Lead screw adjustable pump float switch for sump, effluent, and sewage applications
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FLUID HANDLING LLC
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing tethered float switches in sump, effluent, and sewage applications lack flexibility in adjustability, requiring labor-intensive processes and multiple verifications to ensure proper operation at desired water levels.
A lead screw and guide rail design allows for adjustable float switches, enabling precise positioning from the bottom to the top of a tank or basin without needing to access the tank, and includes a mechanism to lock the adjustment to prevent creep.
This solution enhances the adjustability and flexibility of float switches, reducing installation complexity and ensuring accurate operation at desired water levels, while allowing adjustments to be made externally without removing tank covers.
Smart Images
Figure US2024040269_13022025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) LEAD SCREW ADJUSTABLE PUMP FLOAT SWITCH FOR SUMP, EFFLUENT, AND SEWAGE APPLICATIONS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims benefit to provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 531,401, filed 8 August 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a float switch; and more particularly to tethered float switch. 2. Brief Description of Related Art Float switches come in many configurations. Many tethered float switches are mounted on the pump itself and the length of electrical cable determines the water level and operation of the switch. The tether float switch can allow for shorter operation by reducing the cord length and longer operation by increasing the cord length. Some tether switches are mounted on a rod that is separate from the pump. These switches mounted on the rod can have screws loosen and the heights can be adjusted to the desired float position. Other float types are built directly into the pump with no adjustments therefore the operation of the pump is determined by the height set by the float. There are electronic switches that have flexibility as there are two separate switches that can be positioned in multiple locations in the tank or basin. These switches can be set close to each other or further apart to allow to Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) control pump operation. There are also electronic switches with diaphragms or other sensing controls that can adjust for certain levels to control the operation of the pump. Shortcomings of Known Devices Shortcomings of known tethered float switches are that they are mounted to the pump and can only be adjusted via the cable length adjustment. If the float is on a separate mounting rod the installer has to insert the float mechanics into the basin or tank, test the position and then reach back in to make any adjustments. The float can be adjusted along the length of rod, but this is a more labor intensive and involved process. The current shortcomings are that there is not as much flexibility in the overall adjustability and there are more verifications needed to make sure the pump and switch are fully operational to the desired levels. For two piece float switches, the sensors can be placed in multiple arrangements and the pump operation will need to be checked. There may be a clamp that will need to be adjusted to make sure the pump turns on or off at the correct water level. The installers will need to reach into the tank or basin to make these adjustments. Other diaphragm or electronic sensing controls usually require prelogic controls and are not as flexible once set in their clamped position. Considering the aforementioned points, there is a need in the industry for a better way to adjust the height of a float switch in a basin or tank. S Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In summary, the present invention provides a new level of adjustability to all float type installations. The installer is now able to adjust the float switches via a lead screw and guide rail design. The lead screw mechanism can be adjusted to locate any switch type from the bottom of the tank or basin to the top of the tank or basin. For tethered float switches, where the installer needs an added adjustment, they are still able to adjust the cable for a larger swing which will increase overall water levels in the tank or basin adding to the overall flexibility of the present invention. For non-tether switches, the switches can be mounted according to the present invention and the lead screw will allow the installer to adjust the float position in multiple levels within the tank or basin. After selecting the correct height levels, an adjusting knob can be locked to prevent any creep. All adjustments to the lead screw can be made outside of the tank or basin without the need to remove any covers except to witness the desired level. Specific Embodiment According to some embodiments, and by way of example, the present invention may include, or take the form of, a float switch arrangement featuring a float switch mounting assembly, an adjustment member and an adjustable lead screw. The float switch mounting assembly includes at least one guide rail. The float switch mounting assembly includes top and bottom mountings / supports having top and bottom mounting / support lead screw openings and being configured to mount and support the at least one guide rail. The float switch mounting assembly also includes an Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) adjustable float switch mounting member configured to be moved in relation to the at least one guide rail between the top and bottom mountings / supports. The adjustable float switch mounting member has a lead screw opening with inner threads and also has a coupling member configured to couple to part of a float switch. The adjustment member has an adjustment member plate configured to couple the float switch mounting assembly to a tank or basin. The adjustment member plate has a plate lead screw opening. The adjustable lead screw is configured to extend and pass through the top and bottom mounting / support lead screw openings and the plate lead screw opening. The adjustable lead screw has a lead screw surface with outer threads configured to couple rotationally to the inner threads of the lead screw opening. The adjustable lead screw also has a top lead screw end configured to rotate the adjustable lead screw in order to move the adjustable float mounting member and adjust the height / position of the adjustable float mounting member between the top and bottom mountings / supports. According to some embodiments, the float switch arrangement may also include one or more of the following features: The at least one guide rail may include two guide rails, each of the two guide rails having corresponding top and bottom guide rail ends. The top and bottom mountings / supports may be configured to mount and support the two guide rails. The adjustable float mounting member may include two adjustable float mounting openings, each adjustable float mounting member opening configured to allow a respective one of the two guide rails to pass through. Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) The two guide rails may be coupled rigidly to the adjustment member plate, e.g., including by screws or bolts. The adjustment member plate may be coupled rigidly to a top rim of the tank or basin, e.g., including by screws or bolts. The top and bottom mountings / supports may be configured to connect rigidly to top and bottom guide rail ends of the at least one guide rail. The float switch may be a tethered float switch having a cable; and the coupling member may be configured to couple to the cable of the tethered float switch. The float switch may be a non-tethered float switch; and the coupling member may be configured to couple to the non-tethered float switch. The adjustment member may include an adjusting knob or nut configured to tighten against the adjustment member plate and lock the adjustable lead screw to prevent any creep thereof in relation to the top and bottom mountings / supports. The top and bottom mountings / supports may include a top mounting / support having a top mounting / support plate with a top mounting / support portion configured to connect to a top guide rail end of the at least one guide rail. The top and bottom mountings / supports may include a bottom mounting / support having a bottom mounting / support plate with a bottom mounting / support portion configured to connect to a bottom guide rail end of the at least one guide rail.
