Control and alarm system for sump pump

Abstract

A control system for a sump pump driven by an AC motor includes an AC power line having an input adapted for connection to an AC power source and an output adapted for connection to the AC drive motor. A controller is connected to a controllable switch in the AC power line, to control the opening and closing of that switch. Redundant float switches are coupled to the controller and adapted to be mounted in a sump to supply the controller with a signals when the liquid in the sump rises to a selected level. A timer in, or coupled to, the controller alters the control signal to open the controllable switch if the liquid level in the sump remains above the selected level for a preselected time period.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A redundant float switch assembly for use in a sump to supply electrical signals for controlling the energization and de-energization of a drive motor of a sump pump, comprising
 a pair of spaced floats mounted for vertical movement, each of said floats containing at least one magnetic element,   a pair of spaced switches mounted for actuation by said magnetic elements when said floats are located at selected elevations,   an electrical power source connected to said switches so that the actuation of said switches produces electrical output signals indicating the elevation of said floats containing said magnetic elements, and   an apertured container surrounding said floats to allow vertical movement of said floats in said sump while restricting the access of obstructing particles to the path of vertical movement of said floats.   
   
   
       23 . The redundant float switch assembly of  claim 22  which includes a vertical tube on which said floats are mounted for sliding movement, and said switches are mounted within said tube. 
   
   
       24 . The redundant float switch assembly of  claim 22  wherein said apertured container comprises a generally cylindrical cage, and said floats are generally disc-shaped for movement along the axis of said cage. 
   
   
       25 . The redundant float switch assembly of  claim 22  which includes an integral bracket on one end of said container to facilitate mounting of said assembly on a sump discharge pipe. 
   
   
       26 . The redundant float switch assembly of  claim 22  which includes limits for limiting the range of movement of each of said floats within said container.