Abstract:
A domestic water leak and humidity detection and control apparatus to monitor and detect water leaks and to alert a user by an aural buzzer and by illuminated green, red, or yellow LEDs of an operative state of the apparatus incorporates one or more sensor sets, each sensor set having one or more leak detectors connected to a central controller; the central controller having for each sensor set a respective comparator set and a respective LED set, and the central controller connected to and controlling the aural buzzer and controlling a water valve to control water leaks originating from a domestic water supply by electrically controlling the water valve.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/254,043, filed Feb. 10, 2003, now abandoned, entitled DOMESTIC WATER LEAK AUTOMATIC DETECTION AND CONTROL. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In modern society, efforts are ongoing to prevent or lessen environmental impacts to homes resulting from unwanted water leaks or excess humidity in a respective home from outside sources or from a leaking domestic water supply system in the home. 
     The present invention relates to a novel domestic water leak and humidity detection and control apparatus  8  having at least a first sensor set  10  having at least one leak detector  12  connected to a central controller; the central controller having at least a first comparator set  14  associated with a first LED set  70  and the first comparator set having a cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1  and having a cumulating water valve contact V 2 . In operation, either a high voltage state or a low voltage state exists at said buzzer contact V 1  and either a high voltage state or a low voltage state exists at said water valve contact V 2 ; the respective voltage states control an aural buzzer  136  and control a water valve  184 . 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A principal objective of the present invention is making available to users a domestic water leak and humidity detection and control apparatus that is robust, durable, and easy to use; is inexpensive to manufacture; and is easy to emplace in a home or other structure or location to monitor and detect unwanted water leaks and to alert the user by an aural buzzer and by illuminated green, red, or yellow LEDs of the operative state of the apparatus and to control water leaks originating from a domestic water supply by electrically controlling a water valve emplaced in the domestic water supply. 
     Additional objectives of the present invention are to provide a robust apparatus that will monitor specific selective locations for water leaks, humidity, or water presence and to provide an apparatus that does not require any field adjustments by an installer of the apparatus or by a home owner or other user of the apparatus and that is more convenient and easier to use than prior art domestic water leak detection systems. 
     The invention is a novel domestic water leak and humidity detection and control apparatus  8  having at least a first sensor set  10  having at least one leak detector  12  connected to a central controller; the central controller having at least a first comparator set  14  and at least a first LED set  70 ; the apparatus powered by a power supply; and the central controller connected to and controlling an aural buzzer  136  and a water valve  184 . 
     One or more leak detectors  12  form a sensor set and in the best embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are six sensor sets  10 ,  2010 ,  3010 ,  4010 ,  5010 , and  6010  connected to a central controller and the central controller controls the aural buzzer and the water valve. In the central controller, each sensor set is connected to a respective comparator set and each such comparator set is connected to a respective LED set. Each comparator set controls an associated LED set and the cumulative output of the comparator sets in the central controller controls an aural buzzer and also controls an electrical water valve. 
     In the best embodiment, the central controller is a printed circuit board having components connected by traces. 
     Leak detectors  12  can be placed at selected locations throughout a home or other structure or location to enable the apparatus to monitor for the presence of unwanted water or water leaks. 
     In the best embodiment of the invention in a home, one or more leak detectors would be distributed throughout the home and placed in each location that a user considered at risk of suffering from a water leak or unwanted water such as in close proximity: to appliances that interact with water (water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and ice makers), to sinks, to bathtubs, to showers, to toilets, to faucets, to bidets, and to other selected locations such as attics, crawl spaces, garages, or basements or other selected areas of the home. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a leak detector  12  that after having detected a leak and being wet can be easily reconditioned and restored to an operative dry condition. 
