Abstract: A water-reacting absorbent cartridge for a release mechanism has multiple layers of water-absorbing paper material compressed into a solid, densified mass with a fraction of the original volume of the paper layers. The compacted cartridge may be wrapped in a tube of heat-shrink material with holes along its sides or may have adhesive interspersed between layers in order to keep the expansible paper layers together. Another water-reacting absorbent cartridge has multiple layers of a super absorbent material interspersed with layers of paper material compressed into a densified mass. The super absorbent material may be a powder dispersed in paper sheets, or in sheet form with paper layers interposed between. The expansible material may be contained in a jacket made of a water-permeable tightly-woven cotton fabric.

Abstract: Apparatus for the detection of oil or water leakages having a housing with a plurality of openings. The housing is to be a sufficient volume to permit the expansion of an absorbent material when such is placed within it. Additionally, the housing is to have a hollow rod extending from it. Running through the rod is a wire. One end of the wire extends into the housing and holds a weighted member. The other end of the wire is connected to a signalling device for signalling persons of the presence of the liquid sought to be detected. When an expandable absorbent material is placed in the housing and the material detects the presence of a particular liquid, the absorbent material expands. This expansion forces the weighted member to push the wire through the hollow rod so that the signalling device is activated. In a preferred embodiment, underground leakages in oil and/or water tanks may also be detected and signalled to persons in the area.

Abstract: A system for the detection of oil or water leakages having a housing with a plurality of openings. The housing is to have a sufficient volume to permit the expansion of an absorbent material when such is placed within it. Additionally the housing is to have a hollow rod extending from it. Running through the rod is a wire. One end of the wire extends into the housing and holds a weighted member. The other end of the wire is connected to means for signaling persons of the presence of the liquid sought to be detected. When an expandable absorbent material is placed in the housing and the material detects the presence of a particular liquid, the absorbent material expands. This expansion forces the weighted member to push the wire through the hollow rod so that the signaling means are activated. In a modification of the present invention, underground leakages in oil and/or water tanks may also be detected and signaled to persons in the area.

Abstract: A cartridge is made up of a plurality of packet-like members each forming a closed pocket containing a material which expands to many times its dry volume when contacted by liquid water. The packet-like members are arranged superposed on one another with the members secured together as a unit. When the material is contacted by water, the individual packet-like members expand but the members remain together as a unit.

Abstract: A device for detecting water in or for absorbing water from the bottom of a closed tank includes a closed envelope formed of a porous cover material. A filler material which absorbs water but not oil is placed into the envelope. A weighted member is inserted into the envelope along with the water absorbent material so that the envelope will sink to the bottom of the tank. The position of the envelope in the bottom of the tank depends on whether it is used for detecting or absorbing water. Usually these devices are used in closed tanks with openings of limited size. Once a device is used in the tank, it is important to be able to remove it through the tank opening. Preferably, the weighted member is a flat circular disc. The size and shape of the envelope and the amount of absorbent material used within it are such that when the material has completely absorbed as much water as it is capable of holding, the maximum size of the envelope does not exceed the maximum dimension of the weighted member.

Abstract: A temporary plug for plugging a leaking hole in a tank or other vessel containing water; the plug consisting of a porous fabric bag partly filled with a dry powder having the characteristic which, upon getting wet, expands several times its volume so to tightly seal the hole and prevent further leakage.