Abstract: A method for operating a grinder pump station and inhibiting the likelihood of operation of a grinder pump assembly under at least one of a run dry condition and a blocked condition includes providing a wattmeter circuit operably connected to the grinder pump assembly and measuring real power using the wattmeter circuit during operation of the grinder pump assembly to process sewage received in a tank and discharge the processed sewage from the tank. The grinder pump assembly is automatically turned off based on the real power (e.g., average value of the product of instantaneous values of voltage and current over time) measured by the wattmeter circuit due to the at least one of a run dry condition and a blocked condition.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing assembly employs an inductive or magnetic coupling to wirelessly communicate a plurality of signals based on a changing level of wastewater in a tank to a first coil of a pump/alarm control circuit in the grinder pump. The assembly includes at least one liquid level sensor operable in response to the changing level of the wastewater, a second coil positionable adjacent to the first coil in the grinder pump, and a transponder for extracting electrical energy using the second coil in response to the first coil. The transponder is operably connected to the at least one liquid level sensor and operable to wirelessly transmit from the second coil to the first coil the plurality of signals based on the state of the at least one liquid level sensor due to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank.

Abstract: A method for operating a grinder pump station and inhibiting the likelihood of operation of a grinder pump assembly under at least one of a run dry condition and a blocked condition includes providing a wattmeter circuit operably connected to the grinder pump assembly and measuring real power using the wattmeter circuit during operation of the grinder pump assembly to process sewage received in a tank and discharge the processed sewage from the tank. The grinder pump assembly is automatically turned off based on the real power (e.g., average value of the product of instantaneous values of voltage and current over time) measured by the wattmeter circuit due to the at least one of a run dry condition and a blocked condition.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing assembly employs an inductive or magnetic coupling to wirelessly communicate a plurality of signals based on a changing level of wastewater in a tank to a first coil of a pump/alarm control circuit in the grinder pump. The assembly includes at least one liquid level sensor operable in response to the changing level of the wastewater, a second coil positionable adjacent to the first coil in the grinder pump, and a transponder for extracting electrical energy using the second coil in response to the first coil. The transponder is operably connected to the at least one liquid level sensor and operable to wirelessly transmit from the second coil to the first coil the plurality of signals based on the state of the at least one liquid level sensor due to the changing level of the wastewater in the tank.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for monitoring a plurality of grinder pumps, and in particular, remotely over a communications network. Aspects of the invention include an alarm panel having a modular configuration, a modem board which allows use of a single telephone line and use by the homeowner in an emergency, the transmission of data over a high voltage AC line, and recharging of a sensing tube for measuring the level of wastewater in a tank.

Abstract: A wrist mounted electronic tuning device for use in tuning an acoustic musical instrument which includes a self-adapting wristband to automatically accommodate to a wide range of wrist sizes. Additionally, the tuning device includes sensing means operable for sensing an acoustic musical tone produced by the musical instrument and producing a representative electrical signal, conditioning means operable for amplifying, pre-filtering, and shaping the electrical signal into a representative pulse train, input means for selecting a musical note to tune to, computing means for receiving the pulse train and selected musical note and utilizing pre-programmed algorithms to determine the instrument's tuning condition, an output means to annunciate the tuning condition, and a power level switching means to permit the tuner to function in either a fully powered signal acquisition state or low power sleep state.

Abstract: A wrist mounted electronic tuning device for use in tuning an acoustic musical instrument which includes a self-adapting wristband to automatically accommodate to a wide range of wrist sizes. Additionally, the tuning device includes sensing means operable for sensing an acoustic musical tone produced by the musical instrument and producing a representative electrical signal, conditioning means operable for amplifying, pre-filtering, and shaping the electrical signal into a representative pulse train, input means for selecting a musical note to tune to, computing means for receiving the pulse train and selected musical note and utilizing pre-programmed algorithms to determine the instrument's tuning condition, an output means to annunciate the tuning condition, and a power level switching means to permit the tuner to function in either a fully powered signal acquisition state or low power sleep state.

Abstract: A sensor for use in determining a level of a medium or detecting an object includes a plurality of spaced-apart electrically conductive members disposed on a nonconductive support. Each of the conductive members are connected to an astable multivibrator for selectively generating a first plurality of signals each having a frequency based on a capacitive value due to a respective conductive member, an at least one ground member, and at least one of an absence of the medium and a presence of the medium. A microcontroller enables determining the level of the medium or detection of the object based on the frequencies of the first plurality of generated signals. The microcontroller may be configured for compensating for buildup of a material on the sensor to enhance the accuracy of the sensor. Self-correcting features and safety features employed in the sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for monitoring a plurality of grinder pumps, and in particular, remotely over a communications network. Aspects of the invention include an alarm panel having a modular configuration, a modem board which allows use of a single telephone line and use by the homeowner in an emergency, the transmission of data over a high voltage AC line, and recharging of a sensing tube for measuring the level of wastewater in a tank.

Abstract: A tuning device for use in tuning a musical instrument includes sensing means operable for sensing a first electrical signal having a certain frequency bandwidth and corresponding to an acoustical musical note produced by the musical instrument, filtering means coupled to the sensing means and operable for filtering the first signal to produce a second electrical signal having a substantially smaller frequency bandwidth, the second signal being representative of the musical note, dividing means coupled to the filtering means and operable for dividing the frequency of the second signal to produce a third electrical signal, generating means operable for producing a reference electrical signal representative of a musical note for tuning the musical instrument, and comparing means coupled to the dividing means and the generating means and operable for comparing the third signal and the reference signal to each other and for producing a fourth electrical signal when the third signal is within a predetermined frequ