     Additional and various other objects and advantages attained by the invention will become more apparent as the specification is read and the accompanying figures are reviewed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overall block diagram of a domestic water leak and humidity detection and control apparatus  8 ; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified block diagram of the domestic water leak and humidity detection and control apparatus  8  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of a preferred leak detector  12 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective assembled view of the leak detector  12  shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic circuit diagram of a first embodiment of the domestic water leak and humidity detection and control apparatus  8  shown in  FIG. 1  having at least a first sensor set  10  operatively connected to a first comparator set  14 , the first comparator set having a first comparator  46 , a second comparator  52 , a third comparator  58 , and a fourth comparator  64  and the first comparator set operatively connected to a first LED set  70 , the first LED set having a green LED circuit  72 , a yellow LED circuit  94 , and a red LED circuit  114 ; and showing a fourth comparator output  124  of the fourth comparator controlling an aural buzzer  136  and a water valve  184  and showing a cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1  and a cumulating water valve contact V 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic circuit diagram of a second sensor set  2010  operatively connected to a second comparator set  2014 , the second comparator set having a first comparator  2046 , a second comparator  2052 , a third comparator  2058 , and a fourth comparator  2064  and the second comparator set operatively connected to a second LED set  2070 , the second LED set having a green LED circuit  2072 , a yellow LED circuit  2094 , and a red LED circuit  2114 ; and showing the cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1  and the cumulating water valve contact V 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic circuit diagram of a third sensor set  3010  operatively connected to a third comparator set  3014 , the third comparator set having a first comparator  3046 , a second comparator  3052 , a third comparator  3058 , and a fourth comparator  3064  and the third comparator set operatively connected to a third LED set  3070 , the third LED set having a green LED circuit  3072 , a yellow LED circuit  3094 , and a red LED circuit  3114 ; and showing the cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1  and the cumulating water valve contact V 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic circuit diagram of a fourth sensor set  4010  operatively connected to a fourth comparator set  4014 , the fourth comparator set having a first comparator  4046 , a second comparator  4052 , a third comparator  4058 , and a fourth comparator  4064  and the fourth comparator set operatively connected to a fourth LED set  4070 , the fourth LED set having a green LED circuit  4072 , a yellow LED circuit  4094 , and a red LED circuit  4114 ; and showing the cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1  and the cumulating water valve contact V 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic circuit diagram of a fifth sensor set  5010  operatively connected to a fifth comparator set  5014 , the fifth comparator set having a first comparator  5046 , a second comparator  5052 , a third comparator  5058 , and a fourth comparator  5064  and the fifth comparator set operatively connected to a fifth LED set  5070 , the fifth LED set having a green LED circuit  5072 , a yellow LED circuit  5094 , and a red LED circuit  5114 ; and showing the cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1  and the cumulating water valve contact V 2 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic circuit diagram of a sixth sensor set  6010  operatively connected to a sixth comparator set  6014 , the sixth comparator set having a first comparator  6046 , a second comparator  6052 , a third comparator  6058 , and a fourth comparator  6064  and the sixth comparator set operatively connected to a sixth LED set  6070 , the sixth LED set having a green LED circuit  6072 , a yellow LED circuit  6094 , and a red LED circuit  6114 ; and showing the cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1  and the cumulating water valve contact V 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  to  9 , show the preferred embodiment of the water leak detection and control apparatus  8 . The preferred embodiment has six sensor sets, each sensor set operatively associated with a respective comparator set, each comparator set operatively associated with a respective LED set and the voltage state at the cumulating aural buzzer V 1  controlling the aural buzzer  136  and the voltage state at the cumulating water valve contact V 2  controlling the water valve. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , preferably, each leak detector  12  comprises a first conductive metal grid  20  overlaid by a porous insulating layer  22  that previously was impregnated with a sodium chloride solution or another salt solution and dried and the insulating layer overlaid by a second conductive metal grid  24 ; the grids and the insulating layer are sandwiched within a porous sleeve  26 . Preferably, the porous insulating layer  22  and the porous sleeve  26  are fabricated from porous felt or other suitable fabric or material. 
     For each leak detector  12  in each sensor set  10 ,  2010 ,  3010 ,  4010 ,  5010 ,  6010 , the respective first conductive metal grid  20  is connected to a respective first wire  28 ,  2028 ,  3028 ,  4028 ,  5028 ,  6028  and the first wire at one end is connected to a ground trace  30  of the central controller and the respective second conductive metal grid  24  is connected to a respective second wire  32 ,  2032 ,  3032 ,  4032 ,  5032 ,  6032  and the second wire is connected at one end to a respective signal voltage trace  34 ,  2034 ,  3034 ,  4034 ,  5034 ,  6034  of the central controller; a respective terminating resistor  38 ,  2038 ,  3038 ,  4038 ,  5038 ,  6038  connects the other end of the first wire to the other end of the second wire; the respective signal voltage trace is connected in series to a respective signal voltage resistor  36 ,  2036 ,  3036 ,  4036 ,  5036 ,  6036  and the signal voltage resistor is connected in series to a 15v source voltage of the central controller; and the terminating resistor has the same resistance as the signal voltage resistor. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the central controller has a 15v source voltage and has two reference voltages of 10v and 5v in the best embodiment generated by a set of three voltage divider resistors  40 ,  42 , and  44 ; each voltage divider resistor having the same resistance connected in series between the 15v source voltage and ground. 
     In each comparator set  14 ,  2014 ,  3014 ,  4014 ,  5014 ,  6014 , a respective first comparator  46 ,  2046 ,  3046 ,  4046 ,  5046 ,  6046  has a first comparator negative input pin  48 ,  2048 ,  3048 ,  4048 ,  5048 ,  6048  which is connected to the 5v reference voltage and a first comparator positive input pin  50 ,  2050 ,  3050 ,  4050 ,  5050 ,  6050  which is connected to the respective signal voltage trace  34 ,  2034 ,  3034 ,  4034 ,  5034 ,  6034  associated with the respective sensor set. 
