System and Method for Portable Battery Back-Up Sump Pump

• US 20090269217A1
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies LLC (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies LLC (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Vijayakumar, Senthilkumar
• Granted Patent: US 8,579,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 power source, the kit adapted to be a portable power source for an external electric device, the kit comprising:

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 including

a battery charger adapted to be connected to the battery;

cables adapted to be connected to the battery charger;

a power input socket connected to the cables and adapted to be connected to the alternating current power source to charge the battery; and

a power output socket connected to the 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 power output socket is a direct current socket to provide direct current power from the battery to the external electric device.

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

4. 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.

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

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

7. 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 removeably connect the float switch to the control charger.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

11. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 1, wherein the direct current socket is a 12-volt direct current socket.

12. 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.

13. A back-up sump pump kit for use with a battery, the kit comprising:

a battery-operated back-up sump pump; and

a portable case for storing the battery and the battery-operated back-up sump pump, the portable case including

a first half and a second half formed from a single mold;

a latch to releasably lock the first half to the second half when the portable case is closed;

a handle positioned on a top portion of the portable case;

wheels positioned on a bottom portion of the portable case; and

a flood light positioned on an outside portion of the portable case and powered by the battery.

14. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 13, wherein the handle is at least one of a carrying handle and a stroller handle.

15. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 13, wherein the flood light is a light emitting diode flood light.

16. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 13, wherein the first half includes a control charger.

17. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 16, wherein the control charger includes a digital display that can be viewed when the portable case is closed.

18. The back-up sump pump kit of claim 16, wherein the flood light is connected to the control charger.

19. A method of installing a battery-operated back-up sump pump in a sump pit containing a primary sump pump, the method comprising:

providing a back-up sump pump kit including the battery-operated back-up sump pump, a first check valve, a second check valve, and a T-joint;

cutting a discharge pipe extending from the primary sump pump in order to create a first end open toward the primary sump pump and a second end open toward the discharge pipe leading out of the sump pit;

installing the first check valve at the first end of the cut discharge pipe;

installing the second check valve downstream from the back-up sump pump;

coupling the first check valve and the second check valve to the T-joint; and

coupling the T-joint to the second end of the cut discharge pipe.

20. The method of claim 19, and further comprising installing the battery-operated back-up sump pump one of beside the primary sump pump and on top of the primary sump pump.