Multiple switch float switch apparatus

A method of operating a sump pump system having a power source, a primary electric motor connected to a primary pump operable to pump liquid from a vessel, a secondary electric motor connected to a secondary pump operable to pump liquid from the vessel, a first switch operatively connected between the primary electric motor and the power source and a second switch operatively connected between the secondary electric motor and the power source, the method comprising the steps of:

• at a predetermined first liquid level in the vessel, closing the first switch to energize the primary pump motor,
• at a predetermined second liquid level in the vessel higher than the first liquid level, opening the first switch to de-energize the primary pump motor, and,
• at a predetermined third liquid level in the vessel higher than the second liquid level, closing the second switch to energize the secondary pump motor wherein the said switches are incorporated into a system actuator having a float mechanism responsive to liquid level in the vessel and the method comprises the further step of controlling operation of said switches according to the position of the float mechanism,
• wherein the first and second switches are micro-switches having open and closed positions and the system actuator comprises a guide structure mounted in a fixed position relative to the vessel to which the first and second switches are mounted, a float rod slideably mounted to the guide structure allowing reciprocating movement in a generally vertical direction in an operating zone above a resting position, the float rod having upper and lower ends and upper and lower float stops and the float rod additionally having switch-closing cam surface structure for actuating the first and second switches and a switch-opening cam surface cooperating with the first switch, and, a float slideably mounted to the float rod between the upper and lower float stops, which float floats with the level of liquid in the vessel, and wherein said controlling step comprises the steps of:
• moving the first switch from its open to its closed position by means of the switch-closing cam surface structure during upward movement of the float rod;
• moving the first switch from its closed to its open position by means of the switch-opening cam surface during further upward movement of the float rod;
• and,
• moving the second switch from its open to its closed position by means of the switch-closing cam surface structure during yet further upward movement of the float rod.

A switching apparatus for controlling the operation of two electrical pump motors, in response to the level of a liquid in a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• a first switch adapted to be connected to control the operation of a first electrical pump motor;
• a second switch adapted to be connected to control the operation of a second electrical pump motor;
• a liquid level responsive apparatus operatively connected to the first and second switches to control the operation thereof whereby, at a first predetermined level the liquid level responsive apparatus will close the first switch, at a second predetermined level higher than the first level the liquid level responsive apparatus will open the first switch, and at a third predetermined level higher than the second level the liquid level responsive apparatus will close the second switch;
• a guide structure adapted to be mounted in a fixed position relative to the vessel and wherein the switches are attached to the guide structure,
• wherein the liquid level responsive apparatus comprises a float mechanism attached to the guide structure and mechanically associated with the first and second switches,
• wherein the first and second switches are micro-switches having open and closed positions and the float mechanism comprises:
• a float rod slideably mounted to the guide structure allowing reciprocating movement in a generally vertical direction in an operating zone above a resting position, the float rod having upper and lower ends and upper and lower float stops and the float rod additionally having a first switch-closing cam surface cooperating with the first switch to move the first switch from its open to its closed position during upward movement of the float rod, a switch-opening cam surface cooperating with the first switch to move the first switch from its closed to its open position during further upward movement of the float rod, and a second switch-closing cam surface cooperating with the second switch to move the second switch from its open to its closed position during yet further upward movement of the float rod, and,
• a float slideably mounted to the float rod between the upper and lower float stops, which float floats with the level of liquid in the vessel.

A switching apparatus for controlling the operation of two electrical pump motors, in response to the level of a liquid in a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• a first switch adapted to be connected to control the operation of a first electrical pump motor;
• a second switch adapted to be connected to control the operation of a second electrical pump motor;
• a liquid level responsive apparatus operatively connected to the first and second switches to control the operation thereof whereby at a first predetermined level the liquid level responsive apparatus will close the first switch, at a second predetermined level higher than the first level the liquid level responsive apparatus will open the first switch, and at a third predetermined level higher than the second level the liquid level responsive apparatus will close the second switch,
• a guide structure adapted to be mounted in a fixed position relative to the vessel and wherein the switches are attached to the guide structure,
• wherein the liquid level responsive apparatus comprises a float mechanism attached to the guide structure and mechanically associated with the first and second switches,
• wherein the first and second switches are micro-switches having open and closed positions and the float mechanism comprises:
• a float rod slideably mounted to the guide structure allowing reciprocating movement in a generally vertical direction in an operating zone above a resting position, the float rod having upper and lower ends and upper and lower float stops and the float rod additionally having switch-closing cam surface structure cooperating with the first switch to move the first switch from its open to its closed position during upward movement of the float rod, a switch-opening cam surface cooperating with the first switch to move the first switch from its closed to its open position during further upward movement of the float rod, the switch-closing cam surface structure additionally cooperating with the second switch to move the second switch from its open to its closed position during yet further upward movement of the float rod, and,
• a float slideably mounted to the float rod between the upper and lower float stops, which float floats with the level of liquid in the vessel.

