Method and apparatus for sensor calibration and adjustable pump time in a dewatering system
First Claim
1. A water pump control circuit comprising:
- one or more sensors configured to generate respective sensing signals to indicate types of substance in contact with the respective sensors;
a sensing circuit configured to receive the sensing signals and to generate a detection signal to indicate when any of the sensors is in contact with water, wherein the sensing circuit is selectively disconnected from at least one of the sensors during calibration of the sensing circuit;
a controller circuit configured to receive the detection signal and to generate a control signal to activate a water pump for at least a programmable duration while any of the sensors is in contact with water, wherein the controller circuit intermittently enables calibration of the sensing circuit and updates the programmable duration based on user input; and
a reed relay coupled between one of the sensors and the sensing circuit, wherein the controller circuit controls the reed relay to disconnect that sensor from the sensing circuit during calibration of the sensing circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dewatering system includes a selective calibrating sensor circuit configured to receive sensor readings from an electronic sensor, to determine if the electronic sensor is immersed in water, to allow a user to adjust a pump down time in the field, and to generate a control output signal accordingly. The selective calibrating sensor circuit periodically performs a self-calibration when the electronic sensor is not immersed in water to cancel the effect of potential contaminants deposited on the electronic sensor over its operating life. The selective calibrating sensor circuit inhibits calibration when the electronic sensor is immersed in water. In some applications with multiple electronic sensors, the selective calibrating sensor circuit disconnects from one of the electronic sensors before performing the self-calibration.
60 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A water pump control circuit comprising:
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one or more sensors configured to generate respective sensing signals to indicate types of substance in contact with the respective sensors; a sensing circuit configured to receive the sensing signals and to generate a detection signal to indicate when any of the sensors is in contact with water, wherein the sensing circuit is selectively disconnected from at least one of the sensors during calibration of the sensing circuit; a controller circuit configured to receive the detection signal and to generate a control signal to activate a water pump for at least a programmable duration while any of the sensors is in contact with water, wherein the controller circuit intermittently enables calibration of the sensing circuit and updates the programmable duration based on user input; and
a reed relay coupled between one of the sensors and the sensing circuit, wherein the controller circuit controls the reed relay to disconnect that sensor from the sensing circuit during calibration of the sensing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A dewatering system comprising:
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a primary sensor configured to detect water at a first level in a container; a sensing-controller circuit configured to receive an output of the primary sensor and to turn on a water pump for an adjustable pump-down duration when water is detected at the first level, wherein the sensing-controller circuit intermittently disconnects from the primary sensor to perform a self-calibration and the adjustable pump-down duration is selectable by a user; and
an electrical switch coupled between the primary sensor and the sensing-controller circuit for disconnecting the primary sensor from the sensing-controller circuit during the self-calibration of the sensing-controller circuit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method to reliably pump water out of an enclosed container, the method comprising:
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using a first sensor to detect water at a first predetermined level in the enclosed container; using a water pump to remove water below the first predetermined level from the enclosed container; coupling a sensing and control circuit between the first sensor and the water pump to activate the water pump for a first duration when water is detected at the first predetermined level, wherein the first duration is programmable by a user; and intermittently disconnecting the sensing and control circuit from the first sensor and the water pump to perform a self-calibration of the sensing and control circuit, a reed relay is used to intermittently disconnect the sensing and control circuit from the first sensor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification