Mobile Sump Pump Testing System Simulating Water Intrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for testing sump pumps and sensors are inefficient and costly, as they require simulating real-world conditions in a structure, which is time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A mobile testing system that simulates a water intrusion environment using a liquid reservoir, holding sump, and testing sump, allowing for the testing of sump pumps and sensors without installation in a real structure, with a closed-loop system for accurate simulation and data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sump pumps and sensors are tested in real-world structures, then testing accuracy is improved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simulated water intrusion environment that replicates real-world testing conditions without requiring actual structure installation. The system uses a controllable water delivery mechanism to simulate various water intrusion scenarios, allowing accurate testing of sump pumps and sensors in a controlled setting that copies essential operational conditions while eliminating the need for on-site installation.
2Measurement precision
If sump pumps and sensors are tested in real-world structures, then testing accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replicates essential water intrusion conditions through a simulated environment rather than requiring actual structure installation. This copying approach maintains testing validity while significantly reducing the costs associated with mobilizing equipment to customer sites, renting test structures, and performing installation and removal operations.
3Loss of time
If a simulated water intrusion environment is created, then time consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is divided into distinct functional modules: a water reservoir, a controllable water delivery mechanism, a simulated structure with controlled openings, and a testing chamber. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, tested, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while enabling rapid setup and teardown for efficient testing operations.
4Measurement precision
If on-site installation is performed for testing, then testing accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system copies the essential functional requirements of on-site testing (water intrusion conditions, sensor detection, pump operation) in a controlled environment. This eliminates the need for technicians to travel to customer sites, perform installations, and coordinate with customers, while still providing accurate testing of equipment performance under realistic conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective testing of water mitigation equipment by simulating real-world conditions without the need for on-site installation, providing accurate data for verification and certification.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid reservoir comprising a supply cavity configured to hold a volume of a liquid; a holding sump including a holding cavity; a first supply line coupled between the liquid reservoir and the holding sump, wherein the supply line allows the liquid to flow to the holding cavity
Implementation Method 2
a return line coupled between the testing sump and the liquid reservoir, wherein the return line allows the liquid to flow from the testing cavity of the testing sump to the supply cavity of the liquid reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
The present aspects relate to techniques for testing water mitigation equipment (e.g., sump pumps and sensors) using a testing platform that simulates a water intrusion environment. The methods and systems of simulating a water intrusion environment discussed herein improve testing and verification of water mitigation devices without the requirement of installing the devices in a real-world structure. A device may include (i) a liquid reservoir comprising a supply cavity configured to hold a volume of a liquid; (ii) a holding sump including a holding cavity; (iii) a first supply line coupled between the liquid reservoir and the holding sump; (iv) a testing sump including the testing cavity; (v) a second supply line coupled between the holding sump and the testing sump; and (vi) a return line coupled between the testing sump and the liquid reservoir.