Water leak detector and shutoff

Abstract

One or more microprocessor-operated flow control devices are connected to one or more waterlines to shut off flow of water if a leak detector measures any water leakage. The one or more flow control devices are operated to shut off water flow upon the water leak detector sensing leakage and sending an electrical or an RF signal to microprocessors in housings. An electric motor is actuated in each housing to drive a gear train to close a normally-open valve and shut off water flow through the one or more waterlines. The present invention is an easily-added-on, simplified device for use with any waterline to prevent damage and the wasting of water through leakage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A combination water flow control and leak detecting device for a waterline, comprising: 
 a leak detection assembly adapted to be secured adjacent a floor under a waterline;    a leak detector sensor secured to the leak detection assembly and mounted on the floor; and    means for connecting the leak detector sensor to a motor-actuated, normally-open valve held in a housing mounted in a waterline, to control the flow of water through the waterline.    
     
     
         2 . The water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 1 , further including a warning-sounding speaker, and a plurality of actuating switches in the housing.  
     
     
         3 . The water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 2  wherein a plurality of waterlines have motor-actuated, normally-open valves held in housings mounted in the plurality of waterlines.  
     
     
         4 . The water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 3  wherein a first of the plurality of actuating switches is to shut off the warning sounding speaker.  
     
     
         5 . The water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 4 , further including a plurality of light indicators in the housing.  
     
     
         6 . The water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 1  wherein the motor-actuated, normally-open valve has a gear drive mounted between an electrical motor and a rotary valve element in the housing.  
     
     
         7 . The water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 6  wherein there are a plurality of waterlines with a plurality of motor-actuated, normally-open valves having gear drives therein.  
     
     
         8 . A combination water flow control and water leak detecting device held in a waterline, comprising: 
 a leak detector assembly releasably secured to a floor below the waterline;    a microprocessor motor-operated, normally-open valve, including a gear drive and an electrical power source held in a housing, connected in the waterline to control the flow of water therethrough; and    means for connecting the leak sensor assembly to the microprocessor.    
     
     
         9 . The combination water flow control and water leak detecting device of  claim 8  wherein the leak detector assembly includes a leak sensor and a transmitter for transmitting an RF signal to the microprocessor motor-operated, normally-open valve, if the leak sensor detects a leak, to close the valve.  
     
     
         10 . The combination water flow control and water leak detecting device of  claim 8 , further including a warning-sounding speaker, and a plurality of actuating switches in the housing, and wherein the means for connecting the leak sensor assembly is electrical or RF.  
     
     
         11 . The combination water flow control and water leak detecting device of  claim 10  wherein a first of the plurality of actuating switches is to open the valve in the housing.  
     
     
         12 . The combination water flow control and water leak detecting device of  claim 10  wherein a second of the plurality of actuating switches is to shut off the warning sounding speaker.  
     
     
         13 . The combination water flow control and water leak detecting device of  claim 10 , further including a plurality of light indicators in the housing.  
     
     
         14 . The combination water flow control and water leak detecting device of  claim 13  wherein the motor-actuated, normally-open valve has a gear drive mounted between an electrical motor and a rotary valve element.  
     
     
         15 . The combination water flow control and water leak detecting device of  claim 14  wherein there are a plurality of waterlines, each having a motor-actuated, normally-open valve with a gear drive mounted therein.  
     
     
         16 . A combination water flow control and leak detecting device for at least a one waterline, comprising: 
 a leak sensor assembly mounted adjacent a floor under the at least one waterline and being electrically or RF connected to a housing; and    the housing having a gear driven motor-actuated, normally-open valve, connected between a microprocessor and a power source and a low battery indicator, adapted to be held in the at least one waterline to control the flow of water through the at least one waterline.    
     
     
         17 . The combination water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 16  wherein the water leak detector includes a transmitter for transmitting an RF signal to the microprocessor and to at least one further receiver.  
     
     
         18 . The combination water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 17  wherein there are a plurality of waterlines with housings therein, and each housing includes a warning-sounding speaker, and a pair of actuating switches.  
     
     
         19 . The combination water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 18  wherein a first of the pair of actuating switches is to open the valve in the housing; and a second of the pair of actuating switches is to shut off the warning sounding speaker.  
     
     
         20 . The combination water flow control and leak detecting device of  claim 17 , further including a “low battery” LED and a leak alarm LED in the housing, and wherein the motor-actuated, normally-open valve has a gear drive mounted between an electrical motor and a rotary valve element.