Density sensing, solid state, pump switching system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters;
a plurality of ultrasonic receivers;
control circuits coupled to the transmitters and the receivers;
first and second solid state switch elements coupled to the control circuits;
first and second load ports, one of the switch elements can conduct a varying current in one direction relative to the ports, the other switch element can conduct a varying current in the opposite direction relative thereto; and
where the control circuits evaluate signals from at least some of the ultrasonic receivers relative to enabling at least one of the switch elements to enter a conducting state;
where the enabling includes respectively enabling one of the switch elements at a time to enter a respective conducting state;
where the conducting states each define a different current flow path;
where the control circuits activate at least selected ones of the transmitters, the activated ones of the transmitters emit ultrasonic signals;
where ultrasonic signals emitted by the selected ones of the transmitters are incident on at least some of the receivers; and
where at least some of the receivers couple indicia corresponding to incident ultrasonic signals to the control circuits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pump control system incorporates one or more solid state level sensors as well as solid state pump control switches. Elimination of mechanical or electrode-mechanical parts by using ultrasonically based fluid level sensors as well as solid state switches for motor control enhances reliability and results in reduced power consumption and dissipation.
18 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters; a plurality of ultrasonic receivers; control circuits coupled to the transmitters and the receivers; first and second solid state switch elements coupled to the control circuits; first and second load ports, one of the switch elements can conduct a varying current in one direction relative to the ports, the other switch element can conduct a varying current in the opposite direction relative thereto; and where the control circuits evaluate signals from at least some of the ultrasonic receivers relative to enabling at least one of the switch elements to enter a conducting state; where the enabling includes respectively enabling one of the switch elements at a time to enter a respective conducting state; where the conducting states each define a different current flow path; where the control circuits activate at least selected ones of the transmitters, the activated ones of the transmitters emit ultrasonic signals; where ultrasonic signals emitted by the selected ones of the transmitters are incident on at least some of the receivers; and where at least some of the receivers couple indicia corresponding to incident ultrasonic signals to the control circuits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
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an ultrasonic transmitter; at least two ultrasonic receivers where the receivers are displaced first and second different distances from the transmitter; control circuits coupled to the transmitter and the receivers; first and second solid state switch elements coupled to the control circuits; first and second load ports, one of the switch elements can conduct a varying current in one direction relative to the ports, the other switch element can conduct a varying current in the opposite direction relative thereto; where ultrasonic signals emitted by the transmitter are incident on the receivers; and where the receivers couple indicia corresponding to incident ultrasonic signals to the control circuits to thereby activate the switch elements. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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at least one ultrasonic transmitter; at least two ultrasonic receivers; control circuits coupled to the transmitter and the receivers; first and second solid state switch elements coupled to the control circuits; first and second load ports, one of the switch elements can conduct a varying current in one direction relative to the ports, the other switch element can conduct a varying current in the opposite direction relative thereto; where the control circuits activate the transmitter which in response thereto emits ultrasonic signals, where ultrasonic signals emitted by the transmitter are incident on the receivers; and where the receivers couple indicia corresponding to incident ultrasonic signals to the control circuits thereby enabling one of the switch elements at a time to enter a respective conducting state, and where the conducting states each define a different current flow path. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification