GB2465974A

GB2465974A - Remote tank pump failure alarm device monitoring pressure drop

Info

Publication number: GB2465974A
Application number: GB0821991A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lisa Birch
Original assignee: Charles Austen Pumps Ltd
Current assignee: Charles Austen Pumps Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-02
Filing date: 2008-12-02
Publication date: 2010-06-09
Also published as: GB0821991D0

Abstract

A pump monitoring device provides an alarm at a remote location 14 from the pump 18 if operation of the pump is lost. A pressure monitoring unit 12 is connectable to a pump 18 either possibly via a T-junction 26 retro-fitted to an existing installation such as an underground septic tank 20. The alarm unit 14 may provide a visual and/or audible alarm that is visible from a dwelling 22 that feeds tank 20 the alarm and is connected via signaling means 16 (see also fig 1) such as a cable of a wireless transmission.

Description

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PUMP MONITORING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a pump monitoring device with a remote alarm, particularly for in use in packaged sewage treatment systems, such as septic tanks for small-scale sewage treatment.

Septic tanks are used to treat sewage when no mains drainage connection is available, for example for residential units in remote locations. The sewage is first settled to remove solids and then biologically treated with air injection via a pump mounted externally of the tank. The resulting effluent is sufficiently clean to be discharged into land drainage systems or open water courses. However, if the pump itself fails, or ceases to operate due to a power failure, the waste is insufficiently broken down and harmful waste will exit the tank. This may lead to environmental hazards and large fines may be incurred by the owner of the system.

For typical residential use, the septic tank is outside the house and may be some distance away and purposely hidden by landscaping or an outbuilding etc. This makes checking of the system more inconvenient and may lead to pump failures going undetected for several days.

The present invention provides a pump monitoring device comprising a monitoring unit connectable to a pump and operable to detect loss of operation of the pump, an alarm unit remote from the monitoring unit and operable to provide a visual and/or audible alarm, and means to send a signal from the monitoring unit to the alarm unit to operate the alarm when loss of pump operation is detected.

In this way, failure of the pump can be brought to the attention of the residents quickly and conveniently, to avoid any pump failure going undetected for a significant period of time.

In a preferred embodiment, the means to send a signal from the monitoring unit to the alarm unit comprises an electrical cable connecting the two units.

Alternatively, the means to send a signal may comprise a wireless communication system.

Preferably, the monitoring unit is operable to detect a pressure drop on the output side of the pump. In this way, loss of pump operation can be detected quickly and easily.

The monitoring unit is connectable to an external power supply for normal operation, but also includes an internal power supply such as a battery back-up so that it will continue to operate in the event of mains power failure.

In a second aspect, the present invention also provides a pump in combination with a pump monitoring device of the type described above.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a sewage treatment system comprising a septic tank, pump and pump monitoring device of the type described above.

The present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a pump monitoring device in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic view of a septic tank system including a pump monitoring device in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in figure 1, a pump monitoring device 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises a monitoring unit 12 and an alarm unit 14 electrically connected to one another by a suitable cable 16.

In use, as shown in Figure 2, the monitoring unit 12 is connected to a pump 18 itself mounted on the exterior of a septic tank 20 serving a house 22 or similar property.

Typically, the outlet tubing 24 leading from the high pressure side of the pump 18 to the tank 20 is fitted with a T-piece 24 connected to the monitoring unit 12. This enables the monitoring unit 12 to detect any pressure drop in the outlet tubing 24, indicative of a pump or power failure.

When such a pressure drop is detected that exceeds a given threshold and indicates a loss of pump operation, the monitoring unit 12 sends an electrical signal to the alarm unit 14 via cable 16 to trigger the alarm. This may be in the form of a light, whether continuous flashing. An audible alarm signal may also be provided.

The alarm unit 14 is mounted at any convenient point 28, for example on a fence post or the exterior of an outbuilding so as to be easily visible from the house 22 to alert residents to the problem.

While in the preferred embodiment the monitoring unit 12 is connected to the alarm unit 14 by means of a cable 16, which is appropriately armoured for external use, the present invention also envisages a wireless connection between the monitoring unit 12 and the alarm unit 14.

The monitoring unit 12 is typically a low voltage device, e.g. 6V, and connected to the mains power supply which also powers the pump 18.

However, the monitoring unit 12 preferably also includes a internal power supply, such as a battery back-up system 30 to ensure that the device 10 will still operate in the event of a general power failure.

Thus, the present invention provides an improved pump monitoring device which provides an alarm at a location remote from the pump itself, to ensure the warning does not go unnoticed. The device can be easily retrofitted to existing pump units. It is a sate, low voltage device, with battery back-up in the case of mains power failure.

While the invention has been described with reference to a sewage treatment system, it is equally applicable to other types of pumping systems, for example systems for use with kol carp ponds, where it is important to maintain steady state conditions and to rectify any pump failures quickly.

Claims

CLAI MS1. A pump monitoring device comprising a monitoring unit connectable to a pump and operable to detect loss of operation of the pump, an alarm unit remote from the monitoring unit operable to provide a visual and/or audible alarm, and means to send a signal from the monitoring unit to the alarm unit to operate the alarm when loss of pump operation is detected.
2. A pump monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means to send a signal comprises an electrical cable connecting the monitoring unit to the alarm unit.
3. A pump monitoring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means to send a signal comprises a wireless communication system.
4. A pump monitoring device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the monitoring unit is operable to detect a pressure drop on the output side of a pump.
5. A pump monitoring device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the monitoring unit is connectable to an external power supply and further includes an internal back-up power supply.
6. A pump in combination with a pump monitoring device as claimed in any preceding claim.
7. A sewage treatment system comprising a septic tank, a pump and a pump monitoring device as claimed in any preceding claim.
8. A pump monitoring device substantially and hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.