AQUARIUM SYSTEM HAVING IMPROVED FLOW CONTROLLER AND METHODS OF USE

A flow control arrangement for use with a pump in an aquarium includes a main body having an inlet flow conduit and an outlet flow conduit. The main body has a cylindrical wall having first and second opposite open ends and defining an open interior; and a through hole extending through the wall to the open interior. A flow control dial closes the first open end; and an aeration flow dial closes the second open end and is rotatably adjustable relative to the main body. The aeration flow dial has a tubular aeration wall extending into the open interior. The aeration wall has an aperture, wherein the aeration flow dial can be rotatably adjustable to control axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the wall of the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the open interior of the main body to outside of the main body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an aquarium system with a flow controller. In particular, this disclosure relates to a flow controller that can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of aeration of the water, and method of use.

BACKGROUND

Home aquariums are a popular hobby. People enjoy keeping fish and other aquatic animals in an aquarium for relaxation, enjoyment, and education.

To keep aquatic life healthy, aquariums should have aerators to help oxygenate the water. Improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

Assemblies, components, and methods are provided to improve the prior art.

In one aspect, a flow control arrangement for use with a pump in an aquarium is provided; the flow control arrangement comprising: a main body having an inlet flow conduit and an outlet flow conduit; the main body having a cylindrical wall having first and second opposite open ends and defining an open interior; and a through hole extending through the wall to the open interior; a flow control dial closing the first open end; and an aeration flow dial closing the second open end and being rotatably adjustable relative to the main body; the aeration flow dial having a tubular aeration wall extending into the open interior; the aeration wall having an aperture, wherein the aeration flow dial can be rotatably adjustable to control axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the wall of the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the open interior of the main body to outside of the main body.

In example embodiments, the aeration flow dial includes an aeration flow handle projecting therefrom to allow for grasping for rotatable adjustment.

In some implementations, the flow control dial has first and second projections extending into the open interior and is rotatably adjustable relative to the main body, wherein the flow control dial is rotatably adjustable to control the first and second projections to block portions of the inlet flow conduit and the outlet flow conduit.

In many examples, the flow control dial has a flow control handle projecting therefrom to allow for grasping for rotatable adjustment.

Preferably, the inlet flow conduit and an outlet flow conduit are oriented between 80-120 degrees relative to each other.

In some examples, the through hole and the aperture are oval shaped.

In another aspect, an aquarium system is provided including: a tank having an interior volume holding water; a pump positioned to pump water in the tank through a filter system; and a flow control arrangement connected to the pump; the flow control arrangement having an aeration control to allow selective adjustment in an amount of aeration of water flowing from the pump and back into the tank.

In many implementations, the flow control arrangement includes a rotatable dial to selectively increase or decrease aeration of the water.

Example embodiments include the flow control arrangement having a main body downstream of the pump; the main body having a through hole providing communication into an interior of the main body; and an aeration flow dial having an aperture, wherein the aeration flow dial can be rotatably adjustable to control axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the interior of the main body to outside of the main body.

In examples, a diffuser body and blade are connected to the main body and positioned to return water to the tank.

In another aspect, a method of aerating water in an aquarium tank is provided. The method comprises: providing a flow control arrangement having a main body with a through hole providing communication into an interior of the main body; and an aeration flow dial connected to the main body; the aeration flow dial having an aperture; rotating the aeration flow dial to adjust axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the interior of the main body to outside of the main body; and pumping water through the flow control arrangement.

Example methods have the step of rotating including using a handle on the aeration flow dial to adjust the size of the resulting orifice.

In another aspect, a pump arrangement for use with an aquarium is provided; the pump arrangement comprising: a water intake tube assembly positionable in an aquarium tank; a pump having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet; the intake tube assembly being in fluid communication upstream of the suction inlet, such that water from the aquarium tank is sucked into the intake tube assembly and conveyed into the pump suction inlet and then expelled through the pressure outlet; and a flow control valve positioned within the intake tube assembly upstream of the suction inlet; the flow control valve being manually adjustable to control a volume of water directed into the suction inlet.

