Patent US4569312A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4569312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hot water tank warning system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-02-13
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Granted: 1986-02-11
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Expires: 2004-02-13
Abstract
Abstract An electrical overflow warning system for a hot water tank. There is provided a cavity within an overflow line leading from the tank. Within the cavity is located an electrical probe. When an overflow occurs the probe comes in contact with water causing an electrical circuit to be completed to an alarm.
Inventors
- 👤 George Riddell
- 👤 Edward J. Grispino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:23
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24H; F24H9/00; F24H9/20; F24H9/2007; F24H15/00; F24H15/10; F24H15/12; F24H15/20; F24H15/30; F24H15/395; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8342
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A hot water tank warning system in an overflow conduit comprising: a conduit member including an inlet and outlet connected in said overflow conduit for flow through of overflow water passing through said overflow conduit, said conduit member including a section defining a water cavity portion therein of such size to retain a small portion of any of said overflow water, a signal means connected to said conduit member, said signal means including, an open circuit means positioned within said water cavity portion, said open circuit means includes an open position and a closed position, said open circuit means for actuation to said closed position by said overflow water in said water cavity portion bridging said open circuit means, said signal means for providing a signal when overflow water is in said water cavity portion; said conduit member is a fitting for a pipe, said open circuit means is a switch with two open terminals that are closed by overflow water, said signal means includes an alarm circuit connected to said open circuit means to indicate an early alarm, said cavity portion and said signal means being so constructed, arranged and associated with each other that said signal means functions to give an early alarm warning when said cavity portion includes only small amounts of water therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A hot water tank warning system in an overflow conduit comprising: a conduit member including an inlet and outlet connected in said overflow conduit for flow through of overflow water passing through said overflow conduit, said conduit member including a section defining a water cavity portion therein of such size to retain a small portion of any of said overflow water, a signal means connected to said conduit member, said signal means including, an open circuit means positioned within said water cavity portion, said open circuit means includes an open position and a closed position, said open circuit means for actuation to said closed position by said overflow water in said water cavity portion bridging said open circuit means, said signal means for providing a signal when overflow water is in said water cavity portion; said conduit member is a fitting for a pipe, said open circuit means is a switch with two open terminals that are closed by overflow water, said signal means includes an alarm circuit connected to said open circuit means to indicate an early alarm, said cavity portion and said signal means being so constructed, arranged and associated with each other that said signal means functions to give an early alarm warning when said cavity portion includes only small amounts of water therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
230 words
A hot water tank warning system in an overflow conduit comprising: a conduit member including an inlet and outlet connected in said overflow conduit for flow through of overflow water passing through said overflow conduit, said conduit member including a water cavity portion therein to retain at least a portion of any of said overflow water, a signal means connected to said conduit member, said signal means including, an open circuit means positioned across said water cavity portion, said open circuit means includes an open position and a closed position, said open circuit means for actuation to said closed position by said overflow water in said water cavity portion bridging said open circuit means, said signal means for providing a signal when overflow water is in said water cavity portion; said conduit member is a fitting for a pipe, said open circuit means is a switch with two open terminals that are closed by overflow water, said signal means includes an alarm circuit connected to said open circuit means to indicate an early alarm; wherein: said fitting includes a cover means, another cover means including said water cavity portion, and a connector, said cover means for covering an upper hole in said overflow circuit, said cover means including said water cavity portion for covering a lower hole in said overflow circuit, said connector securing said fitting on said overflow conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
230 words
A hot water tank warning system in an overflow conduit comprising: a conduit member including an inlet and outlet connected in said overflow conduit for flow through of overflow water passing through said overflow conduit, said conduit member including a water cavity portion therein to retain at least a portion of any of said overflow water, a signal means connected to said conduit member, said signal means including, an open circuit means positioned across said water cavity portion, said open circuit means includes an open position and a closed position, said open circuit means for actuation to said closed position by said overflow water in said water cavity portion bridging said open circuit means, said signal means for providing a signal when overflow water is in said water cavity portion; said conduit member is a fitting for a pipe, said open circuit means is a switch with two open terminals that are closed by overflow water, said signal means includes an alarm circuit connected to said open circuit means to indicate an early alarm; wherein: said fitting includes a cover means, another cover means including said water cavity portion, and a connector, said cover means for covering an upper hole in said overflow circuit, said cover means including said water cavity portion for covering a lower hole in said overflow circuit, said connector securing said fitting on said overflow conduit.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
