RELATED APPLICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY FIELD
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to fluid transfer. More specifically, the disclosure
relates to a pump with a fluid level control system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electrically powered pumps are often used to move fluids from one location to another.
While the pump may readily move a volume of fluid from a source location, fluid may
repeatedly fill the source location, causing the pump to turn on and shut off repeatedly.
[0004] Repeated turn-on and shut-off cycles may result in premature wear of the internal
components of the pump (e.g., bearings, rotor, stator, windings, etc.) and further
result in eventual pump failure. Also, pump failure may in turn result in damage to
the source location from where the pump is intended to remove fluid.
[0005] Electrically powered pumps may use a level sensor as a switch that turns on the pump
when the level sensor contacts a fluid and shuts off the pump when the level sensor
is no longer in contact with the fluid. However, an undesirably high frequency of
starts and stops due to intermittent contact with the fluid may damage the pump, cause
inconsistent fluid pumping, and other undesirable effects. Further, many conventional
drainage pumps are designed to work only at high water levels and prove to be less
effective at transferring fluid away from large, flat surfaces such as roofs, terraces,
tennis courts, construction pits, and basements.
[0006] As such, there is a need for an improved pump that is designed to mitigate rapid
cycling starts and stops, in particular when used to transfer fluid away from large,
flat surfaces.
SUMMARY
[0007] Some embodiments provide a pump having a motor, an inlet port, a discharge port,
a fluid sensor, and a controller. The fluid sensor is configured to detect whether
a fluid level has risen above a threshold fluid level. The controller is configured
to activate the pump in response to the fluid sensor detecting that the fluid level
has risen above the threshold fluid level, initiate a shutoff delay timer in response
to the fluid sensor detecting that the fluid level has receded below the threshold
fluid level, the shutoff delay timer having a shutoff delay time, increase the shutoff
delay time if the fluid sensor detects that the fluid level has risen above the threshold
fluid level again before the shutoff delay time has elapsed, and maintain the shutoff
delay time if the fluid sensor detects that the fluid level stayed below the threshold
fluid level until the shutoff delay time has elapsed.
[0008] In some embodiments, the shutoff delay timer has a maximum shutoff delay time. The
controller can be configured to maintain the shutoff delay time when the shutoff delay
time is equal to the maximum shutoff delay time, even if the fluid sensor detects
that fluid has risen above the threshold fluid level before the shutoff delay time
has elapsed. The controller can be configured to shut down the pump if the fluid sensor
detects that the fluid level remains below the threshold fluid level until the shutoff
delay time has elapsed. The controller can be configured to initiate a reset timer
after shutting down the pump, the reset timer having a reset time. The controller
can be configured to reset the shutoff delay time to a default shutoff delay time
if the fluid level remains below the threshold fluid level until the reset time has
elapsed. The default delay time can be 15 seconds. The reset time can be reset to
a default reset time each time the shutoff delay time is reset to the default shutoff
delay time. The reset time can be increased each time the shutoff delay time is increased.
The reset time can be increased in proportion to the shutoff delay time each time
the shutoff delay time is increased.
[0009] Some embodiments provide a pump having an inlet port, a discharge port, a fluid sensor
configured to detect a fluid, and a controller. The controller is configured to activate
the pump in response to the fluid sensor detecting the fluid, after activating the
pump, initiate a shutoff delay timer having a shutoff delay time when the fluid sensor
no longer detects the fluid, increase the shutoff delay time if the fluid sensor detects
the fluid before the shutoff delay time has elapsed, and maintain the shutoff delay
time if the fluid sensor does not detect the fluid before the shutoff delay time has
elapsed.
[0010] In some embodiments, the fluid sensor is a provided in the form of a plurality of
electrodes. Each of the plurality of electrodes can have a bottom end and a strainer
covering the inlet port can have a bottom-most portion, and a distance between the
bottom end of each of the plurality of electrodes and the bottom-most portion of the
strainer can be about 7mm. The plurality of electrodes can be provided as only two
electrodes. The controller can be configured to initiate a startup delay timer having
a startup delay time when the fluid sensor detects the fluid and delay activation
of the pump until after the startup delay time has elapsed. The controller can be
configured to shut down the pump if the fluid sensor does not detect the fluid before
the shutoff delay time has elapsed.
[0011] Some embodiments provide a method of controlling a level of fluid with a pump having
a motor, an inlet port, a discharge port, and a fluid sensor configured to detect
a fluid. The method includes activating the pump in response to the fluid sensor detecting
the fluid, initiating a shutoff delay timer when the fluid sensor no longer detects
the fluid, the shutoff delay timer having a shutoff delay time, increasing the shutoff
delay time if the fluid sensor detects the fluid before the shutoff delay time has
elapsed, and maintaining the shutoff delay time if the fluid sensor does not detect
the fluid before the shutoff delay time has elapsed.
[0012] In some embodiments, the method can further include shutting down the pump if the
fluid sensor does not detect the fluid before the shutoff delay time has elapsed.
In some embodiments, the method can further include initiating a reset timer after
shutting down the pump, the reset timer having a reset time. In some embodiments,
the method can further include resetting the shutoff delay time to a default shutoff
delay time if the fluid sensor does not detect the fluid before the reset time has
elapsed. In some embodiments, the method can further include initiating a startup
delay timer having a startup delay time when the fluid sensor detects the fluid after
the shutoff delay time is reset. In some embodiments, the method can further include
delaying activation of the pump until after the startup delay time has elapsed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a front and left side isometric view of a pump according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a rear and right side isometric view of the pump of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial bottom isometric view of the pump of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cutaway isometric view of the pump of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a partial top isometric view of the pump of FIG. 1 with an upper housing
of the pump shown in phantom;
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional isometric view of the upper housing of FIG. 5
taken along line X-X of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of various electronic components of the pump of FIG. 1;
and
FIG. 8 is a flowchart representing a method of controlling a level of fluid with the
pump of FIG. 1.
[0014] Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details
of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments.
Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is
intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative
rather than limiting. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description
and not of limitation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make
and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein
can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments
of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited
to embodiments shown but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
and features disclosed herein.
[0016] The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in
which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures,
which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended
to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize
the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope
of embodiments of the invention. The invention is capable of other embodiments and
of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting. For example, the use of "including," "comprising,"
or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter
and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
[0017] As used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected,"
"supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both
direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, unless
otherwise specified or limited, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical
or mechanical connections or couplings, but can also refer to communicative, electrical,
or fluidic couplings.
[0018] As used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, "at least one of A, B, and
C," and similar other phrases, are meant to indicate A, or B, or C, or any combination
of A, B, and/or C. As such, this phrase, and similar other phrases can include single
or multiple instances of A, B, and/or C, and, in the case that any of A, B, and/or
C indicates a category of elements, single or multiple instances of any of the elements
of the categories A, B, and/or C.
[0019] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a pump 100 in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.
As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pump 100 is provided in the form of an upper housing
102, a lower housing 104, an electrical cord 106, a reinforcement ring 108, and various
internal components discussed in more detail below. The upper housing 102 also optionally
includes a handle 110 by which the pump 100 may be grasped, stored, and/or transported.
The upper housing 102 is removably fastened to the lower housing 104 such that the
internal components of the pump 100 are accessible for maintenance, service, lubrication,
etc. when the pump 100 is not in use. Further, the internal electrical components
of the pump 100 are substantially isolated and sealed from outside fluids. Thus, the
pump 100 is submersible and may be lowered into a volume of fluid via a rope (not
shown) tied to the handle 110 or via other methods.
[0020] In some embodiments, the upper housing 102 is formed of a polymer material (e.g.,
polyethylene, nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), etc.). In some embodiments,
the lower housing 104 is formed of a metallic material (e.g., steel, aluminum, brass,
etc.). In one specific embodiment, the upper housing 102 is formed of a glass reinforced
plastic and the lower housing 104 is formed of solid aluminum.
