Patent ID: 6203281
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
A control apparatus for a submersible pump, wherein the pump is adapted to be placed in a walled housing, and the housing is exposed to air but is susceptible to the accumulation of both conductive and non-conductive liquids therein, comprising:a float that indicates whether air in the housing has been displaced by a predetermined level of at least one of the conductive and non-conductive liquids that have accumulated in the housing;a conductivity probe positionable at a probe level that is below the predetermined level, for detecting whether the conductive liquid is present at the probe level;wherein an intake of the pump is positioned below the probe level; andmeans for triggering an alarm when the float indicates that at least one of the liquids is present at the predetermined level, and the conductivity probe does not detect the presence of the conductive liquid at the probe level, thereby indicating that the non-conductive liquid is present in the housing, at least between the probe level and the predetermined level.