Sump pump remote monitoring systems and methods

• US 9,441,632 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2015
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies LLC (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies LLC (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Bishop, Michael B., Ambrose, Jeffrey C., Boese, Thomas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hamo, Patrick
• Application Number:
  US14/800,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20150316063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 417/36, 417/38, 307/66
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/03 driven by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/06 Mobile combinations
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2203/0209 Rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 23/021 the pump being immersed in the reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/06 Control using electricity regulating by means of floats actuating electric switches F04B49/04
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/08 Regulating by delivery pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/00 Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0072 Installation or systems with two or more pumps, wherein the flow path through the stages can be changed, e.g. series-parallel
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/18 Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

Systems and methods for sump pump remote monitoring can include control circuitry integrated into a portable housing, with a backup sump pump connected to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can be powered by a line power and when the line power is not available, the control circuitry can be powered by a battery power. The control circuitry can be connected to a control panel, and the control circuitry can include a pressure transducer, the pressure transducer to measure a pressure in a fluid level sensor, and based on the measured pressure, the control circuitry to adjust the speed of the backup sump pump. A wireless controller can be connected to the control circuitry, the wireless controller for wirelessly receiving monitoring instructions and wirelessly transmitting backup sump pump status data, with the control circuitry providing an indication of the backup sump pump status data to the control panel.

Claims

1. A fluid level sensor remote monitoring system comprising:

an inverted cup with a sealed top and an open bottom, the inverted cup defining an inner air space and having an inner pressure;

an inner pressure tube extending from the inner air space and through the sealed top, the inner pressure tube connected to a first pressure line connector;

an ambient pressure tube including an open end, the open end being positioned near the sealed top, the ambient pressure tube (i) in fluid communication with an air hole formed in the inverted cup, (ii) extending from the inverted cup, and (iii) connected to a second pressure line connector;

a control box to monitor the inner pressure from the inner pressure tube and the ambient pressure from the ambient pressure tube, the first and second pressure line connectors connectable to the control box; and

the control box including a wireless controller, a pressure transducer, and a switch, the wireless controller for wirelessly receiving monitoring instructions and wirelessly transmitting status data, the pressure transducer to measure the inner pressure and the ambient pressure, and based upon the measured inner pressure and the measured ambient pressure, to activate the switch.

2. The system of claim 1, and further comprising a plug to connect the control box to a wall power.

3. The system of claim 1, and further comprising a power outlet, the power outlet to provide an operating power to a sump pump.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch triggers an event, the event comprising at least one of initiating an auto dialer, turning on an audible device, and turning on a light.

5. The system of claim 1, and further comprising an indicator device, the indicator device to display status information to a user.

6. The system of claim 1, and further comprising a contact sensor positioned near the sealed top, the contact sensor including a pair of conductive contacts;

and

a pair of conductors extending from the contact sensor, one conductor extending from each one of the pair of conductive contacts.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the pair of conductors are connectable to the control box.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the ambient pressure tube extends from the outside of the inverted cup to a plug.

9. The system of claim 1, which includes a plug, wherein the first pressure line connector and the second pressure line connector are integrated in the plug.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein (i) the control box includes a socket having one or more pressure receiver, (ii) the plug is connectable to the socket, and (iii) the one or more pressure receiver is configured to interface with at least the first pressure line connector and the second pressure line connector of the plug.