In one aspect, the valve includes a rotatable dial to selectively increase or decrease the volume of water directed into the suction inlet.

In one aspect, the valve includes: a cover; the dial having a handle protruding from the cover; and a body extending from the cover on an opposite side of the dial and into the intake tube assembly; the body having a flange extending circumferentially from only a portion of a rim of the cover; wherein rotation of the dial rotates the flange within the intake tube assembly to control a size of an orifice in the intake tube assembly.

In examples, the flange extends between 90-220° along the rim of the cover of the valve.

In an embodiment, the flange extends between 160-200° along the rim of the cover of the valve.

In another aspect, a method of controlling water in an aquarium tank is provided. The method comprising providing a water intake tube assembly positioned in an aquarium tank and a flow control valve positioned within the intake tube assembly upstream of a pump; rotating a dial of the flow control valve to selectively adjust a size of an orifice in the intake tube assembly; and using the pump to pump water from the aquarium tank, through the orifice in the intake tube assembly, and into a suction inlet of the pump.

In an example method, the step of rotating includes using a handle on the dial to adjust the size of the orifice.

In an example method, the step of rotating includes the valve having: a cover; the handle protruding from the cover; and a body extending from the cover on an opposite side of the dial and into the intake tube assembly; the body having a flange extending circumferentially from only a portion of a rim of the cover; wherein rotation of the dial rotates the flange within the intake tube assembly to control a size of the orifice in the intake tube assembly.

A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing various aspects of this disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Embodiment of FIGS.1-7

FIG.1is a schematic view of one embodiment of an aquarium system20. InFIG.1, the system20has a tank22sized to hold water for sustaining aquatic life, such as fish.

The tank22shown has a rectangular cross-section, but it can be other shapes. While the tank may be of any size, some example sizes include 10 gallons, 20 gallons, 40 gallons, 50 gallons, 100 gallons to 200 gallons of water. In this example, the tank22has a surrounding wall23shown here as back wall24, an opposite front wall26, and two side walls28,30extending between the front wall26and back wall24. A closed bottom is at32. Together, the surrounding wall23and closed bottom32define a tank interior34.

The tank22has an open top36, opposite of the closed bottom32. The top36is in communication with the tank interior34and has a perimeter rim38. The top36can be selectively covered with a removable cover, not illustrated.

The aquarium system20further includes a back panel assembly40positioned in the interior34of the tank22. In the example ofFIG.1, the back panel assembly40is positioned against the back wall24of the tank22. In the back panel assembly40can be a filter system. Also in the back panel assembly is a pump and flow controller system42,FIG.2.

Attention is directed toFIG.2, showing the pump and flow controller system42. The system42includes a pump44. A flow control arrangement, or flow controller, is shown at46. A fluid tube48connects the pump44and flow controller46.

The pump44draws in water from the tank22. The water may be conveyed through a filter system (not shown). The water will be conveyed through the tube48to the flow controller46. The flow controller46is constructed and arranged to acrate the water, and the amount of aeration can be adjusted, as described below.

In addition, the flow controller46can function to control the amount of water flowing therethrough (i.e., the flow rate).

Connected to the flow controller46is a diffuser body50and a blade52. The water is conveyed from the flow controller46, through the diffuser body50and then through the blade52. From the blade52, the water is returned into the main body of water in the tank22. The flow controller46will be located above the water level in the tank22.

Attention is directed toFIGS.3and4. The flow controller46has a main body56having an inlet flow conduit58and an outlet flow conduit60. Inlet water flows from the pump44, through the tube48, and into the inlet flow conduit58. The water then flows from the main body56through the outlet flow conduit60. In general, the inlet flow conduit58and outlet flow conduit are angled between 80-120 degrees, and typically at about a 90 degree angle, forming an elbow62(FIG.6).

