Tank leak detection and reporting system
AssigneeGhertner Automation, Inc.
InventorsSteven A. Ghertner, Vincent P. Luciani
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A leak detection and reporting system for detecting and reporting different types of leaks. Different alarms are activated in response to different types of leaks. The present invention includes a timing module and a water flow sensor. The timing module measures a standard fill time required to properly fill a reservoir. A lower time threshold and an upper time threshold are then calculated based upon the standard fill time. A first alarm may be activated if a subsequent fill time is below the lower time threshold to identify a small leak. Also, a second alarm may be activated if a subsequent fill time is above the upper time threshold to identify a larger leak.
Claims38
An apparatus for providing leak detection and reporting of different types of leaks, said apparatus for use within a reservoir of a toilet having an inlet valve with a refill tube assembly therein, said reservoir also having an overflow pipe and an opening in the reservoir for a flapper for controlling water flow from the reservoir, said apparatus comprising:
- a timing module;
- and
- a water flow sensor coupled to said timing module for sensing water flow, said timing module having a calibration mode for measuring a standard fill time required to properly fill the reservoir following a flush, said apparatus having a lower time threshold and an upper time threshold based upon said standard fill time, said apparatus activating a first alarm if a subsequent fill time is below said lower time threshold to identify a small leak, or activating a second alarm if another fill time is above said upper time threshold to identify a large leak, wherein different alarms may be activated in response to different types of leaks.
In a toilet having an inlet valve, a refill tube assembly and an overflow pipe in a reservoir of the toilet, a water flow path through the reservoir of the toilet, said water flow path passing from the inlet valve to a refill tube assembly, at least a portion of said water flow path continuing from the refill tube assembly through a water flow sensor, said portion of said water flow path through said water flow sensor being substantially the same as a portion of said water flow path through the overflow pipe, such that water passing through said water flow sensor passes through at least a portion of the overflow pipe substantially simultaneously.
In a reservoir of a toilet having an inlet valve with a refill tube assembly and an overflow pipe, a water flow path through the reservoir of the toilet, said water flow path passing from the inlet valve to a refill tube assembly, a portion of said water flow path continuing from the refill tube assembly through a water flow sensor, and a remaining portion of said water flow path continuing from the refill tube assembly through the overflow pipe, wherein said portion of said water flow path through said water flow sensor is displaced from said remaining portion of said water flow path passing through the overflow pipe.
An apparatus for providing leak detection and reporting of different types of leaks, said apparatus comprising:
- a timing module;
- and
- a water flow sensor coupled to said timing module for sensing water flow, said timing module capable of measuring a standard fill time required to properly fill a reservoir, said apparatus having a lower time threshold and an upper time threshold based upon said standard fill time, said apparatus activating a first alarm if a subsequent fill time is below said lower time threshold to identify a small leak, or activating a second alarm if a subsequent fill time is above said upper time threshold to identify a larger leak, wherein different alarms are activated in response to different types of leaks.
A method for providing leak detection and reporting comprising the following steps:
- calculating a standard fill time for filling a toilet reservoir with water;
- calculating a lower time threshold and an upper time threshold based upon said standard fill time;
- activating a first alarm when a subsequent fill time is below said lower time threshold to identify a slow leak;
- or
- activating a second alarm if a subsequent fill time is above said upper time threshold to identify a faster leak, wherein different alarms may be activated in response to different types of leaks.
A water flow sensor comprising:
- an elongated tube having an opening extending therethrough for receiving water;
- and
- a pair of elongated contacts coupled to said elongated tube and extending across said opening in said tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.