Thomas R Stetter

US Patent:

20080229819, Sep 25, 2008

Filed:

Mar 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/049906

Inventors:

Philip Anthony Mayleben - Edgewood KY, US
Thomas Richard Stetter - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Wayne Water Systems, Inc./Scott Fetzer Company - Westlake OH

International Classification:

G01F 23/26
H01G 7/00
F04B 49/00
B21D 39/03

US Classification:

73304 C, 29 2542, 417 36, 29428

Abstract:

A variable capacitor for sensing the level of a liquid. The capacitor provides a readable capacitance that varies with respect to the level of the liquid. A pump control system implementing the capacitive sensor to control the level of a liquid by activating and deactivating the pump depending on the level of the liquid. Methods relating to varying capacitance of a capacitive sensor and controlling a pump based on the level of a liquid. A pump controller for controlling the level of a liquid in a reservoir includes a controller and a capacitor. The capacitor is adapted to provide an activation signal to the controller when the liquid in the reservoir reaches a first predetermined level relative thereto. Additionally, the capacitor is adapted to provide a trigger signal to the controller when the liquid in the reservoir reaches a second predetermined level relative thereto. Based on the trigger signal, the controller determines when to deactivate the pump.

US Patent:

20110110792, May 12, 2011

Filed:

Nov 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/617377

Inventors:

Joseph Kendall Mauro - Cincinnati OH, US
Philip Anthony Mayleben - Edgewood KY, US
Michael Patrick Dyer - Oxford OH, US
Thomas R. Stetter - Cincinnati OH, US

International Classification:

F04B 49/06
G01F 23/26

US Classification:

417 441, 73304 C

Abstract:

In one form a capacitive sensor is disclosed for immersion into a fluid, the capacitive sensor having a housing and first and second electrodes with the first electrode being disposed at least partially within the housing and electrically connected to a circuit, the second electrode being electrically connected to the circuit via an electrical connection and physically separated from the housing containing at least a portion of the first electrode so that at least a portion of the electrical connection or second electrode is located above or outside of the fluid to reduce the risk that minerals will form between the electrodes. In other forms, capacitors, capacitive sensors, pump controls and systems utilizing these features are disclosed along with methods and apparatus relating to same. In yet other forms additional sensors such as current sensors, thermal sensors, speed sensors, torque sensors and Hall Effect sensors are disclosed for use alone or in combination with said capacitive sensor for detecting fluid level and/or controlling pumps.

US Patent:

20110110794, May 12, 2011

Filed:

Nov 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/944883

Inventors:

Philip Mayleben - Edgewood KY, US
Buford A. Cooper - Sunman IN, US
Thomas Stetter - Cincinnati OH, US

International Classification:

F04B 49/06
F04B 53/00
G01F 23/26

US Classification:

417 53, 417313, 73304 C

Abstract:

In one form a capacitive sensor is disclosed for immersion into a fluid, the capacitive sensor having a housing and first and second electrodes with the first electrode being disposed at least partially within the housing and electrically connected to a circuit, the second electrode being electrically connected to the circuit via an electrical connection and physically separated from the housing containing at least a portion of the first electrode so that at least a portion of the electrical connection or second electrode is located above or outside of the fluid to reduce the risk that minerals will form between the electrodes. In another form the electrodes are separated into their own cavities of the sensor housing via a bridging member which separates the electrodes to help reduce the risk of mineral buildup occurring between the electrodes. In other forms, capacitors, capacitive sensors, pump controls and systems utilizing these features are disclosed along with methods and apparatus relating to same. In yet other forms additional sensors such as current sensors, thermal sensors, speed sensors, torque sensors and Hall Effect sensors are disclosed for use alone or in combination with said capacitive sensor for detecting fluid level and/or controlling pumps. In still other forms, apparatus and methods relating to self cleaning pumps are disclosed.

US Patent:

20130156605, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Feb 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/768899

Inventors:

Thomas R. Stetter - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Wayne/Scott Fetzer Company - Westlake OH

International Classification:

G01F 23/30

US Classification:

417 36

Abstract:

Methods relating to varying capacitance of a capacitive sensor and controlling a pump based on the level of a liquid. A pump controller for controlling the level of a liquid in a reservoir includes a controller and a capacitor. The capacitor is adapted to provide an activation signal to the controller when the liquid in the reservoir reaches a first predetermined level relative thereto.