Sump pump drive system
First Claim
1. In a sump pump drive system operable in a normal mode when AC line power is available or emergency mode when AC line power has failed, the system being powered in the normal mode by a single phase AC source and having an AC-to-DC converter, a DC standby source, a sump pump and a pump drive motor, the improvement wherein:
- the pump drive motor is a poly-phase AC machine;
the system further comprises a polyphase DC-to-AC inverter connected to the drive motor;
the system includes a battery charger connected between the converter and the inverter for periodically charging the DC standby source; and
,the pump drive motor is driven using inverted DC power in both normal and emergency modes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is an improvement in a sump pump drive system of the type operable in a normal or emergency mode, powered in the normal mode by a single phase AC source and having an AC-to-DC converter, a DC standby source, a sump pump and a pump drive motor. In the improved system, the drive motor is a poly-phase AC machine and the system further comprises a DC-to-AC inverter connected to the drive motor. The pump is driven using inverted DC power in both normal and emergency modes. For the first time, the system designer can select an "ideal" pump configuration (especially including speed), then an ideal motor configuration (especially including number of poles) and configure the system for a frequency to drive the pump and motor at that speed. Variants of the improved system include low rated motor terminal voltage (not more than the battery terminal voltage), a variable frequency capability for tailoring motor speed (and therefore, pumping rate) to sump water level and "soft" start and stop. Such variants also include a battery "exercise" feature and battery charging features extending battery life and returning the battery more quickly to a full-charge condition.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. In a sump pump drive system operable in a normal mode when AC line power is available or emergency mode when AC line power has failed, the system being powered in the normal mode by a single phase AC source and having an AC-to-DC converter, a DC standby source, a sump pump and a pump drive motor, the improvement wherein:
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the pump drive motor is a poly-phase AC machine; the system further comprises a polyphase DC-to-AC inverter connected to the drive motor; the system includes a battery charger connected between the converter and the inverter for periodically charging the DC standby source; and
,the pump drive motor is driven using inverted DC power in both normal and emergency modes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. In a sump pump drive system operable in a normal mode when AC line power is available or emergency mode when AC line power has failed, the system being powered in the normal mode by a single phase AC source and having an AC-to-DC converter, a DC standby source, a sump pump and a pump drive motor, the improvement wherein:
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the pump drive motor is a poly-phase AC machine; the system further comprises a DC-to-AC inverter connected to the drive motor; the inverter is of the variable frequency type and has a rated output voltage; the motor is started at a voltage substantially less than the rated output voltage; and
,the pump drive motor is driven using inverted DC power in both the normal and emergency modes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. In a sump pump drive system operable in a normal mode when AC line power is available or emergency mode when AC line power has failed, the system being powered in the normal mode by a single phase AC source and having an Ac-to-DC converter, a battery DC standby source, a sump pump and a pump drive motor, the improvement wherein:
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the pump drive motor is a poly-phase AC machine; the system includes a DC-to-AC inverter connected to the drive motor; the system further includes a battery exercise circuit periodically drawing energy from the battery by modulating the inverter to dissipate energy in the motor while yet avoiding motor rotation; and
,the pump drive motor is driven using inverted DC power in both the normal and emergency modes.
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Specification