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公开(公告)号：US20240288088A1
公开(公告)日：2024-08-29
申请号：US18136420
申请日：2023-04-19
Inventor： John R. Donovan , Richard Jan Tjaden , Susan Roth , Julie K. Fritz
CPC classification number: F16K31/055 , E03B7/072 , E03B7/075
Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically actuating preexisting water shut-off valves. A coupling of a valve actuator is connected to a handle of the valve, such that a motor of the valve actuator causes the selective opening and closing of the water shut-off valve. A controller monitors and controls valve actuation by controlling the motor. In addition to actuating the water shut-off valve upon detection of leak conditions, the controller may actuate the valve in order to test the water supply system or to test operation of the water shut-off valve. The operating status of the water shut-off valve may thus be monitored in order to detect or address problems with the water shut-off valve to prevent unexpected valve failure after a leak is detected.
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公开(公告)号：US10113291B1
公开(公告)日：2018-10-30
申请号：US15048129
申请日：2016-02-19
Inventor： Richard Jan Tjaden
Abstract: A sump system includes a flow restrictor for a drain line into a sump pit. The flow restrictor limits the water discharge capacity through the drain line into the sump pit. The flow restrictor is preferably sized and arranged to restrict the total maximum flow capacity of the drain line into the sump pit to match the maximum capacity output flow rate of the sump pump.
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3.发明公开公开(公告)号：US20240287993A1
公开(公告)日：2024-08-29
申请号：US18656379
申请日：2024-05-06
Inventor： Nathan L. Tofte , Jonathan Christopher Hull , John R. Donovan , Richard Jan Tjaden
CPC classification number: F04D15/0272 , F04D13/08 , F04D13/086 , F04D15/0077 , F04D15/0088 , F04D15/0209 , F04D15/0218 , F04D15/0227 , F04D15/0254 , G05B13/021 , G05B13/026 , G05B13/0265 , G05B15/02 , G06N20/00 , G08B21/182 , H04L12/2823
Abstract: A sump pump system enables automatic determination and utilization of frequencies for mechanical shakers for sump pumps. These techniques may be implemented to detect a fault (e.g., a stuck impeller) with a sump pump and to identify a desirable frequency at which a mechanical shaker for the sump pump should vibrate to correct the fault.
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公开(公告)号：US20240003351A1
公开(公告)日：2024-01-04
申请号：US18369661
申请日：2023-09-18
Inventor： Nathan L. Tofte , Jonathan Christopher Hull , John R. Donovan , Richard Jan Tjaden
CPC classification number: F04D15/0218 , F04D13/08
Abstract: A sump pump system detects backflow from an outlet pipe in a sump pump system and implements control of the sump pump in light of the detected backflow (or lack thereof). The sump pump system may detect the backflow (or lack thereof) by detecting and comparing water rise rates in a sump basin before activation or engagement of the sump pump (e.g., immediately before the pump starts pumping) and after the pump has disengaged or deactivated (e.g., immediately after the pump stops pumping). The rises rates may be detected via sensors configured to detect motion or acceleration (e.g., accelerometers, inertial measurement units, or force acceleration sensors) placed in the sump basin such that detect motion of water in the basin corresponding to changing water levels.
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公开(公告)号：US11773856B1
公开(公告)日：2023-10-03
申请号：US17245663
申请日：2021-04-30
Inventor： Nathan L. Tofte , Jonathan Christopher Hull , John Donovan , Richard Jan Tjaden
CPC classification number: F04D15/0218 , F04D13/08
Abstract: A sump pump system detects backflow from an outlet pipe in a sump pump system and implements control of the sump pump in light of the detected backflow (or lack thereof). The sump pump system may detect the backflow (or lack thereof) by detecting and comparing water rise rates in a sump basin before activation or engagement of the sump pump (e.g., immediately before the pump starts pumping) and after the pump has disengaged or deactivated (e.g., immediately after the pump stops pumping). The rises rates may be detected via sensors configured to detect motion or acceleration (e.g., accelerometers, inertial measurement units, or force acceleration sensors) placed in the sump basin such that detect motion of water in the basin corresponding to changing water levels.
