Sump pump with air column therein when pump is not operating
First Claim
1. An attachment for a sump pump apparatus, or the like, used in a liquid containing sump and comprising a pump unit having a liquid passageway therethrough through which liquid is pumped, said pump unit including a pump and a motor therefor, a liquid discharge conduit communicating with said passageway and extending upwardly therefrom, a check valve in said discharge line to permit liquid to flow in said line away from said pump unit and to prevent return flow from the line through the passageway, and an electrical control device for energizing the pump unit when the liquid level in the sump rises to a predetermined elevation which is above that of said pump and deenergizing the pump unit when the liquid level thereafter drops to a given elevation, said attachment comprising:
- vent means communicating with said passageway below said check valve and above said pump for providing a vent through which fluid can flow from said passageway to a location exterior thereof;
valve means connected to said vent means for opening and closing said vent, said valve means being normally closed whereby with said check valve closed and an air column existing below said check valve and through said pump unit the liquid in the sump may rise to a level above the pump unit without significantly entering the pump unit; and
control means connected to said valve means and including sensor means responsive to the level of the liquid in the sump for operating said valve means to open said vent by the time the liquid level rises to said predetermined elevation whereby the opening of the vent will permit the dissipation of the air column to an extent sufficient to allow the liquid level in the pump unit to equilibrate with that of the level elsewhere in the sump thus priming the pump.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air column is employed in a sump pump to exclude liquid and foreign matter therein from the pump interior until a time just prior to priming and pumping. Just prior to the pump being turned on the air column is vented, thus permitting the liquid to rise to a level in the pump commensurate with the level elsewhere in the sump and thereby priming the pump.
63 Citations
5 Claims
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1. An attachment for a sump pump apparatus, or the like, used in a liquid containing sump and comprising a pump unit having a liquid passageway therethrough through which liquid is pumped, said pump unit including a pump and a motor therefor, a liquid discharge conduit communicating with said passageway and extending upwardly therefrom, a check valve in said discharge line to permit liquid to flow in said line away from said pump unit and to prevent return flow from the line through the passageway, and an electrical control device for energizing the pump unit when the liquid level in the sump rises to a predetermined elevation which is above that of said pump and deenergizing the pump unit when the liquid level thereafter drops to a given elevation, said attachment comprising:
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vent means communicating with said passageway below said check valve and above said pump for providing a vent through which fluid can flow from said passageway to a location exterior thereof; valve means connected to said vent means for opening and closing said vent, said valve means being normally closed whereby with said check valve closed and an air column existing below said check valve and through said pump unit the liquid in the sump may rise to a level above the pump unit without significantly entering the pump unit; and control means connected to said valve means and including sensor means responsive to the level of the liquid in the sump for operating said valve means to open said vent by the time the liquid level rises to said predetermined elevation whereby the opening of the vent will permit the dissipation of the air column to an extent sufficient to allow the liquid level in the pump unit to equilibrate with that of the level elsewhere in the sump thus priming the pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of protecting the operating components of a sump pump apparatus, or the like, used in a liquid containing sump and comprising a pump unit having a liquid passageway therethrough through which liquid is pumped, said pump unit including a pump, a liquid discharge line communicating with said passageway and extending upwardly therefrom, said method comprising the steps of:
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at the time said pump discontinues operation establishing an air column through said pump and extending sufficiently below said operating components that the liquid in the sump will not rise sufficiently in the pump unit to immerse said operating components no matter how high the liquid rises in said sump externally of the pump unit; and no later than the next starting of the pump unit, venting said air column to permit the liquid to rise in the pump unit to a level commensurate with the level of the liquid in the sump.
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Specification