By Liquid Pressure Sensor Patents (Class 417/38)
  • Patent number: 4072168
    Abstract: For use in connection with a water supply system wherein pumping means draws water from a source and supplies it to various consumers by way of a main and branch lines from a main, a supplement to said supply system including a tank forming a first large standpipe for storage of water and a second smaller standpipe. The second standpipe is positioned within said first standpipe to project upwardly from and perpendicular to its bottom to a level approaching but spaced from the top of said first standpipe. A distribution line is provided one end of which opens into the bottom of said first standpipe and the other end of which is arranged to connect to said main. The lower end of said second standpipe, which opens from the bottom of said tank, has coupled thereto one end of a first flow line the opposite end of which is arranged to connect to said main.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1978
    Inventor: James D. Wittenmyer
  • Patent number: 4070133
    Abstract: An air supply unit provides high pressure moisture-free air in the dispensing of beverages. Components are housed in a portable cabinet and include a compressor and an automatic air pressure switch to switch on the compressor and begin air flow when system pressure falls below a pre-set level. A check valve is located in the high pressure line adjacent the compressor to maintain line pressure when the compressor is off. A small air bleed opening is located between the check valve and the compressor to allow compressed air to move through the air line yet bleed residual pressurized air to prevent stalling of the compressor which could occur if high pressure air was present in the compressor when it is restarted. The high pressure air discharge line includes a dump-check valve to permit high pressure air to be manually bled from the system before the air lines are disconnected and to prevent back flow of fluid into the air supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Inventor: Homer McCormick
  • Patent number: 4002184
    Abstract: An air charging device is connected to a supply tank, a pump and a use facility, such as a faucet. When the faucet is opened, water flow from the tank through the device to the faucet charges a chamber in the device with air; while when the pump is actuated, water flow from the pump through the device to the tank causes the air in the chamber to be compressed and escape into the tank. The flow of water in either of two directions causes a freely movable valve member to engage and shift a plunger. Movement of the plunger in one direction causes intake of air into the chamber, and movement thereof in the other direction causes compression and discharge of air into the supply tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Inventors: Howard A. Tubbs, Donald M. Waltz
  • Patent number: 3999890
    Abstract: All of the components of a sump pump apparatus necessary to be in the sump are enclosed in a common case. In one embodiment, this case is of plastic and holds the motor means, the pump impeller and at least part of the water level sensors. The motor means is in a bell holding trapped air so that the water cannot reach the motor means. In one such embodiment the motor means is a single D.C. motor and in another embodiment it consists of a D.C. motor coupled by a one-way clutch to an A.C. motor which in turn is connected to the pump impeller. In each of these two embodiments, the water level sensor includes a tube having an open end in the bell to sample the air pressure in the bell and an end externally of the sump connected to a pressure actuated switch which turns on the motor means at a particular air pressure above ambient. Also within the bell is a float operated switch serving as a back-up to the air actuated switch. Using two motors, as mentioned above, the A.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Inventor: Karl O. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 3994624
    Abstract: A water envelope pump and tank system configured with the water envelope and pump internal to the tank. The tank has first and second laterally opposed openings, fitted with externally protruding flanges, the openings disposed proximate to the bottom of the tank. A flexible envelope conforming in shape to a portion of the tank is positioned within the tank. The envelope has two openings corresponding to the tank openings located in two extended portions formed for fitting the tank flanges. The tank and envelope openings are sufficiently large to receive and encompass a pump system, comprising a pump and associated tubing, and a pump guard system. A means for sealing the envelope openings with respect to the tank is employed at the tank and envelope openings. A removably mounted motor is disposed outside the tank and communicates with the pump by a drive means passing through the second of the tank openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Assignee: Daniel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Plunkett, Herbert H. Hodgeman
  • Patent number: 3992130
    Abstract: A sump pump system includes a remote pressure responsive switch assembly designed for a wall plug and having a plug in connection for the pump motor cord, the pressure responsive switch assembly also having an air pressure connection to the sump pump for actuating the switch in response to a rise in level of water around the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1972
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1976
    Assignee: Jacuzzi Bros. Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce D. Childress
  • Patent number: 3981619
    Abstract: A controll device for controlling the level of a liquid in a container, a tank, a printing machine, or the like, which includes an elongated member in form of a tube or a cable, having a free end adjacent the desired maximum liquid level in the container and being adapted to feed a control medium, i.e., a gas, electric current, or light therethrough, which acts on a signalling device, or control means of a pump for feeding liquid in the container and which are actuated when the liquid reaches the free end of the elongated member. The elonated member being adjustably mounted for adjusting the position of the free end thereof in vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1973
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: Mitter & Co.
