Wireless system for detecting and stopping water leaks

Claim 2

A cordless leak detection transmitter comprising: a housing; a battery with first and second battery terminals within said housing; first and second electrodes extending from said housing, wherein said first battery terminal, wherein said first and second electrodes are adjacently disposed to provide electrical conductivity therebetween in the, presence of a partially conductive fluid extending therebetween; and a radio-frequency transmitter within said housing, wherein said radio-frequency transmitter is caused to transmit an encoded signal through a surrounding atmospheric space in response to an electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal, and wherein electrical power for operation of said radio-frequency transmitter is derived solely from said battery, message storage means, within said housing, for storing an audio message recorded from an audible input as a first switch is operated; and message play means, within said housing, for playing back said audio message in an audible manner, wherein said message playback means is caused to operate in response to said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal, and wherein said message playback means is additionally caused to operate as a second switch is operated, audible alarm means, within said housing, for producing a non-verbal alarm signal; and audio output timing means for operating said message playback means and said audible alarm means in an alternating pattern in response to said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal.

Claim 3

The leak detection transmitter of claim 1, wherein electrical power necessary for operation of said radio-frequency transmitter is derived from said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal only when said partially conductive fluid has accumulated to an extent causing electrical conduction between said first and second electrodes.

Claim 4

The leak detection transmitter of claim 1: wherein said message storage means comprises means for digitally recording a message in electronic memory; and wherein said message playback means includes means for audibly reproducing said message stored in said electronic memory.

Claim 5

The leak detection transmitter of claim 1, wherein said message playback means additionally plays back said audio message as a second switch is operated.

Claim 6

The leak detection transmitter of claim 1, comprising additionally visual indication means for flashing a light emitting diode, wherein said visual indication means is caused to operate in response to said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal.

Claim 7

The leak detection transmitter of claim 1, comprising additionally a low battery alarm flashing a light emitting diode when a voltage provided at a terminal of said battery falls below a pre-determined level.

Claim 8

The leak detection transmitter of claim 1, wherein said radio-frequency transmitter includes: carrier frequency signal generating means for generating a radio-frequency signal; tone frequency signal generating means for generating an audio-frequency signal; and modulation means for modulating said radio-frequency signal with said audio-frequency signal.

Claim 9

The leak detection transmitter of claim 1, wherein said radio-frequency transmitter includes: a phase-locked loop generating a tone signal in response to said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal; and a radio-frequency amplifier operating in response to said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal, wherein said radio-frequency amplifier is coupled to an output of said phase-locked loop and to a tank circuit oscillating at a carrier frequency.

Claim 10

The leak detection transmitter of claim 1, wherein said radio-frequency transmitter includes: a multivibrator generating a tone signal in response to said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal; and a radio-frequency transmitter circuit operating in response to said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal, wherein said radio-frequency transmitter circuit includes an oscillator amplifier driven at a carrier frequency by a crystal oscillator and a transmission signal amplifier to which outputs of said multivibrator and said oscillator amplifier are coupled.

Claim 11

A cordless leak detection transmitter comprising: a housing; a battery with first and second battery terminals within said housing; first and second electrodes extending from said housing, wherein said first battery terminal, wherein said first and second electrodes are adjacently disposed to provide electrical conductivity therebetween in the presence of a partially conductive fluid extending therebetween; and a radio-frequency transmitter within said housing, wherein said radio-frequency transmitter is caused to transmit an encoded signal through a surrounding atmospheric space in response to an electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal, and wherein electrical power for operation of said radio-frequency transmitter is derived solely from said battery, message storage means, within said housing, for storing an audio message recorded from an audible input as a first switch is operated; an audio output timer producing a train of intermediate signal pulses in response to said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second batter terminal; message playback means, within said housing, for playing back said audio message in an audible manner, in response to each of said intermediate signal pulses, wherein said message playback means produces an end of message signal at the end of each said audio message; and audible alarm means, within said housing, for producing a non-verbal alarm signal in response to each said end of message signal.

Claim 12

A cordless leak detection transmitter comprising: a housing; a battery with first and second battery terminals within said housing; first and second electrodes extending from said housing, wherein said first battery terminal, wherein said first and second electrodes are adjacently disposed to provide electrical conductivity therebetween in the presence of a partially conductive fluid extending therebetween; and a radio-frequency transmitter within said housing, wherein said radio-frequency transmitter is caused to transmit an encoded signal through a surrounding atmospheric space in response to an electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second battery terminal, and wherein electrical power for operation of said radio-frequency transmitter is derived solely from said battery, message storage means, within said housing, for storing an audio message recorded from an audible input as a first switch is operated; an audio output timer producing a train of intermediate signal pulses in response to said electrical potential established between said second electrode and said second batter terminal; message playback means, within said housing, for playing back said audio message in an audible manner, in response to each of said intermediate signal pulses, wherein said message playback means produces an end of message signal at the end of each said audio message; and audible alarm means, within said housing, for producing a non-verbal alarm signal in response to each said end of message signal.