[0021] Here, the upper housing 102 is sealably engaged with the lower housing 104 and with
the electrical cord 106. The electrical cord 106 protrudes upwardly and outwardly
from a top surface of the upper housing 102 and includes an electrical plug (not shown)
at a distal end thereof. The electrical cord 106 may be fastened or otherwise joined
to the upper housing 102 via screws or other waterproof fastening mechanisms. A stiffening
plate 103 (see FIG. 2) may be provided around the electrical cord 106 to impart additional
stability and strength. The electrical cord 106 provides electrical energy to the
internal electrical components of the pump 100 when the electrical plug is engaged
to or in communication with a power source.
[0022] Further, the reinforcement ring 108 is provided in the form of an annular metallic
body. In some forms, with respect to the electrical cord 106, the reinforcement ring
108 can be disposed on an opposite side of the upper housing 102. Further, the upper
housing 102 forms a fluid discharge pathway and includes a series of threads 105 that
circumscribe an interior surface thereof. The threads 105 of the upper housing 102
are designed to engage with a discharge hose (not shown). In some instances, the reinforcement
ring 108 may aid in preventing damage to the threads 105 caused by incorrect hose
assembly. A check valve 111 (see FIGS. 2 and 4-6) is disposed within the orifice defined
by the upper housing 102 and the annular body of the reinforcement ring 108. In some
instances, the check valve 111 may be positioned upstream of and adjacent to the threads
105.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pump 100 further includes a fluid level sensor 112,
a manual override switch 114, and a strainer 116, which covers an inlet port of the
pump 100. The upper housing 102 further includes an arm 117 that extends downwardly
along the lower housing 104. The level sensor 112 can be disposed in the arm 117,
adjacent to a bottom of the pump 100, and is provided in the form of a first electrode
118 and a second electrode 120. In some forms, the level sensor 112 may instead be
provided in the form of float switch or a capacitive level sensor that is integrated
with or selectively removable from the pump 100. The arm 117 includes slots that receive,
support, and guide the first electrode 118 and the second electrode 120. The first
electrode 118 and the second electrode 120 extend from the arm 117 along a portion
of an outer rim 122 of the strainer 116 circumscribing the lower housing 104.
[0024] In operation, when the first electrode 118 and the second electrode 120 contact an
electrically conductive fluid (e.g., water with at least trace dissolved ionic minerals),
the first electrode 118 and the second electrode 120 are put into electrical communication
with one another via the electrically conductive fluid. Thus, the level sensor 112
is configured to detect electrically conductive fluids. In some embodiments, the minimum
level (height) of fluid detectable by the level sensor 112 is any possible range where
fluid contacts the first electrode 118 and the second electrode 120. In some forms,
the distance between the bottom-most ends of the first electrode 118 and the second
electrode 120 and the bottom-most portion of the strainer 116 is between about 1 mm
to about 10 mm, about 3 mm to about 7 mm, about 1 mm to about 5 mm, etc. For example,
the distance between the bottom-most ends of the first electrode 118 and the second
electrode 120 and the bottom-most portion of the strainer 116 can be 5mm. Accordingly,
with the pump 100 resting on a flat surface, the level sensor 112 would be able to
detect a fluid level between about 1 mm to about 10 mm, about 3 mm to about 7 mm,
about 1 mm to about 5 mm, etc.
[0025] Further, the manual override switch 114 is supported by the arm 117 and is in electrical
communication with the level sensor 112. In operation, the manual override switch
114 is selectively actuatable between an automatic position and a manual position.
In some embodiments, the manual override switch 114 includes a slot such that it can
be selectively actuated with a tool (e.g., a screwdriver, a coin, a key, etc.) to
prevent accidental engagement. In the manual position, the first electrode 118 and
the second electrode 120 are placed in electrical communication with one another via
the manual override switch 114. In the automatic position, the first electrode 118
and the second electrode 120 are electrically separated from one another unless they
are in contact with the electrically conductive fluid.
[0026] In operation, when the electrical cord 106 is plugged into an external power grid
(not shown) and the manual override switch 114 is oriented in the manual position,
the pump 100 turns on. Additionally, when the electrical cord 106 is plugged into
the external power grid and the manual override switch 114 is oriented in the automatic
position, the pump remains off until the first electrode 118 and the second electrode
120 contact the electrically conductive fluid, in which case the pump 100 turns on.