The main body56has a cylindrical wall64having a first open end66and an opposite second open end68. The wall64defines an open interior70for receiving the flow of water.

InFIGS.3and5, a through hole72can be seen extending through the wall64to the open interior70. The hole72can be many shapes, and in the example shown, the hole72is oval or elliptical in shape. The hole72is one part of an aeration adjustment system74(FIG.3).

An aeration flow dial76closes the first open end66and is rotatably adjustable relative to the main body56. InFIG.7, the aeration flow dial76is shown in perspective view. As can be seen, the aeration flow dial76has an end cover77and a cylindrical or tubular aeration wall78extending from the end cover77. When fitted into the second open end68, the aeration wall78is received within the interior70of the main body56, against an inside surface of the wall64of the main body56such that the aeration wall78extends into the open interior70.

The aeration wall78has an aperture80. The aperture80is a second part of the aeration adjustment system74(FIG.3). The aperture80can be many shapes, and in the example shown, the aperture80is oval or elliptical in shape.

The aeration flow dial76can be rotatably adjustable relative to the main body56to control axial alignment of the aperture80with the through hole72in the wall64of the main body56to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice82from the open interior70of the main body56to outside of the main body56.

The aeration flow dial76further includes a handle84projecting from the end cover77. The handle84is sized to be grippable by a few fingers of a human hand to allow for rotation of the dial76relative to the body56.

A flow control dial90closes the second open end68. The flow control dial90includes an end cover92. First and second projections94,96extend from the end cover92into the open interior70. The flow control dial90is rotatably adjustable relative to the main body56. This rotation moves the first and second projections94,96to block portions of the inlet flow conduit58and the outlet flow conduit60.

The flow control dial90has a flow control handle98projecting from the end cover92to allow for grasping by a human hand for easy rotatable adjustment.

It should be appreciated that rotation of the aeration flow dial76will allow the user to adjust how big or small the resulting orifice82is, when the aperture80is moved in axial alignment with the through hole72. When perfectly aligned (that is, the centers of the hole72and aperture80are co-axially aligned), the orifice82will be at its largest, providing the most amount of water that can flow from the interior70of the body56to outside of the controller46, with the most aeration. Since the controller46is positioned above the water line in the tank22, the water flowing through the orifice82is expelled into the air, which helps to oxygenate it, before it falls back into the rest of the water in the tank22. When there is no axial alignment of the aperture80and the hole72, the orifice82will be blocked. When there is only partial axial alignment, the orifice82will be open, but will be smaller than when the hole72and aperture82are in perfect coaxial alignment.

The above can be used for a method of acrating water in an aquarium tank. The method includes providing the flow control arrangement46having main body56with through hole72providing communication into the interior70of the main body56. The aeration flow dial76is connected to the main body56, and the aeration flow dial76has aperture80.

The method includes rotating the aeration flow dial76to adjust axial alignment of the aperture80with the through hole72in the main body56to selectively adjust a size of the resulting orifice82from the interior70of the main body56to outside of the main body. The method includes pumping water through the flow control arrangement46.

The step of rotating includes using handle84on the aeration flow dial76to adjust the size of the resulting orifice82.

The Embodiment of FIGS.8-14

FIG.8illustrates a pump arrangement and filter system100. The system100is constructed to be positioned along the side wall of an aquarium tank. The system100includes a housing102holding a pump arrangement104(FIG.9). The housing102also holds a filter assembly106in the interior. The housing102defines a slot110, which accommodates the wall of the aquarium tank, so that a part112of a water intake tube assembly114(FIG.10) is submerged in the water of the tank, which the remaining part of the system100is outside of the water of the tank.

As can be seen inFIG.8, there is an electrical cord108, which plugs into an electrical outlet, to power the pump arrangement104. In general, the pump arrangement104draws in water from the aquarium tank through the part112of the intake tube assembly114, which is then pushed through the filter assembly106where it is filtered, and then returned to the tank.

