The present invention relates to an isolation apparatus for use in a leak detection system. In particular, the detection system is for detecting water. The present invention also relates to: a method for manufacturing an isolation apparatus; a sensor apparatus, for detecting leaks of a conductive fluid; a leak detection system; and a method for detecting leaks.

Various detector apparatus are known in the art, including those which predominantly detect water. A particular problem caused by leaking water in the household or buildings environment is the damage to furniture, fixtures, floorboards, beams, etc. when a leak goes undetected for a period of time. Boilers and water tanks are often a cause of such leaks, although any fluid-carrying conduit may leak. The leak often goes undetected when it occurs from pipes, tanks or sinks which are located behind walls, facia, cupboards or the like, or hard to reach areas. Further, water tanks may be located in a loft and pipework is often under-floor. A

combination of those factors makes it very hard to detect a small leak until the damage has become very apparent and obvious. Naturally, a large water leak makes its presence known rapidly; however, small leaks can, over a period of some days, weeks or months, cause untold damage before being detected. When considering a small leak, early discovery of the leak significantly reduces the amount of damage caused. A leak in the kitchen sink area may seriously damage the kitchen units, which are costly to replace. Further, a small leak can cause

considerable damage to the ceiling of a room below, which can also be particularly dangerous as that ceiling may collapse. Whilst detector systems and apparatus are known to be used in the chemical and manufacturing industries, especially in large- scale manufacturing plants, the systems and apparatus that best suit a household or buildings environment (non-manufacturing plants, etc. but including houses, flats, offices, etc.) would be somewhat different. At present, there seems no simple and effective early warning system for those environments, which can also be achieved at a reasonable cost. Further, if a landlord or housing association has a number of properties, then a leak could occur at any one of those properties which could be located on different sites. Location of a simple and effective leak detector apparatus at each location would be highly advantageous but must be achievable from a cost- benefit analysis. Therefore, there appears a need for an early warning system which has the ability to detect leaks of all sizes.

The present invention is aimed at providing such an early warning system, especially one for use in the household or buildings environment.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an isolation apparatus, for use in a leak detection system, comprising a sleeve within which a plurality of conductors may be received, the sleeve comprises a partition which serves to separate a first conductor receiving region of the sleeve from a second conductor receiving region of the sleeve, wherein the sleeve and/or the partition is/are capable of isolating said conductors when dry but, when wetted by a conductive fluid, is/are capable of forming a conductive region between the first and second conductor receiving regions.

Preferably, the isolation apparatus is a leak detector isolation apparatus which is capable of electrically isolating or electrically insulating said conductors when dry.

Preferably, the isolation apparatus comprises a wrapped sleeve. Further preferably, the sleeve is wrapped to comprise a partition which serves to separate a first conductor receiving region of the sleeve from a second conductor receiving region of the sleeve.

Preferably, at least a portion of the sleeve and/or the partition comprises an absorbent material. Most preferably, the sleeve and/or the partition consist(s) of an absorbent material. Most preferably, the sleeve comprises a sheet of absorbent material, preferably a single piece of absorbent material.

Preferably, the partition is arranged internally with respect to the sleeve.

Preferably, the sleeve is tubular or tube-like, or may have a somewhat oval cross-section.

Further preferably, the isolation apparatus comprises only two conductor receiving regions.

Further preferably, the isolation apparatus comprises a single partition.

Preferably, the first conductor receiving region and the second conductor receiving region are separate passages within the sleeve. Most preferably, the first conductor receiving region and the second conductor receiving region are parallel passages. Further preferably, the sleeve is hollow in use, although it may be supplied in a flattened condition. Preferably, the sleeve is elongate so as to be capable of receiving a length of the said conductors in each of the first and second conductor receiving regions.

Preferably, the partition substantially separates the first and second conductor receiving regions along their entire length. The partition may comprise a sinuous cross-section, for example a substantially S-shaped cross section. Further preferably, the sinuous cross-section comprises a single point of inflection.

Preferably, the sleeve is flexible.

Further preferably, the sleeve comprises an adhesive for securing it in a desired location.

Preferably, the sleeve is fire-resistant.

