Other

Clack Corportion

Richard W Wilder

Robert A Clack

Don D Vaughan

Karlene Wilder

The water activated GPS-based beacon is a radio based transmitter that is configured for outdoor activities. The water activated GPS-based beacon is a safety device that is worn during outdoor activities. The water activated GPS-based beacon is housed in a jewelry item that is worn during the outdoor activity. The water activated GPS-based beacon remains dormant until: 1) the water activated GPS-based beacon is immersed in water; or 2) a switch located on the jewelry item is activated. If either of these conditions occur, the water activated GPS-based beacon determines the GPS coordinates of the water activated GPS-based beacon and transmits the GPS coordinates to a previously determined appropriate authority. The water activated GPS-based beacon comprises the jewelry item and a beacon.

Water activated GPS-based beacon

A highly versatile drive arrangement that drives a linearly reciprocating piston of a water conditioning unit control valve without imparting any significant side loads on the support structure for the piston's drive rod or the associated seals. The drive arrangement includes a reversible electric motor and a motion converter, such as a lead screw arrangement, that converts the rotary motion of the electric motor's pinion or other output element to reciprocating linear motion of the piston. The reversible motor can be controlled, based on signals from a motion monitor such as an encoder, to drive the piston to any desired position within the piston upon command. This, in turn, permits the operation of the water conditioning unit to be optimized for prevailing conditions and permits the control valve's operation to be altered if, e.g., the piston becomes stuck or encounters an obstruction.

Water conditioning unit control valve

The invention is an improvement in a sump pump drive system of the type operable in a normal or emergency mode, powered in the normal mode by a single phase AC source and having an AC-to-DC converter, a DC standby source, a sump pump and a pump drive motor. In the improved system, the drive motor is a poly-phase AC machine and the system further comprises a DC-to-AC inverter connected to the drive motor. The pump is driven using inverted DC power in both normal and emergency modes. For the first time, the system designer can select an 'ideal' pump configuration (especially including speed), then an ideal motor configuration (especially including number of poles) and configure the system for a frequency to drive the pump and motor at that speed. Variants of the improved system include low rated motor terminal voltage (not more than the battery terminal voltage), a variable frequency capability for tailoring motor speed (and therefore, pumping rate) to sump water level and 'soft' start and stop. Such variants also include a battery 'exercise' feature and battery charging features extending battery life and returning the battery more quickly to a full-charge condition.

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Elm Grove, WI, United States of America

Richard W Wilder