Patent · US Active

Fluid leak detection and alarm

US8508373B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by

6References

20Claims

0Family size

Inventor

David Rice · Sallandstraat, CR

Key dates

Filing date	May 20, 2011
Grant date	Aug 13, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 23, 2032

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG08B21/20
WIPO fieldControl
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and a device are disclosed for reliably detecting fluid leaks while minimizing false alarms. A leak sensor in proximity of a flat leakage surface, such as a floor area, is used to sense a permittivity of a media, such as water, coming in contact with the leak sensor. Leak is indicated if the sensed permittivity exceeds a permittivity threshold within a predefined time period. The predefined time period indicates a rate threshold that if exceeded indicates relatively fast accumulation of fluid in an air gap between the leak sensor and the leakage surface, precluding or reducing the possibility of false alarm due to gradual increase in environmental humidity or moisture. The air gap defines a fluid volume that is substantially filled before leak is detected.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.