Basement flood control system

Abstract

A basement flood control system for use in a structure having a basement floor located below ground level and having a sump pit or other collection basin for gathering subterranean water. The system has two primary pump units operated with line current, a battery-operated back-up pump unit, and a sensor arrangement for sensing water level in the collection basin. A controller is connected to the sensor arrangement and the pump units for variously activating the pump units singly or in any combination responsive to the water level detected by the sensor arrangement.

1 . A basement flood control system for use in a structure having a basement floor below ground level and having a collection basin for gathering subterranean water for removal from the structure, the system comprising 
 a. two primary pump units operated with line current,    b. a battery-operated back-up pump unit,    c. a sensor arrangement for sensing water level in the collection basin, and    d. a controller connected to said sensor arrangement and connected to said primary pump units and said back-up pump units for variously activating said pump units singly or in any combination responsive to input received from said sensor arrangement.    
   
   
       2 . The flood control system according to  claim 1 , including a high water alarm.  
   
   
       3 . The flood control system according to  claim 2 , in which said high water alarm comprises a floating level detector for the collection basin, an audible alarm connected to said floating level detector, and means for activating said audible alarm responsive to signals received from said floating level detector.  
   
   
       4 . The flood control system according to  claim 1 , in which said sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of sensor elements for positioning in the collection basin.  
   
   
       5 . The flood control system according to  claim 4 , in which said sensor elements each comprise a sensor tube responsive to pressure changes.  
   
   
       6 . The flood control system according to  claim 5 , including three of said sensor tubes.  
   
   
       7 . The flood control system according to  claim 6 , in which one sensor tube is for normal operation, one sensor tube is for an override condition and one sensor tube is for an emergency high water condition.  
   
   
       8 . The flood control system according to  claim 7 , in which each sensor tube is connected to a pressure switch.  
   
   
       9 . The flood control system according to  claim 1 , in which said controller includes an alternator for alternating activation of said primary pump units.  
   
   
       10 . The flood control system according to  claim 9 , including a switch for simultaneously activating both of said primary pump units.  
   
   
       11 . The flood control system according to  claim 10 , including means for activating all of said pump units responsive to an emergency high water condition from said sensor arrangement.  
   
   
       12 . The flood control system according to  claim 1 , including a timer for periodically activating said back-up pump unit.  
   
   
       13 . The flood control system according to  claim 1 , including a manual test switch for each primary pump unit.