     In each comparator set  14 ,  2014 ,  3014 ,  4014 ,  5014 ,  6014 , a respective second comparator  52 ,  2052 ,  3052 ,  4052 ,  5052 ,  6052  has a second comparator negative input pin  54 ,  2054 ,  3054 ,  4054 ,  5054 ,  6054  which is connected to the respective signal voltage trace  34 ,  2034 ,  3034 ,  4034 ,  5034 ,  6034  associated with the respective sensor set and a second comparator positive input pin  56 ,  2056 ,  3056 ,  4056 ,  5056 ,  6056  which is connected to the 10v reference voltage. 
     In each comparator set  14 ,  2014 ,  3014 ,  4014 ,  5014 ,  6014 , a respective third comparator  58 ,  2058 ,  3058 ,  4058 ,  5058 ,  6058  has a third comparator negative input pin  60 ,  2060 ,  3060 ,  4060 ,  5060 ,  6060  which is connected to the 10v reference voltage and a third comparator positive input pin  62 ,  2062 ,  3062 ,  4062 ,  5062 ,  6062  which is connected to the respective signal voltage trace  34 ,  2034 ,  3034 ,  4034 ,  5034 ,  6034  associated with the respective sensor set. 
     In each comparator set  14 ,  2014 ,  3014 ,  4014 ,  5014 ,  6014 , a respective fourth comparator  64 ,  2064 ,  3064 ,  4064 ,  5064 ,  6064  has a fourth comparator negative input pin  66 ,  2066 ,  3066 ,  4066 ,  5066 ,  6066  which is connected to the respective signal voltage trace  34 ,  2034 ,  3034 ,  4034 ,  5034 ,  6034  associated with the respective sensor set and a fourth comparator positive input pin  68 ,  2068 ,  3068 ,  4068 ,  5068 ,  6068  which is connected to the 5v reference voltage. 
     Each LED set  70 ,  2070 ,  3070 ,  4070 ,  5070 ,  6070  has respectively a green LED, a yellow LED, and a red LED; and each LED is controlled by a respective LED circuit. 
     In each respective LED set  70 ,  2070 ,  3070 ,  4070 ,  5070 ,  6070 , a green LED circuit  72 ,  2072 ,  3072 ,  4072 ,  5072 ,  6072  has a green LED  74 ,  2074 ,  3074 ,  4074 ,  5074 ,  6074  with an associated green LED current limiting resistor  76 ,  2076 ,  3076 ,  4076 ,  5076 ,  6076 ; a green LED inverting driver  78 ,  2078 ,  3078 ,  4078 ,  5078 ,  6078 ; a green LED pull-up resistor  80 ,  2080 ,  3080 ,  4080 ,  5080 ,  6080  connected from the 15v source voltage to a first comparator output pin  82 ,  2082 ,  3082 ,  4082 ,  5082 ,  6082  of the associated first comparator and to a second comparator output pin  84 ,  2084 ,  3084 ,  4084 ,  5084 ,  6084  of the associated second comparator and a green LED inverting driver input pin  86 ,  2086 ,  3086 ,  4086 ,  5086 ,  6086  of the green LED inverting driver; the green LED current limiting resistor is connected from the 15v source voltage to a green LED positive terminal  88 ,  2088 ,  3088 ,  4088 ,  5088 ,  6088  of the green LED; and a green LED negative terminal  90 ,  2090 ,  3090 ,  4090 ,  5090 ,  6090  of the green LED is connected to a green LED inverting driver output pin  92 ,  2092 ,  3092 ,  4092 ,  5092 ,  6092  of the green LED inverting driver. 
     In each respective LED set  70 ,  2070 ,  3070 ,  4070 ,  5070 ,  6070 , a yellow LED circuit  94 ,  2094 ,  3094 ,  4094 ,  5094 ,  6094  has: a yellow LED  96 ,  2096 ,  3096 ,  4096 ,  5096 ,  6096  with an associated yellow LED current limiting resistor  98 ,  2098 ,  3098 ,  4098 ,  5098 ,  6098 ; a yellow LED inverting driver  100 ,  2100 ,  3100 ,  4100 ,  5100 ,  6100 ; a yellow LED pull-up resistor  102 ,  2102 ,  3102 ,  4102 ,  5102 ,  6102  connected from a 15v source to a third comparator output pin  104 ,  2104 ,  3104 ,  4104 ,  5104 ,  6104  of the associated third comparator and to a yellow LED inverting driver input pin  106 ,  2106 ,  3106 ,  4106 ,  5106 ,  6106  of the yellow LED inverting driver; the yellow LED current limiting resistor is connected from a 15v source voltage to a yellow LED positive terminal  108 ,  2108 ,  3108 ,  4108 ,  5108 ,  6108  of the yellow LED; and a yellow LED negative terminal  110 ,  2110 ,  3110 ,  4110 ,  5110 ,  6110  of the yellow LED is connected to a yellow LED inverting driver output pin  112 ,  2112 ,  3112 ,  4112 ,  5112 ,  6112  of the yellow LED inverting driver. 
