Density sensing, solid state, pump switching system

• US 7,615,954 B1
• Filed: 01/04/2006
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc. (Emecole Metro, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc. (Emecole Metro, LLC)
• Inventors: Belehradek, Anton, Pleticha, Adam, Potter, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro; Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US11/324,920
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 318/280, 318/287, 318/291, 318/293, 318480-482, 388/929, 388/933
• US Class Current: 318/482
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/296 Acoustic waves

Abstract

A pump control system incorporates one or more solid state level sensors as well as solid state pump control switches. Elimination of mechanical or electrode-mechanical parts by using ultrasonically based fluid level sensors as well as solid state switches for motor control enhances reliability and results in reduced power consumption and dissipation.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters;

a plurality of ultrasonic receivers;

control circuits coupled to the transmitters and the receivers;

first and second solid state switch elements coupled to the control circuits;

first and second load ports, one of the switch elements can conduct a varying current in one direction relative to the ports, the other switch element can conduct a varying current in the opposite direction relative thereto; and

where the control circuits evaluate signals from at least some of the ultrasonic receivers relative to enabling at least one of the switch elements to enter a conducting state;

where the enabling includes respectively enabling one of the switch elements at a time to enter a respective conducting state;

where the conducting states each define a different current flow path;

where the control circuits activate at least selected ones of the transmitters, the activated ones of the transmitters emit ultrasonic signals;

where ultrasonic signals emitted by the selected ones of the transmitters are incident on at least some of the receivers; and

where at least some of the receivers couple indicia corresponding to incident ultrasonic signals to the control circuits.

2. A system as in claim 1 where the switch elements comprise one of bipolar transistors, or, field effect transistors.

3. A system as in claim 2 where the bipolar transistors comprise insulated gate bipolar transistors.

4. A system as in claim 2 where the field effect transistors comprise metal oxide field effect transistors.

5. A system as in claim 1 which includes first and second energy input ports.

6. A system as in claim 5 where the switch elements comprise one of bipolar transistors, or, field effect transistors.

7. A system comprising:

an ultrasonic transmitter;

at least two ultrasonic receivers where the receivers are displaced first and second different distances from the transmitter;

control circuits coupled to the transmitter and the receivers;

first and second solid state switch elements coupled to the control circuits;

first and second load ports, one of the switch elements can conduct a varying current in one direction relative to the ports, the other switch element can conduct a varying current in the opposite direction relative thereto;

where ultrasonic signals emitted by the transmitter are incident on the receivers; and

where the receivers couple indicia corresponding to incident ultrasonic signals to the control circuits to thereby activate the switch elements.

8. A system as in claim 7 where the control circuits, in response to indicia from at least some of the receivers, couple first and second control signals to the first and second switch elements.

9. A system as in claim 8 where the control signals cause the respective switch elements to alternately enter the respective conducting state.

10. A system as in claim 9 where an applied alternating current can be coupled, via the respective alternating states, to a load.

11. A system as in claim 7 where the switch elements comprise one of bipolar transistors, or, field effect transistors.

12. A system as in claim 11 where the bipolar transistors comprise insulated gate bipolar transistors.

13. A system as in claim 11 where the field effect transistors comprise metal oxide field effect transistors.

14. A system is in claim 7 where the control circuits evaluate signals from at least some of the ultrasonic receivers relative to enabling at least one of the switch elements to enter a conducting state.

15. A system as in claim 7 where the enabling includes respectively enabling one of the switch elements at a time to enter a respective conducting state.

16. A system as in claim 15 where the conducting states each define a different current flow path.

17. A system as in claim 16 which includes first and second energy input ports.

18. A system as in claim 16 where the switch elements comprise one of bipolar transistors, or, field effect transistors.

19. A system comprising:

at least one ultrasonic transmitter;

at least two ultrasonic receivers;

control circuits coupled to the transmitter and the receivers;

first and second solid state switch elements coupled to the control circuits;

first and second load ports, one of the switch elements can conduct a varying current in one direction relative to the ports, the other switch element can conduct a varying current in the opposite direction relative thereto;

where the control circuits activate the transmitter which in response thereto emits ultrasonic signals, where ultrasonic signals emitted by the transmitter are incident on the receivers; and

where the receivers couple indicia corresponding to incident ultrasonic signals to the control circuits thereby enabling one of the switch elements at a time to enter a respective conducting state, and where the conducting states each define a different current flow path.

20. A system as in claim 19 where the switch elements comprise one of bipolar transistors, or, field effect transistors.

21. A system as in claim 20 where the receivers are displaced first and second different distances from the transmitter.

22. A system as in claim 21 where one receiver is positioned between the transmitter and another receiver.