Toilet leak prevention system

Abstract

A toilet leak preventing system comprising a conventional toilet, having attached thereto a sensing device able to detect sound or vibration from a leaking toilet, and having means to close the water supply to the toilet after a predetermined time interval.

1 . A toilet leak prevention system comprising an acoustical or vibration sensing and controlling apparatus attached to, or near a toilet, able to detect the sound or structure-born vibration caused by water leaking out of a toilet tank into the toilet bowl, wherein the controlling apparatus being able to communicate a signal to a shut-off device terminating further flow of water into the toilet tank. 
     
     
         2 . A toilet leak prevention system as in  claim 1 , wherein the acoustical sensing apparatus incorporates a microphone capable of detecting the sound of escaping water from a toilet tank. 
     
     
         3 . A toilet leak prevention system as in  claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensing apparatus incorporates an accelerometer capable of detecting the structure-born vibrations caused by escaping water from a toilet tank. 
     
     
         4 . A toilet leak prevention system as in  claim 2 , wherein the controlling apparatus incorporates a device limiting the frequency response of said microphone. 
     
     
         5 . A toilet leak prevention system as in  claim 1 , wherein said controlling apparatus incorporates a timing device filtering out signals from the sound or vibration sensing device, unless the time typical for the normal toilet flushing has passed. 
     
     
         6 . A toilet leak prevention system as in  claim 1 , incorporating a relay or other switching device able to activate an electrically operated shut-off valve, once the controlling apparatus senses a leak, in order to prevent any further water from discharging into a toilet tank. 
     
     
         7 . A toilet leak prevention system as in  claim 1 , wherein the controlling apparatus furthermore includes a battery serving as power supply for the electrical elements in my controlling apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . A toilet leak prevention system as in  claim 6 , wherein the system includes a manually operated switch capable to interrupt a signal from the relay or switching device to the electrically operated shut-off valve, in order to restore a normal flushing mode of the toilet.