System and method for portable battery back-up sump pump

• US 8,579,600 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies LLC (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries LLC (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Vijayakumar, Senthilkumar
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Joseph L
• Assistant Examiner(s): COUGHLIN, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US12/413,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20090269217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,691 Days
• Field of Search: 417/234, 294/28
• US Class Current: 417/234
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/06 Mobile combinations
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 35/06 Mobile combinations
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 41/02 having reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/06 the pump being electrically driven
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/068 Battery powered
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/605 specially adapted for liquid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for a backup sump pump kit. The kit is for use with a battery and an alternating current power source. The kit can be adapted to be a portable power source for an external electric device. The kit can include a portable case, a battery-operated back-up sump pump removably stored in the portable case, and a control charger integrated into the portable case. The control charger can include a battery chargers cables, a power input socket to charge the battery, and a power output socket to provide power from the battery to the external electric device. The portable case can include a handle and wheels.

Claims

1. A back-up sump pump kit for use with a battery and an alternating current (AC) power source, the kit adapted to be a portable power source for a battery-operated back-up sump pump and an external electric device, the kit adapted to be used with plumbing components to install the battery-operated back-up sump pump, the kit comprising:

a portable case;

the battery-operated back-up sump pump removably stored in the portable case when not installed for operation; and

a control charger integrated into the portable case, the control charger including

a battery charger adapted to be connected to the AC power source to recharge the battery, the battery to provide direct current (DC) power to the back-up sump pump when the back-up sump pump is installed for operation;

input power cables and output power cables adapted to be connected to the battery charger;

a DC to AC inverter; and

a display panel, the display panel being viewable and accessible to a user when the portable case is closed, the display panel including

an AC power input socket connected to the input power cables and adapted to be connected to the AC power source to charge the battery;

an AC power output socket coupled to the DC to AC inverter so the control charger can serve as an AC power source; and

a DC power output socket connected to the output power cables and adapted to be connected to the external electric device in order to provide power from the battery to the external electric device.

2. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the external electric device is one of a light, a fan, and a dehumidifier.

3. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the control charger includes a flood light, the flood light being at least one of a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, a halogen light, and a fluorescent light.

4. The back-up sump pump kit. of claim 1, wherein the control charger includes a plurality of indicator light emitting diodes.

5. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the control charger includes a digital display.

6. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, and further comprising a float switch, and wherein the control charger includes quick-connect tabs to removably connect the float switch to the control charger.

7. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the control charger includes quick-connect tabs to removably connect the battery-operated back-up sump pump to the control charger.

8. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the control charger includes a circuit breaker to protect the battery from power spikes from the alternating current power source.

9. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the battery charger is a 12-volt DC, 2-amp battery charger.

10. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the DC power output socket is a 12-volt DC power output socket.

11. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the portable case includes at least one of a set of wheels, a carrying handle, and a stroller handle.

12. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the portable case includes two case halves, the two case halves being hinged together and formed from the same mold.

13. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the plumbing components include at least one of a check valve and a T-joint.

14. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the battery-operated back-up sump pump is installable in a sump pit for operation.

15. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, and further comprising a float switch, and wherein the display panel includes a quick-connect tab to removably connect the float switch to the control charger without opening the portable case.

16. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the display panel includes a quick-connect tab to removably connect the battery-operated back-up sump pump to the control charger without opening the portable case.