    Inventor: Mathias Mitter
  • Patent number: 3975115
    Abstract: A pump control system of the liquid level responsive type includes an air pump to pressurize a pressure responsive control unit in accordance with the level of water within a well, the system having an electrical control circuit including a switch which operates to turn off the air motor and turn on the water pump motor when the water level in the well reaches a certain high level and to turn off the pump motor and turn on the air motor when the water level reaches a certain low level in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Hydrodyne Development Company
    Inventors: Lewis M. Fisher, Joseph A. Williams
  • Patent number: 3973877
    Abstract: A pumping device of the type which is started and stopped by a pressure switch adapted to sense the internal pressure of a pressure tank mounted on the delivery side of a pump. A control valve adapted to open and close the inlet of the pressure tank is provided and operates such that the inlet of the pressure tank is closed when the flow rate of water is above the predetermined minimum level and opened when it is below the predetermined level, so as to apply the delivery pressure of the pump to the pressure tank and actuate the pressure switch. Thus, when the flow rate of water is above the minimum level, the inlet of the pressure tank is closed and no delivery pressure of the tank is applied to the interior of the pressure tank, so that the pressure switch remains inoperative. This keeps the pump from being started and stopped often even if the size of pressure tank is reduced. This type of automatic pumping device is employed as an attachment to water supply facilities for households.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Taki
  • Patent number: 3966359
    Abstract: Apparatus for body hygiene comprises an hydraulic pump and electric motor for producing liquid pressure pulses which are supplied to a hand appliance containing an hydraulic motor for driving a working tool, particularly a toothbrush, and means for alternatively supplying the pulses to a liquid jet attachment. The pump includes a pressure regulator. A control member coupled with the pressure regulator and an electric switch for the motor turn the motor on at maximum pressure of the liquid pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: Les Produits Associes, SA
    Inventor: Philippe-Guy Woog
  • Patent number: 3963375
    Abstract: A circuit is provided for shutting off the motor of an intermittently activated, electrically powered fluid recirculation pump to prevent the pump motor from burning out its windings or bearings. A power control relay is energized to activate the pump motor for a predetermined period of time, allowing the pump to reach steady state flow condition, after which a time delay relay opens and current flows to the power control relay through a pressure switch. The pressure switch opens to shut-off the recirculation pump motor whenever the pump discharge pressure falls below a predetermined minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Inventor: George C. Curtis
  • Patent number: 3938910
    Abstract: Various functions of a production oil well are monitored to cause a switch closure for each normal cycle of the pump. Alternatively, the level of the fluid within the well is monitored to cause the switch closure. The switch closure activates a first oscillator whose count is compared with a variable frequency oscillator over a given period of time to ascertain the percentage of time of normal operation. The integrated time is adjusted to shut down the system when the percentage of time drops to or below the preselected amount. In response to the integration timer signal, a shutdown timer is turned on which restarts the cycle after a preselected amount of time. When the system is restarted by the shutdown timer, a pump-up timer is turned on which is adjusted to allow for a desired pump-up time. As the pump-up timer is allowing the system to recycle, the integration timer is reset and the recycling is completed if the requirements of the integration timer are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bobby L. Douglas
  • Patent number: 3931830
    Abstract: A system for pumping of liquid under pressure, in which a pressure switch is adapted to control the starting and stopping of the pump within a safe pressure range, and in the event of malfunction of the pressure switch, the service line and associated plumbing is isolated from the pump to protect against development of pressures in the serviceline which might damage the plumbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1976
    Assignee: Jacuzzi Bros. Incorporated
    Inventor: Darrell D. Gritz
  • Patent number: 3931999
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a particulated solids-carrier liquid slurry and transporting it between first and second locations wherein a continuous stream of carrier liquid is flowed to the first location at a constant flow rate and particulated solids to be transported are injected directly into the carrier liquid so that a particulated solids-carrier liquid slurry is formed. The slurry is pumped to the second location at a flow rate such that the pressure level of the carrier liquid at the first location is maintained at a predetermined level thereby facilitating the direct injection of particulated solids thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1976
    Assignee: Continental Oil Company
    Inventor: David L. McCain