     In each respective LED set  70 ,  2070 ,  3070 ,  4070 ,  5070 ,  6070 , a red LED circuit  114 ,  2114 ,  3114 ,  4114 ,  5114 ,  6114  has a red LED  116 ,  2116 ,  3116 ,  4116 ,  5116 ,  6116  with an associated red LED current limiting resistor  118 ,  2118 ,  3118 ,  4118 ,  5118 ,  6118 ; a red LED inverting driver  120 ,  2120 ,  3120 ,  4120 ,  5120 ,  6120 ; a red LED pull-up resistor  122 ,  2122 ,  3122 ,  4122 ,  5122 ,  6122  connected from a 15v source voltage to a fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  of the associated fourth comparator and to a red LED inverting driver input pin  126 ,  2126 ,  3126 ,  4126 ,  5126 ,  6126  of the red LED inverting driver; the red LED current limiting resistor is connected from a 15v source to a red LED positive terminal  128 ,  2128 ,  3128 ,  4128 ,  5128 ,  6128  of the red LED; and a red LED negative terminal  130 ,  2130 ,  3130 ,  4130 ,  5130 ,  6130  of the red LED is connected to a red LED inverting driver output pin  132 ,  2132 ,  3132 ,  4132 ,  5132 ,  6132  of the red LED inverting driver. 
     With respect to each fourth comparator  64 ,  2064 ,  3064 ,  4064 ,  5064 ,  6064  of each comparator set, a buzzer control circuit comprises a respective buzzer inverting driver  134 ,  2134 ,  3134 ,  4134 ,  5134 ,  6134  having a buzzer inverting driver input pin  138 ,  2138 ,  3138 ,  4138 ,  5138 ,  6138  connected to the fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  of the respective fourth comparator and the respective buzzer inverting driver having a buzzer inverting driver output pin  140 ,  2140 ,  3140 ,  4140 ,  5140 ,  6140  connected through a cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1  to a negative terminal  142  of an aural buzzer  136 ; and a positive terminal  144  of the aural buzzer connected to the 15v source voltage. For each respective buzzer control circuit in the central controller, the output pin of the respective associated buzzer inverting driver is connected to the buzzer  136  through the cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1 . 
     With respect to each fourth comparator  64 ,  2064 ,  3064 ,  4064 ,  5064 ,  6064  of each comparator set, a respective water valve inverting driver  146 ,  2146 ,  3146 ,  4146 ,  5146 ,  6146  participates in controlling a water valve controlling circuit  148 . A respective water valve inverting driver input pin  150 ,  2150 ,  3150 ,  4150 ,  5150 ,  6150  is connected to the fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  of the respective fourth comparator and a respective water valve inverting driver output pin  152 ,  2152 ,  3152 ,  4152 ,  5152 ,  6152  is connected through a cumulating water valve circuit contact V 2  to a base  154  of a NPN transistor  162  of a water valve controlling circuit. For each respective water valve inverting driver in the central controller, the respective water valve inverting driver output pin is connected to the water valve controlling circuit through the cumulating water valve circuit contact V 2 . 
     The water valve controlling circuit  148  comprises a current driver (7805A)  156 , a capacitor  158 , a water valve circuit resistor  160 , and a transistor  162  and a base  154  of the transistor is connected to the cumulating water valve circuit contact V 2  and an emitter  164  of the transistor is connected to ground, and a collector  166  of the transistor is connected to a first side  168  of the water valve circuit resistor, a first side  170  of the capacitor, and a current driver negative terminal  172  of the current driver; and the current driver has a current driver output pin  174  connected to a second side  176  of the water valve circuit resistor and the current driver has a current driver positive terminal  178  connected to a second side  180  of the capacitor and a water valve negative terminal  182  of a water valve  184 , and the water valve has a water valve positive terminal  186  connected to a 15v source voltage. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 to 10 , a description of the operative states of the apparatus follows: first with a discussion of a normal state (leak detector dry with no water leak present); second with a discussion of an open sensor state (first wire, second wire, first conductive metal grid, or second conductive metal grid not intact); and third with a discussion of a leak detection state (leak detector wet with a water leak or excess humidity present). 
