FlowSentry toilet water saver

Abstract

FlowSentry is an apparatus designed to save water in a conventional operating toilet. When the level of water in a toilet tank drops ⅛ of an inch (absent a normal flush) FlowSentry alerts the user of the toilet, by way of an audible alarm, that the toilet is leaking water. FlowSentry only determines that the level of water in the tank has dropped or risen (in an overflow situation), it cannot diagnose the cause of the drop or rise in water level (i.e. leaking flapper, faulty overflow tube, etc.). During the normal flush process the Flow Sentry monitors the time it takes the tank to refill with water and determines if the supply valve has closed properly. If the water level fails to return to normal level in one minute or tank continues to fill exceeding normal level, a continuos audible alarm will sound until corrective action is taken or the 9V battery is exhausted.

1 . The FlowSentry is for use in a toilet of the type having a tank, a flush port, a valve seat, an overflow tube, and a flush handle. Said apparatus is mounted on the overflow tube in the air space between the upper level of the water in the tank and the tank cover. The flowsentry, is comprised of a stainless steel mounting arm, a main deck which is a circuit board on which is mounted an ALARM, a 9-volt battery, an ON DELAY RELAY, A water tight housing for the FLOATING RELAY assembly, a float attached to a float rod, mounted on the exterior of the housing, the floating relay within its housing and a remote supply valve monitor relay.  
   
   
       2 . The FlowSentry described in  claim 1 , has a float attached to a FLOAT ROD ASSEMBLY. The purpose of the FLOAT ROD ASSEMBLY is to detect a drop in the normal water level.  
   
   
       3 . The FLOAT ROD ASSEMBLY, as described in  claim 2  is used to detect when the water in the toilet tank fails to reach its proper level or moves from its proper level. When the water does not reach its desired level after the toilet is flushed or leaves its desired level (thus detecting that the toilet is leaking), the FLOAT ROD ASSEMBLY sends a signal to the SENTRY HOUSING, which in turn initiates the alarm sequence.  
   
   
       4 . The signal sent to the SENTRY HOUSING, as described in  claim 3 , is initiated when there is an occurrence of downward movement of ⅛″. When this happens, the SENTRY RELAY sends two separate signals to the ALARM. One signal goes directly to the ALARM. The second signal goes to the ALARM via a one minute ON DELAY RELAY. During a normal flush operation, a split second alarm will sound, indicating that the device is working and that the battery is functional.  
   
   
       5 . In the event of a silent or slow leak, the first signal sent to the ALARM will last for the time interval it takes for the water level to drop another ⅛″. The ON DELAY RELAY is now also receiving a signal and within 1-minute, if still active, will sound a full alarm.  
   
   
       6 . The FlowSentry also has a SUPPLY VALVE MONITOR that detects when the supply valve fails to close properly and water is entering the overflow tube from the toilet tank. In this situation (an overflow in the toilet tank), an alarm will sound until corrective action is taken or the battery is exhausted.  
   
   
       7 . The FlowSentry described in the above claims can be utilized in any conventional household or commercial toilet and provides the ability to alert the toilet's owner when the toilet is leaking, thereby compelling the owner of the toilet to take corrective action. By doing so, the owner of the toilet will save water.