Preferably, the sleeve is manufactured from a material comprising: aramid fibres, cotton fibres; or wood fibres, or combinations thereof. The sleeve may be manufactured from natural fibres and/or synthetic fibres, as long as the sleeve provided isolates/insulates when dry. Preferably, the material is one typically used in the clothing industry or 'paper' towel industry. Preferably, the sleeve is made from an absorbent cloth which does not disintegrate when wet. Advantageously, the cloth should include anti-bacterial qualities.

Alternatively or in addition, the sleeve and/or the partition may comprise one or more apertures through which a conductive fluid may pass. The sleeve and/or the partition may, therefore, be manufactured from a non-absorbent material. The apertures are preferably formed prior to manufacture of the sleeve.

Preferably, the isolation apparatus comprises a plurality of conductor receiving regions, such as three, four or even five. Whilst a single partition may make a plurality of conductor receiving regions possible, further partitions may be formed through additional folds of material.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an insolation apparatus comprising:

locating an insulator material between a pair of elongate members, such that a first lateral edge portion of the insulator material is located between the members along at least a portion of their lengths;

wrapping the insulator material around the elongate members whilst maintaining separation thereof; and securing a second lateral edge portion of the insulator material so as to prevent unwrapping.

Preferably, the sleeve is formed through folding, wrapping and/or winding a piece of material around itself.

Preferably, the partition is neither bonded nor secured within the sleeve, but is formed through folding, wrapping and/or winding. Most preferably, the partition is formed from a thin or single layer of material, preferably a fold of material, which separates the first and second conductor regions. Further folds may define additional conductor receiving regions.

Preferably, the partition and the sleeve are formed from a single piece of elongate material.

The elongate members may be conductors or, alternatively, the elongate members may be rods used for manufacturing the insolation apparatus but, once formed, the isolation apparatus may be removed therefrom.

Preferably, the method provides an isolation apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a sensor apparatus, for detecting leaks of a conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising:

an isolation apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention;

a first conductor located in the first conductor receiving region of the sleeve; and

a second conductor located in the second conductor receiving region of the sleeve.

Preferably, each of the conductors comprise at least one bare conductor region which is located within the sleeve.

Preferably, the bare conductor region of each conductor is correspondingly located to that of the other conductor.

Preferably, a first end of each conductor, comprising the at least one bare conductor region, is located in the sleeve, and positioned such that inadvertent touching of the bare conductor region is prevented. Most preferably, a second end of each conductor comprises a connector for co-operating with a detection system or wherein a second end of each conductor is connected to a wireless sensor device. Preferably, the conductors comprise sufficient rigidity such that the sensor apparatus may be formed around and grip an object.

Preferably the conductors comprise copper. According to a yet further aspect, the present invention provides a leak detection system, the system comprising:

a sensor apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention;

a sensor circuit; and

optionally, a boiler tray.

Preferably, wherein the sensor circuit is arranged to detect a closing of the circuit caused by a leak of a conductive fluid which provides a conductive region in the sleeve and/or the partition.

Preferably, the sensor circuit is arranged to react upon closing of the circuit in an audible and/or visual manner.

Most preferably, the system comprises a plurality of sensor apparatuses and the sensor circuit is arranged to independently detect leaks by the plurality of sensor apparatuses.

Most preferably, the sensor circuit is arranged to be reset following detection of a leak, but will continue to provide an audible and/or visual reminder if a leak remains.

Preferably, the boiler tray comprises a dished surface. Most preferably, a sleeve of the sensor apparatus is located at least partly at the lowest point of the dished surface, which is preferably in the centre of the tray. Preferably, the tray is suspendable from a boiler, water tank or sink using one or more clips, or securable beneath the boiler, water tank or sink using standard fixings. Alternatively, a wire frame may be used to support the tray.

According to a yet further aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting leaks, wherein the method comprises:

detecting a leak of conductive fluid using an insulator which, when dry, insulates a first conductor from a second conductor; and

following wetting of the insulator, reacting once the conductive fluid, through the wetted insulator, closes the circuit between the two conductors. Preferably, the method comprises monitoring, simultaneously or independently, one or more leaks in locations of one or more sensor apparatuses comprising an absorbent insulator and first and second conductors. Most preferably, the insulator comprises an isolation apparatus according to the first aspect. Further preferably, the method operates a leak detection system and uses an insolation apparatus according to the first aspect.

