Sump draining apparatus having easily replaceable sensor and mount therefor

• US 7,500,835 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2004
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John S. Hasslen III
• Original Assignee: EPG Companies Incorporated
• Inventors: Gartner, David M, Case, Ronald C, Overgard, Amber L, Swanson, Carl A Jr., Hasslen, John S III
• Primary Examiner(s): Freay; Charles G
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERTHEAUD, PETER JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/838,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20040234375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,773 Days
• Field of Search: 417/44.2, 417/36, 417/38, 417/423.3, 417/423.14
• US Class Current: 417/423.14
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/10 adapted for use in mining bore holes
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/00 Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems

Abstract

A sump draining apparatus having a pressure transducer engaged in a receptacle that is in turn engaged in an open-ended collar of a housing. The receptacle and thus the pressure transducer is slideable in the axial direction into and out of the open-ended collar. The housing is generally cylindrical and contains a pump and motor, each of which has a generally cylindrical shape and is axially stacked in the housing. A cord having a vent and electrical leads for the pressure transducer is releasably engaged via a cord restraint at one end portion of the housing and the pressure transducer is releasably engaged in the receptacle in the open-ended collar at the other end of the housing. The receptacle and sensor may be removed, serviced, and/or replaced without the housing being opened and without the pump and motor being removed.

Claims

1. A sump draining apparatus, comprising:

(a) a housing having first and second end portions, with the first end portion being adapted for engagement with a fluid conduit for conveying fluid away from the housing, with the second end portion having an inlet for drawing fluid into the housing, with the housing having an axial direction;

(b) a pump in the housing for pumping fluid from the inlet to the fluid conduit and away from the housing;

(c) a motor in the housing and in communication with the pump to drive the pump;

(d) a sensor for sensing a condition and being in communication with the motor whereby the motor may turn on and off in response to a sensed condition;

(e) a sensor mount for the sensor, with the sensor mount engaged with the second end portion of the housing, with the sensor mount being receptacle shaped for cradling the sensor therein and supporting the sensor removably with respect to the housing;

(f) a cord for the sensor, with the cord running from outside the housing to inside the housing to the sensor, with the cord comprising a vent and an electrical lead; and

(g) a cord restraint engaged with the first end of the housing, with the cord restraint being releasably engaged with the cord such that a portion of the cord can be loosened relative to the cord restraint for permitting the sensor to be disengaged relative to the second end portion of the housing and such that said portion of the cord can be tightened relative to the cord restraint when the sensor mount and sensor are engaged with the second end portion of the housing.

2. The sump draining apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is generally cylindrical in shape and wherein the sensor mount comprises a cylindrical sidewall.

3. The sump draining apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure transducer.

4. The sump draining apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the housing, pump and motor has a generally cylindrical shape, and wherein the pump and motor are stacked axially in the housing.

5. A sump draining apparatus, comprising:

(a) a housing having first and second end portions, with the first end portion being adapted for engagement with a fluid conduit for conveying fluid away from the housing, with the second end portion having an inlet for drawing fluid into the housing, with the housing having an axial direction;

(b) a pump in the housing for pumping fluid from the inlet to the fluid conduit and away from the housing;

(c) a motor in the housing and in communication with the pump to drive the pump;

(d) a sensor for sensing a condition and being in communication with the motor whereby the motor may turn on and off in response to a sensed condition;

(e) a sensor mount for the sensor, with at least a portion of the sensor mount being releasably engaged relative to the housing;

(f) a cord for the sensor, with the cord running from outside the housing to inside the housing to the sensor, with the cord comprising a vent and an electrical lead; and

(g) a cord restraint engaged with the first end portion of the housing, with the cord restraint being releasably engaged with the cord such that a portion of the cord can be loosened relative to the cord restraint for permitting the sensor to be disengaged relative to the second end portion of the housing and such that said portion of the cord can be tightened relative to the cord restraint when the sensor mount and sensor are engaged with the housing.

6. The sump draining apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure transducer.

7. The sump draining apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the housing, pump and motor has a generally cylindrical shape, and wherein the pump and motor are stacked axially in the housing.