초록 ▼

A variable capacitor for sensing the level of a liquid. The capacitor provides a readable capacitance that varies with respect to the level of the liquid. A pump control system implementing the capacitive sensor to control the level of a liquid by activating and deactivating the pump depending on th

A variable capacitor for sensing the level of a liquid. The capacitor provides a readable capacitance that varies with respect to the level of the liquid. A pump control system implementing the capacitive sensor to control the level of a liquid by activating and deactivating the pump depending on the level of the liquid. Methods relating to varying capacitance of a capacitive sensor and controlling a pump based on the level of a liquid. A pump controller for controlling the level of a liquid in a reservoir includes a controller and a capacitor. The capacitor is adapted to provide an activation signal to the controller when the liquid in the reservoir reaches a first predetermined level relative thereto. Additionally, the capacitor is adapted to provide a trigger signal to the controller when the liquid in the reservoir reaches a second predetermined level relative thereto. Based on the trigger signal, the controller determines when to deactivate the pump.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pump control for controlling a liquid level in a reservoir, comprising: a pump;a controller electrically connected to the pump for activating and deactivating the pump; anda capacitor for providing a first capacitance to the controller for activating the pump and a second capacitance to the con

1. A pump control for controlling a liquid level in a reservoir, comprising: a pump;a controller electrically connected to the pump for activating and deactivating the pump; anda capacitor for providing a first capacitance to the controller for activating the pump and a second capacitance to the controller for deactivating the pump, the capacitor having first and second electrodes with at least a portion of the first electrode positioned above the second electrode so that the first electrode is fully immersed in the liquid before the second electrode is fully immersed in the liquid as the liquid level rises in the reservoir. 2. The pump control of claim 1, wherein the first capacitance corresponds to a first liquid level in the reservoir and the second capacitance corresponds to a second liquid level in the reservoir. 3. The pump control of claim 1, wherein the controller determines a run-time based on when the second capacitance was detected relative to when the first capacitance was detected, the run-time being an amount of time the pump should be activated to move a predetermined amount of the liquid out of the reservoir. 4. The pump control of claim 3, wherein the controller deactivates the pump after the run-time passes. 5. The pump control of claim 1, wherein the controller deactivates the pump upon detecting the second capacitance from the capacitor. 6. The pump control of claim 1, wherein the capacitor is a variable capacitor capable of providing a plurality of different capacitances with each capacitance corresponding to a different liquid level in the reservoir. 7. The pump control of claim 6, further comprising a power source generating an alternating current and wherein the controller detects the capacitance of the capacitor each time the alternating current is at a zero-crossing. 8. The pump control of claim 1, further comprising a secondary pump system comprising a pump and a liquid level sensor. 9. The pump control of claim 8, wherein the secondary pump system includes a wireless receiver for receiving information about at least the secondary pump system transmitted by a transmitter operably connected to the pump of the secondary pump system. 10. The pump control of claim 1, wherein the pump is for moving a liquid out of a reservoir; andthe controller electrically connected to the pump for activating the pump determines a run-time for the pump in order to move a desired amount of the liquid out of the reservoir. 11. The pump control of claim 10, wherein the run-time is based on a rate of flow of the liquid out of the reservoir. 12. The pump control of claim 10, further comprising a sensor in communication with the controller for detecting a first condition for activating the pump and a second condition for determining the run-time. 13. The pump control of claim 12, wherein the sensor includes at least one magnet and at least one magnetic sensor. 14. The pump control of claim 12, wherein the sensor includes at least one capacitive sensor. 15. The pump control of claim 14, wherein the at least one capacitive sensor includes a variable capacitor for generating a plurality of different capacitances with each capacitance corresponding to a different liquid level in the reservoir. 16. The pump control of claim 14, wherein the at least one capacitive sensor includes a first capacitor for providing an activation signal to the controller and a second capacitor for providing a deactivation signal to the controller. 17. A pump control for controlling a level of a liquid in a reservoir, the pump controller comprising: a pump for being selectively activated to move the liquid out of the reservoir;a power supply electrically connected to the pump for providing an alternating current to the pump when activated;a sensor disposed at least partially within the reservoir for detecting the level of the liquid in the reservoir; anda controller electrically connected to the sensor and between the pump and power supply, the controller obtaining the detected liquid level from the sensor when the alternating current of the power supply is at a zero-crossing to determine if the pump should be activated. 18. The pump controller of claim 17, wherein the controller determines when to activate the pump when a first liquid level is detected and determines when to deactivate the pump when a second liquid level is detected. 19. The pump control of claim 18, wherein the controller deactivates the pump after a run-time has expired, the run-time being determined when the second liquid level is detected. 20. The pump control of claim 18, wherein the controller deactivates the pump when the second liquid level is detected. 21. The pump control of claim 18, wherein the first and second liquid levels are detected by a capacitive sensor. 22. The pump control of claim 21, wherein the capacitive sensor includes a variable capacitor that provides a plurality of different capacitances with each capacitance corresponding to a different level of the liquid in the reservoir. 23. The pump control of claim 21, wherein the capacitive sensor detects a first capacitance for determining when the pump should be activated and a second capacitance for determining when the pump should be deactivated. 24. The pump control of claim 17, further comprising a sensor housing in which the sensor and controller are disposed; and a protective material disposed in the sensor housing to protect at least the controller from liquid. 25. The pump control of claim 24, wherein the protective material comprises a plurality of potting compounds having different properties. 26. A pump control for controlling a liquid level in a reservoir, comprising: a pump;a controller electrically connected to the pump for activating and deactivating the pump;a capacitor for providing a first capacitance to the controller for activating the pump and a second capacitance to the controller for deactivating the pump; andwherein the controller determines a run-time based on when the second capacitance was detected relative to when the first capacitance was detected, the run-time being an amount of time the pump should be activated to move a predetermined amount of the liquid out of the reservoir. 27. The pump control of claim 26, wherein the controller deactivates the pump after the run-time passes. 28. The pump control of claim 26, wherein the capacitor is a variable capacitor capable of providing a plurality of different capacitances with each capacitance corresponding to a different liquid level in the reservoir, the pump control further comprising a power source generating an alternating current and wherein the controller detects the capacitance of the capacitor each time the alternating current is at a zero-crossing. 29. The pump control of claim 26, further comprising a secondary pump system comprising a pump and a liquid level sensor. 30. The pump control of claim 29, wherein the secondary pump system includes a wireless receiver for receiving information about at least the secondary pump system transmitted by a transmitter operably connected to the pump of the secondary pump system.