Device for recovering and channeling water from a leak in a water tank with an integrated heating element of the electric water heater type.

Abstract

Device for collecting and channeling water from a leaking water tank with integrated heating body. The present invention relates to a device for capturing water from a leaking water heater, to allow the water to be channeled to a wastewater network. The invention is characterized by a gutter made of a flexible material such as silicone or flexible plastic arranged circumferentially around the water heater. Thus, in the event of a leak, the water escaping above the device will trickle down the length of the water heater and will be captured and channeled by the device. Installed with an inclination, the water will flow by gravity towards a discharge orifice located at the bottom of the gutter connected to the wastewater network by a flexible pipe. A retention rim located in the discharge orifice allows a water detection sensor to be accommodated.The device according to the invention is intended to recover and channel water from a water heater leak.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for recovering and channeling water from a leak in a water tank with an integrated heating body of the electric water heater type.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for capturing water from a leak in an electric water heater, in order to allow the water to be channeled to a wastewater network and to trigger a water detector connected to the device. This installation makes it possible to warn the user of the leak and prevent the water from spreading throughout the home.

[0002] A leaking electric water heater causes significant damage when its water spreads throughout the home.

[0003] There are water collection trays to be installed under electric water heaters, which help limit damage caused by a possible leak. They capture and channel the water flowing under the appliance. However, these trays can only be installed in certain installation configurations. Indeed, the space available under the water heater as well as the height of access to the wastewater network can very often make their installation impossible.

[0004] The device according to the invention makes it possible to overcome these technical constraints because it can be installed on all circular electric water heaters, and respond to the vast majority of water heater leaks, where the water escapes from the device through its upper part and then trickles down along it to finally fall to the ground. The invention is characterized by a gutter made of flexible material such as silicone or flexible plastic arranged circumferentially around the water heater. Thus, when the water heater leaks, the water escaping above the device will trickle down along the water heater and will be captured and channeled by the device. Installed with an inclination of at least 3°, the water will flow by gravity towards a discharge orifice located on the lower side of the gutter, itself connected to the wastewater network by a flexible pipe fitted onto the connection appendage.The gutter has a retention rim located in the water discharge hole to accommodate the sensor of a water detector, in order to warn the user of the water heater leak.

[0005] According to particular embodiments:

[0006] The device may be inlaid with a magnetic strip along the entire length of the outer face intended to be in contact with the water heater, in order to hold the device in position on it. The inlaying is carried out during the mold injection step.

[0007] The inner face of the gutter, on the side in contact with the tank, can be ca characterized by a progressive refinement starting from its base to its edge, in order to facilitate the flow of water inside the gutter.

[0008] The compartment provided for the water detector sensor may be located in the water discharge orifice and be characterized by a counter-sloping rim, allowing water retention so that the detector sensor can remain in contact with the water in the event of a leak.

[0009] The attached drawings illustrate the invention: [Fig.l] represents the device of the invention installed on a water tank with an integrated heating body of the water heater type. [Fig.2] shows a section of the device. [Fig.3] shows a section of the water discharge orifice, its connecting appendage and the water retention compartment for accommodating the sensor of a water detector.

[0010] With reference to these drawings, the device comprises the flexible material gutter (1), the lower side of which comprises an orifice (2), connected on its connecting appendage (9) by a flexible pipe (3) to the waste water evacuation. A sensor (6), located in the water retention compartment (7) of the orifice, is connected to the water detector (4).

[0011] The gutter is embedded with a magnetic strip (5), in order to hold the device in position on the water heater (8).

[0012] According to a variant not illustrated, the flexible pipe connecting the device and the waste water evacuation can be an integral part of the device depending on the manufacturing method.

[0013] According to a second variant not illustrated, the magnetic strip can be replaced by an adhesive or staple type attachment system.

[0014] As a non-limiting example, the gutter will have dimensions of the order of 3 centimeters for the width and height, and 180 centimeters for the length. The device can be cut by the installer in its length in order to correspond perfectly to the circumference of the water heater on which it will be installed.

[0015] The device according to the invention is particularly intended to recover and channel water from a leak in a damaged electric water heater.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for capturing water from a leak in the upper part of a water tank with an integrated heating body such as an electric water heater (8), characterized by a gutter (1) made of a flexible material such as silicone or flexible plastic (1), which has on its lower side an orifice (2) provided with a connection appendage (9) allowing the water to be channeled towards a wastewater outlet via a flexible pipe (3) connected to the device.

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the gutter is encrusted with a magnetic strip (5) over the entire length of the outer face intended to be in contact with the water heater.

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that the gutter has a retention rim (7) located in the water evacuation orifice allowing the sensor (6) of a water detector (4) to be accommodated.

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