Turning now toFIG.9, the pump arrangement104is illustrated. InFIG.10, the water intake tube assembly114is shown. The intake tube assembly114includes a generally hollow conduit116with a first, straight section118. The first section118has a free, terminal end120. The conduit120, from the free end120, defines intake part112, in which a wall122of the conduit116has open holes or slots124through which water from the aquarium tank is drawn through and into the interior of the conduit116. In the example embodiment shown, the intake part112of the first section118extends less than 50% of the length of the first section118, but could be more or less in other embodiments. A remaining part126of the first section118is solid and is free of holes or slots.

The conduit116of the intake tube assembly114includes a second section128oriented at a non-zero angle from an end127of the first section118. In the example shown, the angle is between 50-130 degrees, typically about 90 degrees, but could be other angles. The second section128forms a bridge between the first section118and a third section130.

The conduit116includes third section130oriented at a non-zero angle from an end131of the second section128. In the example shown, the angle is between 50-130 degrees, typically about 90 degrees, but could be other angles. The third section130extends from the second section128to a suction inlet132of a pump134. While many embodiments are possible, in the particular example shown in the drawings, the third section130is generally parallel to the first section118, such that the first section118, second section128, and third section130are in the shape of a U, in this case with squared corners, but could be rounded as well.

The pump arrangement104includes a flow control valve136positioned within the intake tube assembly114upstream of the suction inlet132. The flow control valve136is manually adjustable to control a volume of water directed into the suction inlet132. In the embodiment shown, the flow control valve136is positioned in the third section130. For example, the flow control valve136is oriented at an end of the second section128and at an end and within the third section130. Manual adjustment of the valve136controls the volume of water flowing from the second section128into the third section130.

In accordance with principles of this disclosure, the valve136includes a rotatable dial138to selectively increase or decrease the volume of water directed into the suction inlet132. The dial138is accessible from outside of the system100. As can be seen inFIG.8, the dial138can be accessed through a top of the housing102by the user.

In reference now toFIGS.11-14, the example embodiment of the valve136shown herein includes a cover140. The dial138has a handle142protruding from the cover140. The handle142is generally an elongated member144sized to be grasped between a thumb and few fingers of a human hand, such that the handle142can be used to rotate the dial138.

InFIG.11, the cross-section of the valve136located in the third section130of the intake tube assembly114is illustrated. The cover140defines a groove146for holding a seal member148. The seal member148forms a seal with an inside surface of the third section130of the intake tube assembly114.

In this embodiment, the valve136includes a body150extending from the cover140on an opposite side of the dial138and into the intake tube assembly114. The body150has a flange152extending circumferentially from only a portion of a rim154of the cover140. Rotation of the dial138rotates the flange152within the intake tube assembly114to control a size of an orifice in the intake tube assembly114.

The flange152extends circumferentially from only a portion of the rim154of the cover140. For example, the flange152extends between 90-220° along the rim152. Or, for example, the flange152extends between 160-200° along the rim152of the cover140of the valve136.

The embodiment ofFIGS.8-14can be used in a method of controlling water in an aquarium tank. The method includes providing water intake tube assembly114positioned in the tank of an aquarium and a flow control valve positioned within the intake tube assembly114upstream of the pump134. The method includes rotating the dial138of the flow control valve136to selectively adjust a size of an orifice in the intake tube assembly114. The method further includes using the pump134to pump (or draw in) water from the aquarium tank, through the orifice in the intake tube assembly114, and into the suction inlet132of the pump134.

The step of rotating includes using handle142on the dial138to adjust the size of the orifice.

The step of rotating includes the valve136having cover140, with the handle142protruding from the cover140. The valve136further includes body150extending from the cover140on an opposite side of the dial138and into the intake tube assembly114. The body150has flange152extending circumferentially from only a portion of rim154of the cover140. Rotation of the dial138rotates the flange152within the intake tube assembly114to control a size of the orifice in the intake tube assembly114.

The above disclosure includes example principles. Many embodiments can be made using these principles.