System having a water or gas leak detection circuit and automatic valve closure mechanism controlled thereby
AssigneeVoxx International Corporation
InventorsPrapan Paul Tinaphong, Yiqi W. Woodling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for detecting a gas, oil or water leak and closing a fluid valve in response thereto includes a control unit in which an electronic circuit is mounted. A fluid leak sensor is electrically connected to the electronic circuit. A manipulator unit is operatively coupled to the fluid valve. The fluid leak sensor generates a fluid leak detection signal when a fluid leak is detected. The electronic circuit, in response to the fluid leak detection signal, generates a control signal and provides the control signal to the manipulator unit which, in response to the control signal, causes the fluid valve to close.
Claims47
A system for detecting a fluid leak and closing a fluid valve in response thereto, which comprises:
- a control unit, the control unit having an electronic circuit;
- a fluid leak sensor, the fluid leak sensor being electrically connected to the electronic circuit of the control unit;
- and
- a manipulator unit, the manipulator unit being operatively coupleable to the fluid valve;
- wherein the fluid leak sensor generates a fluid leak detection signal when the fluid leak sensor detects a fluid leak;
- wherein the electronic circuit of the control unit is responsive to the fluid leak detection signal and generates a control signal in response thereto;
- and
- wherein the manipulator unit is responsive to the control signal generated by the electronic circuit and causes the fluid valve to close in response thereto when the manipulator unit is operatively coupled to the fluid valve.
A system for detecting a water leak in one of at least one water conduit and an apparatus connected to the at least one water conduit, which comprises:
- a control unit, the control unit having an electronic circuit;
- a water sensor, the water sensor being electrically connected to the electronic circuit of the control unit;
- and
- at least one ball valve and actuator unit, the at least one ball valve and actuator unit being in fluid communication with at least one source of water and the at least one water conduit, the at least one ball valve and actuator unit being changeable between a first state in which water is prevented from flowing therethrough and a second state in which water is permitted to flow therethrough;
- wherein the water sensor generates a water leak detection signal when the water leak sensor detects a water leak;
- wherein the electronic circuit of the control unit is responsive to the water leak detection signal and generates a control signal in response thereto;
- and
- wherein the at least one ball valve and actuator unit is responsive to the control signal generated by the electronic circuit and changes to the second state to prevent water from flowing therethrough and through the at least one water conduit connected thereto in response to the control signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.