A pump systems for pumping liquid from a vessel and operating a secondary pump associated therewith comprising:

• a power source;
• a primary electric motor connected to a primary pump operable to pump liquid from the vessel;
• a secondary electric motor connected to a secondary pump operable to pump liquid from the vessel;
• a first switch operatively connected between the primary electric motor and the power source;
• a second switch operatively connected between the secondary electric motor and the power source;
• liquid level responsive apparatus operatively connected to the first and second switches to control the operation thereof whereby at a first predetermined level the liquid level responsive apparatus will close the first switch, at a second predetermined level higher than the first level the liquid level responsive apparatus will open the first switch, and at a third predetermined level higher than the second level the liquid level responsive apparatus will close the second switch;
• a guide structure mounted in a fixed position relative to the vessel and wherein the switches are attached to the guide structure,
• wherein the liquid level responsive apparatus comprises a float mechanism attached to the guide structure and mechanically associated with the first and second switches,
• wherein the first and second switches are micro-switches having open and closed positions and the float mechanism comprises:
• a float rod slideably mounted to the guide structure allowing reciprocating movement in a generally vertical direction in an operating zone above a resting position, the float rod having upper and lower ends and upper and lower float stops and the float rod additionally having a first switch-closing cam surface cooperating with the first switch to move the first switch from its open to its closed position during upward movement of the float rod, a switch-opening cam surface cooperating with the first switch to move the first switch from its closed to its open position during further upward movement of the float rod, and a second switch-closing cam surface cooperating with the second switch to move the second switch from its open to its closed position during yet further upward movement of the float rod, and,
• a float slideably mounted to the float rod between the upper and lower float stops, which float floats with the level of liquid in the vessel.

A pump system for pumping liquid from a vessel and operating a secondary pump associated therewith comprising:

• a power source;
• a primary electric motor connected to a primary pump operable to pump liquid from the vessel;
• a secondary electric motor connected to a secondary pump operable to pump liquid from the vessel;
• a first switch operatively connected between the primary electric motor and the power source;
• a second switch operatively connected between the secondary electric motor and the power source;
• a liquid level responsive apparatus operatively connected to the first and second switches to control the operation thereof whereby at a first predetermined level the liquid level responsive apparatus will close the first switch, at a second predetermined level higher than the first level the liquid level responsive apparatus will open the first switch, and at a third predetermined level higher than the second level the liquid level responsive apparatus will close the second switch;
• a wide structure mounted in a fixed position relative to the vessel and wherein the switches are attached to the guide structure,
• wherein the liquid level responsive apparatus comprises a float mechanism attached to the guide structure and mechanically associated with the first and second switches,
• wherein the first and second switches are micro-switches having open and closed positions and the float mechanism comprises:
• a float rod slideably mounted to the guide structure allowing reciprocating movement in a generally vertical direction in an operating zone above a resting position, the float rod having upper and lower ends and upper and lower float stops and the float rod additionally having switch-closing cam surface structure cooperating with the first switch to move the first switch from its open to its closed position during upward movement of the float rod, a switch-opening cam surface cooperating with the first switch to move the first switch from its closed to its open position during further upward movement of the float rod, the switch-closing cam surface structure additionally cooperating with the second switch to move the second switch from its open to its closed position during yet further upward movement of the float rod, and,
• a float slideably mounted to the float rod between the upper and lower float stops, which float floats with the level of liquid in the vessel.