Abstract: A pilot operated shutoff valve system with leak detector for automatically shutting off a water supply to appliances such as a clothes washing machine, dishwashing machine, sink, toilet, or refrigerator equipped with an ice maker, comprising a sealing member movable within said valve body between an open position wherein the sealing member does not block main fluid flow, and a closed position wherein the sealing member blocks main fluid flow.

Abstract: A sensor for indicating moisture, comprising a unit whose conductivity is dependent on the current moisture exposure and an electric circuit, the unit being included as a component in the electric circuit and the electric circuit being activable by applying an electric field and/or a magnetic field over the same to generate a measurable signal, which is dependent on the total resistance of the circuit. The unit comprises an enzyme together with a substrate, which enzyme is activated when moisture exposure occurs to catalyse a reaction with the substrate that is dependent on the degree of moisture exposure, the substrate reaction product increasing the conductivity of the unit. The invention also relates to the use of such a sensor and a method of using a sensor to indicate moisture.

Abstract: A rain sensor for use with an irrigation control system includes a position sensing element. A moisture absorptive element is supported for receiving rainfall. An actuating element is mechanically connected to the moisture absorptive element for movement adjacent the position sensing element as the moisture absorptive element expands and contracts to thereby induce a change in the position sensing element that can be used to generate an interrupt signal without any mechanical connection between the moisture absorptive element and the position sensing element.

Abstract: A water protection system apparatus for detecting and stopping a flow of water which includes a power supply, a water ionization switch, and a controlled valve assembly. The water ionization switch selectively conducts electricity when exposed to water and includes an initially dry non-conductive crystallized compound. The compound ionizes when exposed to water to form an electrolyte which conducts electricity. This switch is connected to a controlled valve assembly to stop the flow of water in response to the detection of water by the switch. Other refinements include modifications to the switch housing and condition indicators for monitoring the system and signaling water detection and shutdown operations.

Abstract: A tape-drive condensation sensor includes a probe with first and second spaced-apart electrodes that define a passage for air flow within a pneumatic conduit. A voltage source is coupled between the electrodes and the voltage of the source and the spacing between the electrodes are adapted to pass a current when a drop of condensation forms between the electrodes. An alarm circuit is activated by the flow of current, the alarm being adapted to signal an event of discernible condensation.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to delay closure of an electrical circuit of a battery-powered electrical device, intended to operate remotely in an environment in which the pH value changes from one value to another. Two electrical contacts of an electrical circuit are separated by an insulator that holds the circuit open until the device is exposed to an environment having a predetermined pH value. Exposure of the insulator to an environment having that pH value causes the insulator to dissolve and the circuit to close, energizing the device. Alternatively, A Hall effect transistor or a reed switch may be used as the switch. It is held open by the presence of a magnetic field held in place by material that is dissolvable at a predetermined pH level. When a region having that pH level is reached, the material dissolves and the circuit closes.

Abstract: An elongated sensor is provided for detecting the presence of a liquid in an electronics system. The sensor includes an elongated sensor element having a pair of adjacent electrical conductors, and a liquid permeable material that when dry electrically insulates the conductors, and when wet with a liquid at any point along the length of the conductors allows electric coupling of the conductors. The sensor also includes a detector operable to detect the presence of the liquid by sensing the electrical coupling of the conductors.

Abstract: A liquid flow meter (50), including a microcontroller (60) and associated algorithm, monitors urine flow through a cartridge trap (20). Measuring the duration of such flow and the number of times the urinal is used will determine, in accordance with preset criteria, when servicing or replacement is needed, and alerts a service person to that effect by a warning light (68) or other signal. Because urine has a high mineral content, it is electrically conductive, effective to complete circuits between closely spaced metal contacts (62a-62c, 64a-64c) coupled to the PROM, which allows the manner and existence of the urine to be detected. The liquid flow meter is installed in the cartridge trap by utilizing and placing a split ball stem (52) located at the base of the meter into a mounting hole (42) located in the center of the drain holes (36) on the cartridge cover (26).

Abstract: A leakage response system for an appliance includes a leakage sensor which is operative to change an electrical parameter upon contact by a conductive liquid, a controller circuit electrically coupled with the strip for generating an activation signal in response to contact of the strip by a conductive liquid and a response device coupled with the controller circuit and activated by the signal. The sensor includes a mat which is constructed of top and bottom outer layers of electrically conductive fabric separated by a central nonconductive fabric layer; and a pair of fusing layers fusing the top and bottom layers to the central nonconductive layer. The sensor may also include a pair of conductive pins for installation into a surface for detecting moisture hidden within the surface. The response device may include an audible alarm and/or a valve for shutting off the water flow in the appliance water supply line.

Abstract: A water-immersed switch which does not conduct electricity in the absence of a dielectric liquid, such as water, and which conducts electricity in the presence of the dielectric liquid. The water-immersed switch includes a modified copolymer containing acrylonitrile and at least one of styrene and/or a conjugated diene, as constituent units, and acidic groups introduced into said modified copolymer, and a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes.

Abstract: A water detection system for detecting water and activating an alarm is provided. The water detection system includes an alarm relay and a water sensor. The water sensor includes a solid state switching and amplifying circuit for detecting low levels of current flow and amplifying the signal to activate the alarm relay. In one embodiment, the water detection system further includes an alarm panel, including visual and audible alarms activated by the alarm relay. In one embodiment, the water detection system includes multiple water sensors for providing zone protection. In one embodiment, the alarm relay is configured to shut-down the device causing the presence of water. A method for implementation of the water detection system is also provided.