Due to the configuration of the level sensor 112 (i.e., adjacent the bottom of the
pump 100, and more specifically, coextensive with the arm 117 and a portion of the
outer rim 122) and the strainer 116, the pump 100 may start when the fluid is at a
depth of about 5 mm (or 5 mm) and may remove or draw down fluid to a depth of about
2 mm (or 2 mm).
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, the strainer 116 is removably engaged with the lower housing
104. The strainer 116 is provided in the form of a circular disc that includes a plurality
of slots 124 through which fluid may flow. The slots 124 extend radially around the
strainer 116 and may vary in size and/or shape. In operation, the strainer 116 prevents
debris from contacting one or more of the internal components of the pump 100.
[0028] Turning to FIG. 4, various internal components of the pump 100 are depicted. In particular,
the pump 100 further includes a motor 126, a motor cooling jacket 128, a shaft 130,
and an impeller 132. The motor 126 and the motor cooling jacket 128 are supported
by the lower housing 104 and the impeller 132 is connected to and driven by the motor
126 via the shaft 130. In some instances, the motor 126 is an air-filled submersible
pump motor. A fluid flow path 134 is defined by the flow path of the fluid as it enters
the pump 100 via the strainer 116, travels upwardly through an exterior portion of
the lower housing 104 into an exterior portion of the upper housing 102, and is ejected
from the pump 100 via a discharge port 135 defined by the upper housing 102 and into
the discharge hose (not shown).
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pump 100 further includes a controller 136 designed
to effectuate the operation of the pump 100. The controller 136 is disposed in the
upper housing 102 and is isolated from the fluid flow path 134 and other water or
fluid incursion by the sealing engagement of the upper housing 102 with the lower
housing 104 and the seal around the electrical cord 106. The controller 136 receives
electrical power from the external power grid via the electrical cord 106 and includes
various control components mounted to a circuit board 142. The control components
are in electrical communication with one another and configured to dynamically control
the motor 126 (shown in FIG. 4), as will be explained in further detail below. In
some embodiments, the controller 136 may be located externally to the pump 100 and
in communication with the pump 100 via a wired and/or wireless connection.
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of various electronic components of the pump 100
in more detail that are used to control the pump 100 of FIGS. 1-5. Various electronic
components of the pump 100 are in communication with each other and include the controller
136, the motor 126, the level sensor 112, and a temperature sensor 202. The controller
136 includes a processor 204, a memory 206, a thermostat 208, and a fluid level control
module 210. The controller 136 is in electrical communication with the motor 126,
the level sensor 112, and the temperature sensor 202 such that the controller 136
can send and receive signals to and from the motor 126, the level sensor 112, and
the temperature sensor 202.
[0031] The memory 206, the thermostat 208, and the fluid level control module 210 can be
provided in the form of tangible computer-readable media on which one or more sets
of non-transitory, computer readable instructions, such as the software or firmware
for operating the methods of the present disclosure, can be embedded. The embedded
instructions may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. In
a particular embodiment, the embedded instructions may reside completely, or at least
partially, within any one or more of the memory 206, the thermostat 208, or the fluid
level control module 210.
[0032] The memory 206, the thermostat 208, and the fluid level control module 210, may be
provided in the form of one or more of volatile memory (e.g., RAM, which may include
magnetic RAM, ferroelectric RAM, and any other suitable forms); non-volatile memory
(e.g., disk memory, FLASH memory, EPROMs, EEPROMs, non-volatile solid-state memory,
etc.), unalterable memory (e.g., EPROMs), read-only memory, and/or high-capacity storage
devices (e.g., hard drives, solid state drives, etc.). In some examples, the memory
206, the thermostat 208, and the fluid level control module 210, include multiple
types of memory, particularly both volatile memory and non-volatile memory.
[0033] Still referring to FIG. 7, the processor 204 may be provided in the form of one or
more of any suitable processing devices or set of processing devices such as, but
not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated
circuit, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or one or more application-specific
integrated circuits (ASICs). The processor 204 is configured to execute non-transitory
computer readable instructions, such as those instructions stored in the memory 206,
the thermostat 208, and the fluid level control module 210.
[0034] In some forms, the processor 204 may include multiple processors, the memory 206
may include multiple memories, and the controller 136 may include multiple controllers.
