Sump pump remote monitoring systems and methods

• US 9,920,766 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2015
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• 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:
  US14/801,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20150322951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• 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 method for remotely monitoring a fluid pump, the method comprising:

initiating a remote monitoring procedure using a remote device;

receiving a request to initiate the remote monitoring procedure at a wireless controller, the wireless controller a component of the fluid pump;

providing a pulse width modulated signal to the fluid pump to run the pump at a predetermined speed;

measuring a pulse width of the pulse width modulated signal provided to the fluid pump; and

when the pulse width is greater than zero, providing a status indication for the fluid pump based on the measured pulse width;

providing the status indication of an open circuit or no fluid pump when a first measured pulse width is measured.

2. The method of claim 1, and further comprising initiating an alarm based on the measured pulse width.

3. The method of claim 1, and further comprising initiating a remote alarm based on the measured pulse width.

4. The method of claim 1, and further comprising transmitting the status indication for the fluid pump based on the measured pulse width using the wireless controller.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless controller is configured to transmit data via the internet to an external website for customer interaction.

6. The method of claim 1, and further comprising providing the status indication of a dead short or a blocked rotor when a second measured pulse width is measured, the second measured pulse with being greater than the first measured pulse width.

7. The method of claim 1, and further comprising providing the status indication of a normal operation when a third measured pulse width is measured, the third measured pulse width being between the first and second measured pulse widths.