The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Mar. 04, 2025

Filed:

Sep. 18, 2023
Applicant:

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL (US);

Inventors:

Nathan L. Tofte, Downs, IL (US);

Jonathan Christopher Hull, Bloomington, IL (US);

John R. Donovan, Bloomington, IL (US);

Richard Jan Tjaden, Bloomington, IL (US);

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F04D 15/02 (2006.01); F04D 13/08 (2006.01); F04D 15/00 (2006.01); G05B 13/02 (2006.01); G05B 15/02 (2006.01); G06N 20/00 (2019.01); G08B 21/18 (2006.01); H04L 12/28 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F04D 15/0227 (2013.01); F04D 13/08 (2013.01); F04D 13/086 (2013.01); F04D 15/0077 (2013.01); F04D 15/0088 (2013.01); F04D 15/0209 (2013.01); F04D 15/0218 (2013.01); F04D 15/0254 (2013.01); F04D 15/0272 (2013.01); G05B 13/021 (2013.01); G05B 13/026 (2013.01); G05B 13/0265 (2013.01); G05B 15/02 (2013.01); G06N 20/00 (2019.01); G08B 21/182 (2013.01); H04L 12/2823 (2013.01);
Abstract

A sump pump system detects backflow from an outlet pipe in a sump pump system and implements control of the sump pump in light of the detected backflow (or lack thereof). The sump pump system may detect the backflow (or lack thereof) by detecting and comparing water rise rates in a sump basin before activation or engagement of the sump pump (e.g., immediately before the pump starts pumping) and after the pump has disengaged or deactivated (e.g., immediately after the pump stops pumping). The rises rates may be detected via sensors configured to detect motion or acceleration (e.g., accelerometers, inertial measurement units, or force acceleration sensors) placed in the sump basin such that detect motion of water in the basin corresponding to changing water levels.


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