Liquid level control assembly for pumps
First Claim
1. A magnetically actuated switch apparatus forming a part of a submersible pump assembly adapted for fluidly displacing liquid from a vessel in which at least a portion of said pump assembly is disposed, said pump assembly including an impeller movably disposed in an impeller chamber formed by the pump, and a motor housed in a motor housing forming a part of the pump and operably attached to the impeller, said switch apparatus comprising:
- a unitary housing structure sealingly attached to said motor housing, said structure forming an internal switch chamber and an external actuator chamber, said external actuator chamber disposed external to said housing structure and integrally formed therewith to environmentally seal and isolate said actuator chamber from said housing structure and said switch chamber;
a lower actuator movably disposed within said actuator chamber;
a switch means disposed within said switch chamber for selectively activating said motor;
a switch actuator within said switch chamber, said switch actuator contacting and partially surrounding said switch means, said switch means including means for biasingly supporting said switch actuator at a vertical position, said switch actuator having a lower portion with at least one of said lower portion of said switch actuator and said lower actuator being magnetic and the other being attracted by a magnetic force; and
a liquid level assembly means operably connected to said lower actuator for moving said lower actuator toward said switch actuator in response to a rising liquid level, and away from said switch actuator in response to a lowering liquid level, said lower actuator when in proximity to said switch actuator causes said switch actuator to overcome the support force of said biased support means and move slidably downwards within said switch chamber to activate the switch means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A switch for a liquid level control is activated by a switch actuator with a magnetic portion when the magnetic portion is drawn to a magnetic actuator brought into proximity with the switch actuator when a particular liquid level has been reached. The magnetic actuator and switch are in isolated portions of a unitary housing and may be submersed without detrimental effect to the operation of the level control switch.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A magnetically actuated switch apparatus forming a part of a submersible pump assembly adapted for fluidly displacing liquid from a vessel in which at least a portion of said pump assembly is disposed, said pump assembly including an impeller movably disposed in an impeller chamber formed by the pump, and a motor housed in a motor housing forming a part of the pump and operably attached to the impeller, said switch apparatus comprising:
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a unitary housing structure sealingly attached to said motor housing, said structure forming an internal switch chamber and an external actuator chamber, said external actuator chamber disposed external to said housing structure and integrally formed therewith to environmentally seal and isolate said actuator chamber from said housing structure and said switch chamber; a lower actuator movably disposed within said actuator chamber; a switch means disposed within said switch chamber for selectively activating said motor; a switch actuator within said switch chamber, said switch actuator contacting and partially surrounding said switch means, said switch means including means for biasingly supporting said switch actuator at a vertical position, said switch actuator having a lower portion with at least one of said lower portion of said switch actuator and said lower actuator being magnetic and the other being attracted by a magnetic force; and a liquid level assembly means operably connected to said lower actuator for moving said lower actuator toward said switch actuator in response to a rising liquid level, and away from said switch actuator in response to a lowering liquid level, said lower actuator when in proximity to said switch actuator causes said switch actuator to overcome the support force of said biased support means and move slidably downwards within said switch chamber to activate the switch means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A magnetically actuated switching assembly for a submersible pump with a motor within a motor housing above and connected to an impeller casing, said switch apparatus controlling the supply of power to said motor and comprising:
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unitary housing means attached to said motor housing for forming a switch chamber and an actuator chamber, said actuator chamber disposed external to said unitary housing means and integrally formed therewith to environmentally seal and isolate said actuator chamber from said housing means and said switch chamber; a mechanically activated electrical switching means for controlling power supply to said pump, and a switch actuation means for controlling the operation of said switching means, said electrical switching means and said switch actuation means disposed in said switch chamber, said switch actuation means forming a hollow portion, said switching means at least partially extending into said hollow portion, said switch actuation means contacting and normally being held in a non-operational position by a biased switch button forming a part of said electrical switching means; and magnetic actuation means movably disposed within said actuator chamber for magnetically inducing movement of said switch actuation means in response to a change in liquid level around said pump. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification