Solid State Sump Pump Control

• US 20110311381A1
• Filed: 08/29/2011
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfred M. Bourell Jr, Curtis T. Washington, David K. Morton, Ricky W. Cox, Roderick C. Truitt
• Original Assignee: Alfred M. Bourell Jr, Curtis T. Washington, David K. Morton, Ricky W. Cox, Roderick C. Truitt
• Inventors: Bourell, Alfred M. Jr., Cox, Ricky W., Morton, David K., Truitt, Roderick C., Washington, Curtis T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,641,384 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/410.1
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 47/06 having motor-pump units situated at great depth
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0218 the condition being a liquid level or a lack of liquid supply

Abstract

The present invention provides a sump pump control system. The system includes a mounting fixture fabricated from a corrosion resistant material, and an electrical control comprising solid state electrical components supported by the mounting fixture. The sump pump control system also includes a diving bell cover. The diving bell cover has an open bottom, and is dimensioned to cover the electrical components. The diving bell cover is releasably secured to a support surface of the mounting fixture. The electrical control controls the operation of a sump pump. Should water rise to a level of the electrical components due to failure of the sump pump or due to quickly rising water, the diving bell cover will prevent water from contacting the electrical components. A method of removing water from a subterranean vault is also provided herein.

Claims

1. A sump pump control system, comprising:

a mounting fixture comprising a support surface and a mounting plate;

an electrical control comprising solid state electrical components connected to a chassis, wherein the chassis is supported on the support surface of the mounting fixture;

a diving bell cover having an open bottom and being releasably secured to the support surface of the mounting fixture, the diving bell cover being configured to encompass the electrical components on the support surface; and

wherein;

the electrical control controls the operation of a sump pump, and

the electrical components are mounted onto the chassis at a position above the bottom of the diving bell cover such that water will not contact the electrical components in the event that water surrounds the diving bell cover.

2. The sump pump control system of claim 1, further comprising:

an externally operable test switch.

3. The sump pump control system of claim 2, wherein the externally operable test switch comprises a magnetic reed switch, and the sump pump further comprises:

a permanent magnet that may be passed over the diving bell cover in order to momentarily turn on the sump pump.

4. The sump pump control system of claim 1, wherein the electrical components are coated with a clear waterproof coating.

5. The sump pump control system of claim 4, further comprising:

the sump pump, wherein the sump pump is part of a sump pump assembly that comprises a common probe, an “

on”

probe and an “

off”

probe.

6. The sump pump control system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one latch for releasably securing the diving bell cover to the support surface of the mounting fixture, the at least one latch being fabricated from an elastomeric material.

7. The sump pump control system of claim 1, wherein the electrical components comprise:

a solid state circuit board; and

a solid state power relay.

8. The sump pump control system of claim 7, wherein the electrical components further comprise:

a hermetically sealed control relay;

a socket;

a transformer; and

a terminal strip.

9. The sump pump control system of claim 1, wherein:

the electrical components comprise a digital counter for counting each on/off cycle of the sump pump; and

the mounting fixture and the chassis are both fabricated from a corrosion resistant material.

10. The sump pump control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a desiccant cartridge for absorbing moisture.

11. The sump pump control system of claim 1, wherein the electrical components are mounted onto the chassis at a position above the mounting surface and above the bottom of the diving bell cover such that water will not contact the electrical components in the event that water covers the diving bell cover by at least twenty feet.