     When in the normal state with each leak detector  12  dry and each first wire  28 ,  2028 ,  3028 ,  4028 ,  5028 ,  6028 , each second wire  32 ,  2032 ,  3032 ,  4032 ,  5032 ,  6032 , each first conductive metal grid  20 , and each second conductive metal grid  24  intact; the 15v source voltage is divided equally by each respective signal voltage resistor  36 ,  2036 ,  3036 ,  4036 ,  5036 ,  6036  and each respective terminating resistor  38 ,  2038 ,  3038 ,  4038 ,  5038 ,  6038  to produce a voltage of 7.5 volts at each respective signal voltage trace  34 ,  2034 ,  3034 ,  4034 ,  5034 ,  6034 ; each respective first comparator positive input pin  50 ,  2050 ,  3050 ,  4050 ,  5050 ,  6050  is connected to the 7.5 volts present at each respective signal voltage trace and each respective first comparator negative input pin  48 ,  2048 ,  3048 ,  4048 ,  5048 ,  6048  is connected to the 5v reference voltage establishing a forward bias in each respective first comparator and each respective first comparator outputs a high state voltage at each respective first comparator output pin  82 ,  2082 ,  3082 ,  4082 ,  5082 ,  6082 ; each respective second comparator positive input pin  56 ,  2056 ,  3056 ,  4056 ,  5056 ,  6056  is connected to the 10v reference voltage and each respective second comparator negative input pin  54 ,  2054 ,  3054 ,  4054 ,  5054 ,  6054  is connected to the 7.5 volts present at each respective signal voltage trace establishing a forward bias in each respective second comparator and each respective second comparator outputs a high state voltage at each respective second comparator output pin  84 ,  2084 ,  3084 ,  4084 ,  5084 ,  6084 ; each respective third comparator positive input pin  62 ,  2062 ,  3062 ,  4062 ,  5062 ,  6062  is connected to the 7.5 volts present at each respective signal voltage reference trace and each respective third comparator negative input pin  60 ,  2060 ,  3060 ,  4060 ,  5060 ,  6060  is connected to the 10v reference voltage establishing a reverse bias in each respective third comparator and each respective third comparator outputs a low state voltage at each respective third comparator output pin  104 ,  2104 ,  3104 ,  4104 ,  5104 ,  6104 ; each respective fourth comparator positive input pin  68 ,  2068 ,  3068 ,  4068 ,  5068 ,  6068  is connected to the 5v reference voltage and each respective fourth comparator negative input pin  66 ,  2066 ,  3066 ,  4066 ,  5066 ,  6066  is connected to the 7.5 volts present at each respective signal voltage trace establishing a reverse bias in each respective fourth comparator and each respective fourth comparator outputs a low state voltage at each respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124 ; each respective green LED inverting driver input pin  86 ,  2086 ,  3086 ,  4086 ,  5086 ,  6086  receives a high state voltage from each respective first comparator output pin  82 ,  2082 ,  3082 ,  4082 ,  5082 ,  6082  and each respective second comparator output pin  84 ,  2084 ,  3084 ,  4084 ,  5084 ,  6084  and each respective green LED inverting driver outputs a low state voltage at each respective green LED inverting driver output pin  92 ,  2092 ,  3092 ,  4092 ,  5092 ,  6092  allowing current to flow through each respective green LED  74 ,  2074 ,  3074 ,  4074 ,  5074 ,  6074  illuminating the respective green LED; each respective yellow LED inverting driver input pin  106 ,  2106 ,  3106 ,  4106 ,  5106 ,  6106  receives a low state voltage from each respective third comparator output pin  104 ,  2104 ,  3104 ,  4104 ,  5104 ,  6104  and each respective yellow LED inverting driver  100 ,  2100 ,  3100 ,  4100 ,  5100 ,  6100  outputs a high state voltage at each respective yellow LED inverting driver output pin  112 ,  2112 ,  3112 ,  4112 ,  5112 ,  6112  not allowing current to flow through each respective yellow LED  96 ,  2096 ,  3096 ,  4096 ,  5096 ,  6096  (each respective yellow LED does not illuminate); each respective red LED inverting driver input pin  126 ,  2126 ,  3126 ,  4126 ,  5126 ,  6126  receives a low state voltage from each respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  and each respective red LED inverting driver  120 ,  2120 ,  3120 ,  4120 ,  5120 ,  6120  outputs a high state voltage at each respective red LED inverting driver output pin  132 ,  2132 ,  3132 ,  4132 ,  5132 ,  6132  not allowing current to flow through each respective red LED  116 ,  2116 ,  3116 ,  4116 ,  5116 ,  6116  (each respective red LED does not illuminate); each respective buzzer inverting driver input pin  138 ,  2138 ,  3138 ,  4138 ,  5138 ,  6138  receives a low state voltage from each respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  and each respective buzzer inverting driver  134 ,  2134 ,  3134 ,  4134 ,  5134 ,  6134  outputs a high state voltage at each respective buzzer inverting driver output pin  140 ,  2140 ,  3140 ,  4140 ,  5140 ,  6140  (each buzzer inverting driver output pin is connected to the buzzer through the cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1 ) not allowing current to flow through the buzzer  136  (the buzzer does not buzz); each respective water valve inverting driver input pin  150 ,  2150 ,  3150 ,  4150 ,  5150 ,  6150  receives a low state voltage from each respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  and each respective water valve inverting driver  146 ,  2146 ,  3146 ,  4146 ,  5146 ,  6146  outputs a high state voltage at each respective water valve inverting driver output pin  152 ,  2152 ,  3152 ,  4152 ,  5152 ,  6152 ; and the NPN transistor base  154  receives the high state voltage from each respective water valve inverting driver output pin through the cumulating water valve circuit contact V 2 , and the NPN transistor  162  allows current to flow from the current driver positive terminal  178  to the current driver output pin  174  drawing current through the water valve  184  whereby the water valve is kept open to allow water to flow through the water valve. 
