Pump control with multiple rechargeable battery docking stations

• US 7,612,529 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc. (Emecole Metro, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc. (Emecole Metro, LLC)
• Inventors: Kochan, John R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Application Number:
  US11/623,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20070188129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 320/103, 320/110, 320/114, 320/115, 320/116, 307/66
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/068 Battery powered
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

A backup pump control unit can incorporate ports to receive rechargeable batteries such as lithium ion, nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries. Multiple units can be coupled together to increase the available, stored electrical energy. In the absence of AC-type input power, the batteries can energize a backup pump.

Claims

1. A pump control system comprising:

a battery recharging unit, the unit having a plurality of battery receiving ports, the ports are each configured to removably receive and recharge a predetermined rechargeable battery, where each port includes first and second battery engaging conductors with at least two of the first conductors in continuous electrical contact with one another, and with at least two of the second conductors in continuous electrical contact with one another;

a pump connector; and

circuitry coupled to the ports and the connector to couple electrical energy from one of, rechargeable batteries or a displaced electrical source, to the pump connector.

2. A system as in claim 1 which includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries which releasibly engage at least some of the ports.

3. A system as in claim 1 where the ports include at least a first configuration and a second configuration for first and second different battery shapes.

4. A system as in claim 1 where the unit includes an expansion port, and a second recharging unit releasibly coupled thereto.

5. A system as in claim 1 where the unit includes a housing which carries the ports, the connector and the circuitry.

6. A system as in claim 4 where the unit includes a housing which carries the ports, the connector, the circuitry and the expansion port.

7. A system as in claim 6 which includes at least a third recharging unit coupled to at least one of the other units.

8. A system as in claim 1 which includes a power input port for receipt of electrical energy from a displaced electric source.

9. A system as in claim 1 which includes rectifying circuitry, coupled to the ports for coupling electrical energy from a displaced electrical source to the ports to recharge batteries coupled thereto.

10. A system as in claim 9 where the recharging unit includes at least one battery status indicator.

11. A system as in claim 9 where the unit includes at least one alarm indicator.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of separable battery recharging units, the units are electrically coupled together and each carries a plurality of battery recharging ports, at least one of the units carries a pump connector port, at least one of the units carries an AC-type input port to couple electrical energy from a displaced source to at least some of the recharging ports.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12 where the units are substantially identical.

14. An apparatus as in claim 13 where the units each include battery recharging circuitry.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14 which includes a pump coupled to the pump connector.

16. An apparatus as in claim 14 which includes pump control circuitry responsive to an absence of AC-type electrical energy at the AC-type input port.

17. An apparatus as in claim 16 where the circuitry, in the absence of AC-type electrical energy, couples battery originated electrical energy to the pump connector.

18. An apparatus as in claim 17 which includes at least one of a plurality of lithium ion, nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride-type batteries coupled to respective recharging ports.

19. A pump control unit comprising:

a housing;

first and second pluralities of battery contacts carried by the housing where all contacts of a respective plurality are in continuous electrical contact with each other;

first and second electrical ports carried by the housing where the first and second pluralities of contacts are continuously electrically connected to the ports; and

a pump connector port switchably coupled to the first and second pluralities of contacts.

20. A pump control unit as in claim 19 which includes a switching element coupled to the first and second pluralities and the pump connector port.

21. A pump control unit as in claim 20 which includes rectification circuits coupled to the first and second pluralities and the switching element.

22. A pump control unit as in claim 21 which includes first and second input/output connectors, carried by the housing, connected electronically in parallel with the first and second pluralities of battery contacts.

23. A pump control unit as in claim 19 which includes first and second input/output connectors, carried by the housing, connected electronically in parallel with the first and second pluralities of battery contacts.

24. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of separate battery recharging units, each unit includes a housing having a plurality of battery recharging ports and two spaced apart connectors, at least one of the units carries a pump connector port, at least one of the units carries an AC-type input port to couple electrical energy from a displaced source to at least some of the recharging ports where the members of the plurality can be plugged together to provide one of increased output voltage at the pump connector port, or, increased available stored energy at the pump connector port.

25. An apparatus as in claim 24 where the units are substantially identical.

26. An apparatus as in claim 24 which includes pump control circuitry responsive to an absence of AC-type electrical energy at the AC-type input port.