Leak detection and management apparatus including a programmable message device for a hot water heater

A leak detection and management apparatus including a programmable message device, for detecting and managing leaks occurring in a hot water heater and providing an audible message to a person informing that a leak has occurred and where to call for service, said apparatus comprising:

• a liquid pan disposed concentrically beneath said hot water heater and being of a diameter and shape sufficient to circumscribe substantially the entire outer periphery of said hot water heater, for collecting water leaking from said hot water heater;
• a float disposed at least partially within said liquid pan and operable to rise and descent in response to rising and descending water levels within said liquid pan;
• an electrical switch operably associated with said float for generating an electrical shut-off signal when said water collected within said liquid pan causes said float to rise to a predetermined level;
• a first electrically controlled solenoid valve responsive to said electrical shut-off signal and disposed in a cold water supply line of said hot water heater for interrupting a flow of cold water into said hot water heater in response to said electrical shut-off signal;
• a second electrically controlled solenoid valve disposed in a gas supply line to said hot water heater for interrupting the flow of gas into said hot water heater in response to said electrical shut-off signal;
• and
• a programmable magnetic tape message device operable to provide a continuous, pre-programmed audible message in response to the generation of said electrical shut-off signal to thereby audibly inform individuals that a leak in said hot water has occurred and where to obtain service for said hot water heater;
• wherein said liquid pan includes an overflow aperture mounted in a side wall portion thereof near an upper surface thereof;
• a secondary overflow aperture disposed in said side wall at a position closer to said upper surface than said overflow aperture;
• and
• a secondary overflow reservoir in communication with said secondary overflow aperture for collecting water therewithin which flows through said secondary overflow aperture.

A water leak detection and management system including a programmable message device for informing of the occurrence of a water leak in a hot water heater and where to obtain service, said apparatus comprising:

• a liquid pan adapted to be disposed beneath said hot water heater and being of a sufficient diameter so as to circumscribe substantially completely the periphery of said hot water heater for collecting water leaking from said hot water heater;
• said liquid pan having an overflow aperture located in a side wall portion thereof near an upper surface thereof;
• a conduit in communication with said overflow aperture for conveying water passing through said overflow aperture to a nearby drain;
• a secondary overflow aperture disposed in said side wall at a position closer to said upper surface than said overflow aperture for draining water from said liquid pan which rises to the level of said secondary overflow aperture;
• a secondary overflow reservoir in communication with said secondary overflow aperture for collecting water passing through said secondary overflow aperture;
• a float disposed within said liquid pan and adapted to rise and descend in response to rising and descending water levels within said pan, to thereby provide a mechanical signal indicative of a water leak condition occurring with said hot water heater when water leaking from said hot water heater collects within said liquid pan;
• an electrical switch associated with said float for providing an electrical shut-off signal in response to movement of said float to a predetermined position;
• a first electrically controlled solenoid valve disposed in a cold water supply line of said hot water heater and responsive to said electrical shut-off signal for interrupting a flow of cold water into said hot water heater when said electrical shut-off signal is generated;
• a second electrically controlled solenoid valve disposed in a gas supply line of said hot water heater for interrupting a flow of gas to said hot water heater in response to the generation of said electrical shut-off signal;
• a programmable message device responsive to said electrical shut-off signal for generating a preprogrammed audio message in response to the generation of said electrical shut-off signal informing of the occurrence of a water leak in said hot water heater and where to obtain service;
• and
• a pump disposed within said secondary overflow reservoir and responsive to the collection of water within said secondary overflow reservoir for pumping water collected within said secondary overflow reservoir to a remote drain.