Abstract: A device for detecting leaks in membranes, etc., for liquid media, whereby the membrane is provided, over at least one partial area of its surface extension, with at least one electrical conductor that produces a change in a measurement signal of the electrical resistance of the conductor when a change occurs on the membrane surface, the membrane being provided with a swellable nonwoven that joins or separates the conductors when influenced by the liquid.

Abstract: A low-cost leak sensor that prevents leakage current from flowing between electrodes when moisture is deposited. A leak sensor is formed on an insulating substrate. The leak sensor has a through hole having a pair of opposed walls with a predetermined space. The opposed walls are provided with conducting films. On the opening of the through hole in the insulating substrate, a pair of lands are connected electrically with the pair of conducting films. A pair of wiring patterns are connected electrically with the pair of lands on the insulating substrate.

Abstract: An elongated sensor is provided for detecting the presence of a liquid in an electronics system. The sensor includes an elongated sensor element having a pair of adjacent electrical conductors, and a liquid permeable material that when dry electrically insulates the conductors, and when wet with a liquid at any point along the length of the conductors allows electric coupling of the conductors. The sensor also includes a detector operable to detect the presence of the liquid by sensing the electrical coupling of the conductors.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to delay closure of an electrical circuit of a battery-powered electrical device, intended to operate remotely in an environment in which the pH value changes from one value to another. More specifically, two electrical contacts, at least one being movable, of a normally closed electrical circuit, connecting a battery in series with a battery-powered electrical device, are separated by a material that holds the circuit open until the device is exposed to an environment having a specified pH value. Exposure of the material to an environment having that specified pH value causes the material to dissolve. The dissolving of the material causes the circuit to close, energizing the device.

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a water-immersed switch which does not conduct electricity in the absence of a dielectric liquid, such as water, and which conducts electricity in the presence of the dielectric liquid. The water-immersed switch includes a modified copolymer containing acrylonitrile and at least one of styrene and/or a conjugated diene, as constituent units, and acidic groups introduced into said modified copolymer, and a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes.

Abstract: A wetness monitoring system for a disposable diaper includes an elongated compliant sensor installable within the front portion of the diaper and having an inner conductive layer, a hydrophilic porous middle layer containing a water-soluble ionizable salt, and an outer conductive layer. The several layers are non-conductively interbonded at discontinuous sites. The upper extremity of the sensor provides electrical connector terminals. When urine contacts the sensor, the salt dissolves to form a highly conductive volume of solution that causes an electrical short circuit between inner and outer layers. The short circuit enables a low voltage direct current to activate an alarm mechanism.

Abstract: A micro-switch is mounted within a housing and is electrically connectable to an irrigation controller. The switch has a spring biased actuating lever pivotable between ON and OFF positions. A single disc made of a hygroscopic material is mounted within the housing adjacent the inner end of the lever for absorbing rainfall and rapidly expanding a sufficient amount to move the actuating lever from its ON position to its OFF position to thereby cause the watering program of the irrigation controller to be interrupted. A stack of moisture absorptive discs made of the same hygroscopic material is mounted in the housing adjacent an outer end of the lever. When the stack of discs receives rainfall it slowly expands and maintains the actuating lever in its OFF position after the single hygroscopic disc has dried and contracted to ensure that watering is not re-initiated too soon after a storm.

Abstract: A micro-switch is mounted within a housing and is electrically connectable to an irrigation controller. The switch has a spring biased actuating lever pivotable between ON and OFF positions. A single disc made of a hygroscopic material is mounted within the housing adjacent the inner end of the lever for absorbing rainfall and rapidly expanding a sufficient amount to move the actuating lever from its ON position to its OFF position to thereby cause the watering program of the irrigation controller to be interrupted. A stack of moisture absorptive discs made of the same hygroscopic material is mounted in the housing adjacent an outer end of the lever. When the stack of discs receives rainfall it slowly expands and maintains the actuating lever in its OFF position after the single hygroscopic disc has dried and contracted to ensure that watering is not re-initiated too soon after a storm.

Abstract: A fail-safe leak detection and flood prevention apparatus includes an induced current, transconductive darlington amplifier and tuned-frequency standing water detector mounted at a lowest point of a potential leak plane for sensing variations of standing water conditions on the potential leak plane, and an induced current amplifier in communication with the standing water detector. A sensitivity control device for controlling sensitivity of the standing water detector for humidity, or dampness, level and for detecting a standing water leak; the sensitivity control device being in communication with the induced current amplifier. A latching relay driver connected to the sensitivity control device with the latching relay driver being able to memorize a leak condition when electrical power is lost. A control rectifier driven by the latching relay driver, with the control rectifier driving a 120-volt AC line voltage load.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus which will detect the presence of moisture at floor level—such as on a basement floor—or below floor level—such as the level of water in a sump. The apparatus is battery powered and foldable, with a pair of moisture sensing electrodes located at the end of a sensor arm that is hingedly connected to a base. A mast is hingedly connected at the other end of the base, and in its erected condition, all of the operating and alarm circuits of the moisture sensing apparatus are located at a distance above the floor. When the sensor arm extends downwardly into a sump, if the moisture rises in the sump well higher than a predetermined level, an alarm will be given.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic system for automatically rolling down power windows and unlatching power door locks of a motor vehicle in the event of an accident. The electronic system has a vehicle immersion detecting device for triggering an operation thereof. The vehicle immersion detecting device consists of a diode connected to a circuit board in a reverse biased mode. The diode has a pair of lead wires connected to the circuit board. These lead wires are usable for detecting water there-between and for triggering a vehicle immersion condition.