Patents Assigned to Little Giant Pump Company
  • Patent number: 9417635
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed. A method and apparatus for sensing changes in the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steven W. Hampton
  • Patent number: 8807957
    Abstract: A pump control system which detects a fluid condition in a pump is disclosed. The pump control system may include a control event based on the fluid condition in the pump. The pump control system may detect a fluid condition in the pump by monitoring the frequency response of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steven W. Hampton
  • Publication number: 20140044564
    Abstract: A pump control system which detects a fluid condition in a pump is disclosed. The pump control system may include a control event based on the fluid condition in the pump. The pump control system may detect a fluid condition in the pump by monitoring the frequency response of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steven W. Hampton
  • Patent number: 8622713
    Abstract: A pump control system which detects a fluid condition in a pump is disclosed. The pump control system may include a control event based on the fluid condition in the pump. The pump control system may detect a fluid condition in the pump by monitoring the frequency response of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steven W. Hampton
  • Publication number: 20130174916
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed. A method and apparatus for sensing changes in the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: LITTLE GIANT PUMP COMPANY
    Inventor: Little Giant Pump Company
  • Patent number: 8418550
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed. A method and apparatus for sensing changes in the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steven W. Hampton
  • Publication number: 20110271704
    Abstract: Systems and methods for condensate removal are disclosed. A reservoir may include a trap structure and a sediment trap may be disposed within the trap structure. The sediment trap may be positioned within the reservoir so that condensate flowing into the reservoir is filtered before flowing out of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: LITTLE GIANT PUMP COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: James J. Volk, Ryan A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110272043
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for handling a fluid is provided. The apparatus comprising a reservoir having a basin which receives the fluid and at least a first port through which the fluid is evacuated; a pump housing including a fluid pump; a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid in the reservoir through the first port of the reservoir and in fluid communication with the fluid pump; at least one sensor which provides an indication of a height of the fluid in the reservoir; and a conduit with a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough, wherein the reservoir and the pump housing are external to the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: LITTLE GIANT PUMP COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: James Hollingsworth, Ryan A. Johnson, Steve Hampton
  • Publication number: 20100166570
    Abstract: A pump control system which detects a fluid condition in a pump is disclosed. The pump control system may include a control event based on the fluid condition in the pump. The pump control system may detect a fluid condition in the pump by monitoring the frequency response of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: LITTLE GIANT PUMP COMPANY
    Inventor: Steven W. Hampton
  • Publication number: 20100154534
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed. A method and apparatus for sensing changes in the top level of a material in a vessel is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: LITTLE GIANT PUMP COMPANY
    Inventor: Steven W. Hampton
  • Publication number: 20090226329
    Abstract: A condensate pump that provides a ventilation system that efficiently expels warm air surrounding a pump motor is disclosed. The pump has a motor-driven fan, a cover that encloses the fan, and a ventilation opening that allows for air to enter through the cover. The cover has an exhaust opening adjacent to the fan and a discharge outlet. The space between the exhaust opening and the discharge outlet defines a throat. A cutwater is adjacent to the exhaust opening for focusing air outward through the throat and expelling it from the cover through the discharge outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: LITTLE GIANT PUMP COMPANY
    Inventor: Jon Currier
  • Publication number: 20090129939
    Abstract: In an improved pump assembly having a fluid reservoir into which a stationary post extends, a sensor is supported by the post and a floating member is supported for travel between upper and lower portions of the post. A magnet is supported by the floating member, the sensor responding to the position of the magnet as the floating ring member moves along the post. A float retention member is detachably supported by the post to retain the floating member on the post, the floating member having a support ring with a plurality of inwardly extending spring members disposed to grip the end of the post. A heat exchanger is supported for absorbing a portion of the thermal energy created by the pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steve Hampton
  • Patent number: 7448772
