Emergency automatic sump valve

Abstract

A system and apparatus for preventing overflow of sump tanks and thereby precluding basement flooding. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a valve, a flood indicator sensor, an automatic valve actuator connected to the valve, capable of being activated when the flood indicator sensor is triggered.

1 . An apparatus for preventing the overflow of a sump, the apparatus comprising: 
 a. a valve operable to open and close to regulate water entry into the sump;    b. an automatic valve actuator connected to the valve; and    c. a sensor operable to detect a water level above a pre-determined height in a sump;    and further operable to activate the automatic valve actuator to close the valve when the water level exceeds the pre-determined height.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is attached to a sump portal.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a gasket mounted to the valve to provide a water tight seal between the valve and a surface of the sump to which it is mounted.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising structure operable to trigger automatic valve actuator in the event that electrical power is interrupted.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an alarm operable to warn a homeowner or third party when the automatic actuator has been activated.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a float connected to a toggle switch.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a gate valve sealably attached to a water entry of a sump.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the automatic valve actuator comprises a magnet plate connected to a slidable valve gate of the gate valve and capable of being attracted to the electromagnet when the electromagnetic is electrically charged, and an electromagnet spring operable to provide tension in a direction opposing an attraction of the magnet plate to the electromagnet so that the slidable valve gate can be pulled to a closed position when the electromagnet is not electrically charged.  
   
   
       9 . A method of preventing sump overflow, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a valve operable to close water entry into a sump;    b. providing an automatic valve actuator connected to the valve;    c. providing a sensor operable to detect a water level above a pre-determined height in a sump; and    d. providing a switch in communication with the sensor, operable to activate the automatic valve actuator to close the valve when the water level is above the predetermined height.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of automatically activating the valve when electrical power is interrupted.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of providing an alarm operable to alert the homeowner or a third party when the automatic valve actuator is activated.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for preventing the overflow of a basement sump having at least one water intake portal, the apparatus comprising: 
 a valve comprising a slide body member having an opening there through, a gate adapted to slide within the slide body member to open and close the opening in the slide body member, the slide body member mounted to a wall of the sump over the at least one water intake portal so that the opening aligns with the intake portal;    a magnetic plate attached to the gate;    structure urging the gate toward a closed position;    an electromagnet operable to attract and hold the magnetic plate when electrical power is applied to said electromagnet to retain the gate in an open position;    a switch operably connected between said electromagnet and a source of electrical power so that electrical power is applied to the electromagnet when the switch is closed and electrical power to the electromagnet is terminated when the switch is opened; and    a water level sensor located in the sump, the water level sensor operably connected to the switch so that the switch closes when the water level in the sump is below a predetermined level and opens when the water level in the sump exceeds a predetermined level to interrupt power to the electromagnet so that the gate closes the opening to close the valve and prevent further intake of water through the intake portal.    
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the structure urging the gate toward a closed position comprises a spring.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , where in the water level sensor comprises a float.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a seal positioned around the opening between the slide body member and the wall of the sump to which the valve is attached to prevent water from leaking around the slide body member.