Other

Diversitech Corporation

Rectorseal, LLC

Resource Conservation Technologies, Inc.

Cantolino Industries, Inc.

Christopher Ralph Cantolino

Mark Oudshoorn

Robert Dean Sells

Steven V Leone

A latching magnetic float switch with a single fastener mounting clamp and pivoting toggle bar magnet interrupting an electrical circuit to stop fluid production once actuated by an initially offset float magnet first rotating a small distance in response to liquid accumulation in the collection pan upon which the switch is mounted, the float magnet then achieving a strong snap-locked latching magnetic engagement with the toggle bar magnet solely through building magnetic attraction between them, engagement continuing until the float magnet is manually reset into its original offset positioning. The 2-part clamp with a rotating curved/bowed clamp arm can mount the switch securely to both metal and plastic liquid collection pans with differing draft angles, and also provides a clamp base configured for elevation adjustment of the float housing relative to pans having different wall height dimensions and fluid production shut off when detected fluid depth is less than 0.5 inches.

Latching magnetic float switch

A float switch used for system shut-off and/or alarm activation in response to fluid detection. A clamp connects the switch's protective housing to a fluid-collection pan wall, with the switch comprising a pivoting float assembly having a magnet originally positioned out-of-phase to an upper magnet on a toggle, a contact spring and ferrous pin also diminishing attraction of the magnets toward one another until the float assembly is sufficiently raised by accumulated fluid to force the upper magnet away from the ferrous pin and instead engage the lower magnet, the toggle promptly shifting position so that its opposite end may close a circuit that activates an alarm, remote notification, or other communication/control. The exponential increase in attractive force between the magnets as they draw near to one another results in a very rapid snap action that reduces malfunction. Manual reset of the toggle and float are required for continuing/repeat use.

A small compact magnetic latching shut-off switch having a lightweight float, angled geometry, and quick/convenient small-stroke manual float reset. A lower float magnet and a second upper magnet affecting electrical circuit continuity have initial offset positioning that minimizes their magnetic attraction to one another. When a predetermined small amount of fluid accumulates below it, the float begins forward rotation and attraction between magnets thereafter multiplies until gravitational force on the float and forces maintaining initial raised positioning of the upper magnet are overcome, resulting in strong latched snap-lock connection between upper and lower magnets, an abrupt/reliable/strong tripped state that remains until manual float reset occurs. Transparent float housing reveals drain line clogging potential, and structural features of the float and housing enable raised tripping point adjustment, promoting switch reliability. Switch use with a tapered threaded adapter seal also provides fast and stable installation, and greater adaptation to different work environments.

Magnetic latching float switch

A magnetic switch assembly comprising a toggle bar and a switch actuator each rotatable between a first position and a second position, at least one set of magnets including a first magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the toggle bar and a second magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the switch actuator and a corresponding pair of electrical contacts including a first electrical contact coupled to a first electrical conductor and a second electrical contact coupled to a second electrical conductor wherein the toggle bar is normally bias in the first position when the switch actuator is in the first position with the first magnet disposed in spaced relationship relative to the second magnet when each is in the first position and having a gap therebetween such that the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact engage each other to complete an electrical circuit between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor and when the switch actuator is moved from the first position to the second position decreasing the gap between the first magnet and the second magnet as the magnetic attraction therebetween overcomes the toggle bar bias disengaging the second electrical contact from the first electrical contact to create an open electrical circuit.

Magnetic switch assembly

A coupling harness useful with a HVAC mini-split system includes a first interface connected to a thermistor, a second interface connected to a condensate overflow sensor and a control device interface connected to a HVAC electronic control device. The first and second interfaces can notify the control device interface of the existence of an alarm condition of the thermistor and condensate overflow sensor, respectively. The control device interface can actuate the HVAC electronic control device in response to such notifications that an alarm condition exists for the thermistor or condensate overflow sensor.

Coupling harness for HVAC mini-split system

A solar panel support comprising an upper coupling member including a hollow sleeve having a tapered inner surface increasing in diameter or cross-sectional dimension from the proximal end to the distal end having a key or wedge decreasing in width from the proximal end to the distal end projecting inwardly from the inner surface thereof and a lower support member including an elongated hollow pole or shaft having a slit or slot formed on the proximal end to receive the key or wedge therein such that when the elongated hollow pole or shaft is slidably received in the hollow sleeve and the key or wedge is aligned with the slit or slot the upper portion of the elongated hollow pole or shaft is squeezed by the hollow sleeve wedging the key within the slit or slot to secure the upper coupling member and lower support member together.

Solar panel support

A water sensor and alarm system for storage water heaters comprising an alarm housing, embedded battery, annunciator, and two bottom exposed fluid sensors separated by a stand-off. The system is designed for prompt owner notification when fluid is detected adjacent to a hot water heater tank. Notification is audible, and optionally may be in the form of remote notification, such as but not limited to a signal transmitted to the home security device connected to a 24-hour security monitoring network, or a smart phone, tablet, or other smart device. The alarm housing can be easily and quickly mounted to the side of the water heater tank. Ultra low power consumption is an important benefit provided by the alarm system, which continues during low battery warnings and water detection alarming. Also, the audible alarm may optionally include a boost circuit to amplify annunciator loudness, but at a tradeoff with conserving power.

