Automatic water shut-off device

Abstract

A water shut-off device is disclosed. The water shut-off device has an inlet port and an outlet port. The water shut-off device includes: a housing fluidly connected to the inlet port and the outlet port, the housing having an opening at its upper end and including: a valve for switching the device between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the valve permitting flow of water through the device in the open configuration and prohibiting flow of water through the device in the closed configuration; a gear wheel secured to the housing and operatively coupled to the valve, the valve being actuated by rotations of the gear wheel; and an anchor in mechanical communication with the gear wheel, the anchor including: a container for receiving water flowing through the opening; and at least one pallet connected to the container, the at least one pallet being configured to catch against one or more teeth of the gear wheel, the anchor being rotatably mounted at a fixed pivot in the housing such that the anchor swings about the pivot as water collects in the container, the swinging of the anchor about the pivot causing the at least one pallet to alternately catch and release a tooth of the gear wheel, thereby causing the gear wheel to rotate in a first direction.