# US 8,464,744 B1 · Water sensor with activation mechanism

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- Number: US 8,464,744 B1
- Document ID: US8464744B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/694,320
- Filed: 2012-11-19
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2012-11-19
- Applicants: Robert C. Franklin
- Inventors: Robert C. Franklin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464744B1

## CPC

- F16K 17/40: with a fracturing member, e.g. fracturing diaphragm, glass, fusible joint (valves opening on surplus pressure F16K17/14)
- G01M 3/042: {by using materials which expand, contract, disintegrate, or decompose in contact with a fluid (G01M3/12 takes precedence)}
- Y10T 137/1632: Destructible element
- Y10T 137/5762: With leakage or drip collecting
- Y10T 137/8359: Inspection means
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A water sensor and activation assembly including a paper element to sense the presence of water leaks from appliances such as clothes washing machines, refrigerator ice makers and the like, and to cause an associated water shutoff valve to turn off the source of water leakage. The water sensor, in conjunction with the shutoff valve, operates without any electrical power requirement. The design allows the water sensor to operate in a high humidity environment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A water sensor with an activation mechanism comprising;
a housing containing a water sensing means and spring loading means functioning in association with an activation means to initiate the shutoff of an external valve when water is sensed by said water sensing means;
a paper water absorbent material acting as said water sensing means that is placed under a tension force and disintegrates upon contact with water;
a pair of sensor holders designed to act as mounting elements for said water sensing means with both ends of said sensor holders containing wedge shaped surfaces that when subjected to an external force will cause said sensor holders to be forced apart by virtue of their contact with secondary wedge shaped surfaces;
a force bar containing a wedge shaped end with wedge angles that are complementary with said wedge shaped surfaces of said sensor holders thereby allowing said wedge shaped end of said force bar to mate with said wedge shaped surfaces of said sensor holders;
at least one spring designed to exert said external force upon said force bar; and
a segment of said force bar containing an insert pocket housing a cable and an attached terminating clamp whose purpose is to act as a means of activating an associated water shutoff valve when said water sensor detects the presence of water.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The water sensor of claim 1 in which the level of said tension force exerted on said sensor holders and therefore on said water sensing means is determined by the value of said wedge angles of both said sensor holders and said force bar.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A water sensor of claim 1 having an indicating means to denote that said water sensor is in a standby condition.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A water sensor of claim 1 having an indicating means to denote that said water sensor has been activated.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A water sensor of claim 1 wherein the overall wedge angle of said wedge shaped surfaces is about one hundred twenty degrees.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A water sensor of claim 1 wherein each sensor holder has at least one horizontal guide area and at least one vertical guide area.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The water sensor of claim 6 wherein said water sensing means is wrapped in said horizontal and vertical guide areas and around said sensor holders to hold them together.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The water sensor of claim 1 which can operate in a high humidity environment.