Sump pump system

Abstract

A programmed microcontroller based sump pump system includes multiple pumps that can be employed with one as a primary pump and one as a back-up, or can be employed in combination to increase the discharge rate. The microcontroller monitors the back-up battery condition, and computes and displays the battery life; monitors the system for clogs or vapor locks in the discharge piping; switches to an emergency periodic pumping mode of operation, when needed; and notifies the user by phone or e-mail of a system malfunction.

1 . A sump pump system for removing liquid from a sump comprising: 
 a plurality of pumps for pumping liquid from the sump, said pumps being arranged to be selectively powered from a primary power source and a secondary battery back-up power source;    a battery back-up power source; and    a programmed microcontroller based controller unit for controlling said pumps and selecting said power source therefor.    
   
   
       2 . The sump pump system of  claim 1  wherein said controller unit is programmed to selectively operate said pumps either individually or in combination.  
   
   
       3 . The sump pump system of  claim 1  wherein said controller unit is programmed to selectively operate one of said pumps as a primary pump and to selectively operate one of said pumps as a secondary, back-up pump.  
   
   
       4 . The sump pump system of  claim 1  wherein said controller unit is programmed to selectively operate one or more of said pumps in an emergency mode by periodically cycling said respective pump ON and OFF.  
   
   
       5 . The sump pump system of  claim 1  wherein said controller unit is programmed to provide a display or alarm in the event of a malfunction.  
   
   
       6 . A sump pump system for removing liquid from a sump comprising: 
 a pump driven by an electric motor for discharging liquid from the sump, said pump being arranged to be selectively powered from a primary electrical power source or a secondary battery back-up power source;    a battery back-up power source; and    means for computing the expected life of said battery back-up power source, said means including a programmed microcontroller.    
   
   
       7 . The sump pump system of  claim 6  wherein said means for computing said expected life of said battery back-up power source comprises: 
 selecting a starting value for said battery life;    determining the expected rate of power consumption by the sump pump system; and    computing said resultant expected battery life, wherein said computation is based on said starting value and said rate of power consumption.    
   
   
       8 . The sump pump system of  claim 7  further comprising adjusting said starting value of said battery life for recent usage of said battery.  
   
   
       9 . The sump pump system of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 display means for displaying said computed expected life of said battery back-up power source; and    alarm means for providing an alert and/or alarm in response to said computed expected battery life.    
   
   
       10 . The sump pump system of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a secondary pump driven by an electric motor for discharging liquid from the sump, said secondary pump being arranged to be selectively powered from a primary electrical power source or a secondary battery back-up power source;    a programmed microcontroller based controller unit for controlling said pumps and selecting said power source therefor;    display means for displaying said computed expected life of said battery back-up power source; and    alarm means for providing an alert and/or alarm in response to said computed expected battery life.    
   
   
       11 . A sump pump system for removing liquid from a sump comprising: 
 a pump driven by an electric motor for discharging liquid from the sump through discharge piping;    a programmed microcontroller based controller unit for monitoring and operating said pump and for monitoring the liquid level in the sump; and    means for sensing the electrical current flowing to said pump motor and thereby determining the existence of a vapor lock condition in said discharge piping, said means including said programmed microcontroller.    
   
   
       12 . The sump pump system of  claim 11  wherein said controller unit programming comprises: 
 switching OFF said pump on detection of a low current flow to said pump motor;    counting the ON/OFF cycles of said pump within a preset period; and    determining a vapor lock condition in response to said count of ON/OFF cycles.    
   
   
       13 . The sump pump system of  claim 11  further comprising means for detecting a discharge blockage, said means including monitoring by said microcontroller of the liquid level in the sump during operation of said pump.  
   
   
       14 . The sump pump system of  claim 13  wherein said means for detecting a discharge blockage includes a repeating cycle comprising: 
 monitoring the liquid level in the sump; and    operating said pump during a predetermined time interval following detection of a predetermined liquid level.    
   
   
       15 . The sump pump system of  claim 14  further comprising alarm means for providing an alert and/or alarm in response to a sensed vapor lock condition or a sensed discharge blockage.  
   
   
       16 . A sump pump system for removing liquid from a sump comprising: 
 a pump for discharging liquid from the sump through discharge piping;    a programmed microcontroller based controller unit, said microcontroller being programmed to detect a notification event, operate a modem, and communicate with a remote computer;    a remote programmed computer system accessible by said microcontroller through a phone line connection; and    a modem under control of said microcontroller for providing a phone line communication connection to said remote computer.    
   
   
       17 . The sump pump system of  claim 16  wherein said programming of said microcontroller comprises: 
 detecting a possible notification event;    determining, in response to said detected event, whether communication to said remote computer system is required;    connecting to said remote computer system by placing a telephone call through said modem to a predetermined phone number; and    transmitting to said remote computer system a serial number for the sump pump system and a code for the notification event.    
   
   
       18 . The sump pump system of  claim 17  wherein said remote computer system is programmed to respond to said transmission from said microcontroller by accessing a database, retrieving an e-mail address from said database corresponding to said serial number of said sump pump system, and sending an e-mail notification through the internet to said e-mail address.  
   
   
       19 . The sump pump system of  claim 17  wherein said remote computer system is programmed to respond to said transmission from said microcontroller by accessing a database, retrieving a phone number from said database corresponding to said serial number of said sump pump system, and sending a notification in the form of a pre-recorded voice message to said phone number.  
   
   
       20 . The sump pump system of  claim 18  wherein said notification event includes one or more of the following: an electrical failure, a clog in the discharge piping, a vapor lock in the discharge piping, a pump failure or activation error, an electrical power failure, a failure of a sensor, or a disconnected battery.