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an assembly comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light producing components mounted on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) in a light housing designed to accept a standardized light producing bulb comprising a mounting adapter designed so that the pcb can snap/lock into position in the adapter and the adapter can mount into the housing in the manner of a standard bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steve Hampton
  • Patent number: 7378019
    Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering water in an aquatic structure having a housing with a flow inlet and a flow outlet and filter media between the flow inlet and the flow outlet. A vortex distributor is supported in the housing to distribute fluid evenly over the filter media and partially separate debris from the fluid. The vortex distributor has a conically shaped body portion with an upper side, a lower side and a vortex opening. The vortex opening is substantially centered in the body portion and a plurality of vanes are supported on the upper side of the body portion around the vortex opening, the vanes curving away from the vortex opening to form a substantially planar upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventors: Jon D. Currier, Scott Stayton
  • Patent number: 7264449
    Abstract: A liquid collection and disposal assembly for collecting and disposing of drainage liquid, the liquid collection and disposal assembly disposable in a pit and having a basin assembly with a collection cavity, a pump suspended in the collection cavity and a level detector to detect drainage liquid levels in the collection cavity. A controller responds to the level detector to activate the pump at predetermined levels of the drainage liquid to evacuate the drainage liquid. A transparent basin cover is supported on top of a basin member, and an effluent discharge pipe is connected to the basin cover and to a liquid outlet port of the pump, thereby supporting the pump a predetermined distance above the bottom of the collection cavity. The pump has a water jacket through which the discharging effluent passes to cool the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventors: Dick Harned, Bill Tusten
  • Patent number: 7237736
    Abstract: A grinder pump with a self aligning cutter assembly, the grinder pump having an inlet port, a drive shaft and a cutter assembly, the cutter assembly comprising a rotary cutter and a stationary, annular cutter. The rotary cutter is supported for rotation by the drive shaft, and the annular cutter is supported in the inlet port. The rotary cutter has a pair of primary knife members with knife edges, and the annular cutter is supported in the inlet port, the annular cutter having a central bore in which a plurality of internal cutting edges are formed. The rotary cutter is supported in the central bore so its primary knife members are rotated in operational cutting engagement with the internal cutting edges by the drive shaft. The annular cutter is provided a limited range of radial movement and is positioned within the range of movement by the rotary cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Jay D. Martin
  • Publication number: 20070028640
    Abstract: A coupling assembly and associated method is provided for an air conditioning system. The coupling assembly is configured for coupling an indoor coil section of the air conditioning system to a condensate drain line. The coupling assembly has a conduit that is attachable at one end to the indoor coil section. Also, a pump is enclosed within the conduit that has a suction port and a parallel discharge port. The suction port is operably connected to a condensate collection member of the indoor coil section and the discharge port operably connected to the condensate drain line. Preferably, the coupling assembly also has a switching circuit controlling operation of the pump in relation to rate at which condensate is pumped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steve Hampton
  • Publication number: 20070008723
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an assembly comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light producing components mounted on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) in a light housing designed to accept a standardized light producing bulb comprising a mounting adapter designed so that the pcb can snap/lock into position in the adapter and the adapter can mount into the housing in the manner of a standard bulb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steve Hampton
  • Patent number: 6867383
    Abstract: A liquid level assembly for controlling liquid level has a switching mechanism responsive to the liquid head to activate a pump. A housing assembly has an internal cavity in which the switching mechanism is supported, the housing assembly having an open end sealed by a diaphragm seal having a flexible planar portion that transmits head pressure to the switching mechanism. The diaphragm seal also has a peripheral web portion and a flexible bellows portion connecting the flexible planar portion and the peripheral web portion. The peripheral web portion has a peripheral sealing bead that is sealingly compressed against a groove in the housing assembly, and a plurality of knob members extend from the peripheral web to press against the switching assembly, thereby accommodating manufacturing dimensional tolerances of the switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Jon D. Currier
  • Patent number: 6638023
    Abstract: A system and methods for automatically adjusting pump operating parameters for at least one pump to accommodate solids encountered during a pumping operation. The output signal of a level sensor may be monitored so as to detect and account for variations therein. The power draw of the pump may also be monitored so as to detect and account for the presence of solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Thomas R. Scott