Duplex control of redundant passively-actuated electronic devices

Abstract

The present application generally relates a system for duplex control of redundant passively-actuated electronic devices. In one embodiment, the system comprises a housing, a controller mounted inside the housing, an input/output (I/O) interface integrated with the housing that includes a first port configured to electrically couple a power input to the controller, a second port configured to electrically couple a first pump to the controller, and a third port configured to electrically couple a second pump to the controller, and a set of relays connected to the second port and the third port. In response to a current sensing circuit sensing that a first current indicates that the-first pump has shut off, the controller may activate the second pump and deactivate the first pump by controlling the set of relays to disconnect the power source from the first pump and to connect the second pump to the power source.

1 . A system comprising:
 a housing;   a controller mounted inside the housing;   an input/output (I/O) interface integrated with the housing, wherein the I/O interface includes:
 a first port configured to electrically couple a power input to the controller, 
   wherein a power source is based on the power input;
 a second port configured to electrically couple a first pump to the controller; and 
 a third port configured to electrically couple a second pump to the controller, and 
   a set of relays connected to the second port and the third port,   wherein the controller includes a current sensing circuit configured to sense (i) a first current drawn by the first pump and (ii) a second current drawn by the second pump, and   wherein, in response to the current sensing circuit sensing that the first current indicates that the-first pump has shut off, the controller activates the second pump and deactivates the first pump by controlling the set of relays to disconnect the power source from the first pump and to connect the second pump to the power source.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first pump includes an integrated first float switch that activates a motor of the first pump; 
 the second pump includes an integrated second float switch that activates a motor of the second pump; 
 while the second pump is activated, the motor of the second pump is capable of operating in response to an indication from the second float switch; and 
 while the first pump is deactivated, the motor of the first pump does not operate regardless of a state of the first float switch. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to, in response to the current sensing circuit sensing that the second current indicates that the second pump has shut off, activate the first pump and deactivate the second pump by controlling the set of relays to disconnect the second pump from the power source and to connect the first pump to the power source. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein:
 the first pump includes a first float switch configured to activate a motor of the first pump; 
 the second pump includes a second float switch configured to activate a motor of the second pump; 
 while the first pump is activated, the motor of the first pump is capable of operating in response to an indication from the first float switch; and 
 while the second pump is deactivated, the motor of the second pump is inoperable regardless of a state of the second float switch. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first pump includes a first float switch configured to activate a motor of the first pump; 
 the second pump includes a second float switch configured to activate a motor of the second pump; 
 the motor of the first pump operates independently of a state of the second float switch; and 
 the motor of the second pump operates independently of a state of the first float switch. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein:
 the first float switch is integrated with the first pump; and 
 the second float switch is integrated with the second pump. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein:
 while the first pump is activated, the motor of the first pump is capable of operating in response to the state of the first float switch; 
 while the first pump is deactivated, the motor of the first pump is inoperable regardless of the state of the first float switch; 
 while the second pump is activated, the motor of the second pump is capable of operating in response to the state of the second float switch; and 
 while the second pump is deactivated, the motor of the second pump is inoperable regardless of the state of the second float switch. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the power source provides alternating current utility power to the controller. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the I/O interface includes a set of terminals configured to electrically couple the controller to a battery source. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the battery source includes a battery suppling direct current to the controller. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the controller includes an inverter circuit that converts the direct current supplied from the battery source to alternating current capable of powering the first pump and the second pump. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller includes a wireless communication circuit that enables the system to communicate with a remote WiFi-enabled device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the controller includes a direct electrical connection with a third float switch; and 
 the controller is configured to, in response to activation of the third float switch, activate both the first pump and the second pump. 
 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to, in response to the current sensing circuit fails to sense the first current being drawn from the first pump while both the first pump and the second pump are active, communicate an alarm indicating a pump failure. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the alarm includes at least one of an audible alarm and a visual fault indication. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the controller is configured to, in response to the current sensing circuit failing to sense the first current being drawn from the first pump while both the first pump and the second pump are active, enable a safe mode that deactivates the first pump by controlling a state of the set of relays from a first state that powers both the first pump and the second pump to a second state that powers only the second pump. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the set of relays includes:
 a first relay configured to connect and disconnect the power source from a first current-carrying electrical line of the first pump; and 
 a second relay configured to connect and disconnect the power source from a first current-carrying electrical line of the second pump. 
 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the set of relays includes:
 a third relay configured to connect and disconnect the power source from a second current-carrying electrical line of the first pump; and 
 a fourth relay configured to connect and disconnect the power source from a second current-carrying electrical line of the second pump. 
 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 measuring current being provided by a power source to a first pump, wherein the first pump is electrically coupled to a first port of an input/output (J/O) interface;   identifying a first current measurement indicating that the first pump has shut off; and   in response to identifying the first current measurement: 
 activating a second pump electrically coupled to a second port of the I/O interface, wherein activating the second pump is performed by controlling a set of relays to connect the power source to the second pump, and wherein the power source is derived from a power input electrically coupled to a third port of the J/O interface; and 
 deactivating the first pump, wherein deactivating the first pump is performed by controlling the set of relays to disconnect the first pump from the power source. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 measuring current being provided by the power source to the second pump; 
 while the second pump is activated, identifying a second current measurement that indicates that the second pump has shut off; and 
 in response to identifying the second current measurement:
 activating the first pump, wherein activating the first pump is performed by controlling the set of relays to connect the first pump to the power source; and 
 deactivating the second pump, wherein deactivating the second pump is performed by controlling the set of relays to disconnect the second pump from the power source. 
 
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 receiving an indication that a third float switch has moved to an active state; and 
 in response to the indication that the third float switch has moved to the active state, activating both the first pump and the second pump. 
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 while both the first pump and the second pump are activated, selectively identifying a third current measurement that indicates that the first pump is not operating; and 
 in response to identifying the third current measurement, generating an alarm indicating a pump failure. 
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the alarm includes at least one of an audible alarm or a visual fault indication. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising wirelessly transmitting the alarm. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein wirelessly transmitting includes transmitting over a wireless local area network. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 while both the first pump and the second pump are activated, determining that a new current measurement for the first pump indicates that the first pump is not operating; and 
 in response to the indication that the first pump is not operating, deactivating the first pump by controlling a state of the set of relays from a first state powering both the first pump and the second pump to a second state that only powers the second pump. 
 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the set of relays includes:
 a first relay that is configured to connect and to disconnect the power source from a first current-carrying electrical line of the first pump; 
 a second relay that is configured to connect and to disconnect the power source from a second current-carrying electrical line of the first pump; 
 a third relay that is configured to connect and to disconnect the power source from a first current-carrying electrical line of the second pump; and 
 a fourth relay that is configured to connect and to disconnect the power source from a second current-carrying electrical line of the second pump.