Patent ID: 6039543
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
A shut off system for a pump, comprising:a pump having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, said pump being for pumping fluid from said inlet conduit to said outlet conduit when said pump is activated, said outlet conduit having a substantially circular lumen with a substantially uniform cross-section along the length of the outlet conduit;said pump having a primary switch for selectively activating and deactivating said pump;a processor being electrically connected to said primary switch;said processor having a timer for measuring a predetermined amount of time;said timer being activated to measure said predetermined amount of time when said primary switch activates said pump;said processor deactivating said pump after said timer measures said predetermined amount of time;said processor having a flow switch, said flow switch having a flow sensor in said outlet conduit, said flow sensor for measuring the fluid flow through said outlet conduit, said flow switch being activated when said flow sensor detects fluid flow through said outlet conduit above a predetermined amount, said flow sensor comprising a paddle arm extending into the lumen of the outlet and pivotally mounted such that flow through said outlet conduit pivots said paddle arm from an orientation wherein a plane of said paddle arm is oriented perpendicular to the flow direction through said outlet conduit; andsaid flow switch deactivating said timer to prevent said timer from measuring said predetermined amount of time when said flow switch is activated by said flow sensor when said flow sensor detects fluid flow through said outlet conduit above said predetermined amount during said predetermined amount of time.