Patent · US Active

Systems and methods for detecting and resolving sump pump failures

US8892263B1 · kind B1 · utility

42Cited by
3References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 19, 2014
Grant dateNov 18, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 19, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05D9/12
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and system detects and resolves impending failures in a sump pump, such as failures in a motor of the sump pump and soft mechanical failures. To detect failures in the motor, the method and system may analyze the electrical load waveform of the motor to identify signatures that may indicate potential problems with the motor. To detect soft mechanical failures, the method and system may measure the current water level in a sump basin, which houses the sump pump. The current water level may be determined by a water level sensor placed slightly above the high water level mark in the sump basin. To resolve the detected failures, the method and system may activate a mechanical shaker, which may be attached or integrated with the sump pump, that produces vibrations to physically shake the sump pump. If the failures cannot be resolved by the mechanical shaker, the method and system may send an alert message to notify a user of the situation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.