Patent ID: 8985964
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: F04B,G01F,H01H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a sump pump system having a power source, a primary electric motor connected to a primary pump operable to pump liquid from a vessel, a secondary electric motor connected to a secondary pump operable to pump liquid from the vessel a first switch operatively connected between the primary electric motor and the power source and a second switch operatively connected between the secondary electric motor and the power source, the method comprising the steps of: at a predetermined first liquid level in the vessel, closing the first switch to energize the primary pump motor, at a predetermined second liquid level in the vessel higher than the first liquid level, opening the first switch to de-energize the primary pump motor, and, at a predetermined third liquid level in the vessel higher than the second liquid level, closing the second switch to energize the secondary pump motor wherein the said switches are incorporated into a system actuator having a float mechanism responsive to liquid level in the vessel and the method comprises the further step of controlling operation of said switches according to the position of the float mechanism, wherein the first and second switches are micro-switches having open and closed positions and the system actuator comprises a guide structure mounted in a fixed position relative to the vessel to which the first and second switches are mounted, a float rod slideably mounted to the guide structure allowing reciprocating movement in a generally vertical direction in an operating zone above a resting position, the float rod having upper and lower ends and upper and lower float stops and the float rod additionally having a first switch-closing cam surface cooperating with the first switch, a switch-opening cam surface cooperating with the first switch, and a second switch-closing cam surface cooperating with the second switch, and, a float slideably mounted to the float rod between the upper and lower float stops, which float floats with the level of liquid in the vessel, and wherein said controlling step comprises the steps of: moving the first switch from its open to its closed position by means of the first switch-closing cam surface during upward movement of the float rod; moving the first switch from its closed to its open position by means of the switch-opening cam surface during further upward movement of the float rod; and, moving the second switch from its open to its closed position by means of the second switch-closing cam surface during yet further upward movement of the float rod.