Claim 13

A leak detection receiver comprising: receiving means for receiving a radio signal from a surrounding atmospheric space, wherein said receiving means provides an intermediate signal derived from said radio signal; decoding means for determining characteristics of said intermediate signal, wherein said decoding means produces a first decoded output when certain characteristics of said intermediate signal are met; a valve operating in response to said first decoded output to shut off water flow; temperature sensing means for sensing a temperature at said valve, wherein said temperature sensing means provides a temperature output signal as said temperature at said valve approaches a freezing condition; and heating means for heating said valve in response to said temperature output signal.

Claim 14

A leak detection receiver comprising: receiving means for receiving a radio signal from a surrounding atmospheric space, wherein said receiving means provides an intermediate signal derived from said radio signal; decoding means for determining characteristics of said intermediate signal, wherein said decoding means produces a first decoded output when certain characteristics of said intermediate signal are met; a valve operating in response to said first decoded output to shut off water flow; temperature sensing means for sensing a temperature at said valve, wherein said temperature sensing means provides a temperature output signal as said temperature at said valve approaches a freezing condition; and heating means for heating said valve in response to said temperature output signal.

Claim 15

The leak detection receiver of claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises: a timing circuit operating in response to said temperature output signal; and a peltier device driven by said timing circuit, being alternately turned off and on thereby, wherein heat is conducted to said valve from said peltier device.

Claim 16

A leak detection system comprising: a plurality of cordless leak detection transmitters, wherein each said leak detection transmitter includes a battery, leak detection means for detecting a nearby water leak, with said detection means providing a first intermediate signal upon detection of said nearby water leak, message storage means for storing an individual audio message, message playback means for playing back said audio message in an audible manner in response to said first intermediate signal, and transmission means for transmitting a radio-frequency alarm signal through an ambient atmospheric space in response to said first intermediate signal, wherein electrical power for operation of said transmission means is derived solely from said battery; a leak detection receiver including receiving means for receiving said radio-frequency alarm signal through said ambient atmospheric space from each of said leak detection transmitters, with said receiving means providing a second intermediate signal upon reception of said radio-frequency alarm signal, and a valve operating in response to said second intermediate signal to shut off water flow; said leak detection receiver additionally includes decoding means, with a phase-locked loop providing an output signal in response to an input signal occurring at a predetermined tone frequency, for determining characteristics of said second intermediate signal, wherein said decoding means produces a first decoded output when predetermined characteristics of said intermediate signal are met, with said valve operating in response to said first decoded output to shut off said water flow.

Claim 17

A leak detection system comprising: a plurality of cordless leak detection transmitters, wherein each said leak detection transmitter includes a battery, leak detection means for detecting a nearby water leak, with said detection means providing a first intermediate signal upon detection of said nearby water leak, message storage means for storing an individual audio message, message playback means for playing back said audio message in an audible manner in response to said first intermediate signal, and transmission means for transmitting a radio-frequency alarm signal through an ambient atmospheric space in response to said first intermediate signal, wherein electrical power for operation of said transmission means is derived solely from said battery; a leak detection receiver including receiving means for receiving said radio-frequency alarm signal through said ambient atmospheric space from each of said leak detection transmitters, with said receiving means providing a second intermediate signal upon reception of said radio-frequency alarm signal, and a valve operating in response to said second intermediate signal to shut off water flow; said leak detection receiver additionally includes decoding means, with a phase-locked loop providing an output signal in response to an input signal occurring at a predetermined tone frequency, for determining characteristics of said second intermediate signal, wherein said decoding means produces a first decoded output when predetermined characteristics of said intermediate signal are met, with said valve operating in response to said first decoded output to shut off said water flow.

Claim 18

The leak detection system of claim 13: wherein said battery has first and second terminals within said leak detection transmitter and first and second electrodes extending from a housing of said leak detection transmitter, with said first and second electrodes being adjacently disposed to provide electrical conductivity therebetween only in the presence of a partially conductive fluid extending therebetween, with said first terminal of said battery electrically connected to a first of said electrodes; and wherein said first intermediate signal is derived at said second electrode.

Claim 19

The leak detection system of claim 13, wherein said receiving means includes a superheterodyne radio-frequency receiver.

Claim 20

The leak detection system of claim 13, wherein said receiving means includes a super-regenerative radio-frequency receiver and detector.

Claim 21

The leak detection system of claim 14, wherein said leak detection receiver additionally includes: an audible alarm operating in response to said second intermediate signal; and visual alarm means flashing a light emitting diode in response to said second intermediate signal.

Claim 22

The leak detection system of claim 13, wherein said leak detection receiver additionally includes: temperature sensing means for sensing a temperature at said valve, wherein said temperature sensing means provides a temperature output signal as said temperature at said valve approaches a freezing condition; and heating means for heating said valve in response to said temperature output signal.

