Water detection device

Claim 2

A resistive liquid detection and shut-off system comprising: means for detecting liquid drips, flows and trickles, but not liquid beads, on a floor area where liquid damage could result, said means including an elongated sensor comprising a flexible plastic tape with an adhesive backing and having a surface thereof with a pair of conductive metal strips thereon spaced apart in a dimension perpendicular to the dimension of elongation of said tape; detection circuit means operatively connected to said elongated sensor for measuring resistance changes in said elongated sensor; a solenoid-operated water shut-off valve; output circuitry means operatively connected to said detection circuit means and said water shut-off valve for activating said water shut-off valve in response to predetermined resistivity changes in said elongated sensor; a battery for providing power for said detection circuit means, solenoid valve operator, and said output circuitry means; and battery monitoring circuitry means operatively connected to said battery and said shut-off valve for monitoring the strength of said battery and for operating said shut-off valve if said battery strength drops below a predetermined value.

Claim 3

A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the elongated sensor tape is formed in at least two pieces, and further comprising: a connector for interconnecting the two pieces of the sensor tape, the connector comprising a body of electrically insulating material having two pairs of electrically connected electrical terminals mounted thereon, the terminals of each pair being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of the conductive metal strips; means defining a pair of slots in said body, each for receipt of a piece of said tape for allowing said conductive metal strips of said tape to contact said terminals within said body; and adhesive means for maintaining each piece of said tape in contact with said connector body.

Claim 4

A resistive liquid detection system comprising: means for detecting liquid drips, flows and trickles, but not liquid beads, on a floor area where liquid damage could result, said means including an elongated sensor comprising a flexible plastic tape with an adhesive backing and having a surface thereof with a pair of conductive metal strips spaced apart in a dimension perpendicular to the dimension of elongation of said tape, said tape being formed in at least two pieces; a connector for interconnecting said two pieces of said sensor tape, said connector comprising: a body of electrically insulating material having two pairs of electrically connected electrical terminals mounted thereon, the terminals of each pair being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of said conductive metal strips; means defining a pair of slots in said body, each for receipt of a piece of said tape for allowing said conductive metal strips of said tape to contact said terminals within said body; and adhesive for maintaining each piece of said tape in contact with said connector body; detection circuit means operatively connected to said elongated sensor for detecting changes in the resistivity thereof; an alert means for alerting an individual to resistivity changes in said sensor means; output circuitry means operatively connected to said detection circuit means and said alert means for activating said alert means in response to predetermined resistivity changes in said elongated sensor; and power means for providing electrical current for powering said circuitry means and said alert means.

Claim 5

A resistive liquid detection system comprising: means for detecting liquid drips, flows and trickles, but not liquid beads, on a floor area where liquid damage could result, said means including an elongated sensor comprising a flexible plastic tape with an adhesive backing and having a surface thereof with a pair of conductive metal strips spaced apart in a dimension perpendicular to the dimension of elongation of said tape, said tape being formed in at least two pieces; a connector for interconnecting said two pieces of said sensor tape, said connector comprising: a body of electrically insulating material having two pairs of electrically connected electrical terminals mounted thereon, the terminals of each pair being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of said conductive metal strips; means defining a pair of slots in said body, each for receipt of a piece of said tape for allowing said conductive metal strips of said tape to contact said terminals within said body; and adhesive for maintaining each piece of said tape in contact with said connector body; detection circuit means operatively connected to said elongated sensor for detecting changes in the resistivity thereof; an alert means for alerting an individual to resistivity changes in said sensor means; output circuitry means operatively connected to said detection circuit means and said alert means for activating said alert means in response to predetermined resistivity changes in said elongated sensor; and power means for providing electrical current for powering said circuitry means and said alert means.