Flood detector

Claim 2

A sensor means for detecting the presence of a conductive fluid in an open area comprising an electrically conductive pair, at least one pair of exposed electrodes in closely spaced relation, each of said electrodes connected to a different conductor of said conductive pair, at least one cover means, each cover means enclosing one pair of said electrodes, said cover means including at least one opening to allow ingress of conductive fluid into said cover means.

Claim 3

A sensor means according to claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive pair comprises two parallel conductive wires encased in a unitary insulating jacket, each pair of said electrodes formed by stripping a portion of said insulating jacket thereby exposing adjacent portions of said wires.

Claim 4

A sensor means according to claim 2 wherein one pair of said electrodes is formed by stripping the end portion of said insulating jacket.

Claim 5

A sensor means according to claim 2 wherein at least one pair of said electrodes is formed by stripping a portion of said insulating jacket intermediate its ends.

Claim 6

A sensor means according to claim 2 wherein one pair of said electrodes is formed by stripping the end portion of said insulating jacket and at least one pair of said electrodes is formed by stripping a portion of said insulating jacket intermediate its ends.

Claim 7

A sensor means according to claims 3, 4 or 5 including spacer means connected to said cover means for maintaining the electrodes of each said electrode pair in closely spaced relation.

Claim 8

A sensor means according to claim 3 wherein each electrode of said pair of electrodes is bent in a direction parallel to the surface of the conductive fluid the presence of which is being detected.

Claim 9

A flood alarm system comprising a power supply, at least one detection circuit and an alarm circuit, each of said detection circuits connected between the first and second terminals of said power supply and comprising in series in indicator means and a sensor means responsive to the presence of conductive fluid to close a current path through said detection circuit and enable said indicator means, said alarm circuit connected between the first and second terminals of said power supply and comprising in series an alarm means and a driver means, said driver means connected to each of said detection circuits for deriving a source of bias voltage when any one of the said detection circuits is closed, said sensor means comprising an electrically conductive pair, at least one pair of exposed electrodes in closely spaced relation, each of said electrodes connected to a different conductor of said conductive pair, at least one cover means, each cover means enclosing one pair of said electrodes, said cover means including at least one opening to allow ingress of conductive fluid into said cover means.

Claim 10

A flood alarm system comprising a power supply, at least one detection circuit and an alarm circuit, each of said detection circuits connected between the first and second terminals of said power supply and comprising in series in indicator means and a sensor means responsive to the presence of conductive fluid to close a current path through said detection circuit and enable said indicator means, said alarm circuit connected between the first and second terminals of said power supply and comprising in series an alarm means and a driver means, said driver means connected to each of said detection circuits for deriving a source of bias voltage when any one of the said detection circuits is closed, said sensor means comprising an electrically conductive pair, at least one pair of exposed electrodes in closely spaced relation, each of said electrodes connected to a different conductor of said conductive pair, at least one cover means, each cover means enclosing one pair of said electrodes, said cover means including at least one opening to allow ingress of conductive fluid into said cover means.

Claim 11

A flood alarm system according to claim 8 wherein said indicator means is a light emitting diode.

Claim 12

A flood alarm system according to claim 8 wherein said driver means is a transistor.

Claim 13

A flood alarm system according to claim 8 wherein said electrically conductive pair comprises two parallel conductive wires encased in a unitary insulating jacket, each pair of said electrodes formed by stripping a portion of said insulating jacket thereby exposing adjacent portions of said conductive wires.

Claim 14

A flood alarm system according to claim 8 wherein one pair of said electrodes is formed by stripping the end portion of said insulating jacket.

Claim 15

A flood alarm system according to claim 8 wherein at least one pair of said electrodes is formed by stripping a portion of said insulating jacket intermediate its ends.

Claim 16

A flood alarm system according to claim 8 wherein one pair of said electrodes is formed by stripping the end portion of said insulating jacket and at least one pair of said electrodes is formed by stripping a portion of said insulating jacket intermediate its ends.

Claim 17

A flood alarm system according to claims 12, 13 and 14 including spacer means connected to said cover means for maintaining the electrodes of each said electrode pair in closely spaced relation.

Claim 18

A flood alarm system according to claim 13 wherein each electrode of said pair of electrodes is bent in a direction parallel to the surface of the conductive fluid the presence of which is being detected.