     In the water valve controlling circuit  148  and during initialization of the normal state, current is allowed to flow through the water valve  184  to develop a charge on the capacitor  158 . The summed value of the capacitor charging current and the current driver current is sufficient to open the water valve  184  and after initialization the current driver current is sufficient to hold the water valve open. 
     The open sensor state exists in a respective sensor set  10 ,  2010 ,  3010 ,  4010 ,  5010 ,  6010  when a respective first wire  28 ,  2028 ,  3028 ,  4028 ,  5028 ,  6028 , a respective second wire  32 ,  2032 ,  3032 ,  4032 ,  5032 ,  6032 , a respective first conductive metal grid  20 , or a respective second conductive metal grid  24  is not intact; in the open sensor state, the 15v source voltage is not conveyed to ground through a respective terminating resistor  38 ,  2038 ,  3038 ,  4038 ,  5038 ,  6038  and produces a voltage of 15 volts at the respective signal voltage trace  34 ,  2034 ,  3034 ,  4034 ,  5034 ,  6034 ; the respective first comparator positive input pin  50 ,  2050 ,  3050 ,  4050 ,  5050 ,  6050  is connected to the 15 volts present at the respective signal voltage trace and the respective first comparator negative input pin  48 ,  2048 ,  3048 ,  4048 ,  5048 ,  6048  is connected to the 5v reference voltage establishing a forward bias in the respective first comparator and the respective first comparator outputs a high state voltage at the respective first comparator output pin  82 ,  2082 ,  3082 ,  4082 ,  5082 ,  6082 ; the respective second comparator positive input pin  56 ,  2056 ,  3056 ,  4056 ,  5056 ,  6056  is connected to the 10v reference voltage and the respective second comparator negative input pin  54 ,  2054 ,  3054 ,  4054 ,  5054 ,  6054  is connected to the 15 volts present at the respective signal voltage trace establishing a reverse bias in the respective second comparator and the respective second comparator outputs a low state voltage at the respective second comparator output pin  84 ,  2084 ,  3084 ,  4084 ,  5084 ,  6084 ; the respective third comparator positive input pin  62 ,  2062 ,  3062 ,  4062 ,  5062 ,  6062  is connected to the 15 volts present at the respective signal voltage reference trace and the respective third comparator negative input pin  60 ,  2060 ,  3060 ,  4060 ,  5060 ,  6060  is connected to the 10v reference voltage establishing a forward bias in the respective third comparator and the respective third comparator outputs a high state voltage at the respective third comparator output pin  104 ,  2104 ,  3104 ,  4104 ,  5104 ,  6104 ; the respective fourth comparator positive input pin  68 ,  2068 ,  3068 ,  4068 ,  5068 ,  6068  is connected to the 5v reference voltage and the respective fourth comparator negative input pin  66 ,  2066 ,  3066 ,  4066 ,  5066 ,  6066  is connected to the 15 volts present at the respective signal voltage trace establishing a reverse bias in the respective fourth comparator and the respective fourth comparator outputs a low state voltage at the respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124 ; the respective green LED inverting driver input pin  86 ,  2086 ,  3086 ,  4086 ,  5086 ,  6086  receives a high state voltage from the respective first comparator output pin  82 ,  2082 ,  3082 ,  4082 ,  5082 ,  6082  and a low state voltage from the respective second comparator output pin  84 ,  2084 ,  3084 ,  4084 ,  5084 ,  6084 ; the low state voltage from the respective second comparator output pin pulls the high state output of the respective first comparator pin to a low state and the respective green LED inverting driver outputs a high state voltage at the respective green LED inverting driver output pin  92 ,  2092 ,  3092 ,  4092 ,  5092 ,  6092  not allowing current to flow through the respective green LED  74 ,  2074 ,  3074 ,  4074 ,  5074 ,  6074  and not illuminating the respective green LED; the respective yellow LED inverting driver input pin  106 ,  2106 ,  3106 ,  4106 ,  5106 ,  6106  receives a high state voltage from the respective third comparator output pin  104 ,  2104 ,  3104 ,  4104 ,  5104 ,  6104  and the respective yellow LED inverting driver  100 ,  2100 ,  3100 ,  4100 ,  5100 ,  6100  outputs a low state voltage at the respective yellow LED inverting driver output pin  112 ,  2112 ,  3112 ,  4112 ,  5112 ,  6112  allowing current to flow through the respective yellow LED  96 ,  2096 ,  3096 ,  4096 ,  5096 ,  6096  illuminating the respective yellow LED; the respective red LED inverting driver input pin  126 ,  2126 ,  3126 ,  4126 ,  5126 ,  6126  receives a low state voltage from the respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  and the respective red LED inverting driver  120 ,  2120 ,  3120 ,  4120 ,  5120 ,  6120  outputs a high state voltage at the respective red LED inverting driver output pin  132 ,  2132 ,  3132 ,  4132 ,  5132 ,  6132  not allowing current to flow through the respective red LED  116 ,  2116 ,  3116 ,  4116 ,  5116 ,  6116  (the red LED does not illuminate); the respective buzzer inverting driver input pin  138 ,  2138 ,  3138 ,  4138 ,  5138 ,  6138  receives a low state voltage from the respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  and the respective buzzer inverting driver  134 ,  2134 ,  3134 ,  4134 ,  5134 ,  6134  outputs a high state voltage at the respective buzzer inverting driver output pin  140 ,  2140 ,  3140 ,  4140 ,  5140 ,  6140  (each buzzer inverting driver output pin is connected to the buzzer through the cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1 ) not allowing current to flow through the buzzer  136  (the buzzer does not buzz); the respective water valve inverting driver input pin  150 ,  2150 ,  3150 ,  4150 ,  5150 ,  6150  receives a low state voltage from the respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  and the respective water valve inverting driver  146 ,  2146 ,  3146 ,  4146 ,  5146 ,  6146  outputs a high state voltage at the respective water valve inverting driver output pin  152 ,  2152 ,  3152 ,  4152 ,  5152 ,  6152 ; the NPN transistor base  154  receives the high state voltage from the water valve inverting driver output pin through the cumulating water valve circuit contact V 2 , and the NPN transistor  162  allows current to flow from the current driver positive terminal  178  to the current driver output pin  174  drawing current through the water valve  184  whereby the water valve is kept open to allow water to flow through the water valve. 