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Patent Agency Ranking
公开(公告)号：US11761447B1
公开(公告)日：2023-09-19
申请号：US17245686
申请日：2021-04-30
Inventor： Nathan L. Tofte , Jonathan Christopher Hull , John Donovan , Richard Jan Tjaden
CPC classification number: F04D15/0227 , F04D13/08 , F04D15/0077 , F04D15/0254 , G05B13/021 , G05B13/026 , G05B13/0265 , G06N20/00
Abstract: A sump pump system may implement adaptive learning and machine learning techniques to facilitate improved control of sump pumps. A sump pump system may implement the described techniques to generate, train, and/or implement a machine learning model that is capable of predicting or estimating one or more conditions of the sump pump system (e.g., water level in the basin, motor malfunction, stuck impeller, geyser effect, blocked outlet pipe, faulty level sensor/switch, faulty bearing, failure to engage pump at high-water mark, etc.) based on one or more detected input variables (e.g., acceleration or vibration patterns detected in water, on a pump, or on a pipe; capacitance values of water; audio signatures; electrical signatures, such as power or current draw; pump motor rotation speed; water pressure signatures or values, such as those detected at the bottom of a sump basin; etc.).
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7.发明授权公开(公告)号：US12234826B2
公开(公告)日：2025-02-25
申请号：US18379011
申请日：2023-10-11
Inventor： Nathan L. Tofte , Jonathan Christopher Hull , John R. Donovan , Richard Jan Tjaden
Abstract: Example systems and methods for manipulating control of sump pumps in order to extend lifespans of the sump pumps are disclosed. An example method includes activating a sump pump a first time; deactivating the sump pump when a first current water level in a sump basin in which the sump pump is disposed reaches a first low-water mark; and determining, by one or more processors, a time since a last activation of the sump pump wherein the last activation occurred when the sump pump activated the first time. When the time satisfies a threshold, the method activates the sump pump at second time, determines, by one or more processors, a second current water level in the sump basin, and in response to determining that the second current water level in the sump basin is below a second low-water mark corresponding to a bottom of an impeller of the sump pump, deactivates the sump pump.
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公开(公告)号：US20240384724A1
公开(公告)日：2024-11-21
申请号：US18784259
申请日：2024-07-25
Inventor： Nathan L. Tofte , Jonathan Christopher Hull , John R. Donovan , Richard Jan Tjaden
Abstract: A sump pump system may implement adaptive learning and machine learning techniques to facilitate improved control of sump pumps. A sump pump system may implement the described techniques to generate, train, and/or implement a machine learning model that is capable of predicting or estimating one or more conditions of the sump pump system (e.g., water level in the basin, motor malfunction, stuck impeller, geyser effect, blocked outlet pipe, faulty level sensor/switch, faulty bearing, failure to engage pump at high-water mark, etc.) based on one or more detected input variables (e.g., acceleration or vibration patterns detected in water, on a pump, or on a pipe; capacitance values of water; audio signatures; electrical signatures, such as power or current draw; pump motor rotation speed; water pressure signatures or values, such as those detected at the bottom of a sump basin; etc.).
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公开(公告)号：US11859620B1
公开(公告)日：2024-01-02
申请号：US17245668
申请日：2021-04-30
Inventor： Nathan L. Tofte , Jonathan Christopher Hull , John Donovan , Richard Jan Tjaden
CPC classification number: F04D15/0218 , F04D15/0209 , G05B15/02 , G08B21/182 , H04L12/2823
Abstract: A sump pump system may detect and utilize motion or acceleration of water in sump basins when implementing control of sump pumps. To detect the motion or acceleration, the sump pump system may utilize a sensor that is configured to detect motion or acceleration, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope. The sump pump system may identify a water level in a sump basin based on the detected motion or acceleration, which may be compared to a reading or expected signal from the sump pump system's “typical” sensor (e.g., float switch) that is used to detect one or more water levels. In this manner, the sump pump system may detect a malfunctioning level sensor that is used by the pump to detect high-water and low-water marks at which the sump pump activates and deactivates, respectively.
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10.发明授权公开(公告)号：US11788535B1
公开(公告)日：2023-10-17
申请号：US17245694
申请日：2021-04-30
Inventor： Nathan L. Tofte , Jonathan Christopher Hull , John Donovan , Richard Jan Tjaden
CPC classification number: F04D15/0218 , F04D13/086
Abstract: Example systems and methods for manipulating control of sump pumps in order to extend lifespans of the sump pumps are disclosed. An example method includes activating a sump pump a first time; deactivating the sump pump when a first current water level in a sump basin in which the sump pump is disposed reaches a first low-water mark; and determining, by one or more processors, a time since a last activation of the sump pump wherein the last activation occurred when the sump pump activated the first time. When the time satisfies a threshold, the method activates the sump pump at second time, determines, by one or more processors, a second current water level in the sump basin, and in response to determining that the second current water level in the sump basin is below a second low-water mark corresponding to a bottom of an impeller of the sump pump, deactivates the sump pump.
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