Means and method for detecting presence of electrically conductive fluid

Claim 1

Means for detecting the presence of electrically conducting fluid comprising: a gating means for conducting electrical current through an electrical path upon the introduction of a sufficient triggering voltage; a signaling means connected to the gating means and actuated upon conduction of current through the gating means; a probe means for placement in a desired location and for detection of fluid having first, second, and third conducting means, the first and second conducting means comprising exposed electrical conductors spaced apart but adjacently positioned, the second and third conducting means comprising exposed electrical conductors which are electrically connected; probe extension cable means having first, second, and third electrical conducting wires each connected at one end to the first, second, and third conducting means, respectively; a voltage dividing means comprising first and second resistive means, each having first and second electrical connection ends; the other end of the first wire being conductingly connected to one side of an electrical power source and the first end of the first resistive means, the other end of the second wire being conductingly connected to the second end of first resistive means, the third wire being conductingly connected to the first end of the second resistive element, and the second end of the second resistive element being conductingly connected to the other side of the electrical power source; an electrical conducting wire connected between the second end of the first resistive means and the gating means for supplying the triggering voltage to the gating means; and so that in the absence of sufficient electrical conducting fluid between the first and second conducting means, current flows through the first resistive means, the second and third conducting wires, and the second resistive means, causing insufficient triggering voltage to be supplied to the gating means to allow conduction of current through the electrical path to actuate the signal means; and so that any damage to the second or third conducting wires to render them non-conducting would remove the resistance of the second resistive means and cause sufficient current and triggering voltage to activate the signal means; and so that when sufficient electrical conducting fluid shorts out the first and second conducting means, the resistance of the second resistive means is bypassed and sufficient triggering voltage is supplied to the gating means to allow the conduction of electrical current through the electrical path to actuate the signal means.