One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple
memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various
functions described herein. In some examples, the processor 204 may be a component
of a processing system, which may refer to a system (such as a series) of machines,
circuitry (including, for example, one or both of processor circuitry (which may include
the processor 204) and memory circuitry (which may include the memory 206)), or components,
that receives or obtains inputs and processes the inputs to produce, generate, or
obtain a set of outputs. The processing system may be configured to perform one or
more of the functions described herein. For example, the processor 204 or a processing
system including the processor 204 may be configured to, configurable to, or operable
to cause the pump 100 to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Further,
as described herein, being "configured to," being "configurable to," and being "operable
to" may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a capability, when executing
code (e.g., processor-executable code) stored in the memory 206 or otherwise, to perform
one or more of the functions described herein.
[0035] The terms "non-transitory computer-readable medium" and "tangible computer-readable
medium" should be understood to include a single medium or multiple media, such as
a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store
one or more sets of instructions. The terms "non-transitory computer-readable medium"
and "tangible computer-readable medium" also include any tangible medium that can
store, encode, or carry a set of instructions for execution by the processor 204 or
that causes the pump 100 to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed
herein. As used herein, the term "tangible computer-readable medium" includes any
type of computer-readable storage device and/or storage disk and excludes propagating
signals. As used herein, the terms "tangible computer-readable medium" and "tangible
machine-readable medium" are used interchangeably.
[0036] Turning next to the function of the thermostat 208, the thermostat 208 receives temperature
signals from the temperature sensor 202 (i.e., a first temperature value at a first
time period, a second temperature value at a second time period, etc.). Based on these
temperature signals, the thermostat 208 determines whether a temperature of the internal
components of the pump 100 (e.g., the motor 126) has exceeded a pre-defined temperature
threshold value. If the temperature (e.g., first temperature value, second temperature
value, etc.) of the internal components has exceeded the temperature threshold value,
the thermostat 208 can turn off the motor 126. Once the temperature of the internal
components of the pump 100 have cooled to a temperature that is below the temperature
threshold value, the motor 126 can be turned on to initiate a pumping operation.
[0037] Referring next to the fluid level control module 210, the fluid level control module
210 includes instructions to determine whether the pump 100 has been placed into a
volume of fluid based on fluid presence signals received from the level sensor 112.
Based on the fluid presence signals, the fluid level control module 210 includes instructions
to turn on the pump 100, retain the pump 100 in an operational and/or active state,
and turn off the pump 100. The fluid level control module 210 also includes instructions
to activate one or more timers, such as a startup delay timer, a shutoff delay timer,
and a reset timer, which are configured to provide additional limits as to whether
and when the pump 100 is turned on or off, as described in further detail below. In
practice, the timers of the fluid level control module 210 prevent the motor 126 from
rapidly cycling between on and off. It should be appreciated that repetitive starts
and stops may damage the motor 126. Thus, the fluid level control module 210 aids
in mitigating damage to the motor 126. Further, by dynamically controlling the motor
126 in accordance with the instructions of the fluid level control module 210, the
pump 100 may be adapted for use in varying pumping applications (e.g., removing puddles
from a flat roof, emptying swimming pools, emptying flooded basements, etc.).
[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 corresponding to the functions implemented by the
processor 204 of the controller 136 when executing the instructions provided by the
fluid level control module 210. At step 802, the level sensor 112 detects the presence
of a fluid and sends a detection signal to the controller 136 accordingly. In practice,
at step 802, the level sensor 112 detects whether a fluid level of the fluid has risen
above a threshold fluid level as determined, for example, by the distance between
the bottom-most edges of the first electrode 118 and the second electrode 120 and
the bottom-most portion of the strainer 116. If at step 802, the controller 136 determines
that the level sensor 112 is not in contact with the fluid, the method 800 continues
to monitor the fluid level/presence. However, if at step 802, the controller 136 determines
that the level sensor 112 is in contact with the fluid, e.g., the fluid has risen
above the threshold fluid level, the method 800 proceeds to step 804.