Advantageously, the invention provides an early-warning in the event that a leak occurs. Whilst the present invention cannot stop a leak from occurring, use of the invention would significantly reduce the potential for such a leak to cause serious damage, which would be a benefit to a householder, landlord and tenant, as they are all less inconvenienced through early detection of leaks. Advantageously, as the sleeve and/or the partition is/are absorbent, only a small amount of conductive fluid is required to close the circuit and trigger an audible and/or visual warning. An adhesive layer on the sleeve and/or conductor(s) provides quick, easy and secure location of the sensor apparatus. The sleeve is understood to work with all fluids having conductance, including those at the extremes of high-conductance and low- conductance. The sleeve is insulated along its entire length such that bare conductors may be provided along practically the entire length of the sleeve. Such long bare conductors within an insulated sleeve provide an increased likelihood of a portion of the sensor being in the correct position so as to absorb an amount of leaking fluid. Advantageously, the sleeve is manufactured from a thin layer of absorbent material which isolates the conductors sufficiently, but also easily absorbs only small amounts of conductive liquid before providing the conductive region between conductor receiving regions. In particular, only a small drop of conductive fluid is required to be absorbed by the sleeve to provide the conductive region between the two isolated conductors, such that the circuit is closed and the leak is detected. Further advantageously, owing to the simple construction of the sleeve and the sensor in the form of a sleeve surrounding two conductors, once the sleeve is removed from a source of conductive liquid, it will rapidly dry out. Therefore, the sensor/sleeve will quickly be ready for future use. Advantageously, a single layer (or thin layer) of absorbent material separates the conductor receiving regions, which helps make the sensor apparatus very sensitive, in that only a little conductive fluid must be absorbed before it is detected. Advantageously, utilising a wrapped sleeve ensures that only a thin partition is provided between conductor receiving regions. Advantageously, by arranging the partition internally with respect to the sleeve, conductor receiving regions are kept proximally, which ensures accuracy of detection. Additionally, wrapping ensures that conductors, whilst isolated, are kept proximally, which ensures accuracy of detection. The invention utilises relatively standard components and is, therefore, cost-effective to manufacture, yet provides a very powerful tool in detecting leaks and reduces the potential for the leak to cause substantial damage. Owing to its cost-effective construction, a hard-wired, standalone unit may be located in all key areas. If remote detectors are used, then a single controller can monitor all key areas within a household or buildings

environment.

Whist the invention is aimed at detecting, predominantly, water leaks, there are various fluids which may be detected and considered a conductive fluid. For completeness, and not wishing to be bound by theory, it is understood that pure water does not conduct; however, it is the impurities in water which allow it to become conductive. In the household and buildings environment (i.e. non- manufacturing plants), pure water is not typically used and 'normal' water as we know it contains impurities, making it conductive. In particular, inhibitor chemicals in radiators provide a conductive radiator system fluid, a leak of which could be detected. Other fluids which could be detected are milk, vinegar, filtered water, white spirits, beer, wine, fruit juice, and descaler. Beer is a noteworthy inclusion as this directly lends the invention to detecting leaks in a public house, for example where a leak from a barrel of draft beer could cause a great deal of damage and

inconvenience. The examples provided are non-exhaustive as there are various fluids having at least a small degree of conductance which could be detected, and it would be impossible to name them all.

The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a leak detection system;

Figure 2 is a further plan view of the leak detection system of Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of an insulator sleeve. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a leak detection system, indicated generally by reference 1 , includes a sensor apparatus 2 and a controller 3. In Figures 1 and 2 the controller is shown open so that its internal components are visible.

