Sump pump detection and alarm system

• US 4,369,438 A
• Filed: 05/13/1980
• Issued: 01/18/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ernest Kettelson
• Original Assignee: Ernest Kettelson
• Inventors: Wilhelmi, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Myer, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US06/149,382
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 340/663, 340/531, 340/620, 340/624, 340/625, 340/616, 340/623, 340/539, 340/309.1, 340/521, 340/533
• US Class Current: 340/623
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A sump pump detection and alarm system, comprising electrical circuits and components to detect the existence of three different conditions, namely (1) a high water condition with electric power still available, (2) a high water condition when electrical power has failed, and (3) a failure of electrical power to the sump pump even though there is no high water level at the time, and to energize an alarm when detected to indicate which of the three conditions exists. The invention includes remote alarm stations, and in addition connections to the on-premises telephone line to produce a busy signal or other signal when such number is dialed in the event one of the three sump pump conditions exists, plus connections to a radio transmitter to transmit a radio signal when one of the said conditions exist.

Claims

1. A detection and alarm system to detect a plurality of different conditions at a sump pump location and to thereupon provide a distinguishing alarm signal for each of such different conditions, comprising a first detecting means to detect a loss of electrical power to said sump pump location and no abnormally high water level condition at said sump pump location, first alarm signalling means to signal the existence of such first condition, second detecting means to detect a loss of electrical power to said sump pump location plus an abnormally high water level condition at said sump pump location, and second alarm signalling means to signal the existence of such second condition.

2. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said detection and alarm system includes third detecting means to detect a third condition, third alarm signalling means to signal the existence of such third condition, wherein said third condition is an abnormally high water level condition at said sump pump location but with electrical power still available to said sump pump location.

3. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a first electrical power source to energize a sump pump, a second electrical power source to energize a primary electrical detection and alarm circuit including said primary electrical detection and alarm circuit, said primary circuit comprising said first, second and third detection means, first switch means in said first detection means, second switch means in said second detection means, third switch means in said third detection means, and common energizating means electrically connected to said first power source and operably connected to each of said first, second and third switch means to selectively alternate said first, second and third switch means between respective open circuit and closed circuit positions when power is available at said sump pump location from said first power source and respective opposite positions when power is not available from said first power source at said sump location.

4. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said detection and alarm system includes water level detection means to detect the existence of a high water level condition at said sump pump location, fourth switch means in said electrical detection and alarm circuit operably connected to said water level detection means, said fourth switch means also operably connected to said second and third detection means.

5. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first detection means includes a first sub-circuit to detect the presence of said first condition, said first sub-circuit including said first switch means, said first switch means including a first pair of contacts normally biased to the contact closed position and movable to the contact open position upon energization of said common energizing means, a first signal means in said first sub-circuit to signal the existence of said first condition upon occurrence thereof.

6. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first sub-circuit includes a second signal means to signal the existence of any one of said first, second and third conditions upon occurrence thereof.

7. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first signal means is a lamp and said second signal means is an audible alarm device.

8. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first sub-circuit includes first signal defeating means to de-energize one of said first and second signal means without de-energizing the other.

9. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said first signal defeating means includes a first by-pass circuit across the said first sub-circuit to short out said second signal means, said by-pass circuit including a manually operable switch to energize said by-pass circuit.

10. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said second detection means includes a second sub-circuit to detect the presence of said second condition, said second sub-circuit including said second switch means said second switch means including a second pair of contacts normally biased to the contact closed position and movable to the contact open position upon energization of said common energizing means, a third signal means in said second sub-circuit to signal the existence of said second condition upon occurrence thereof, said fourth switch means being electrically connected in said second sub-circuit.

11. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second sub-circuit includes said second signal means, and an auxiliary conductor circuit leading to said second signal means connected to said second sub-circuit at a junction between said second pair of contacts and said third signal means.

12. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said third signal means is a lamp and said second signal means is an audible alarm device.

13. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said second sub-circuit includes second signal defeating means to de-energize one of said third and second signal means without de-energizing the other.

14. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said second signal defeating means includes a second by-pass circuit, said second by-pass circuit connected in parallel across said second signal means and connected at one end to said auxiliary conductor circuit at a junction between said second signal means and said second pair of contacts, said second by-pass circuit including a manually operable switch to energize said second by-pass circuit, a relay coil connected in said second by-pass circuit, a pair of relay contacts associated with and operated by said relay coil connected in said auxiliary conductor circuit, said relay contacts connected in said auxiliary conductor circuit being moved to the contact open position upon energization of said coil connected in said second by-pass circuit to thereupon interrupt the circuit to said second signal means and thus de-energize said second signal means.

15. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said third detection means includes a third sub-circuit to detect the presence of said third condition, said third sub-circuit including said third switch means, said third switch means including a third pair of contacts normally biased to the contact open position and movable to the contact closed position upon energization of said common energizing means, a fourth signal means in said third sub-circuit to signal the existence of said third condition upon occurrence thereof, said fourth switch means being electrically connected in said third sub-circuit.

16. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said third sub-circuit includes said second signal means, said third sub-circuit being connected to said auxiliary conductor circuit leading to said second signal means at a junction between said third pair of contacts and said fourth signal means.

17. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said fourth signal means is a lamp and said second signal means is an audible alarm device.

18. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said third sub-circuit includes signal defeating means to de-energize one of said fourth and second signal means with de-energizing the other.

19. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said second signal defeating means which de-energizes one of said third and second signal means without de-energizing the other also comprises the signal defeating means to de-energize said one of said fourth and second signal means without de-energizing the other.

20. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a primary control and monitoring console, said primary electrical detection and alarm circuit being mounted therein, at least one portable remote control and monitoring console for placement at remote locations from said primary control and monitoring console and for connection thereto, and connection means to operably connect said remote console to said primary console.

21. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said remote control and monitoring console includes a remote electrical detection and alarm circuit therein, said circuit including a first remote signal means to signal the presence of said first condition, a second remote signal means to signal the presence of any one of said first, second and third conditions, a third remote signal means to signal the presence of said second condition and a fourth remote signal means to signal the presence of said third condition.

22. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 21, wherein said first, third and fourth remote signal means are respective first, second and third lamps mounted on said remote control and monitoring console, and said second remote signal means includes an audible alarm device.

23. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 16, including a primary control and monitoring console, said primary electrical detection and alarm circuit being mounted therein, at least one portable remote control and monitoring console for placement at remote locations from said primary control and monitoring console and for connection thereto, and connection means to operably connect said remote control console to said primary console.

24. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 23, wherein said remote control and monitoring console includes a remote electrical detection and alarm circuit therein, said circuit including a first remote signal means to signal the presence of said first condition, a second remote signal means to signal the presence of any one of said first, second and third conditions, a third remote signal means to signal the presence of said second condition and a fourth remote signal means to signal the presence of said third condition.

25. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 24, wherein said connection means includes first connection means to connect said remote electrical detection and alarm circuit to one pole of said second electrical power source of said primary electrical detection and alarm circuit in said primary control and monitoring console, second connection means to connect said first remote signal means to said first sub-circuit of said primary circuit to signal the presence of said first condition, third connection means to connect said third remote signal means to said second sub-circuit of said primary circuit to signal the presence of said second condition, and fourth connection means to connect said fourth remote signal means to said third sub-circuit of said primary circuit to signal the presence of said third condition.

26. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 25, wherein said second remote signal means is connected in parallel with each of said first, third and fourth remote signal means to signal the presence of any one of said first, second and third conditions upon occurrence of any one thereof.

27. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 26, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a first remote signal defeating circuit to de-energize said second remote signal means with de-energizing said first remote signal means after the occurrence of said first condition.

28. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 27, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a second remote signal defeating circuit to de-energize said second remote signal means without de-energizing said third and fourth remote signal means after the occurrence of respective ones of said second and third conditions.

29. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 28, wherein said detection and alarm system includes fifth connection means to connect said first remote signal defeating circuit of said remote control and monitoring console to said first by-pass circuit of said primary detection and alarm circuit in said primary control and monitoring console, a first manually operable switch connected in said first remote signal defeating circuit to close and energize said first remote signal defeating circuit to said first by-pass circuit of said primary detection and alarm circuit in said primary control and monitoring console, a first manually operable switch connected in said first remote signal defeating circuit to close and energize said first remote signal defeating circuit to thus de-energize said second remote signal means after occurrence of said first condition, said first by-pass circuit of said primary circuit being also thereby energized when said fifth connection has been made to simultaneously de-energize said second signal means of said primary circuit after occurrence of said first condition.

30. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 29, wherein said detection and alarm system includes sixth connection means to connect said second remote signal defeating circuit of said remote control and monitoring console to said second by-pass circuit of said primary detection and alarm circuit in said primary control and monitoring console, a second manually operable switch connected in said second remote signal defeating circuit to close and energize said second remote signal defeating circuit to thus de-energize said second remote signal means after occurrence of said second and third conditions, said second by-pass circuit of said primary circuit being also thereby energized when said sixth connection has been made to simultaneously de-energize said second signal means of said primary circuit after occurrence of said second and third conditions.

31. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a first remote switching circuit in said portable remote control and monitoring console, means to connect said first remote switching circuit to said primary electrical detection and alarm circuit in said primary control and monitoring console to open and close said primary detection and alarm circuit from said remote control and monitoring console.

32. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a second remote switching circuit in said portable remote control and monitoring console, means to connect said second remote switching circuit to said first electrical power source to open and close a circuit from said first power source to said common energizing means of said primary detection and alarm circuit from said remote control and monitoring console.

33. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 32, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a remote testing switch in said second remote switching circuit to simulate the existence of at least said first condition when said testing switch is moved to the circuit open position.

34. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said common energizing means is the coil of a relay, said coil being connected across said first electrical power source, said first electrical power source being a 110 VAC power source.

35. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 19, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a fifth signal means to positively signal the presence of electrical power available from said first power source at said sump pump location, said fifth signal means being energized and operating when such electrical power is so available, and being de-energized and not operating when such electrical power is not so available.

36. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 35, wherein said fifth signal means is an electric lamp, said lamp being connected across said first electrical power source.

37. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a main testing switch in said circuit leading from said first electrical power source to said common energizing means, said main testing switch simulating the existence of at least said first condition when said main testing switch is moved to the circuit open position.

38. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a first telephone at a location related to the location of said sump pump, said first telephone including a communication circuit to enable communication from said first telephone to a second telephone when said communication circuit is in the circuit closed state, telephone signal means associated with said first telephone to provide a busy signal when said communication circuit is in said closed circuit state, telephone connecting means to operably connect said communication circuit of said telephone to said primary electrical detection and alarm circuit to transmit a signal to said communication circuit when at least one of said first, second and third conditions is present at said sump pump location and thereupon cause said telephone communication circuit to assume said closed circuit state to in turn cause said telephone signal means to provide a busy signal to anyone attempting to telephonically communicate with and through said first telephone.

39. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 38, wherein said telephone connecting means includes a first telephone connecting circuit connected to at least one of said first, second and third detection means of said primary detection and alarm circuit, a relay coil in said first telephone connecting circuit, a second telephone connecting circuit, contact means connected in said telephone connecting circuit operable by said relay coil in said first telephone connecting circuit to move between a contact open and contact closed position, said contact means being moved to said contact closed position when one of said first, second and third conditions are present at said sump pump location and detected by a respective one of said first, second and third detection means causing said relay coil to become energized thereby energizing said second telephone connecting circuit when said relay coil is energized, said communication circuit of said first telephone comprising a first sub-circuit including an audible device connected to announce the presence of an incoming call, a second sub-circuit including a signal device to provide a busy signal, alternating switching means to alternately interrupt said first sub-circuit when said second sub-circuit is completed and to conversely interrupt said second sub-circuit when said first sub-circuit is completed, said second telephone connecting circuit being electrically connected to said alternating switching means to interrupt said first sub-circuit and to complete said second sub-circuit when said relay coil of said first telephone connecting circuit is energized and said second telephone connecting circuit is likewise energized.

40. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 39, wherein said detection and alarm system includes timing means to alternately change said telephone connecting means from a connected state to a disconnected state and back again repetitively after respective pre-selected time intervals.

41. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 40, wherein said timing means is an electrical timing switch, and said telephone connecting means to which said electrical timing switch is connected is one of said first and second telephone connecting circuits.

42. A detection and alarm system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said detection and alarm system includes a radio transmitter, transmitter connecting means to operably connect said radio transmitter to said primary electrical detection and alarm circuit to transmit a signal to said radio transmitter when at least one of said first, second and third conditions is present at said sump pump location to thereupon cause said radio transmitter to transmit radio wave signals indicating the presence of at least one of said conditions.