Sump pump systems, controllers, and methods for operating thereof

A sump pump system comprising:

• a plurality of water intake assemblies;
• a plurality of solenoid valves, wherein each solenoid valve is in fluid communication with a respective water intake assembly and with a water accumulation reservoir;
• a water accumulation reservoir comprising a first port located adjacent a lower end of the reservoir, a second port in fluid communication with the plurality of solenoid valves, and a third port;
• a water level sensor configured to detect a water level reaching a predetermined height in the water accumulation reservoir;
• a water discharge port in fluid communication with the first port;
• a vacuum/compressor system in fluid communication with the third port and configured to operate in a vacuum mode and a pressure mode;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the vacuum/compressor system, the plurality of solenoid valves, and the water level sensor, the controller being configured to:
• initiate a primary operating cycle on a predetermined time schedule without user intervention, the primary operating cycle comprising sequential activation of each of the plurality of solenoid valves for a respective predetermined activation time, such that at any given moment only one solenoid valve is open and the remaining solenoid valves are closed, thereby placing only one water intake assembly in fluid communication with the water accumulation reservoir at a time;
• operate the vacuum/compressor system in the vacuum mode during the primary operating cycle;
• operate the vacuum/compressor system alternately in the vacuum mode and the pressure mode, and not to operate the vacuum mode and the pressure mode simultaneously;
• and
• interrupt the primary operating cycle and activate the vacuum/compressor system in the pressure mode when the water level sensor detects that the water level has reached the predetermined height, thereby causing a discharge of accumulated water through the water discharge port, and then resume the primary operating cycle of sequential activations of the plurality of solenoid valves.

A method of operating a sump pump system in a multi-compartment structure, comprising:

• providing a sump pump system comprising:
• a plurality of water intake assemblies, each positioned in a respective isolated compartment of the multi-compartment structure;
• a plurality of solenoid valves, wherein each solenoid valve is in fluid communication with a respective water intake assembly;
• a water accumulation reservoir comprising a first port located adjacent a lower end of the reservoir, a second port in fluid communication with the plurality of solenoid valves, and a third port;
• a water level sensor configured to detect a water level reaching a predetermined height in the water accumulation reservoir;
• a water discharge port in fluid communication with the first port of the water accumulation reservoir;
• and
• a vacuum/compressor system in fluid communication with the third port and configured to operate in a vacuum mode and a pressure mode;
• initiating a primary operating cycle on a predetermined time schedule without user intervention;
• within the primary operating cycle, serially activating each solenoid valve one at a time for a respective predetermined activation time, such that during activation of each solenoid valve, operating the vacuum/compressor system in the vacuum mode to decrease air pressure in the water accumulation reservoir below atmospheric pressure, thereby aspirating water or air from the respective isolated compartment through the activated solenoid valve and through the second port into the water accumulation reservoir, or causing air ventilation through the water intake assembly within the respective compartment to achieve dryness thereof;
• upon the water level sensor detecting that the water level has reached the predetermined height, interrupting the serial activation of the solenoid valves and operating the vacuum/compressor system in the pressure mode to increase air pressure in the water accumulation reservoir above atmospheric pressure, thereby discharging accumulated water through the first port and through the water discharge port;
• and
• upon completion of water discharge, resuming the serial activation of the same and remaining solenoid valves in the sequence until all compartments have been serviced.