The sensor apparatus 2 includes a connector 10, for connecting with the controller 3, a pair of conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b and an insulator sleeve 12 (isolation apparatus). The conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b are electrically connected to the connector 10 so that a DC current may be passed through them in use and, for the majority of their lengths (or at least until a location where sensing is required) are insulated within a plastic sheath. As can be seen from Figure 2, ends 13a; 13b of the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b, respectively, are exposed, providing bare conductor ends 13a; 13b for detecting conductive fluids. The ends 13a; 13b are located within the sleeve 12 but are isolated from each other, and are located such that the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b terminate towards an end of the sleeve 12, but not at the very end, as exemplified in stippled lines in Figure 1 . The insulation sleeve 12 is elongate and is manufactured from a non-conductive, fibrous material, for instance a fibrous cleaning cloth (of the kind which does not disintegrate or dissolve when in contact with water). The fibrous material is absorbent. As can be seen from Figure 3 in more detail, the sleeve 12 includes a pair of internal passages 14a; 14b, which are separated by a partition 15. The passages 14a; 14b and the partition 15 extend along the length of the sleeve 12. The effect of the partition 15 and the separate passages 14a; 14b is so as to provide distinct insulated regions into which the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b may be located. The partition 15 is sinuous and, in particular has an S-profile when viewed from the end - as in Figure 1 - which helps to ensure that the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b remain in isolation / insulated. Whilst dry, the ends 13a; 13b of the conductors are electrically insulated from each other and are physical separated also. When the sleeve 12 surrounding the bare ends 13a; 13b comes into contact with a conductive fluid, for example water, the sleeve 12 is capable of absorbing the fluid to the effect of easily saturating a portion of the sleeve 12 between the bare ends 13a; 13b, which causes an electrical current to be able to pass between the two conductor 1 1 a; 1 1 b (through the fluid and not the sleeve per se), i.e. absorption of the water by the sleeve and/or the partition, provides a closing of the circuit between conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b. In that way, the existence of water can be detected.

The controller 3 includes a control box 20 within which is located a sensor circuit 21 . The sensor circuit 21 includes a power source 22 (three 1 .5 volt DC cells in this example), a buzzer 23, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 24, a reset button 25, a plurality of sockets 26 for receipt of connectors 10 from respective sensor apparatuses 2, various microcontrollers 27, and standard circuitry hardware (as can be seen from Figures 1 and 2). The control box 20 is magnetic, providing a very convenient method for securing the control box 20 in situ. The sensor circuit 21 is relatively standard, being of the type for providing a sensor system that detects when an electrical connection has been formed and provides an audible and/or visual warning through the LED(s) 24 and buzzer 23 accordingly. As this type of sensor circuit 21 is relatively well-known, it is not deemed necessary to go into exact details as to how the microcontrollers 27 operate and which circuitry hardware is utilised, beyond what can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 (various resistors and capacitors). However, the circuit 21 has been modified to suit this particular application. The circuit 21 does not include an on/off switch, which prevents the system 1 from being inadvertently switched off and, if battery levels 22 become low, an audible warning is activated every 30 seconds. Further, five sockets 26 are provided, each having a corresponding LED 24 for visual warning. The LEDs are positioned so as to show though apertures in a top of the control box 20 and be adjacent a numeral 1 to 5 on the outside of the top of the control box 20 - in the Figures the LEDs 24 do not appear adjacent the numerals because the control box 20 is open, so as to show internal components - and the reset button 25 is located next to the LEDs 24. Whilst Figure 2 shows the inside of a connector 10, the same connector in Figure 3 is closed and shown slotted into one of the sockets 26 to connect the sensor apparatus 2 to the controller 3. With the sleeve 12 located over the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b, as shown in Figure 1 , and secured around them, the apparatus is ready for sensing.

The sleeve 12 may be manufactured from a rectangular sheet of fibrous insulator material by locating the insulator material between a pair of adjacent parallel elongate members and wrapping or rolling the material around the elongate members and itself to form a tube. This can be achieved through locating a first lateral edge portion of the insulator material between the members along their lengths, followed by wrapping tightly the remaining material towards the opposite elongate edge of the insulator material around the elongate members to form the tube, and bonding the second lateral edge portion of the insulator material to the tube, so as to prevent unwrapping of the tube. As such, two distinct internal passages 14a; 14b are formed within the external tube-like sleeve 12. In one example, the elongate members could be simply any rods used during manufacture to form the sleeve, after which, the sleeve 12 would be removed from those rods before it can be located over the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b. However, alternatively, it is also envisaged that the sleeve 12 could be so formed directly around the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b, so as to reduce the number of processing steps, and improve the integrity of securing the sleeve 12 to the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b. Additional internal passages may be formed by using additional elongate members and including an additional fold in the material prior to wrapping.

