Patent ID: 8154313

Claim:
A water detection assembly for use with a primary drain line that is employed to remove collected condensate and other fluid from a primary drain pan located under a fluid-producing unit, said assembly comprising: an access port connected in-line with a primary drain line employed to carry collected condensate and other fluid away from a fluid-producing unit so as to create an upstream portion of the primary drain line and a downstream portion of the primary drain line, said access port having a non-threaded end, an end opening with external threads located in a position opposed from said non-threaded end, and a side opening with external threads, said end opening with external threads and said side opening with external threads positioned adjacent to one another, said non-threaded end opening being configured for connection to the primary drain line and a selected one of said other openings also being connected to the primary drain line, said access port further having an internal step-down fluid-collecting area adjacent to and communicating with said end opening with external threads and also with said side opening with external threads, said step-down fluid-collecting area being configured and positioned so that during routine flow of fluid through said access port said step-down fluid collecting area remains dry, and further configured and positioned so that said step-down fluid-collection area begins to fill with fluid only when a blockage occurs in the downstream portion of the primary drain line that causes fluid entering the primary drain line to sufficiently accumulate so that it backs up and re-enters said access port, and continues to move toward said upstream portion of the primary drain line; a cap having internal threads configured to mate with said external threads associated with said end opening in said access port and said external threads associated with said side opening in said access port; an electronic fluid-sensing probe connected to said cap and having two power potentials, said electronic fluid-sensing probe also configured and dimensioned so that when said cap is secured to a selected one of said threaded openings in said access port a portion of said electronic fluid-sensing probe extends into said step-down fluid-collecting area; and a signal-generating unit electrically connected to said electronic fluid-sensing probe and configured with two power potentials, so that when fluid accumulates in said step-down fluid-collecting area and creates electrical connection between said two power potentials, said signal-generating unit is activated and sends a signal intended to bring about action that stops fluid build-up in the primary drain line.