Water heater fail safe apparatus
US6543471B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7488
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for automatically shutting off a water supply to a leaking water heater includes a water-collecting tray adapted to be positioned beneath a water heater, and a float mechanism removably attachable to the tray. The float mechanism has a float adapted to reside within the tray. An arm extends from the float, and terminates in a trigger extremity located outside the tray. The trigger extremity is positioned to push upwardly upon a holding block that secures an extremity of a coil spring. The holding block also secures a tether that extends to an operating lever of a water shut-off valve. When the float rises in the tank, it causes the trigger extremity to release the coil spring in tensioned state from the holding block. Such action pulls the operating lever downwardly, causing shut-off of the water supply.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.