Cyclic pumping system malfunction indicator

Claim 1

In a fluid distribution system including a supply of fluid to be distributed; a cyclically operable pump which automatically operates at a predetermined pumping frequency; said pump being connected with said fluid supply to periodically pump fluid therefrom through said system; said system including fluid distributing fittings connected with said pump through which fittings fluid is pumped for distribution out of said system; said system including means for causing the pressure in said system to increase as said pump operates and to decrease between pump operations; a cyclic pumping system malfunction indicator connected into said system to sense the pressure in said system resulting from fluid being pumped by said pump and to sense that the cyclic system pressure is below a predetermined level which indicates that there is a malfunction in the system; and a malfunction indication device connected with said indicator for indicating that there is a malfunction in said system; the improvement comprising, said malfunction indicator comprising, a pressure-sensing switch; said switch being movable to a first position when system pressure above a predetermined level is applied to it and to a second position when system pressure below said predetermined level is applied to it; at said second position, said switch being adapted to cause operation of said malfunction indication device; a one-way valve connected between said switch and said system for permitting system pressure above said predetermined level to pass to said switch, thereby shifting said switch to its said first position, while blocking the return of the pressure on said switch back into said system when system pressure decreases between pump operations; and pressure bleed means connected with said switch for bleeding pressure away from said switch at a predetermined rate after the pressure applied to said switch has been elevated due to operation of said pump; said bleed means being designed so that said predetermined bleed rate is sufficiently slow that the pressure within said system between pump operation cycles will be above the said predetermined level which would cause said pressure switch to shift to its second position, unless there is a malfunction in the system and system pressure above said predetermined level is not attained.