Patent ID: 8281645

Claim:
A leak detection apparatus for sensing presence of a liquid in an area, said leak detection apparatus comprising: (a) a first flexible member having a first longitudinal axis, wherein said first flexible member is constructed of an electrically conductive material that is in a normally open circuit state; (b) a second flexible member having a second longitudinal axis, wherein said second flexible member is constructed of an electrically conductive material that is in a normally open circuit state; (c) a liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall that is about a radial axis of said liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall, said liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall is positioned adjacent to said first and second flexible members, said liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall is constructed of a non-electrically conductive material, wherein operationally said liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall becomes electrically conductive when the liquid is present in said liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall, facilitating said first and second flexible members to move from the normally open circuit state to a closed circuit state resulting in a perceptible output, said liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall is structurally formed into a frustroconical shape to partially encase an area defined by a liquid communication line, wherein said liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall frustroconical shape has a lengthwise axis and the liquid communication line has a longwise axis positioned such that said lengthwise axis and the longwise axis are substantially co-axial, and; (d) a liquid permeable planar web reinforcing element that is oriented adjacent to said liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall wherein said liquid permeable planar web reinforcing element is oppositely disposed from said first and second flexible members, said liquid permeable planar web reinforcing element is structurally formed into a frustroconical shape to partially encase the area defined by the liquid communication line, wherein said liquid permeable planar web reinforcing element frustroconical shape has said lengthwise axis and the liquid communication line has the longwise axis positioned such that said lengthwise axis and the longwise axis are substantially co-axial, wherein operationally said adjacent liquid wicking permeable surrounding sidewall and said liquid permeable planar web reinforcing element frustroconical shapes help to direct the liquid toward said first and second flexible members.