Patent ID: 8464744

Claim:
A water sensor with an activation mechanism comprising; a housing containing a water sensing means and spring loading means functioning in association with an activation means to initiate the shutoff of an external valve when water is sensed by said water sensing means; a paper water absorbent material acting as said water sensing means that is placed under a tension force and disintegrates upon contact with water; a pair of sensor holders designed to act as mounting elements for said water sensing means with both ends of said sensor holders containing wedge shaped surfaces that when subjected to an external force will cause said sensor holders to be forced apart by virtue of their contact with secondary wedge shaped surfaces; a force bar containing a wedge shaped end with wedge angles that are complementary with said wedge shaped surfaces of said sensor holders thereby allowing said wedge shaped end of said force bar to mate with said wedge shaped surfaces of said sensor holders; at least one spring designed to exert said external force upon said force bar; and a segment of said force bar containing an insert pocket housing a cable and an attached terminating clamp whose purpose is to act as a means of activating an associated water shutoff valve when said water sensor detects the presence of water.