[0039] At step 804, the controller 136 initiates the startup delay timer, which has a startup
delay time, e.g., about 0 seconds, about 1 second, about 2 seconds, less than 1 second,
etc. In practice, initiating the startup delay timer includes initiating a countdown
of the startup delay time, and step 804 involves waiting for the startup delay time
to elapse. If the controller 136 determines that the level sensor 112 is no longer
in contact with the fluid before to the startup delay time has elapsed, the method
800 will return to step 802. However, if the controller 136 determines that the level
sensor 112 is still in contact with the fluid until after the startup delay time has
elapsed, the method 800 proceeds to step 806. At step 806, the controller 136 turns
on the pump 100. The method 800 then proceeds to step 808 with the pump 100 turned
on.
[0040] At step 808, while the pump 100 is running, the controller 136 determines whether
the level sensor 112 is still in contact with the fluid based on signals from the
level sensor 112, e.g., whether the fluid level is still above the threshold fluid
level. If at step 808, the controller 136 determines, based on signals from the level
sensor 112, that the level sensor 112 remains in contact with the fluid, the method
800 returns to step 806 to continue running the pump. However, if at step 808, the
controller 136 determines, based on signals from the level sensor 112, that the level
sensor 112 is no longer in contact with the electrically conductive fluid, e.g., the
fluid level has receded below the threshold fluid level, the method 800 proceeds to
step 810.
[0041] At step 810, while the pump 100 continues to run, the controller 136 initiates the
shutoff delay timer, which has a shutoff delay time, e.g., between about 7 seconds
and about 20 seconds, about 10 seconds, about 15 seconds, etc. It is to be understood
that at the first instance of step 810 being implemented, the shutoff delay time can
be provided as a default shutoff delay time. Once the shutoff delay timer has been
initiated, the method 800 proceeds to step 812.
[0042] At step 812, while the pump 100 continues to run, the controller 136 determines,
based on signals from the level sensor 112, whether the level sensor 112 has reestablished
contact with the fluid before the shutoff delay time has elapsed, e.g., the fluid
level has risen back above the threshold fluid level. If, at step 812, the controller
136 determines that the level sensor 112 has not reestablished contact with the fluid
within the shutoff delay time, e.g., the fluid level has stayed below the threshold
fluid level, the method 800 proceeds to step 814, where the controller 136 stops the
pump 100. If, however, at step 812, the controller 136 determines that the level sensor
112 has reestablished contact with the fluid before the shutoff delay time has elapsed,
the method 800 proceeds to step 816.
[0043] At step 816, while the pump 100 continues to run, the controller 136 determines,
according to the instructions of the fluid level control module 210, whether the shutoff
delay time is equal to a maximum shutoff delay time, e.g., 35 seconds, 45 seconds,
60 seconds, etc. If, at step 816, the controller 136 determines that the shutoff delay
time is equal to the maximum shutoff delay time, the method 800 returns to step 806
where the pump 100 continues to run. However, if, at step 816, the controller 136
determines that the shutoff delay time has not reached the maximum shutoff delay time,
the method 800 proceeds to step 818. At step 818, while the pump 100 continues to
run, the controller 136 increases the delay shutoff time by a predetermined time value,
e.g., by 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc., and the method 800 returns to step 806 where
the pump continues to run.
[0044] Returning to step 814, which occurs after fluid has not been re-detected and the
shutoff delay time has elapsed in step 812, e.g., the fluid level is still below the
threshold fluid level until at least the shutoff delay time has elapsed, the controller
136 turns off the pump 100 and the method 800 proceeds to step 820.
[0045] At step 820, while the pump 100 is stopped, the controller 136 initiates the reset
timer, which has a reset time, e.g., between about 7 seconds and about 20 seconds,
about 10 seconds, about 15 seconds, etc. As the reset timer is running, the controller
136 determines whether the level sensor 112 reestablishes contact with the fluid before
the reset time has elapsed, e.g., the fluid level has risen back above the threshold
fluid level. In some embodiments, the controller 136 also performs step 820 if the
pump 100 stops because of a brief (e.g., 35 seconds or less) power supply interruption.
If, at step 820, the controller 136 determines that the level sensor 112 has reestablished
contact with the fluid before the reset time has elapsed, the method 800 proceeds
to step 822 in which the controller 136 maintains the shutoff delay time and the method
800 returns to step 806 to run the pump 100.
