Pump connector system

[0001] The invention pertains to control units for pumps.

[0002] Control units for use with various types of fluid pumps, for example, sump pumps, are known. One such system has been disclosed in Kochan, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,274 entitled “Sump System Having Timed Switching of Plural Pumps” which issued Sep. 12, 1995. The '274 patent is owned by the assignee hereof and is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The system of the '274 patent provides for alternating control of first and second different pumps. Not all installations need multiple pumps.

[0004] In another configuration, float switches are known which have a so-called piggy-back plug. The plug includes a socket for a plug for a pump motor. The float switch is in series with the motor. When the float indicates high water the float switch closes and the motor is energized. Pumping continues until the level falls enough to open circuit the switch.

[0005] While the above configuration is simple, the float switch is subject to full motor current, including start-up currents as well as arcing. Further, there is no convenient way to incorporate a back-up, high water float, or to energize displaced alarms.

[0006] There continues to be a need for control devices which can be used with a single pump. Preferably, such units would be readily connectable to respective pumps and float switches. It would also be preferable if such units could take advantage of float switches which incorporate piggy-back plugs of a standard variety while at the same time minimizing float switch currents and arcing.

[0007] Preferably any such connections would be readily changeable for maintenance purposes in the event that either the pump or the associated float switch failed. It would also be desirable to be able to provide remote indications as to the presence of an alarm condition.

[0009] While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

[0010] Pump control units which embody the present invention can be used with any appropriately sized pump and with a switch having a piggy-back plug. As those of skill in the art understand, in such configurations, the pump motor and switch cable are separate from one another.

[0011] A pump control unit which embodies the present invention incorporates a housing. The housing carries a fluid level indicating switch receptacle, an alarm switch receptacle, a pump receptacle and an alarm indicating output receptacle. The unit can be energized by locally available AC power. Switches which incorporate piggy-back plugs are readily connectable to the float switch receptacle. A jumper can be connected to a receptacle end of the piggy-back switch.

[0012] An AC plug coupled to the pump can be plugged into the pump receptacle. If desired, an alarm or monitoring unit can be plugged into the alarm indicating output receptacle. Visual and audible status indicators can also be provided on the unit.

[0013] The present control unit can be used with any switch that is effective to indicate a fluid level. These include but are not limited to pressure switches, float switches, vertical switches, solid state switches, ultrasonic based switches, all without limitation.

[0014] An optional RF output port can be included in the unit. The RF output port can wirelessly transmit status information such as normal or alarm to a remote receiver.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a pump control unit 10 in accordance with the invention. The unit 10 includes a housing 12, which might be wall mountable. Housing 12 carries a plurality of connectors, which could be implemented as standard AC-type receptacles.

[0016] The connectors include connector 14a to which can be coupled a piggy-back-type switch plug. A second connector 14b can be used to couple an alarm switch to the unit 10. As noted above, unit 10 can be used with a variety of fluid level indicating switches.

[0017] Output connector or receptacle 14c can be used to provide electrical energy to a pump via a standard AC-type plug. Output connector or receptacle 14d can be used to couple an electrical state, normally open, normally closed, of a switchable output device to a remote alarm or monitor 16.

[0018] Electrical energy can be provided to the unit 10 via a standard AC-type plug and cord 20. Electrical energy received from the plug and cord 20 can be used in part to energize a power supply, for example, a 12 volt AC or DC power supply 22.

[0019] One output from the supply 22 can be used to energize a “power on” indicating light emitting diode 24a. The output from the supply 22 can be coupled to contacts on connectors or receptacles 14a, b via line 22a. Electrical signals in the form of relatively low voltage or a low current from supply 22 via line 22a can be coupled via connector 14a to a level indicating switch 30a via a piggy-back connector/receptacle 30b. Feedback, a voltage or current can be coupled via line 22b, in response to a normally closed switch 30a to a switch module 32.

[0020] The switch module 32 whose outputs can switch utility supplied AC received via plug and cord 20 can be used to couple electrical energy to pump receptacle 14c to energize pump 36 in response to a switch closure at the switch 30a. Simultaneously, status indicator 24b can be energized to emit output light indicative of normal operation of the pump 36.

[0021] Alternately, in the event of a failure of the primary pump switch 30a, if the alarm level switch 30c is closed (or opened) due to the high water, electrical signals via line 22a can be coupled via line 22c through an isolation diode D2 to cause the switch module 32 to change state and activate pump 36. Simultaneously, alarm indicating visual indicators, such as light emitting diode 24c or audible alarm indicating output 24d could be activated.

[0022] The unit 10 will continue to energize the pump 36 until either or both the alarm indicating switch 30c or normal level indicating switch 30a return to their unactivated states.

[0023] When the alarm indicating signal is coupled via line 22c to the switch module 32, it can also be simultaneously coupled to an alarm indicating output switch module 38. The switch modules 32, 38 could be implemented as electromechanical or solid state switches that can provide normally closed, normally opened output contacts via connector 14c, d to energize pump 36 or to indicate an alarm condition to the remote alarm or monitor 16.

[0024] RF output port 40 can be provided with an appropriate antenna 40a to wirelessly communicate alarm conditions via a remote receiver.

[0025] To take advantage of the configuration of the piggy-back switch receptacle/plug 30b a jumper 30d can be provided and coupled thereto to complete the circuit between lines 22a, b when the switch 30a has changed state and gone from an open circuit condition to a closed circuit condition (or vice versa). As those of skill in the art will understand, unit 10 limits the current and voltage coupled to float switches 30a, c. For example, output voltage from supply 22 can be limited to 12 volts AC or DC with currents limited to milli-amps. In addition, motor start-up currents do not flow through switches 30a, c. They flow through power output contacts of switch modules 32, 38. These circuit configurations should not only promote longer operating lives for the switches such as 30a, c, but they provide additional operational flexibility for the user.

[0026] If desired, a battery back-up can be provided for the power supply 22. It will also be understood that the control circuits of unit 10 could be implemented, at least in part, with a programmed processor and associated control software.

[0027] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.