GB2442988A

GB2442988A - Leak detection apparatus using a mechanical float valve

Info

Publication number: GB2442988A
Application number: GB0620879A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Maleczek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-20
Filing date: 2006-10-20
Publication date: 2008-04-23
Also published as: GB0620879D0

Abstract

A mechanical leak detection apparatus for use within a reservoir (3) at the base of a mains water fed water appliance. A mechanical float valve 6 is placed in the mains water supply line of the appliance. Should a leak occur, water collects in the reservoir (3) and the float valve mechanism 6 is used to shut off the water supply 1 to the appliance. A leak occurrence may activate a salt or fluorescent dye tablet 7 in the reservoir (3) which communicates that a leak has occurred through a clear window (4) in the front of the reservoir (3). Water and salt in the reservoir (3) may also activate a normally dormant 'sea battery' 8 which generates an electrical output 9 for use by optional external alarm circuitry. The apparatus may exist as a self-contained tray unit or can be built into newly manufactured appliances.

Description

Leak Detection and Containment Apparatus This invention relates to the

prevention of water damage caused by mains fed water appliances leaking whilst unattended.

The majority of leaks in water appliances occur at the machine itself, by detecting and turning off the supply of water to the machine flood damage can me minimised or eliminated.

By positioning a latching float valve in the water supply pipe to the appliance, and activating the said valve by water collected from the leaking machine the water supply is cut off and thus preventing flooding.

The proposed invention permits various internal and external alarms and alerts, but the basic proposal relies on the mechanical float valve stopping the flow of potential flood water, and releasing a dye into the leaked water contained in the reservoir.

The proposed invention is not reliant on any form of electrical power, is thus environmentally friendly, and not subject to failure because of power loss due to mains electricity or battery failure.

Once activated the valve is latched closed requiring manual intervention to reset it, once the leak has been rectified.

The invention can be self-contained and so fitted to existing water dispensers, or incorporated in to newly manufactured water dispensers by incorporating the reservoir and valve into the design.

An example of the invention will be described by referring to the aecompanying drawings: -figure 1 shows the reservoir tray and valve assembly with water pipes from the water supply and to the machine.

-figure 2 shows the latching water valve, dye tablet and sea battery' located within the float chamber -figure 3 shows the invention in position under a water dispensing machine.

-Figure 4 shows how the invention can be incorporated into the future design of water dispensing machines. 2/4

The invention requires that water leaking from an appliance is collected in a reservoir and that the rise in the level of the water in said reservoir activates a normally open valve in the water supply line thus cutting off further water to the appliance.

Figure 1 illustrates the proposed reservoir which is coloured and shaped to fit under the water appliance (which has an open base). Leaking water falling from inside the appliance is collected in the reservoir, and as it rises it activates the float valve thus stopping the further flow of water into the appliance. The valve is configured such that it latches shut once activated. This prevents unintended restoration of the water supply to the leaking machine. The valve will be mechanically un-latched once repairs have been affected to remedy the leak.

Figure 1 shows the mains water supply entering the water valve using plastic tubing and press fit connection (1). The controlled water supply (2) from the valve is then fed to the machine. It is proposed that the reservoir (3) is manufactured in a material and colour that aesthetically matches the machine it is monitoring. The reservoir has a clear window (4) that shows the level of any water present. The leak indicator is enhanced by using a fluorescent dye, in the form of a tablet mixed with salt, which is activated by water. The saltldye tablet is placed in the float chamber (5) during installation or after a leak has occurred.

Figure 2 illustrates a view inside the float chamber. The float valve is attached to the reservoir, the normally dormant "sea battery" (8) and salt/dye tablet (7) are separate compartments so as not to interfere with the movement of the float.

When water enters the chamber, as a result of a leak from the machine above it, the float is caused to rise and so activate the valve, thus shutting off the further supply of water to the machine. At the same time the water dissolves the salt/dye tablet. This has two functions: the dye colours the water thus giving a visual display of the leak in the clear window of the reservoir (4), and the salt is dissolved into the water to provide an electrolyte for the sea battery' (8). The electrolyte is soaked up by the sponge between the electrodes and the sea battery produces an electrical output (9) which can be used to sound an audible alarm of trigger further external electronic alarm circuitry.

The reservoir can be shaped and coloured to match the base of the many different mains fed water appliances currently deployed. In use it appears as a small skirt around the base of the machine, following closely the contours of the original appliance (figure 3).

Figure 4 illustrates that the invention can be incorporated into new machines. By designing new mains fed water appliances to have a water tight base and fitting a float chamber to the side of the machine such that water in the base will activate the valve, sea battery' and salt/dye tablet, manufacturers can offer leak proof machines with greater confidence they will not cause flood damage.

The leak indicator window (4) can incorporated into the front of the existing appliance design, as can the float chamber apparatus (5) be fitted to the rear of the appliance with the water supply pipe entering from the rear of the machine. 3/4

Claims

Claims 1. A leak detection system relying on a mechanical float valve

apparatus in the water supply line, within a reservoir at the base of a mains water fed appliance, which will shut of the water supply to the appliance if a leak occurs in the machine.
2. A leak detection system according to claim 1, that has a salt/fluorescent dye tablet in the reservoir that is activated by the presence of water in the reservoir.
3. A leak detection system according to claim 1, that has a clear window in the otherwise opaque reservoir, through which the fluorescent coloured water, can be seen thus indicating a leak has occurred.
4. A leak detection system according to claim 1, that has a dry sea battery' in the reservoir that is activated by the presence of salt water in the reservoir and produces and electrical output.
5. A leak detection system according to the preceding claim, that can produce an electrical output to external alarm or monitoring circuitry.
6. A leak detection system according to all preceding claims, that can be a stand-alone unit or can be built into new mains fed water appliance designs.