Anti-dry start device

Abstract

An anti-dry start device is provided for preventing the operation of a powered pressure washer in the absence of sufficient inlet fluid pressure, the device comprising a pressure switch removably mounted into a fitting installed in the inlet line to the pressure washer, the device further comprising an electrical interconnection between the pressure switch and an ignition system of the pressure washer, whereby the pressure switch is adapted to disrupt power to the pressure washer ignition switch when the inlet pressure is below a preset threshold.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an anti-dry start device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an anti-dry start device according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. An anti-dry start device for preventing the operation of a powered pressure washer in the absence of sufficient inlet pressure, comprising: a sensor adapted to detect a level of fluid pressure at the inlet to the pressure washer;an electrical switching means interconnected to the sensor for responding to the detected fluid pressure level; andan electrical communication conduit interconnecting the switching means with the pressure washer so as to disable the pressure washer from operating when the detected fluid pressure is below a preset threshold.

2. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 1, wherein a pressure switch comprises the sensor and the switching means.

3. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 2, further comprising a pipe fitting having a first port adapted to be interconnected to a fluid supply, a second port adapted to be interconnected to the inlet of the pressure washer, and a third port adapted to receive the pressure switch.

4. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 2, wherein the fluid supply is removably interconnected to the fitting and wherein the pressure washer inlet is removably interconnected to the fitting.

5. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 2, wherein the pressure switch is removably received into the fitting.

6. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 2, wherein the electrical interconnection conduit comprises a wire adapted to be removably interconnected between the pressure washer and the switching means of the pressure switch.

7. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 2, further comprising an electrical grounding conduit interconnecting the fitting with an electrical ground on the pressure washer.

8. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 2, wherein the preset pressure threshold is approximately zero.

9. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 2, wherein the preset pressure threshold is greater than zero but less than the required inlet pressure to the pressure washer.

10. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical communication conduit interconnects the switching means with an ignition system of the pressure washer so as to disrupt power to the pressure washer ignition system when the detected fluid pressure is below the preset threshold.

11. An anti-dry start device for preventing the operation of a powered pressure washer in the absence of sufficient inlet pressure, comprising: a pressure switch having a pressure sensor and an electrical switching means;a pipe fitting having a first port adapted to be interconnected to a fluid supply, a second port adapted to be interconnected to the inlet of the pressure washer, and a third port adapted to receive the pressure switch;an electrical communication conduit interconnecting the switching means to an ignition system of the pressure washer so as to disrupt power to the pressure washer ignition system when the detected fluid pressure is below a preset threshold.

12. An anti-dry start device as recited in claim 11, further comprising an electrical grounding conduit interconnecting the fitting with an electrical ground on the pressure washer.