Sump alarm with radon detection
First Claim
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.
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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. 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.).
66 Citations
28 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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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:
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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.
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Specification