Apparatus and method for monitoring sewer system operation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for remotely monitoring a plurality of grinder pump stations at a plurality of different first locations, the method comprising:
- obtaining data regarding operation of the plurality of grinder pump stations at the first locations; and
transferring the data from the first locations via a communications network to a central computing unit at a second location different from the first locations.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for monitoring a plurality of grinder pumps, and in particular, remotely over a communications network. Aspects of the invention include an alarm panel having a modular configuration, a modem board which allows use of a single telephone line and use by the homeowner in an emergency, the transmission of data over a high voltage AC line, and recharging of a sensing tube for measuring the level of wastewater in a tank.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method for remotely monitoring a plurality of grinder pump stations at a plurality of different first locations, the method comprising:
-
obtaining data regarding operation of the plurality of grinder pump stations at the first locations; and
transferring the data from the first locations via a communications network to a central computing unit at a second location different from the first locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An alarm panel for a grinder pump station, said alarm panel comprising:
-
a processor for monitoring the grinder pump; and
a modem board connectable to said processor, at least one of said processor and said modem board comprising an override to allow use of a telephone by a homeowner over user of the telephone line by said modem board during transmission of data from the processor to a central computing unit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
-
-
10. A modular alarm panel for a grinder pump station, the modular alarm panel comprising:
-
a processor for monitoring the grinder pump; and
wherein said processor is connectable to a power loss high level alarm module, a modem board, a pressure transducer, and a generator receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
14. A method for recharging a sensing tube for use in measuring a level of a fluid in a receptacle, the method comprising:
permitting the level of the fluid in the receptacle to go below the bottom of the sensing tube.
-
18. A method for transmitting information over a high voltage alternating current line, the method comprising:
-
receiving data at a first location;
modulating the voltage of an alternating current line at the first location to generate a series of pulses corresponding to the information;
detecting the series of pulses in the high voltage line at a second location different from the first location; and
determining the data at a second location based on the series of pulses.
-
Specification