     The leak detection state exists in a respective sensor set  10 ,  2010 ,  3010 ,  4010 ,  5010 ,  6010  when one or more leak detectors  12  of the respective sensor set are wet; and a respective first wire  28 ,  2028 ,  3028 ,  4028 ,  5028 ,  6028 , a respective second wire  32 ,  2032 ,  3032 ,  4032 ,  5032 ,  6032 , a respective first conductive metal grid  20 , and a respective second conductive metal grid  24  are intact; in the leak detection state, the respective signal voltage trace  34 ,  2034 ,  3034 ,  4034 ,  5034 ,  6034  is connected to the ground trace  30  through the respective conducting wet leak detector to produce a voltage of less than five volts at the signal voltage trace; the respective first comparator positive input pin  50 ,  2050 ,  3050 ,  4050 ,  5050 ,  6050  is connected to the less than five volts present at the respective signal voltage trace and the respective first comparator negative input pin  48 ,  2048 ,  3048 ,  4048 ,  5048 ,  6048  is connected to the 5v reference voltage establishing a reverse bias in the respective first comparator and the respective first comparator outputs a low state voltage at the respective first comparator output pin  82 ,  2082 ,  3082 ,  4082 ,  5082 ,  6082 ; the respective second comparator positive input pin  56 ,  2056 ,  3056 ,  4056 ,  5056 ,  6056  is connected to the 10v reference voltage and the respective second comparator negative input pin  54 ,  2054 ,  3054 ,  4054 ,  5054 ,  6054  is connected to the less than five volts present at the respective signal voltage trace establishing a forward bias in the respective second comparator and the respective second comparator outputs a high state voltage at the respective second comparator output pin  84 ,  2084 ,  3084 ,  4084 ,  5084 ,  6084 ; the respective third comparator positive input pin  62 ,  2062 ,  3062 ,  4062 ,  5062 ,  6062  is connected to the less than five volts present at the respective signal voltage reference trace and the respective third comparator negative input pin  60 ,  2060 ,  3060 ,  4060 ,  5060 ,  6060  is connected to the 10v reference voltage establishing a reverse bias in the respective third comparator and the respective third comparator outputs a low state voltage at the respective third comparator output pin  104 ,  2104 ,  3104 ,  4104 ,  5104 ,  6104 ; the respective fourth comparator positive input pin  68 ,  2068 ,  3068 ,  4068 ,  5068 ,  6068  is connected to the 5v reference voltage and the respective fourth comparator negative input pin  66 ,  2066 ,  3066 ,  4066 ,  5066 ,  6066  is connected to the less than five volts present at the respective signal voltage trace establishing a forward bias in the respective fourth comparator and the respective fourth comparator outputs a high state voltage at the respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124 ; the respective green LED inverting driver input pin  86 ,  2086 ,  3086 ,  4086 ,  5086 ,  6086  receives a low state voltage from the respective first comparator output pin  82 ,  2082 ,  3082 ,  4082 ,  5082 ,  6082  and a high state voltage from the respective second comparator output pin  84 ,  2084 ,  3084 ,  4084 ,  5084 ,  6084 ; the low state voltage from the respective first comparator output pin pulls the high state output of the respective second comparator pin to a low state and the respective green LED inverting driver outputs a high state voltage at the green LED inverting driver output pin  92 ,  2092 ,  3092 ,  4092 ,  5092 ,  6092  not allowing current to flow through the respective green LED  74 ,  2074 ,  3074 ,  4074 ,  5074 ,  6074  and not illuminating the respective green LED; the respective yellow LED inverting driver input pin  106 ,  2106 ,  3106 ,  4106 ,  5106 ,  6106  receives a low state voltage from the respective third comparator output pin  104 ,  2104 ,  3104 ,  4104 ,  5104 ,  6104  and the respective yellow LED inverting driver  100 ,  2100 ,  3100 ,  4100 ,  5100 ,  6100  outputs a high state voltage at the respective yellow LED inverting driver output pin  112 ,  2112 ,  3112 ,  4112 ,  5112 ,  6112  not allowing current to flow through the respective yellow LED  96 ,  2096 ,  3096 ,  4096 ,  5096 ,  6096  (the respective yellow LED does not illuminate); the respective red LED inverting driver input pin  126 ,  2126 ,  3126 ,  4126 ,  5126 ,  6126  receives a high state voltage from the respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  and the respective red LED inverting driver  120 ,  2120 ,  3120 ,  4120 ,  5120 ,  6120  outputs a low state voltage at the respective red LED inverting driver output pin  132 ,  2132 ,  3132 ,  4132 ,  5132 ,  6132  allowing current to flow through the respective red LED  116 ,  2116 ,  3116 ,  4116 ,  5116 ,  6116  illuminating the respective red LED; the respective