Wireless liquid level sensing assemblies and grinder pump assemblies employing the same

• US 8,074,911 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2007
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Environment One Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Environment One Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Capano, David, Henry, Clark A., Earle, George A. III, Abatto, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/748,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20080290011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,674 Days
• Field of Search: 241/101.2, 241/185.6, 241/46.017, 241/46.06, 732/90.R, 340/618
• US Class Current: 241/46.17
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/22 Adaptations of pumping plants for lifting sewage wheeled apparatus for emptying sewers or cesspools E03F7/10; pumps, pumping plants, per se F04
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0218 the condition being a liquid level or a lack of liquid supply
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/045 with means for comminuting, mixing stirring or otherwise treating

Abstract

A liquid level sensing assembly employs an inductive or magnetic coupling to wirelessly communicate a plurality of signals based on a changing level of wastewater in a tank to a first coil of a pump/alarm control circuit in the grinder pump. The assembly includes at least one liquid level sensor operable in response to the changing level of the wastewater, a second coil positionable adjacent to the first coil in the grinder pump, and a transponder for extracting electrical energy using the second coil in response to the first coil. The transponder is operably connected to the at least one liquid level sensor and operable to wirelessly transmit from the second coil to the first coil the plurality of signals based on the state of the at least one liquid level sensor due to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank.

Claims

1. A liquid level sensing assembly for wirelessly transmitting a plurality of signals based on a changing level of wastewater in a tank to a first coil of a transceiver/controller of a grinder pump, said liquid level sensing assembly comprising:

at least one liquid level sensor operable in response to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank;

a second coil positionable adjacent to the first coil of the transceiver/controller of the grinder pump;

a transponder for extracting electrical energy using said second coil in response to the first coil, said transponder operably connected to said at least one liquid level sensor and operable to wirelessly transmit from said second coil to the first coil said plurality of signals based on the state of the at least one liquid level sensor due to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank; and

wherein said transponder is operable to wirelessly transmit a first signal from said second coil to turn on the grinder pump, operable to wirelessly transmit a second signal from said second coil to turn off the grinder pump, and operable to wirelessly transmit a third signal from said second coil to indicate a third level of the wastewater for activation of an alarm.

2. The liquid level sensor of claim 1 wherein said at least one liquid level sensor comprises a plurality of liquid level sensors and wherein said plurality of signals are based on the combination of the state of the plurality of liquid level sensors.

3. The liquid level sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one liquid level sensor comprise a low-level/on-off sensor and a high-level sensor, and said transponder and said second coil are operable based on the states of the combination of the said low-level/on-off sensor and said high-level sensor.

4. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein said transponder is operable to wirelessly transmit a fourth signal from said second coil to indicate a malfunction.

5. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of signals comprise a plurality of signals having different frequencies based on the level of the wastewater.

6. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of signals comprise a plurality of signals having different frequencies in the range between about 100 Hz to about 2,000 Hz.

7. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one air column, and wherein said at least one liquid level sensor comprises a pressure sensor operably connected to said air column.

8. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pair of air columns, and said at least one liquid level sensor comprises a first pressure sensor operably connected to one of said air columns and responsive to a low wastewater level and a second pressure sensor operably connected to said other of said air columns and responsive to a high-level alarm wastewater level.

9. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 1 further comprising a generally inverted U-shaped housing for containing said transponder.

10. A grinder pump assembly comprising:

said liquid level sensing assembly of claim 1; and

the grinder pump comprising the first coil.

11. The grinder pump assembly of claim 10 wherein said liquid level sensing assembly comprises a generally inverted U-shaped housing positionable generally over said grinder pump.

12. The grinder pump assembly of claim 10 further comprising the tank.

13. The grinder pump assembly of claim 12 further comprising a top housing for supporting said grinder pump assembly in said tank.

14. The grinder pump assembly of claim 10 wherein said liquid level sensing assembly comprises a generally inverted U-shaped liquid level sensing assembly comprising a central portion having a sealed housing and first and second downwardly-depending air columns;

and

wherein said the liquid level sensing assembly is positionable generally over said grinder pump.

15. The grinder pump assembly of claim 14 wherein said grinder pump comprises an outer surface defining recessed channels along sides thereof for receiving a portion of said first and second downwardly-depending air columns.

16. The grinder pump assembly of claim 14 wherein first and second downwardly-depending air columns are formed by a gas assist process.

17. The grinder pump assembly of claim 14 further comprising the tank.

18. The grinder pump assembly of claim 17 further comprising a top housing for supporting said grinder pump assembly in said tank.

19. A liquid level sensing assembly for wirelessly transmitting a plurality of signals based on a changing level of wastewater in a tank to a control unit having a first coil disposed in a grinder pump, said liquid level sensing assembly comprising:

a sealed housing;

a first and a second air columns, upper ends of which being operably connected to said sealed housing and lower ends of which being positionable in the wastewater;

a first pressure sensor operably connected to said sealed housing and responsive to pressure in said first air column for detecting to a low wastewater level;

a second pressure sensor operably connected to said sealed housing and responsive to pressure in said second air column for detecting an alarm high wastewater level;

a second coil positionable adjacent to the first coil of the transceiver/controller of the grinder pump; and

a transponder disposed in said sealed housing for extracting electrical energy from said second coil in response to the first coil, said transponder operably connected to said first and second pressure sensors and operable to wirelessly transmit from the second coil to the first coil said plurality of signals based on a combination of the states of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor due to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank.

20. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 19 wherein said transponder is operable to wirelessly transmit a first signal from said second coil to turn on the grinder pump, operable to wirelessly transmit a second signal from said second coil to turn off the grinder pump, and operable to wirelessly transmit a third signal from said second coil activate an alarm.

21. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 20 wherein said transponder is operable to wirelessly transmit a fourth signal from said second coil to indicate a malfunction.

22. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 19 wherein said plurality of signals comprise a plurality of different frequencies based on the level of the wastewater.

23. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 19 wherein said plurality of signals comprise a plurality of different frequencies in the range between about 100 Hz to about 2,000 Hz.

24. A grinder pump assembly comprising:

said liquid level assembly of claim 19; and

the grinder pump comprising the first coil.

25. The grinder pump assembly of claim 24 wherein said liquid level sensing assembly comprises a generally U-shaped housing receivable in recessed channels in a surface of a housing of said grinder pump.

26. The grinder pump assembly of claim 24 further comprising the tank.

27. The grinder pump assembly of claim 26 further comprising a top housing for supporting said grinder pump assembly in said tank.

28. The grinder pump assembly of claim 24 wherein said liquid level sensing assembly comprises a generally inverted U-shaped liquid level sensing assembly comprising a central portion comprising said sealed housing and said first and second downwardly-depending air columns;

and

wherein said the liquid level sensing assembly is positionable generally over said grinder pump.

29. The grinder pump assembly of claim 28 wherein said grinder pump comprises an outer surface defining recessed channels along sides thereof for receiving a portion of said first and second downwardly-depending air columns.

30. The grinder pump assembly of claim 28 wherein first and second downwardly-depending air columns are formed by a gas assist process.

31. The grinder pump assembly of claim 28 further comprising the tank.

32. The grinder pump assembly of claim 31 further comprising a top housing for supporting said grinder pump assembly in said tank.

33. A grinder pump assembly comprising:

a grinder pump comprising a first coil and a transceiver/controller; and

a liquid level sensing assembly for wirelessly transmitting a plurality of signals based on a changing level of wastewater in a tank to said first coil of said transceiver/controller of said grinder pump, said liquid level sensing assembly comprising;

at least one liquid level sensor operable in response to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank;

a second coil positionable adjacent to said first coil of said transceiver/controller of said grinder pump; and

a transponder for extracting electrical energy using said second coil in response to said first coil, said transponder operably connected to said at least one liquid level sensor and operable to wirelessly transmit from said second coil to said first coil said plurality of signals based on the state of said at least one liquid level sensor due to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank.

34. The liquid level sensor of claim 33 wherein said at least one liquid level sensor comprises a plurality of liquid level sensors and wherein said plurality of signals are based on the combination of the state of the plurality of liquid level sensors.

35. The liquid level sensor assembly of claim 33 wherein said at least one liquid level sensor comprise a low-level/on-off sensor and a high-level sensor, and said transponder and said second coil are operable based on the states of the combination of the said low-level/on-off sensor and said high-level sensor.

36. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 33 wherein said transponder is operable to wirelessly transmit a first signal from said second coil to turn on the grinder pump, operable to wirelessly transmit a second signal from said second coil to turn off the grinder pump, and operable to wirelessly transmit a third signal from said second coil to indicate a third level of the wastewater for activation of an alarm.

37. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 36 wherein said transponder is operable to wirelessly transmit a fourth signal from said second coil to indicate a malfunction.

38. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 33 wherein said plurality of signals comprise a plurality of signals having different frequencies based on the level of the wastewater.

39. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 33 wherein said plurality of signals comprise a plurality of signals having different frequencies in the range between about 100 Hz to about 2,000 Hz.

40. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 33 further comprising at least one air column, and wherein said at least one liquid level sensor comprises a pressure sensor operably connected to said air column.

41. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 33 further comprising a pair of air columns, and said at least one liquid level sensor comprises a first pressure sensor operably connected to one of said air columns and responsive to a low wastewater level and a second pressure sensor operably connected to said other of said air columns and responsive to a high-level alarm wastewater level.

42. The liquid level sensing assembly of claim 33 further comprising a generally inverted U-shaped housing for containing said transponder.

43. A liquid level sensing assembly for wirelessly transmitting a plurality of signals based on a changing level of wastewater in a tank to a first coil of a transceiver/controller of a grinder pump, said liquid level sensing assembly comprising:

at least one liquid level sensor operable in response to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank;

a second coil positionable adjacent to the first coil of the transceiver/controller of the grinder pump; and

a transponder for extracting electrical energy using said second coil in response to the first coil, said transponder operably connected to said at least one liquid level sensor and operable to wirelessly transmit from said second coil to the first coil said plurality of signals based on the state of the at least one liquid level sensor due to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank; and

wherein said at least one liquid level sensor comprises a low-level/on-off sensor and a high-level sensor, and said transponder and said second coil are operable based on the states of the combination of the said low-level/on-off sensor and said high-level sensor.

44. A liquid level sensing assembly for wirelessly transmitting a plurality of signals based on a changing level of wastewater in a tank to a first coil of a transceiver/controller of a grinder pump, said liquid level sensing assembly comprising:

at least one liquid level sensor operable in response to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank;

a second coil positionable adjacent to the first coil of the transceiver/controller of the grinder pump; and

a transponder for extracting electrical energy using said second coil in response to the first coil, said transponder operably connected to said at least one liquid level sensor and operable to wirelessly transmit from said second coil to the first coil said plurality of signals based on the state of the at least one liquid level sensor due to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank; and

a generally inverted U-shaped housing for containing said transponder.