[0002] Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing, which is not necessarily drawn to scale, includes the following Figures: Figure 1A shows a diagram of an adjustment member that forms part of a float switch arrangement, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1B shows a diagram of a float switch mounting assembly that also forms part of the float switch arrangement, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2A is a photograph of a float switch arrangement according to some embodiments of the present invention that is attached to a table. Figure 2B is a photograph of a bottom portion of the float switch arrangement shown in Figure 2A. Figure 2C is a photograph of the float switch arrangement shown in Figure 2A. Figure 3 is a block diagram of a top mounting support that forms part of the float switch arrangement, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 is a block diagram of a an adjustable float switch mounting member that forms part of the float switch arrangement, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 is a block diagram of a bottom mounting support that forms part of the float switch arrangement, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Similar parts in Figures are labeled with similar reference numerals and labels for consistency. Every lead line and associated reference label for every element is not included in every Figure of the drawing to reduce clutter in the drawing as a whole. Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1A - 1B and 2A - 2C show examples of a float switch arrangement featuring an adjustment member generally indicated by 20, an adjustable lead screw generally indicated by 30 and a float switch mounting assembly generally indicated by and including elements 40, 50, 60, 70. The float switch mounting assembly 40, 50, 60, 70 includes at least one guide rail 60, and preferably two guide rails 60 as shown in Figures 1A - 1B and 2A - 2C. The float switch mounting assembly 40, 50, 60, 70 includes top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70 having top and bottom mounting / support lead screw openings 46 (Fig.3) and 76 (Fig.5). The top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70 are configured to mount and support the at least one guide rail 60. The float switch mounting assembly 40, 50, 60, 70 also includes an adjustable float switch mounting member 50 configured to be moved in relation to the at least one guide rail 60 between the top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70. The adjustable float switch mounting member 50 has a lead screw opening 56 (Fig.4) with inner threads indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 4 and also has a coupling member 59 (Fig.2B) configured to couple to part of a float switch F (Figs.2A, 2B, 2C). The adjustment member 20 has an adjustment member plate 24 configured to couple the float switch mounting assembly 40, 50, 60, 70, e.g., to a rim or top portion of a tank or basin. By way of example, Figures 2A and 2C show the adjustment member 20 coupled or fastened to a table, e.g., via screws / bolts 26. The adjustment member plate 24 has a plate lead screw opening 24a (Fig.2A). Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) The adjustable lead screw 30 is configured to extend and pass through the top and bottom mounting / support lead screw openings 46, 76 (Figs.3 and 5) and the plate lead screw opening 24a (Fig.2A). The adjustable lead screw 30 has a lead screw surface 34 with outer threads configured to couple rotationally to the inner threads of the lead screw opening 56 (Fig.4) of the adjustable float switch mounting member 50. The adjustable lead screw 30 also has a top lead screw end 32 configured to rotate the adjustable lead screw 30 in order to move the adjustable float mounting member 50 and adjust the height / position of the adjustable float mounting member 50 between the top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70. By way of example, the top lead screw end 32 may be rotated clockwise / counterclockwise, e.g. by using a pliers or other gripping device. Alternatively, and by way of further example, the top lead screw end 32 may be configured with a hex or other indentation to receive a hex or other wrench to rotate the top lead screw end 32. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to how an installer rotates the top lead screw end 32 in order to move the adjustable float mounting member 50 and adjust the height / position of the adjustable float mounting member 50 between the top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70. By way of example, the at least one guide rail 60 may include two guide rails 60 as shown in Figures 1A - 1B and 2A - 2C. Each of the two guide rails 60 has corresponding top and bottom guide rail ends 62, 64 (Fig.1B). The top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70 may be configured to mount and support the two guide rails 60, e.g., by welding or some other type or kind of rigid connection. The adjustable float mounting member 50 may include two adjustable float mounting openings 54, 58 (Fig. Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) 4), each adjustable float mounting member opening 54, 58 configured to allow a respective one of the two guide rails 60 to extend and pass through. The two guide rails 60 may be coupled rigidly to the adjustment member plate 24, e.g., including by screws or bolts 28 as shown in Figures 2A and 2C. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to how the two guide rails 60 are coupled to the adjustment member plate 24. The adjustment member plate 24 may be coupled rigidly to a top rim of the tank or basin, including by screws or bolts. (By way of example, Figures 2A and 2C show the adjustable member plate 24 of the adjustment member 20 coupled to a table, e.g., via screws / bolts 26.) The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to how the adjustment member plate 24 is coupled to the tank or basin. The top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70 may be configured to connect rigidly to top and bottom guide rail ends 62, 64 of the at least one guide rail 60. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to how the top and bottom guide rail ends 62, 64 are coupled to the at least one guide rail 60. By way of example, the float switch may be a tethered float switch F having a cable C as shown in Figures 2A - 2C. The coupling member 59 may be configured to couple to the cable C of the tethered float switch F. Alternatively, the float switch may be a non-tethered float switch; and the coupling member 59 may be configured to couple to the non-tethered float switch. The adjustment member 20 may include an adjusting knob or nut 22 (Fig.2A and 2C) configured to tighten against the adjustment member plate 24 and lock the Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) adjustable lead screw 30 to prevent any creep thereof in relation to the top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70. By way of example, the top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70 may include a top mounting / support 40 (Fig.3) having a top mounting / support plate 42 with top mounting / support portions 44, 48 configured to connect rigidly to top guide rail ends 62 of the guide rails 60, e.g., via welding or some other type or kind of rigid connection. Similarly, the top and bottom mountings / supports 40, 70 may also include a bottom mounting / support 70 (Fig.5) having a bottom mounting / support plate 72 with bottom mounting / support portions 74, 78 configured to connect rigidly to bottom guide rail ends 64 of the guide rails 60, e.g., via welding or some other type or kind of rigid connection. The Adjustment Member and Top of Tank / Basin Connection By way of example, one skilled in the art would appreciate how to connect the adjustment member 20 to the top of a tank or basin without undue experimentation. For example, some combination of the screws / bolts 26 (Fig.2A and 2C may be fastened onto the rim on the top of the tank or basin, consistent with that shown in Figures 2A and 2C. Applications The present invention has applications in the following pumps: - Sewage Pumps - Effluent Pumps - Sump Pumps Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) The Scope of the Invention Further still, the embodiments shown and described in detail herein are provided by way of example only; and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular configurations, dimensionalities, and / or design details of these parts or elements included herein. In other words, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that design changes to these embodiments may be made and such that the resulting embodiments would be different than the embodiments disclosed herein but would still be within the overall spirit of the present invention. It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A float switch arrangement, comprising: a float switch mounting assembly having at least one guide rail, having top and bottom mountings / supports with top and bottom mounting / support lead screw openings and being configured to mount and support the at least one guide rail, and having an adjustable float switch mounting member configured to be moved in relation to the at least one guide rail between the top and bottom mountings / supports, the adjustable float switch mounting member having a lead screw opening with inner threads and also having a coupling member configured to couple to part of a float switch; an adjustment member having an adjustment member plate configured to couple the float switch mounting assembly to a tank or basin, the adjustment member plate having a plate lead screw opening; and an adjustable lead screw configured to extend and pass through the top and bottom mounting / support lead screw openings and the plate lead screw opening, having a lead screw surface with outer threads configured to couple rotationally to the inner threads of the lead screw opening, and having a top lead screw end configured to rotate the adjustable lead screw in order to move the adjustable float mounting member and adjust the height / position of the adjustable float mounting member between the top and bottom mountings / supports.Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) 2. A float switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide rail comprises two guide rails, each of the two guide rails having corresponding top and bottom guide rail ends; the top and bottom mountings / supports configured to mount and support the two guide rails; and the adjustable float mounting member having two adjustable float mounting openings, each adjustable float mounting member opening configured to allow a respective one of the two guide rails to pass through.
3. A float switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the two guide rails are coupled rigidly to the adjustment member plate, including by screws or bolts.
4. A float switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member plate is coupled rigidly to a top rim of the tank or basin, including by screws or bolts.
5. A float switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the top and bottom mountings / supports are configured to connect rigidly to top and bottom guide rail ends of the at least one guide rail.Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) 6. A float switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the float switch is a tethered float switch having a cable; and the coupling member is configured to couple to the cable of the tethered float switch.
7. A float switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the float switch is a non-tethered float switch having a cable; and the coupling member is configured to couple to the non-tethered float switch.
8. A float switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member comprises an adjusting knob or nut configured to tighten against the adjustment member plate and lock the adjustable lead screw to prevent any creep thereof in relation to the top and bottom mountings / supports.
9. A float switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the top and bottom mountings / supports comprises a top mounting / support having a top mounting / support plate with a top mounting / support portion configured to connect to a top guide rail end of the at least one guide rail.Docket no.911-010.023-2 (F-GW-X0015WO) 10. A float switch arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the top and bottom mountings / supports comprises a bottom mounting / support having a bottom mounting / support plate with a bottom mounting / support portion configured to connect to a bottom guide rail end of the at least one guide rail.