System and Method for Run-On Detection

Abstract

A system for detection of water in a conduit includes a casing attached to the conduit on an exterior of the conduit, a sensor assembly supported by the casing and configured to sense a presence of water within the conduit, and an electronic component contained within the casing. The sensor assembly includes a first probe and a second probe, each having a probe contact accessible within the casing and extending into an interior of the conduit to be exposed in the interior of the conduit. The first probe and the second probe are spaced from each other and electrically isolated from each other. The electronic component is connected to the first probe contact and the second probe contact to place the electronic component in electronic communication with the first probe and the second probe. The conduit may be a vacuum breaker tube positioned between a valve and a plumbing fixture.

1 . A system for detection of water in a conduit, comprising:
 a casing configured to be attached to the conduit on an exterior of the conduit;   a sensor assembly supported by the casing and configured to sense a presence of water within the conduit, the sensor assembly comprising a first probe having a first probe contact accessible within the casing, the first probe configured to extend into an interior of the conduit to be exposed in the interior of the conduit, and a second probe having a second probe contact accessible within the casing, the second probe configured to extend into the interior of the conduit to be exposed in the interior of the conduit, wherein the first probe and the second probe are spaced from each other and electrically isolated from each other;   an electronic component contained within the casing and connected to the first probe contact and the second probe contact to place the electronic component in electronic communication with the first probe and the second probe.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises a main casing configured to be attached to the conduit and supporting the sensor assembly, and a secondary casing removably connected to the main casing, wherein the secondary casing contains the electronic component. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a first contact and a second contact supported by the secondary casing and electronically connected to the electronic component, wherein the first contact and the second contact are positioned to engage the first probe contact and the second probe contact when the secondary casing is connected to the main casing, thereby placing the first probe and the second probe in electronic communication with the electronic component. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the main casing has a slot on an outer side thereof, and the secondary casing has a projection on an inner side thereof, and wherein the secondary casing is removably connected to the main casing by the projection being received in the slot. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the slot and the projection are oriented horizontally, and the secondary casing is removably connected to the main casing by the projection sliding horizontally into the slot. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the main casing has a central passage configured to receive the conduit therethrough, such that the main casing is configured to extend around the conduit, and the main casing comprises two pieces joined together, with each of the two pieces defining a portion of the central passage. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a sensor body having a first passage and a second passage therethrough, the second passage spaced from the first passage, the sensor body comprising an outer portion configured to be positioned on an exterior of the conduit and a projection configured to extend through a hole in the conduit and into an interior of the conduit, and wherein the first probe and the second probe are received through the first passage and the second passage, respectively, and configured to be exposed in the interior of the conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the outer portion is wider than the projection and configured to permit sealing of the outer portion around the hole. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the casing has an inner wall configured to confront an exterior of the conduit and an opening in the inner wall receiving a portion of the outer portion of the sensor body, and wherein the inner wall of the casing is recessed around the opening to receive a lip of the outer portion of the sensor body, such that the lip of the sensor body is configured to be received between the inner wall of the casing and the exterior of the conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component comprises a power source configured to deliver power to the sensor assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of electronic components, including the electronic component, contained within the casing, wherein the plurality of electronic components comprise a power source, a processor, a memory, and a communication device configured for communication with an external device. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly comprising the system of  claim 1  and the conduit, wherein the conduit is configured to allow passage of water between a valve and a plumbing fixture, further comprising a restrictor tray positioned within the interior of the conduit, adjacent to the first probe and the second probe, wherein the restrictor tray comprises a vessel configured to collect the water flowing through the conduit and to restrict a rate of the water exiting the vessel to a sufficient degree to permit the first probe and the second probe to contact the water during a low flow run-on condition. 
     
     
         13 . A vacuum breaker assembly for use with a plumbing fixture and a valve configured to control discharge of water through an outlet and into the plumbing fixture, the vacuum breaker assembly comprising:
 a vacuum breaker tube configured to be connected in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve, between the valve and the plumbing fixture, the vacuum breaker tube having a wall and defining an interior to receive the discharge of the water from the outlet;   a vacuum breaker sleeve received within the vacuum breaker tube and fixed in position within the vacuum breaker tube, the vacuum breaker sleeve defining an inner passage, such that water discharged through the outlet is configured to flow through the vacuum breaker tube and the inner passage of the vacuum breaker sleeve to the plumbing fixture;   a vacuum breaker supported by the vacuum breaker sleeve and positioned within the inner passage of the vacuum breaker sleeve, wherein the vacuum breaker is configured to prevent backflow of water from the plumbing fixture into the valve; and   a sensor assembly configured to sense a presence of water within the vacuum breaker tube and comprising a first probe extending through the wall of the vacuum breaker tube and into the interior of the vacuum breaker tube to be exposed in the interior of the vacuum breaker tube, and a second probe extending through the wall of the vacuum breaker tube and into the interior of the vacuum breaker tube to be exposed in the interior of the vacuum breaker tube, wherein the first probe and the second probe are spaced from each other and electrically isolated from each other.   
     
     
         14 . The vacuum breaker assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a casing attached to the wall of the vacuum breaker tube and positioned on an exterior of the vacuum breaker tube, wherein the casing supports the first probe and the second probe of the sensor assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum breaker assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising an electronic component contained within the casing and connected to the first probe and the second probe to place the electronic component in electronic communication with the first probe and the second probe. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum breaker assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the casing comprises a main casing attached to the vacuum breaker tube and supporting the sensor assembly, and a secondary casing removably connected to the main casing, wherein the secondary casing contains the electronic component. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum breaker assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the casing has a central passage configured to receive the vacuum breaker tube therethrough, such that the casing is configured to extend around the vacuum breaker tube. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum breaker assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a sensor body having a first passage and a second passage therethrough, the second passage spaced from the first passage, the sensor body comprising an outer portion positioned on an exterior of the wall of the vacuum breaker tube and a projection extending through a hole in the wall of the vacuum breaker tube and into the interior of the vacuum breaker tube, and wherein the first probe and the second probe are received through the first passage and the second passage, respectively, and are exposed in the interior of the vacuum breaker tube. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum breaker assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a restrictor tray positioned within the interior of the vacuum breaker tube, adjacent to the first probe and the second probe, wherein the restrictor tray comprises a vessel configured to collect the water flowing through the vacuum breaker tube and to restrict a rate of the water exiting the vessel to a sufficient degree to permit the first probe and the second probe to contact the water during a low flow run-on condition. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A sensor for detecting presence of water in a conduit, comprising:
 a sensor body having a first passage and a second passage therethrough, the second passage spaced from the first passage, the sensor body comprising an outer portion configured to be positioned on an exterior of the conduit and a projection configured to extend through a hole in the conduit and into an interior of the conduit, wherein the outer portion is wider than the projection to permit sealing of the outer portion around the hole, the sensor body comprising an insulative material located between the first passage and the second passage;   a first probe received in the first passage and having a first probe contact accessible at the outer portion of the sensor body, the first probe extending through the first passage and configured to be exposed in the interior of the conduit; and   a second probe received in the second passage and having a second probe contact accessible at the outer portion of the sensor body, the second probe extending through the second passage and configured to be exposed in the interior of the conduit,   wherein the insulative material of the sensor body electrically isolates the first probe from the second probe when the first and second probes are received in the first and second passages, respectively.   
     
     
         22 - 33 . (canceled)