Sump alarm
First Claim
1. A water level detection probe that includes a galvanic cell for sump pumps having a sump reservoir in a sump hole with a sump hole liner forming a sump well to accumulate excess water and for installation of a submersible sump pump in a bottom portion of the well, and a discharge conduit to direct an excess accumulation of water to an outside external drain, the detection probe comprising:
- an alarm activation circuitry including a battery operated, solid state alarm device to operate the probe in the event of a prolonged power loss, the alarm having an input threshold;
the probe comprising first and second electrodes suspended in a fixed, essentially parallel position over the well, and extending an essentially equal length into the well;
wherein said first electrode comprises an aluminum rod and the second electrode comprises a brass rod, and each electrode communicating on the circuit with the alarm device for generating a voltage of 0.576 volts DC, due to the ionic differential between the aluminum rod and brass rod electrodes, when excess water of the sump well simultaneously contacts both of the electrodes, whereby the probe provides a water level detection and alarm system for sump wells that remains in a fixed position over the well, that has no moving parts, and that does not impede reuse by requirement for relocation and resetting following a use thereof;
means for suspending the liquid level detection probe in a recessed position near a top of the sump well, for positioning a sump hole cover over the well without interference with the probe, whereby said probe enables well closure and prevents escape of fluids from the well without warning; and
,means for adjusting the suspending means to fit any size sump hole.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A galvanic cell is formed when ground water within a sump reservoir, tub or other pool, rises to contact electrodes constructed of dissimilar metals, the electrodes mounted in a bridge, with recessing, expansion brackets, to facilitate covering the sump hole and including an alarm device adapted to provide a warning signal should the water level exceed a predetermined level to contact the electrodes.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A water level detection probe that includes a galvanic cell for sump pumps having a sump reservoir in a sump hole with a sump hole liner forming a sump well to accumulate excess water and for installation of a submersible sump pump in a bottom portion of the well, and a discharge conduit to direct an excess accumulation of water to an outside external drain, the detection probe comprising:
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an alarm activation circuitry including a battery operated, solid state alarm device to operate the probe in the event of a prolonged power loss, the alarm having an input threshold; the probe comprising first and second electrodes suspended in a fixed, essentially parallel position over the well, and extending an essentially equal length into the well;
wherein said first electrode comprises an aluminum rod and the second electrode comprises a brass rod, and each electrode communicating on the circuit with the alarm device for generating a voltage of 0.576 volts DC, due to the ionic differential between the aluminum rod and brass rod electrodes, when excess water of the sump well simultaneously contacts both of the electrodes, whereby the probe provides a water level detection and alarm system for sump wells that remains in a fixed position over the well, that has no moving parts, and that does not impede reuse by requirement for relocation and resetting following a use thereof;means for suspending the liquid level detection probe in a recessed position near a top of the sump well, for positioning a sump hole cover over the well without interference with the probe, whereby said probe enables well closure and prevents escape of fluids from the well without warning; and
,means for adjusting the suspending means to fit any size sump hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for detecting that a volume of water within a reservoir has exceeded a predetermined water level, comprising the steps of:
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providing a liquid level detection probe comprising a galvanic cell for sump pumps having a sump reservoir that contains a volume of ground water having a water level and further containing ions which form an ionic media;
an alarm activation circuitry including an alarm device, an input threshold of 0.1 volts and a power source;
the probe comprising a first aluminum rod electrode and a second brass rod electrode, each of the electrodes communicating on the circuit with the alarm device;positioning the liquid level detection probe for sump pumps over a sump reservoir; contacting the first aluminum rod and second brass rod electrodes in an ionic media when the sump reservoir volume of ground water rises above a predetermined level; generating a voltage by a galvanic action of the aluminum rod and brass rod electrodes, when the electrodes contact an ionic media; and
,activating the alarm device.
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- 23. In a sump alarm system composed of two electrodes comprising an aluminum rod and a brass rod and an audible alarm circuitry connected thereto, the improvement comprising means for suspending the two electrodes in a sump reservoir, said means consisting essentially of an elongated non-conductive bar, a stepped support bracket rotationally attached to each end of the bar, and means to hold each of the brackets in place when the electrodes are positioned in a sump reservoir.
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26. In combination, a sump comprising a sump reservoir, a sump pump, an external sump drain, and a sump alarm for detecting a high water level in the sump reservoir, the sump alarm including a detector comprising a first aluminum electrode and a second brass electrode, each of the electrodes parallel, spaced from one another, and extending an essentially equal distance into the well;
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an adjustable suspending means for the electrodes comprising an insulated plastic bridge, and repositionable support brackets bolted to each end of the bridge. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. Improvements for a water level detection probe supported in a fixed position on a suspension means over a sump pump well of a type that contains a volume of ionized ground water which may exceed a capacity of the well, said water serving as an electrical circuit for the ends of said probe positioned at a predetermined height to be bridged by the water where it rises to exceed the well capacity, said improvements embodied by said probe, communicating on an alarm activation circuitry with an alarm device and a power source, comprising a first aluminum rod electrode and a second brass rod electrode the electrodes in parallel, and of essentially the same length, to form a galvanic cell for galvanic action at the aluminum electrode, and further, at the brass electrode, wherein said ground water normally found in a sump well forms an electrolyte of the galvanic cell for generating a voltage immediately upon contact of the aluminum and brass electrodes with the water of 0.576 volts DC, when the around water rises to a fixed position of the stationary electrodes, due to the ionic differential between the aluminum rod and brass rod electrodes, and 0.0 volts when the probe electrodes are not touching the water, wherein the suspension means comprises a support bracket assembly that spans the sump well and includes a plastic bridge having two ends, each of the ends connected to a rotatable recessed aluminum mounting bracket piece, for insulated positioning of said first and second electrodes in the bridge, and, wherein the alarm having an input voltage threshold of 0.1 volts, provides an alarm when the voltage threshold is exceeded by contact of said probe electrodes with the water.
Specification