US3859565A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fire pump control apparatus
Assignee: Firetrol Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-20
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained fire pump control apparatus connected across the power lines has in combination a manually operated first circuit breaker means that is coupled with the power lines. A second circuit breaker means is serially coupled with the first circuit breaker means and includes current responsive means to sense the current flowing in the power lines. The latter means opens the second circuit breaker if a predetermined current limit is exceeded. A third circuit breaker means is serially coupled between the second circuit breaker and at least one fire pump. The third circuit breaker means includes pump output responsive means to open and close the third circuit breaker.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee A Henningsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:30
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/08; H02H3/093; H02H7/00; H02H7/08; H02H7/085; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H2071/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A self-contained fire pump control apparatus connected across the power lines for providing power to a fire pump motor to maintain fluid pressure in a fire protection system comprising in combination: a housing containing the apparatus; a first manually operated circuit breaker serially coupled with the power lines for disconnecting power from the power lines; second circuit breaker means serially coupled to said first circuit breaker means; current responsive means coupled to the power lines and connected to said second circuit breaker means said current responsive means having a decreasing current threshold level in response to the start of the fire pump motor, the threshold level being set at a large multiple of the full load current of the motor and decreasing to several times its full load current to maintain fluid pressure for fire protection; third circuit breaker means serially coupled between said second circuit breaker means and the fire pump motor; and pressure detection means coupled to the output of the fire pump for closing said third circuit breaker means to connect electrical power to the fire pump motor when the fluid pressure drops below a predetermined pressure level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A self-contained fire pump control apparatus connected across the power lines for providing power to a fire pump motor to maintain fluid pressure in a fire protection system comprising in combination: a housing containing the apparatus; a first manually operated circuit breaker serially coupled with the power lines for disconnecting power from the power lines; second circuit breaker means serially coupled to said first circuit breaker means; current responsive means coupled to the power lines and connected to said second circuit breaker means said current responsive means having a decreasing current threshold level in response to the start of the fire pump motor, the threshold level being set at a large multiple of the full load current of the motor and decreasing to several times its full load current to maintain fluid pressure for fire protection; third circuit breaker means serially coupled between said second circuit breaker means and the fire pump motor; and pressure detection means coupled to the output of the fire pump for closing said third circuit breaker means to connect electrical power to the fire pump motor when the fluid pressure drops below a predetermined pressure level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said current responsive means comprises current monitor means coupled to the power lines, a static sensor having its input coupled to the output of said current monitor means, a shunt trip solenoid coupled to the output of said static sensor and mechanically connected to open said second circuit breaker means, said static sensor operating said shunt trip solenoid when the current in the power line exceeds predetermined levels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said static sensor comprises an auxiliary transformer including rectifier bridges for stepping down and rectifying the current output of said current monitor means, a power supply and signal generator coupled to the rectified output of said auxiliary transformer and rectifier bridges, trip means having an input coupled to the output of said signal generator and an output applied to said shunt trip solenoid so that when the current exceeds predetermined levels, said shunt trip solenoid will open said second current breaker means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said trip means includes an instantaneous trip having its input coupled to the output of said power supply and signal generator and the output of said instantaneous trip coupled to said shunt trip solenoid, said trip being set at a first current threshold level so that when said level is exceeded, said shunt trip solenoid operates to open said second circuit breaker means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said trip means includes a long delay time circuit having an input coupled to said power supply and generator and its output coupled to said shunt trip solenoid, said delay time circuit having a decreasing current threshold level from said first level to a second current level over a preset time interval, said long delay time circuit operating said shunt trip solenoid when said decreasing current threshold level is exceeded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said trip means further comprises a pick up circuit having its input coupled to said power supply and generator and its output coupled to said long delay time circuit, said trip means operating said long delay time circuit when said second current level is exceeded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said third circuit breaker means comprises a main contactor that includes a power solenoid to open and close the circuit between at least one fire pump and said second circuit breaker means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said main contactor additionally comprises an emergency run handle mechanically connected to the power solenoid and extending to the front face of said housing to provide means to manually open and close the contacts of said main contactor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
The apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said pressure detection means further comprises a pressure control transducer having one end coupled to the output of at least one pump, a timer having an input coupled to the output of said transducer and including electrical averaging means for time averaging the instantaneous pressure variations detected at least one pump output, a power relay whose input is coupled with the output of said timer, the output of said power relay being coupled to the power solenoid so that when the pump output pressure exceeds a predetermined level for a predetermined time, the signal from said transducer, averaged by said timer will drive said power relay to cause the power solenoid to open the circuit of said main contactor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said output responsive means further includes an emergency stop button serially connected with the power solenoid to open the circuit of said main contactor and an emergency start button serially connected between said stop button and the power solenoid to close the circuit of said main contactor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said second circuit breaker means includes a manually operated tripping switch extending through the front face of said housing and including mechanical means coupled with said second circuit breaker means for opening and closing the latter means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first circuit breaker means comprises an isolating switch that includes a circuit breaker for each phase of the power lines and having a manually operated handle controlling the operation of said isolating switch, said handle extending through the front face of said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said first current threshold level is set at twelve times the full load capacity of the motor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
142 words
A self-contained fire pump control apparatus connected across the power lines for providing power to a fire pump motor to maintain fluid pressure in a fire protection system comprising in combination: a housing containing the apparatus; a manually operated switch connected to the power lines; a circuit breaker serially connected to the switch and including a current sensor having a current threshold level for opening the breaker which decreases from twelve to three times the full load current of the pump motor after the motor is operated to maintain fluid pressure for fire protection; a solenoid operated main contactor serially connected to said circuit breaker and having its Output for connection to the pump motor; a pressure detector coupled to the output of the pump for closing the solenoid operated main contactor when the fluid pressure drops below a predetermined pressure level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
142 words
A self-contained fire pump control apparatus connected across the power lines for providing power to a fire pump motor to maintain fluid pressure in a fire protection system comprising in combination: a housing containing the apparatus; a manually operated switch connected to the power lines; a circuit breaker serially connected to the switch and including a current sensor having a current threshold level for opening the breaker which decreases from twelve to three times the full load current of the pump motor after the motor is operated to maintain fluid pressure for fire protection; a solenoid operated main contactor serially connected to said circuit breaker and having its Output for connection to the pump motor; a pressure detector coupled to the output of the pump for closing the solenoid operated main contactor when the fluid pressure drops below a predetermined pressure level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |