Sump alarm with radon detection

• US 5,898,374 A
• Filed: 02/18/1997
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Louis F. Schepka
• Original Assignee: Louis F. Schepka
• Inventors: Schepka, Louis F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US08/802,416
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 340/616, 340/612, 340/618, 340/620, 340/605, 340/604, 340/450, 340/603, 340/632, 73/304 R, 250/255, 204/400
• US Class Current: 340/603
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/242 Mounting arrangements for electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/243 Schematic arrangements of probes combined with measuring circuits

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. Because an unsealed sump well is the major point of entry of radon gas, an scintillator with associated circuitry monitors the sump well to protect against the undesirable intrusion of radon gas. When the presence of radon is detected, an audible alarm is sounded when the level exceeds 4 picocuries per liter (4 pCi/L.).

Claims

1. A liquid level detection system for a sump well, for use with a radon detector responsive to radon gas in excess of a predetermined hazardous level, the system comprising:

an alarm activation circuit including an alarm device and a power source;

a probe communicating on the circuit with the alarm device to generate an output voltage to the alarm upon liquid contact, the probe comprising first and second electrodes each constructed of a dissimilar metal suspended in a fixed, essentially parallel position over the well, and extending an essentially equal length into the well; and

,

the radon detector connected on the circuit with the probe and positioned near the probe to sample air in the well and to output a voltage and sound the alarm if excess radon gas is detected.

2. The liquid level detection system according to claim 1, wherein the radon detector includes a scintillator with a counter that samples radon over a period to time, whereby external variants that affect radon levels are obviated;

the scintillator further comprising an encased, watertight circuitry that includes a circular buffer memory and a readout display for storing and averaging air samples taken over a period of time; and

,

wherein the liquid level detection system and the radon detector are disposed for alternate operation, with liquid level detection precipitated by an increased liquid level to the electrodes and concomitant displacement of radon gas; and

, radon detection occurs by entry of radon gas occasioned by a decreased liquid level in the well.

3. The liquid level detection system according to claim 2, further comprising a means for suspending the probe and the radon detector in a recessed position near a top of the sump well without interference with the probe or the radon detector, for complete well closure to prevent escape of fluids from the well without warning.

4. The liquid level detection system according to claim 3, further comprising a means for adjusting the suspending means to fit any size sump hole.

5. The liquid level detection system according to claim 4, the means for suspending comprising a bar having two ends to form a bridge over the sump well, the bridge adapted for insulated positioning of said first and second electrodes and the radon detector in the bridge;

and,

wherein the alarm is mounted to a wall in an area remote from the sump well above a highest anticipated liquid level.

6. The liquid level detection system according to claim 5, wherein the bridge further comprises a hole drilled therethrough at each bridge end;

wherein the means for adjusting comprises stepped support brackets rotatably positioned at each end of the bridge and held in place by fastener bolts through said hole at each bridge end;

wherein the probe and the radon detector each having a threshold voltage to the alarm; and

,

wherein the threshold voltage is normalized for said probe and detector.

7. The liquid level detection system described in claim 6, wherein said first electrode comprises aluminum and the second electrode comprises brass, whereby bridging the electrodes by contact with liquid generates a voltage of 0.576 volts DC for output to the alarm.

8. The liquid level detection system according to claim 7, wherein the circuitry of the scintillator amplifies the radon detector output to produce a voltage, calibrated at 0.576 DC volts equals the threshold level for radon gas, whereby the output of the radon detector module equals that of the probe having aluminum and brass electrodes.

9. A method for automatic detection of liquid and radon gas levels in a sump well, by use of an alarm with an activation circuit comprising a liquid level detection probe having first and second electrodes the probe responsive to liquid contact and in communication with the alarm and a power source, and a radon detector responsive to radon gas in excess of a predetermined threshold level, connected to the alarm, the method comprising the steps of:

suspending the probe and the radon detector in a fixed position over the well;

detecting a presence of excessive water or radon gas within the well;

generating an output voltage by the liquid level or radon detector for input to the alarm;

signaling a hazard concomitant with excess water or radon gas levels in the well.

10. The method described in claim 9, wherein each of the electrodes is constructed of said dissimilar metallic material.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first electrode comprises an aluminum rod and the second electrode comprises a brass rod.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrodes are essentially parallel and of essentially equal length;

and, the suspending step includes the steps of;

positioning the probe at a threshold liquid level; and

,

calibrating the radon detector for a threshold radon gas level.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

normalizing the radon detector for an output voltage to a trigger point voltage identical to the liquid level detector.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the detecting a threshold level step includes the steps of:

closing the probe circuitry immediately upon contact of the probe with liquid; and

,

averaging radon gas detected over a period of time to obviate temperature related variations for radon gas detection.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the generating a voltage step includes the step of:

outputing a voltage commensurate with the difference in potentials between the dissimilar metal electrodes upon liquid contact.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

disposing the liquid level detection probe and the radon detector for alternate operation, with liquid level detection consequent to an increased liquid level in the sump well and concomitant displacement of radon gas; and

, whereby radon detection is incidental to a reduced liquid level.

17. A safety apparatus for sump wells that alternately provides liquid level and radon gas detection and a warning for presence of a liquid or radon gas above a preset level thereof, the safety apparatus comprising:

a probe installed on a circuit with an alarm module and a power source, the probe responsive to contact with a liquid by generating a first output signal voltage to the alarm; and

the probe suspended over a sump well at a predetermined liquid level to protect against failure of a sump pump installed in the well;

a radon detector on the circuit and responsive to radon gas in excess of a predetermined hazardous level;

the radon detector positioned near the probe to sample ambient air and provide a second output to the alarm upon radon gas detection above the preset level;

wherein the alarm module comprises a solid state alarm device; and

wherein the apparatus has no moving parts.

18. The safety apparatus of claim 17, the radon detector connected on the circuit in parallel with the probe and further comprising a scintillator, a circular buffer memory, and a readout display, the radon detector adapted to provide an average of short-term readings for radon levels to obviate effects of temperature variations, whereby the second signal is output to the alarm if the average reading for radon gas exceeds a predetermined hazardous level, essentially 4 Picocuries per Liter.

19. The safety apparatus of claim 18, the probe comprising first and second electrodes, each of the electrodes constructed of a dissimilar metal to form a galvanic cell for galvanic action between the electrodes by liquid contact.

20. The safety apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first electrode comprises aluminum and the second electrode comprises brass, whereby bridging the electrodes by contact with liquid generates a voltage of 0.576 volts DC for output to the alarm.

21. The safety apparatus of claim 20, wherein a circuitry of the radon detector amplifies an integrated scintillator output to produce a voltage, calibrated at 0.576 DC volts equals 4.0 Picocuries per Liter, whereby the output of the radon detector module is normalized to the same trigger point as the liquid level probe and alarm.

22. A liquid level detection system for a sump well in combination with a radon detector having a scintillator responsive to radon gases in excess of a predetermined hazardous level, the combination comprising:

an alarm activation circuit including an alarm device and a power source;

a probe communicating on the circuit with the alarm device;

the probe comprising first and second electrodes each constructed of a dissimilar metal;

the electrodes suspended in a fixed, position over the well to generate a voltage and sound the alarm when excess water of the sump well simultaneously contacts both of the electrodes; and

,

the radon detector connected on the circuit in parallel with the probe to output a voltage and sound the alarm if radon gases are detected in excess of the hazardous level.

23. The liquid level and radon detector combination of claim 22, wherein said first electrode comprises an aluminum rod and the second electrode comprises a brass rod, each electrode communicating with the alarm 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;

the radon detector further comprising a scintillator with an encased, watertight circuitry that includes a circular buffer memory and a readout display that provides an average of short-term readings for radon levels, whereby the probe and radon detector provide both a water level and a radon gas detector, that remain in a fixed position over the well and, that are not impede use by any requirement for relocation and resetting 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 or detector, for complete well closure that prevents escape of fluids from the well without warning; and

,

means for adjusting the suspending means to fit any size sump hole.

24. A method for detecting liquid and radon gas levels in a sump well, by use of an alarm with an activation circuit comprising a liquid level detection probe having first and second electrodes, each of the electrodes constructed of a dissimilar metal, the probe responsive to liquid contact and in communication with the alarm and a power source, and a radon detector responsive to radon gas in excess of a predetermined threshold level, connected in parallel with the probe to the alarm, the method comprising the steps of:

suspending the probe and the radon detector over the well;

detecting a presence of excessive water or radon gas;

generating an output voltage by the liquid level or radon detector for input to the alarm;

signaling a hazard concomitant with the water or radon gas levels in excess of the threshold level;

wherein the suspending step includes the steps of;

positioning the probe at a threshold liquid level; and

,

calibrating the radon detector for a threshold radon gas level;

wherein the method further comprises the step of normalizing the radon detector for an output voltage to a trigger point voltage identical to the liquid level detector.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the detecting a threshold level step includes the steps of:

closing the probe circuitry immediately upon contact of the probe with liquid; and

,

averaging radon gas detected over a period of time to obviate temperature related variations for radon gas detection.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the generating a voltage step includes the step of:

outputing a voltage commensurate with the difference in potentials between the dissimilar metal electrodes upon liquid contact.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

disposing the liquid level detection probe and the radon detector for alternate operation, with liquid level detection consequent to an increased liquid level in the sump well and concomitant displacement of radon gas; and

, whereby radon detection is incidental to a reduced liquid level.

28. A safety apparatus for a sump well that alternately provides liquid level and radon gas detection and a warning for presence of a liquid or radon gas above a preset level thereof, the safety apparatus comprising:

a probe installed on a circuit with an alarm module and a power source;

the probe in a stable position over a sump well at a predetermined liquid level and is responsive to contact with a liquid by generating a first output signal voltage to the alarm;

a radon detector on the circuit in parallel with the probe, the detector responsive to radon gas in excess of a predetermined hazardous level;

the radon detector in a fixed position near the probe to sample air in the well and provide a second output to the alarm upon radon gas detection above the preset level;

wherein the detector further comprises a scintillator, a circular buffer memory, and a readout display, the radon detector adapted to provide an average of short-term readings for radon levels to obviate effects of whether and temperature variations, whereby the second signal is output to the alarm if the average reading for radon gas exceeds a predetermined hazardous level;

the probe comprising first and second electrodes, each of the electrodes constructed of a dissimilar metal to form a galvanic cell for galvanic action between the electrodes by liquid contact; and

,

wherein a circuitry of the radon detector amplifies an integrated scintillator output to produce a voltage, that is normalized to the same trigger point as the liquid level probe and alarm.