[0046] However, if, at step 820, the controller 136 determines that the level sensor 112
has not reestablished contact with the fluid before the reset time has elapsed, the
method 800 proceeds to step 824. At step 824, the controller 136 resets the shutoff
delay time to be the default shutoff delay time and the method 800 begins anew. It
should be known that in some embodiments, the shutoff delay time and the reset time
are the same time value, e.g., between about 7 seconds and about 20 seconds, about
10 seconds, about 15 seconds, etc. In some embodiments, the shutoff delay time and
the reset time are different time values. Further, in some embodiments, each time
the shutoff delay time is increased in step 818, the reset time is increased in proportion
to the increase in the shutoff delay time. For example, in some forms, each time the
shutoff delay time is increased by a particular time value, the reset time is also
increased by that same time value. Also, in some embodiments, each time the shutoff
delay time is reset to the default shutoff delay time in step 824, the reset time
can also be reset to a default reset time.
[0047] Accordingly, the pump 100 is highly adaptable to a variety of different source locations
and can provide a self-adjusting working time for different applications. In particular,
the pump 100 can be adapted for transferring fluid away from large, flat surfaces
of different sizes or that experience different rates of fooding at different times
such as tennis courts, construction pits, flat roofs, etc.
[0048] Specific embodiments of the pump described according to the present invention have
been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention can
be made and used. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations
and modifications of this invention and its different aspects will be apparent to
one skilled in the art, and that this invention is not limited by the specific embodiments
described. Features described in one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments.
The subject disclosure is understood to encompass the present invention and any and
all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope
of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.
1. A pump comprising:
a motor;
an inlet port;
a discharge port;
a fluid sensor configured to detect whether a fluid level has risen above a threshold
fluid level; and
a controller configured to:
activate the pump in response to the fluid sensor detecting that the fluid level has
risen above the threshold fluid level,
initiate a shutoff delay timer in response to the fluid sensor detecting that the
fluid level has receded below the threshold fluid level, the shutoff delay timer having
a shutoff delay time,
increase the shutoff delay time if the fluid sensor detects that the fluid level has
risen above the threshold fluid level again before the shutoff delay time has elapsed,
and
maintain the shutoff delay time if the fluid sensor detects that the fluid level stayed
below the threshold fluid level until the shutoff delay time has elapsed.
2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the shutoff delay timer has a maximum shutoff delay time.
3. The pump of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to maintain the shutoff
delay time when the shutoff delay time is equal to the maximum shutoff delay time,
even if the fluid sensor detects that fluid has risen above the threshold fluid level
again before the shutoff delay time has elapsed.
4. The pump of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller is configured to shut
down the pump when the fluid sensor detects that the fluid level remains below the
threshold fluid level until the shutoff delay time has elapsed.
5. The pump of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a reset timer
after shutting down the pump, the reset timer having a reset time.
6. The pump of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to reset the shutoff delay
time to a default shutoff delay time if the fluid level remains below the threshold
fluid level until the reset time has elapsed.
7. The pump of claim 6, wherein the default shutoff delay time is 15 seconds.
8. The pump of claim 6, wherein the reset time is reset to a default reset time each
time the shutoff delay time is reset to the default shutoff delay time.
9. The pump of claim 5, wherein the reset time is increased each time the shutoff delay
time is increased.
10. The pump of claim 9, wherein the reset time is increased in proportion to the shutoff
delay time each time the shutoff delay time is increased.
11. The pump of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fluid sensor is a provided in the
form of a plurality of electrodes.
12. The pump of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of electrodes has a bottom end
and a strainer covering the inlet port has a bottom-most portion, and a distance between
the bottom end of each of the plurality of electrodes and the bottom-most portion
of the strainer is about 7mm.
13. The pump of claim 11, wherein the plurality of electrodes is provided as only two
electrodes.
14. The pump of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the controller is configured to initiate
a startup delay timer having a startup delay time when the fluid sensor detects that
the fluid level has risen above the threshold fluid level.
15. The pump of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to delay activation of
the pump until after the startup delay time has elapsed.