alarm; the water detector activating the alarm using the self-contained power source when the moisture sensor pad detects a predetermined level of moisture in a surrounding environment of the water detector; wherein, the casing comprises a substantially elongate body having an upper, free end, and, a ceiling-abutting plate connected to a lower end of the elongate body.

2. A water detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the alarm is a visual alarm and is housed within the casing so as to be visible on an outwardly presented face of the ceiling-abutting plate.

3. A water detector as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the ceiling abutting plate comprises the outwardly presented face and an opposed ceiling-abutting face.

4. A water detector as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the diameter of the elongate body is in the range of 15mm to 25mm.

5. A water detector as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the water detector further comprises a plurality of clips arranged adjacent the lower end of the water detector; wherein, the clips are located at a preset distance from a ceiling-abutting face of the ceiling-abutting plate, such that the preset distance is substantially equal to the thickness of a ceiling board into which the water detector is to be installed.

6. A water detector as claimed in claim 5, wherein, the clips are biased and deformable, so as to deform to allow the water detector to be partially inserted through a hole in the ceiling board and bias back into an at-rest position securing the water detector in the ceiling board.

7. A water detector as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the water detector is substantially 100mm in height.

8. A water detector as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the alarm may also be used to indicate low power in the self-contained power source.

9. A water detector as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the water detector further comprises a printed circuit board; the printed circuit board receiving a signal from the moisture sensor pad that a predetermined level of moisture is present and the printed circuit board being connected to the alarm to activate the alarm.

10. A water detector as claimed in claim 9, wherein, the water detector further comprises wireless communications means capable of relaying the status of the alarm to a central controller unit.

11. A water detector as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the water detector comprises an audible alarm.

12. A water detector as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the the water detector comprises a visual alarm.

13. A water detector as claimed in claim 12, wherein, the visual alarm is located behind an outwardly-presented face of the ceiling abutting plate; and, the outwardly-presented face of the ceiling abutting plate comprises translucent material so as to allow the visual alarm to be seen only when the visual alarm is illuminated.

14. A water detector as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the elongate body is substantially cylindrically-shaped.

15. A water detector as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein, the elongate body is substantially conically-shaped.

16. A method of installing a water detector as defined in any preceding claims, wherein, the method of installing the water detector comprises the steps of: a) boring a hole through a ceiling board; and, b) inserting the upper free end of the elongate body of the water 5 detector through the hole until a ceiling-abutting face on the ceiling- abutting plate abuts against a lowermost face of the ceiling board.

17. A method of installing the water detector as claimed in claim 16, the method of installing the water detector further comprising the step of: 10 c) registering the water detector with a central controller unit by handshaking the central controller unit with the water detector.

18. A method of installing the water detector as claimed in claims 16 or 17, wherein, the method of installing the water detector further comprises the step 15 of: d) handshaking the water detector with any motorised valves which form part of a water leak detection and prevention system.