Patent ID: 7880623
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A leak detector apparatus for use on a floor or other flat surface and in conjunction with an appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source, the leak detector apparatus comprising: a multiple-link sensor shaped and dimensioned to rest atop the floor and to be positioned beside or around the appliance, plumbing fixture or other potential water leak source, the multiple-link sensor comprising two or more link bodies linked together; each link body includes at least two spaced apart elongate sensor elements extending longitudinally along the link body, the sensor elements comprising sensor blades, with the sensor blades standing substantially on edge and extending substantially between end portions of the link bodies to form a substantially continuous sensor assembly along the individual link bodies, said sensor blades also extending completely through the link body in a vertical direction such that the sensor blades are exposed above and below the link body, and wherein the sensor elements are operative to sense the presence of water on the floor or water falling on the link body from above, and with the link bodies linked together the individual substantially continuous sensor assemblies of the individual link bodies are linked to one another; and an electronics module associated with the sensor elements and electrically coupled thereto for triggering an alert in response to the presence of water on the floor.