In use, a leak detection system 1 , in particular, a sensor apparatus 2, is located in a region where a leak may occur. For instance, the sleeve 12 - including the bare ends 13a; 13b of the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b - may be located in a dished tray beneath a boiler specifically located so as to catch any drips emanating from the boiler. Further, the sleeve 12 may be wrapped around a pipe or conduit, or could simply be placed on a surface beneath an item or items which may leak. In all these examples it is advantageous to be able to remove a release paper from a part or parts of the sleeve, so as to expose an adhesive which can secure the sleeve 12 in a desired location. So as to exemplify the invention, its operation will be described in relation to a leaking boiler (not shown). If a boiler tray (not shown) is used beneath the boiler, then part of the sleeve 12 would be secured at the bottom of the dished tray (not shown), where it can be expected that leaking water will culminate with time. Alternatively, the sleeve 12 may be simply located on a surface beneath the boiler. If located in a sinuous path, this would increase the chance of detection. The control box 20 and circuit 21 is connected to the sensor apparatus 2 and also located in the region of the boiler. If the boiler then leaks, water would fall onto the tray (or onto the surface) beneath the boiler where the water would find its way to the absorbent sleeve 12 of the sensor apparatus 2. As absorbent, when the water contacts the sleeve, the sleeve absorbs at least some of the water, which provides a form of electrical connection (through the material) across the bare ends 13a; 13b of the conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b, so as to trigger an audible and visual alarm through the buzzer 23 and one or more of the LED(s) 24. If the sensor apparatus 2 is connected to the first socket 26, by way of example, the LED 24 adjacent numeral 1 would be illuminated. If other sensor apparatus 2 are connected to the second to fifth sockets 26, then they may also detect the same leak or a different leak if differently located, and LED(s) 24 adjacent numerals 2 to 5 may be illuminated. The reset button 25 may be used to silence the buzzer 23, once detection of a leak has been

acknowledged, and reset the LED 24. However, in the event that a leak remains (i.e. one is still being detected), whilst the buzzer 23 may be silenced, the visual warning provided by the LED(s) 24 cannot be reset and provides an ongoing signal to remind a user that the leak still exists.

Whilst locating a sensor apparatus 2 (and whole leak detection system 1 relatively near to the sensor apparatus 2) beneath a boiler is a preferred

embodiment, it is, of course, equally useful to locate a detection system 1 in other localities, for example, in a location so as to detect leaks from a water tank - including a hot water tank, which may be located within a cupboard, or a cold water tank, which may be located in a loft. The sleeve 12 and conductors 1 1 a; 1 1 b are lightweight and flexible allowing them to be secured around a pipe, but have sufficient rigidity to, effectively, grip around the pipe in a helical manner, providing a near immediate warning should a leak from that pipe occur. Certainly, having an adhesive makes such securing easier. A sensor apparatus 2 may be located under a sink to safeguard against a leak from the taps or waste pipes in that region, or beneath a bath or shower unit.

Whilst the invention has been described in relation to a simple sensor circuit and sensor apparatus which is directly connected to that circuit, in this age of wireless sensors and wireless controllers, it is envisaged that a central controller may be used in connection with wireless sensors located in the key regions of the building. For instance, the controller may be located in a kitchen thereof, and various sensor apparatus located in the region of the boiler, hot water tank and cold water tank. This type of wireless operation would particularly suit a manufacturing plant, office location or large dwelling. Such wireless sensors are typically battery operated and would wirelessly send an alarm signal to the controller in the event that a closed circuit is formed by its absorbent sleeve absorbing an amount of a conductive fluid.

Although the invention has mainly been described in relation to a domestic environment in which a leak will be predominantly water, the invention is naturally suitable for detecting a conductive fluid in other environments, for instance in offices and other buildings, it could even be used in a chemical or manufacturing plant as an early warning device. Use of DC current, in particular low level DC as supplied by simple 1 .5 volt cells, provides a working early warning system which is safe to use for families and pets. As the sleeve is insulated, and so too are the conductors, any potential for receiving an electric shock is minimal.