Device mounting apparatus for a fluid control system

This disclosure relates generally to a fluid delivery system and more particularly to an apparatus for mounting a pressure switch/control box remotely from the fluid delivery system.

Referring to FIG. 1, a typical well water system 100 for a building 102 in accordance with the prior art is shown. Typically, well water is drawn from a water source 104 located below the surface of the earth and stored in a storage tank 106 located close to or within the building 102. A pumping device 108 disposed between the water source 104 (which may be a well or a storage tank in the building) and the storage tank 106 is used to draw water from the water source 104 and deposit the water within the storage tank 106 for later use. The storage tank 106 is typically located within the cellar of the building 102 and may be connected to various points within the building 102 (e.g. faucets) from which water can be drawn as needed. As the stored water is drawn from the storage tank 106, the volume of the water within the tank 106 decreases and when the volume of water within the tank 106 has reached a predetermined volume or level, the pumping device 108 is operated to draw water from the well to replace the water that was drawn from the storage tank 106. The volume of the water in the storage tank 106 is thus monitored via a storage tank monitoring device 110 so that the pumping device 108 ‘knows’ when to begin replenishing the water being drawn from the storage tank 106. When the water within the storage tank 106 needs to be replenished, the pumping device 106 is turned on to pump water from the water source 104.

The pumping device 108 is electrically communicated with a power source 112 via a pump switching or control device 114 and is turned on and off via the pump control device 114. The pump control device 114 typically includes or is disposed within close proximity to the storage tank monitoring device 110. As the volume of water in the storage tank 106 falls depending on the water requirements of the building, the pump control device 114 turns the pumping device 108 on to draw more water from the water source 104 for storage in the storage tank 106. As the volume of water in the storage tank 106 increases to a predetermined level, the pump control device 114 turns the pumping device 108 off to stop drawing water from the water source 104. Thus, as water is being called by the building 102, the pumping device 108 is being cycled on and off to maintain a desired water volume within the storage tank 106.

Unfortunately, the pump control device 114, which is an electromechanical switching device, is typically disposed in close proximity to the outlet 116 of the storage tank 106 which is usually located near the bottom of the storage tank 106 in close proximity to the floor 117 of the cellar or basement. This is undesirable for several reasons. First, because a large number of basements are ‘wet’ basements, water accumulates on the floor of the cellar during wet seasons. And in some cases, these areas may become flooded causing the pump control device 114 to be exposed to or even disposed within water contained with the cellar. This can cause the components of the pump control device 114 to short circuit, become damaged and/or cease operating altogether. Thus, even if the pumping device 108 is a submersible-type device (i.e. able to operate under water), the pumping device 108 may not be able to operate because the control device 114 (which is typically not water-proof) may be damaged due to exposure to water.

Second, because the storage tank 106, storage tank monitoring device 110 and pump control device 114 are typically located out of the way and in space limited areas, it is usually very difficult and inconvenient to access and work on the pump control device 114 when needed. As the pump control device 114 is an electrical device, this limited accessibility can be a safety hazard to individuals working on the system 100. Third, because the pump control device 114, which is usually only covered by a non-sealed plastic cover that is easily removed by hand or via a screwdriver, are located close to the floor 117 of the basement, it is also easily accessible to children. And because there is electrical power running from the power source 112 to the device 114, this is extremely unsafe and can expose children or animals to electrocution.

It should be appreciated that the following discussion merely summarizes only some embodiments of the present invention and is not meant as limitations of the invention.

An embodiment of a pump control system is provided and includes a fluid storage tank defining a tank cavity for partially containing a fluid, wherein the fluid storage tank includes a fluid inlet port for receiving the fluid from a fluid source and at least one fluid outlet port for dispersing the fluid. The system also includes a pressure sensing device disposed in proximity to the fluid outlet port, wherein the pressure sensing device is configured to measure the pressure associated with the fluid outlet port. Also provided is a pumping device in flow communication with the fluid source and the fluid inlet port and a pump control device communicated with the pressure sensing device to receive a signal responsive to the pressure associated with the fluid outlet port, wherein the pump control device is in electrical communication with a power source and the pumping device and is configurable to control power flow between the power source to the pumping device. Additionally, the pump control device is mounted to a support structure via a mounting device to be disposed away from the fluid outlet port, wherein the pump control device is communicated with the pressure sensing device via a pump control interface link.

Furthermore, an additional embodiment of a pump control system is provided and includes a pressure tank communicated with a flow pipe via a tank pressure port, wherein the flow pipe communicates a fluid source with a fluid destination. Additionally, a pressure sensing device is provided and disposed in proximity to the tank pressure port, wherein the pressure sensing device is configured to measure the pressure within the flow pipe. Moreover, a pumping device in flow communication with the flow pipe is also provided along with a pump control device communicated with the pressure sensing device to receive a signal responsive to the pressure associated with the tank pressure port and/or the flow pipe, wherein the pump control device is in electrical communication with a power source and the pumping device. Furthermore, the pump control device is configurable to control the power flow between the power source and the pumping device, and is mounted to a support structure via a mounting device to be disposed away from the tank pressure port and/or the flow pipe, wherein the pump control device is communicated with the pressure sensing device via a pump control interface link.

Additionally, another embodiment of a pump control system is provided and includes a tank communicated with a flow pipe via a tank port, wherein the flow pipe communicates a fluid source with a fluid destination. A sensing device disposed in proximity to the tank port is included, wherein the sensing device is configured to measure a characteristic of a fluid within the flow pipe. Additionally, a pumping device in flow communication with the flow pipe is provided. Moreover, a pump control device is provided and is communicated with the sensing device via a pump control interface link to receive a signal from the sensing device responsive to the characteristic, wherein the pump control device is configurable to control of the pumping device responsive to the signal, wherein the pump control device is mounted to a support structure via a mounting device to be disposed remotely from the tank port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention should be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures in which like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a building water system, in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a pump control system, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the pump control device of the pump control system of FIG. 2 mounted on a support;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the pump control device of the pump control system of FIG. 2 mounted on a support;

FIG. 5A is a side view of the pump control device of the pump control system of FIG. 2 prepared for mounting on a support;

FIG. 5B is a front view of the pump control device of the pump control system of FIG. 2 prepared for mounting on a support;

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