Disclosed is a basement sewer drain pump housing that draws fluid from a drain into a housing, where after the fluid is discharged from the housing and out of the basement. The device comprises a pickup tube having a fluid level sensor, which is placed within a sewer main drain or floor drain. The housing comprises an enclosed volume, a suction tube connected to the pickup tube, a suction pump, and a discharge pump. The pump is activated by a switch controlled by the pickup tube fluid sensor, the fluid is drawn into the housing from the drain and discharged through a discharge pipe. The device operates from outlet or battery and serves as a basement drain pump that prevents fluid and sewage backflow during power outages and plumbing blockages. Another modification provides two donuts to prevent the flow of fluid locking both the floor drain and the main sewer drain. Another embodiment show an inflator to stop the flow of fluids.

Disclosed are a water storage tank and a method for controlling the full water level thereof. The water storage tank according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a tank main body for storing water which flows in through a water inlet and discharging water through an outlet; and a control unit for controlling inflow and outflow of water into and from the tank main body, wherein the control unit can change the height of the full water level of the tank main body according to a user's selection or the degree of water discharge from the tank main body.

An apparatus for detecting an oil level and a method for controlling the same, an apparatus for detecting oil flow and a method for controlling the same, and a method for controlling oil return using the detected oil level and the detected oil flow are disclosed. The level of oil stored in a compressor is measured at two or more positions. The frequency comparison scheme using two electrodes can correctly detect the level of oil stored in the compressor, a refrigerant state, and the level of mixed oils, and can determine an internal state of the compressor and a normal or abnormal state of the oil return system, such that the oil return control can be actively controlled. The flow of oil in the oil return pipe is detected so as to determine whether the oil is normally supplied in real time, such that a malfunction of the compressor is prevented and a valve state can be checked. The level of oil stored in the compressor is adjusted not only using the oil level detection result but also the oil flow detection result, and the oil return operation can be controlled.

An electrically operated valve assembly having a manual override includes a valve body, an actuation cam, a shaft, a gear, and a biasing member. The shaft is connected to the actuation cam and includes a projection. The gear defines an opening which selectively receives the projection of the shaft to engage the shaft to the gear. In a first operating condition of the valve assembly, the actuation cam is in an engaged position relative to the valve and the shaft is biased to be engaged with the gear. In a second operating condition of the valve assembly, the actuation cam is in a disengaged position offset along the axis of the shaft from the valve handle and at least partially rotated about the axis of the shaft such that the shaft is disengaged from the gear. Further, a master control module can control one or more such valve assemblies.

A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a water inlet, a water inlet valve disposed within the water inlet configured to allow water passage when in an open position and configured to prevent water passage when in a closed position, a reservoir in fluid communication with the water inlet, a water level sensor disposed in the reservoir, and a control unit in electrical communication with the water level sensor and the water inlet valve. The control unit is configured to calculate a fluid flow rate using the time between the water inlet valve opening and the water level sensor communicating when a first predetermined water level has been reached within the reservoir, and use the calculated flow rate to calculate a total water inlet valve open time to fill the reservoir to a second predetermined water level.

A system and method of operating a water supply system with one or more water consuming appliances is provided. The water supply system includes a hot water heater for supplying a flow of heated water through a supply conduit to at least one water consuming appliance. The water consuming appliance receives the flow of heated water and provides an indication of a fault condition if excessive water accumulates in the appliance, which might indicate a malfunction with a drain pump or a water supply valve. A safety shutoff valve is positioned on the supply conduit and is in operative communication with the water consuming appliance. The safety shutoff valve is configured for stopping the flow of heated water when it receives the indication of the fault condition.

A distribution station includes a mobile trailer, a pump on the mobile trailer, a manifold on the mobile trailer and connected with the pump, a plurality of hoses connected with the manifold, a plurality of valves on the mobile trailer, each of the valves situated between the manifold and a respective different one of the hoses, a plurality of guided wave radar level sensors, each of the guided wave radar level sensors being associated with a respective different one of the hoses, and a controller configured to communicate with the guided wave radar level sensors and operate the valves responsive to signals from the guided wave radar level sensors.

A distribution station includes a mobile trailer, a pump on the mobile trailer, a manifold on the mobile trailer and connected with the pump, a plurality of hoses connected with the manifold, a plurality of valves on the mobile trailer, each of the valves situated between the manifold and a respective different one of the hoses, a plurality of guided wave radar level sensors, each of the guided wave radar level sensors being associated with a respective different one of the hoses, and a controller configured to communicate with the guided wave radar level sensors and operate the valves responsive to signals from the guided wave radar level sensors.

A system and method removes well fluids, which include gas and liquids, from a storage tank. The storage tank has a gas relief valve that opens to admit atmospheric air into the storage tank when the pressure of a gas cap decreases below a vacuum threshold pressure. Well fluids flow into the storage tank and the level of liquid is monitored. When the level reaches a first level, a pump is operated by a controller to remove liquid from the storage tank. The pressure in the gas cap is monitored while the pump is operating. The speed of the pump is adjusted to maintain the gas cap pressure above the predetermined pressure and avoid the introduction of atmospheric air into the gas cap.

The present invention provides a smart water flow apparatus capable of maintaining a desired level of water in a reservoir using sensor technology while having an override or shutoff feature that is programmable to address variations in water pressure or to prevent flooding due to sensor malfunction or power failure.