Claim 23

The leak detection system of claim 16, wherein said super-regenerative radio-frequency receiver and detector includes: a receiving antenna; an input tank circuit coupled to said receiving antenna; a buffer stage having an input coupled to said input tank circuit; a first amplifier stage having an input coupled to an output of said buffer stage and to a negative feedback loop from an output of said first amplifier stage; and a output amplifier stage having an input coupled to an output of said first amplifier stage and to a positive feedback loop from an output of said output amplifier stage.

Claim 24

A leak detection system comprising: a plurality of cordless leak detection transmitters, wherein each said leak detection transmitter includes a battery, leak detection means for detecting a nearby water leak, with said detection means providing a first intermediate signal upon detection of said nearby water leak, message storage means for storing an individual audio message, message playback means for playing back said audio message in an audible manner in response to said first intermediate signal, and transmission means for transmitting a radio-frequency alarm signal through an ambient atmospheric space an response to said first intermediate signal, wherein electrical power for operation of said transmission means is derived solely from said battery; a leak detection receiver including receiving means for receiving said radio-frequency alarm signal through said ambient atmospheric space from each of said leak detection transmitters, with said receiving means providing a second intermediate signal upon reception of said radio-frequency alarm signal, and a valve operating in response to said second intermediate signal to shut off water flow; means for digitally recording a message in electronic memory; said message playback means includes means for audibly reproducing said message stored in said electronic memory; and audible alarm means for producing a non-verbal alarm signal; and audio switching means for causing alternating operation of said message playback means and said audible alarm means.

Claim 25

A leak detection system comprising: a plurality of cordless leak detection transmitters, wherein each said leak detection transmitter includes a battery, leak detection means for detecting a nearby water leak, with said detection means providing a first intermediate signal upon detection of said nearby water leak, message storage means for storing an individual audio message, message playback means for playing back said audio message in an audible manner in response to said first intermediate signal, and transmission means for transmitting a radio-frequency alarm signal through an ambient atmospheric space an response to said first intermediate signal, wherein electrical power for operation of said transmission means is derived solely from said battery; a leak detection receiver including receiving means for receiving said radio-frequency alarm signal through said ambient atmospheric space from each of said leak detection transmitters, with said receiving means providing a second intermediate signal upon reception of said radio-frequency alarm signal, and a valve operating in response to said second intermediate signal to shut off water flow; means for digitally recording a message in electronic memory; said message playback means includes means for audibly reproducing said message stored in said electronic memory; and audible alarm means for producing a non-verbal alarm signal; and audio switching means for causing alternating operation of said message playback means and said audible alarm means.

Claim 26

A leak detection system comprising: a plurality of cordless leak detection transmitters, wherein each said leak detection transmitter includes a battery, leak detection means for detecting a nearby water leak, with said detection means providing a first intermediate signal upon detection of said nearby water leak, message storage means for storing an individual audio message, message playback means for playing back said audio message in an audible manner in response to said first intermediate signal, and transmission means for transmitting a radio-frequency alarm signal through an ambient atmospheric space in response to said first intermediate signal, wherein electrical power for operation of said transmission means is derived solely from said battery; a leak detection receiver including receiving means for receiving said radio-frequency alarm signal through said ambient atmospheric space from each of said leak detection transmitters, with said receiving means providing a second intermediate signal upon reception of said radio-frequency alarm signal, and a valve operating in response to said second intermediate signal to shut off water flow; a super-regenerative radio-frequency receiver and detector including: a receiving antenna; an input tank circuit coupled to said receiving antenna; a buffer stage having an input coupled to said input tank circuit; a first amplifier stage having an input coupled to an output of said buffer stage and to a negative feedback loop from an output of said first amplifier stage; and an output amplifier stage having an input of said first amplifier stage and to a positive feedback loop from an output of said output amplifier stage.

Claim 27

A leak detection system comprising: a plurality of cordless leak detection transmitters, wherein each said leak detection transmitter includes a battery, leak detection means for detecting a nearby water leak, with said detection means providing a first intermediate signal upon detection of said nearby water leak, message storage means for storing an individual audio message, message playback means for playing back said audio message in an audible manner in response to said first intermediate signal, and transmission means for transmitting a radio-frequency alarm signal through an ambient atmospheric space in response to said first intermediate signal, wherein electrical power for operation of said transmission means is derived solely from said battery; a leak detection receiver including receiving means for receiving said radio-frequency alarm signal through said ambient atmospheric space from each of said leak detection transmitters, with said receiving means providing a second intermediate signal upon reception of said radio-frequency alarm signal, and a valve operating in response to said second intermediate signal to shut off water flow; a super-regenerative radio-frequency receiver and detector including: a receiving antenna; an input tank circuit coupled to said receiving antenna; a buffer stage having an input coupled to said input tank circuit; a first amplifier stage having an input coupled to an output of said buffer stage and to a negative feedback loop from an output of said first amplifier stage; and an output amplifier stage having an input of said first amplifier stage and to a positive feedback loop from an output of said output amplifier stage.