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Sump pump with air column therein when pump is not operating

  • US 4,215,975 A
  • Filed: 12/13/1978
  • Issued: 08/05/1980
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1978
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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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:

  • 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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