Water heater alarm

A control system to selectively control the operation of the compressor of a mini-split air conditioning system including at least one remote evaporator operatively coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant therethrough, a sensor to monitor the operation of the evaporator and to generate an operating control signal to turn-off the compressor when a predetermined operating condition is sensed at the evaporator and a condensate drain pan to receive or catch condensate from the evaporator, the control system comprising a condensate sensor disposed to sense condensate in the condensate drain pan at a predetermined level and to generate a condensate level signal fed to a battery powered control device including an isolated solid state relay coupled to the sensor by a control coupling device to generate a condensate level control signal fed to the sensor causing the sensor to generate the operating control signal fed to turn off the compressor when condensate within the condensate drain pan reaches the predetermined level.

Solid state control system

A condensate sensing device to generate a condensate signal when condensate within a condensate collector reaches a predetermined level comprising a hollow shell and overmold integrally formed to form a water tight enclosure to operatively house a signal generator including electronic components to selectively generate the condensate signal when the condensate within the predetermined level reaches the predetermined level to control the operation of equipment and/or energize an alarm.

Condensate sensing device

A method of encapsulating a liquid level sensor device within a protective monolithic block through over-molding a printed circuit board assembly supporting a plurality of electronic components and an external sensor that includes a pair of spaced apart sensor members extending from the protective monolithic block to sense the accumulation of condensate to a predetermined level within a collection reservoir from a condensate producing source within a polyamide adhesive.

Encapsulated liquid level sensor device

A fluid-sensing switch system that can monitor pre-established threshold fluid levels in the primary drain pan inside an air conditioning unit or other condensate-producing unit, and also in a secondary drain pan positioned under the unit. Once the threaded plug of a sensing probe is connected to the unit's weep hole, it positions a center sensor providing a first power potential through a false-trigger-reducing resilient piece in a position to wait for rising fluid capable of breaching a weep hole dam. A substantially circular sensor is also present provides the second power potential needed for signal generation. A signal-generating member connected to both sensors is electrically connected to the unit to shut it off, and/or activate a pump that removes fluid from the secondary drain pan. The signal-generating member provides the redundant safety alarm capability, when mounted on a secondary drain pan. Anti-microbial elements are optional, but preferred.

Fluid-sensing switch system with redundant safety alarm capability

An energy conservation system to selectively control the operation of the heating elements of a water heater including a water storage tank operable in an automated mode to control the temperature of water within the water storage tank comprising a flow detector such as temperature sensor to sense the inlet or outlet water temperature to detect a change in temperature measured in time and duration and a tank temperature to sense the water temperature within the storage tank and generate corresponding temperature signals and a microprocessor coupled to the flow detector and tank temperature sensor to receive the corresponding signals including means to determine when there is a demand for hot water and means to determine a pattern of hot water usage over a water usage cycle to maintain the water in the water storage tank at a minimum temperature to supply a minimum quantity of hot water and increase the temperature of the water to a maximum temperature to supply a maximum quantity of hot water corresponding to the pattern of hot water usage over the water usage cycle.

Energy conservation system

An alarm system for a storage hot water heater comprising an alarm housing, power supply leads inserted through the top of a hot water heater tank, a fluid collection pan positioned under the tank, and a fluid detection sensor associated with the pan. The alarm housing is configured to provide prompt owner/operator notification after only a small amount of fluid is collected in the pan under the tank. Owner/operator notification can be provided via audible, visual, and/or remote means, such as but not limited to a signal transmitted to a home security device that is relayed to a 24-hour security monitoring network. Since the alarm housing is hard wired, reliance on batteries is avoided and the system's useful life meets or exceeds that of the associated hot water heater. In addition, the leads never have to be removed from the hot water heater tank and can be made tamper-resistant.

Alarm system for hot water heaters

A generally mushroom-shaped vibration isolator having a broad cap and a smaller diameter stem that is used for safety enhancement between a heavy furnace, air conditioning unit, storage hot water heater tank, or other fluid-producing unit, and a fluid-collecting pan positioned under it. Vibration isolator stems are placed within indentations in raised areas of the pan and comprise highly impact-resistant materials, temperature-resistant materials, provide enhanced air movement and heat deflection around a furnace/unit/tank, reduce after-installation furnace/unit/tank movement, and meet furnace non-combustible clearance requirements. The cap has a broad underside surface, top surface radially-extending ribs and cutouts, and may have a slightly convex top, while the stem has at least one outwardly-depending wedge-shaped projection that is sufficiently flared-out to flip over as it is inserted into an indentation for a tight fit within several sizes of indentation, as well as removal resistance. A tapered connection also exists between cap and stem.

Vibration isolator

A furnace riser block configured for placement under residential or commercial furnaces and having a generally isosceles trapezoid configuration when viewed from any of its four sides. It is made from strong and lightweight plastic materials that absorb vibration. At least two riser blocks are used together to support a furnace, each having a bottom flange, four corner protrusions, two side protrusions offset from a central location, a deep draft on all four of its sides, a high width-to-height ratio, vertical ribbing that creates a scalloped configuration and increases its vertical loading capability, and multiple indentations in its top surface each configured for receiving a metal jacket riser member that gives an additional inch of clearance when needed in an installation and/or receipt of a vibration isolator. The furnace riser block is stronger, lighter in weight, and safer to handle and ship, than known furnace supports made from metal material.

Growing community of inventors

Sarasota, FL, United States of America

Christopher Ralph Cantolino