US 6,473,004 B1 · Bilge pump monitor and alert system for boats and other vessels

Abstract

A control unit is supported within a host boat or other vessel and is operatively coupled to a display unit supported within the pilot house of the boat or vessel. The display unit includes a display panel having a plurality of illuminatable membrane switches formed on a membrane switch panel. A plurality of bilge pumps are supported within the bilge compartments of the host boat or vessel and are coupled to the control unit to provide operating signal information. A corresponding plurality of high water level alarm switches are supported within each of the bilge compartments and are also operatively coupled to the control unit. The control unit is operatively coupled to an alarm interface which operates a plurality of alarm devices including one or more audible alarms, a telephone auto dialer and a strobe light unit. The microprocessor controlled system within the control unit and/or the display unit may be programmed by the user to establish the desired operational limits of pump cycle time and pump cycle numbers forming the alarm limits for each of the bilge compartments. The system stores data indicative of the history of operation of each bilge pump which is available to the operator upon inquiry.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A bilge pump monitor and alert system for use in a vessel having a plurality of bilge compartments, said system comprising:

a plurality of bilge pumps constructed for operation within vessel bilge compartments, said bilge pumps each having means for producing a pump active signal when operating;
a plurality of high water switches constructed for operation within vessel bilge compartments, said high water switches each having means for producing a high water level signal when actuated;
a control unit coupled to said plurality of bilge pumps and said high water switches receiving pump active signals and said high water level signals;
a display unit coupled to said control unit and including a control panel having a plurality of bilge pump buttons, a numeric display, a pump set button and a time set button, said display unit having means for illuminating buttons when pressed;
and
at least one alarm device,
said control unit having means for accumulating and storing the number of times each of said bilge pumps are activated as pump count numbers and for measuring the length of time each of said pumps activate as pump time numbers and means for establishing a maximum pump count number for each of said bilge pumps and means for establishing a maximum pump time number for each of said bilge pumps and having means for activating said at least one alarm device when one of said pump count numbers equals or exceeds said maximum pump count number or one of said pump time numbers equal or exceeds said maximum pump time number, said control unit further including means for displaying said pump count number on said numeric display for a selected bilge pump when its bilge pump button is pressed.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bilge pump monitor and alert system for boats and other vessels

Life of this patent

Bilge pump monitor and alert system for boats and other vessels

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17