buzzer inverting driver input pin  138 ,  2138 ,  3138 ,  4138 ,  5138 ,  6138  receives a high state voltage from the respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  and the respective buzzer inverting driver  134 ,  2134 ,  3134 ,  4134 ,  5134 ,  6134  outputs a low state voltage at the respective buzzer inverting driver output pin  140 ,  2140 ,  3140 ,  4140 ,  5140 ,  6140  (each buzzer inverting driver output pin is connected to the buzzer through the cumulating aural buzzer contact V 1 ) allowing current to flow through the buzzer  136  (the buzzer buzzes); the respective water valve inverting driver input pin  150 ,  2150 ,  3150 ,  4150 ,  5150 ,  6150  receives a high state voltage from the respective fourth comparator output pin  124 ,  2124 ,  3124 ,  4124 ,  5124 ,  6124  and the respective water valve inverting driver  146 ,  2146 ,  3146 ,  4146 ,  5146 ,  6146  outputs a low state voltage at the respective water valve inverting driver output pin  152 ,  2152 ,  3152 ,  4152 ,  5152 ,  6152 ; the NPN transistor base  154  receives the low state voltage from the respective water valve inverting driver output pin through the cumulating water valve circuit contact V 2 , and the NPN transistor  162  does not allow current to flow through the water valve  184  and the water valve closes. 
     A sensor set may have one leak detector as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  9 , and  10  or two or more leak detectors as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8 . 
     Preferably, the apparatus will have six sensor sets, but the apparatus may have fewer or more sensor sets. In the apparatus, each sensor set has one or more leak detectors and a terminating resistor; each respective sensor set is connected between a ground trace and a respective signal voltage trace of a central controller; the central controller receives a source voltage from a power supply; the central controller has a high reference voltage and a low reference voltage; the central controller has a respective comparator set associated with each respective sensor set and has a respective LED set having three LED circuits associated with each respective comparator set; each respective comparator set has a first comparator, a second comparator, a third comparator, and a fourth comparator; each respective fourth comparator has a respective fourth comparator output pin associated with each respective sensor set; each respective fourth comparator output pin is connected to an aural buzzer through a cumulating aural buzzer contact and connected to a water valve control circuit though a cumulating water valve contact; and the water valve control circuit controls a water valve. 
     After a leak detector  12  detects a leak or moisture by becoming wet, the leak detector can be reconditioned by a simple process of drying the leak detector after first wetting the leak detector with a sodium chloride solution or other suitable salt solution to ensure the presence of the salt in the insulating layer  22  when the detector is dry. 
     Preferably, the first wires, the second wires, and the other wires that connect the power supply and the water valve to the central controller are low voltage copper wire. 
     In the best embodiment of the apparatus, the power supply is a conventional power adapter connected to a standard 115v source to provide power to a 15v rail of the central controller that supplies power to the central controller, to the sensor sets, to the aural buzzer, and to the water valve. The apparatus could also function properly with a power source of a reasonable voltage other than 15 volts. 
     In the best embodiment of the apparatus, each inverting driver is one channel of one of a sufficient number of Toshiba TD62084AP eight channel darlington sink drivers. 
     In the best embodiment of the apparatus, each comparator is one channel of a National Semiconductor LM339AN quad comparator. 
     In the best embodiment of the apparatus, the transistor in the water valve control circuit is a Panasonic 2SD1275A darlington pair. 
     In the best embodiment of the apparatus, the current driver in the water valve control circuit is a Fairchild LM7805A positive voltage regulator. 
     In the best embodiment of the apparatus, the water valve  184  is an off the shelf spring actuated normally closed valve that is open when power is supplied to the valve by the water valve control circuit. 
     The preceding description and exposition of the invention is presented for purposes of illustration and enabling disclosure. It is neither intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations in the invention in light of the above teachings that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted to the breath to which they fairly, legitimately and equitably are entitled.