132 words
A system for annunciating blow-off of a liquid from a tank holding said liquid, said system comprising: a means for transporting said blow-off of said liquid from said tank, said means being a blow-off pipe; pipe means including a portion so shaped to retain at least a small portion of said blow-off in said pipe in the form of a puddle; means associated with said pipe for annunciating said blow-off of said liquid, said means for annunciating effective to annunciate said blow-off responsive to the depth of said puddle exceeding a preselected vertical distance, said cavity portion and said signal means being so constructed, arranged and associated with each other that said signal means functions to give an early alarm warning when said cavity portion includes only small amounts of water therein.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
132 words
A system for annunciating blow-off of a liquid from a tank holding said liquid, said system comprising: a means for transporting said blow-off of said liquid from said tank, said means being a blow-off pipe; pipe means including a portion so shaped to retain at least a small portion of said blow-off in said pipe in the form of a puddle; means associated with said pipe for annunciating said blow-off of said liquid, said means for annunciating effective to annunciate said blow-off responsive to the depth of said puddle exceeding a preselected vertical distance, said cavity portion and said signal means being so constructed, arranged and associated with each other that said signal means functions to give an early alarm warning when said cavity portion includes only small amounts of water therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said pipe comprises a section, said section being a pipe fitting open at the opposite ends thereof, a portion of said means for annunciating being disposed within said small shaped portion of said fitting, said portion of said means for annunciating being effective to cause said means for annunciating to annunciate said blow-off responsive to said depth of said puddle exceeding said preselected vertical distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said means for annunciating comprises at least one electrode, said electrode being disposed so that said puddle exceeding said preselected vertical distance is effective to cause an electrical short circuit to said at least one electrode, said means for annunciating being effective to annunciate said blow-off responsive to said short circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said means for annunciating is an electronic circuit adapted to annunciate said blow off continuously so long as said depth of said puddle exceeds said preselected vertical distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said means for annunciating is an electronic circuit adapted to annunciate said blow off continuously so long as said depth of said puddle exceeds said preselected vertical distance.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for annunciating blow-off of a liquid from a tank holding said liquid, said system comprising: a means for transporting said blow-off of said liquid from said tank, said means being a blow-off pipe comprising a section, said section being a pipe fitting comprising an inlet side means and an outlet side means, each said side means being for joining said fitting to said pipe effectively to permit passage of said liquid along said pipe and through said pipe fitting from said inlet side means to outlet side means; said fitting comprising an additional opening and a cover, said cover being effective to seal said additional opening; means for retaining at least a portion of said blow-off in said pipe in the form of a puddle; and means for annunciating said blow-off of said liquid, a portion of said means for annunciating penetrating said cover and being mounted by said cover, said means for annunciating being effective to annunciate said blow-up responsive to the depth of said puddle exceeding a preselected vertical distance.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for annunciating blow-off of a liquid from a tank holding said liquid, said system comprising: a means for transporting said blow-off of said liquid from said tank, said means being a blow-off pipe comprising a section, said section being a pipe fitting comprising an inlet side means and an outlet side means, each said side means being for joining said fitting to said pipe effectively to permit passage of said liquid along said pipe and through said pipe fitting from said inlet side means to outlet side means; said fitting comprising an additional opening and a cover, said cover being effective to seal said additional opening; means for retaining at least a portion of said blow-off in said pipe in the form of a puddle; and means for annunciating said blow-off of said liquid, a portion of said means for annunciating penetrating said cover and being mounted by said cover, said means for annunciating being effective to annunciate said blow-up responsive to the depth of said puddle exceeding a preselected vertical distance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said means for annunciating comprises at least one electrode, said electrode being disposed so that said puddle exceeding said preselected vertical distance is effective to cause an electrical short circuit to said at least one electrode, said means for annunciating being effective to annunciate said blow-off responsive to said short circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said means for annunciating is an electronic circuit adapted to annunciate said blow off continuously so long as said depth of said puddle exceeds said preselected vertical distance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said means for annunciating is an electronic circuit adapted to annunciate said blow off continuously so long as said depth of said puddle exceeds said preselected vertical distance.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |