Patent ID: 7299819

Claim:
A water flow sensor for detecting the flow of water in forward flow and backflow directions through the sensor, the water flow sensor comprising: a housing comprising a body with an inlet and an outlet and defining a water flow passageway between the inlet and outlet; a flow detector pivotally coupled to the body and positioned at least partially in the passageway, the flow detector being pivotal about a flow detector pivot axis in a first direction in response to water flow in a forward flow direction from the inlet to the outlet, the flow detector being pivotal in a second direction about the flow detector pivot axis in response to water flow in a backflow direction from the outlet to the inlet; a first electrical circuit portion carried by the housing and comprising a first electrical contact and comprising selectively open first section that, when open, interrupts a first electrically conductive path of the first circuit portion; a second electrical circuit portion carried by the housing and comprising second electrical contact and comprising a selectively open second section that when open, interrupts a second electrically conductive path of the second circuit portion; and a first circuit closer coupled to the flow detector and pivotal about the flow detector pivot axis in one direction in response to pivoting of the flow detector in the first direction to a position such that a portion of the first circuit closer physically contacts the first contact to close the first section of the first electrical circuit portion, a second circuit closer also being pivotal about the flow detector pivot axis in another direction in response to pivoting of the flow detector in the second direction to a position such that a portion of the second circuit closer physically contacts the second contact to close the second section of the second electrical circuit portion.