Circulating type water flow pool

Abstract: A circulating type water flow pool characterized in that a circulating passage (2) is formed in a lower portion of a tank portion (1), the circulating passage (2) having at one end a riser portion (2a) extending to an upper portion of the tank portion (1) and being formed with a delivery port (3) in communication with the tank portion (1), the circulating passage (2) being formed at the other end with an intake port (4) in communication with the tank portion (1), and a water flow control member (12) is mounted on the delivery port (3) at the riser portion (2a) of the circulating passage (2), and a screw blade (17) of a delivery unit (6) actuated by a dirving motor (15) is disposed facing the delivery port (3). Water in the circulating passage (2) is sucked out by the screw action of the screw blade (17) and turned into a jet flow, which is delivered toward the delivery port (3). Water jetted out of the delivery port (3) flows into the tank portion (1) and is introduced into the intake port (4) formed on the other end of the tank portion (1). Water introduced into the intake port (4) moves within the circulating passage (2) and is again guided to the delivery port (3). This is repeated whereby water is circulated.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to a water flow pool in which a flow is applied to water within a water tank, and more particularly to a so-called circulating type water flow pool in which the water flow is circulated. Description of the Prior Art It has been heretofore known that water (including cold water and hot water) within a water tank is moved, and the water is circulated to provide a circulating type water flow pool. To this end, a delivery port and a discharge port are opposedly provided while facing the water tank, and water is delivered from the delivery port and at the same time water is discharged from the discharge port to move water within the water tank. In addition, the delivery port and the discharge port are connected by a circulating pipe, and a delivery unit is provided at an intermediate position of the circulating pipe so as to return water from the discharge port to the delivery port to circulate a water flow. However, the aforementioned prior art has various drawbacks in that water jetted out of the delivery port immediately reduces its vigor, and the water flow within the tank assumes a state of turbulent flow, failing to obtain an effective flow of water; and that a power loss of the delivery unit arranged within the circulating pipe is large, resulting in requirement of a large horsepower delivery unit, and efficiency of energy is poor. As regards relevant prior art, reference is made to US-A-4 903 352, GB-A-935 054 and CH-A-595 834. This invention has been achieved in an attempt of solving the aforementioned drawbacks noted above with respect to the conventional circulating type water flow pool. A first object of this invention is to provide a circulating type water flow pool of this kind which can make an effective flow of water within a tank without reducing vigor of a jet of water from a delivery port. A further object of this invention is to reduce a power loss of a delivery unit so as to reduce a required horsepower of the delivery unit. These objects are solved by a circulating type water flow pool comprising a circulating passage having a closed section formed in a lower portion of a tank portion, said circulating passage having at one end a riser portion extending to an upper portion of said tank portion and being formed with a delivery port in communication with said tank portion, said circulating passage being formed at the other end with an intake port in communication with the tank portion, and a water flow control member is mounted on said delivery port at the riser portion of said circulating passage, and a screw blade of a delivery unit actuated by a driving motor is disposed facing said delivery port, wherein the pool is characterized in that the screw blade is driven by a drive shaft inclined upwardly at an angle of 10° to 30° with respect to a horizontal surface of the water pool, and the control member is designed to impart a converging action on a water jet created by the spinning screw blade. Thus, according to the invention a tank portion 1 is formed at a lower portion with a circulating passage 2 having a closed section, said circulating passage 2 having at one end a riser portion 2a extending toward the upper portion of the tank portion 1 and being formed with a delivery port 3 communicated with the tank portion 1, whereas said circulating passage 2 being formed at the other end with an intake port 4 communicated with the tank portion 1. In the riser portion 2a of the circulating passage 2, a water flow control member 12 is mounted on the delivery port 3, and a screw blade 17 of a delivery unit 6, which is operated by a driving motor 15, is disposed facing the delivery port 3. When the delivery unit 6 is driven, water within the circulating passage 2 is drawn by the screw action of the screw blade 17 and turned into a jet flow, which is delivered toward the delivery port 3. Water jetted out of the delivery port 3 flows into the tank portion 1 and is introduced into the intake port 4 formed on the other end of the tank portion 1. Water introduced into the intake port 4 moves within the circulating passage 2 and is again guided to the delivery port 3. The aforementioned operation is repeated whereby water is circulated. The jetted water flow is adjusted by the water flow control member 12 mounted on the delivery port 3 to create a powerful water flow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment (a first embodiment) of a circulating type water flow pool according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line II-II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view showing a modified form of essential parts including a water flow control member. Fig. 4 is a perspective view taken along line IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view showing a modified form of the water flow control member. Fig. 6 is a view (a sectional view taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 7) showing a further modified form of the water flow control member. Fig. 7 is a view taken on line VII of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a further embodiment (a second embodiment) of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a plan view of a still another embodiment (a third embodiment) of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a circulating type water flow pool according to the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show one embodiment (a first embodiment) of a circulating type water flow pool according to the present invention. In the drawings, the arrows indicate the direction of a water flow. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a circulating type water flow pool P (hereinafter merely referred to as "water flow pool") in the present embodiment principally comprises a tank portion 1, a circulating passage 2 formed at the lower part of the tank portion 1, a delivery port 3 and an intake port 4 formed to be communicated between an end of the circulating passage 2 and the tank portion 1, and a delivery unit 6 installed facing the back surface of the delivery port 3. Detailed structures of the aforementioned portions will be described hereinafter. The tank portion 1 comprises a side wall portion 8 of a tank body and a partitioning wall plate 9 arranged within the tank body. The tank portion 1 is filled with water up to an upper edge portion thereof as a normal water level and has a volume enough to allow the body of a person lie down to take a swimming attitude. With this, a flow of water is created therein so that one may assume a swimming state and perform swimming training, or a stimulus is given to the body to maintain and promote one's health. The circulating passage 2 has a closed section and is formed between the partitioning wall plate 9 of the tank portion 1 and a base board 10 of the tank body. The circulating passage 2 is reduced in lateral width as compared with the tank portion 1, the circulating passage 2 being risen at a riser portion 2a on one end thereof, and being bored with a delivery port 3 communicated into the tank portion 1 in the vicinity below the normal water level. The delivery port 3 is normally circular in shape but other shapes (for example, such as a square, a rectangle, an octagon, etc.) may be freely employed. A net 12 as a water flow control member is mounted on the front surface of the delivery port 3. The circulating passage 2 has at the other end a minor riser portion 2b and is formed with an intake port 4 which opens with respect to a middle water level of the tank portion 1. A suitable grating (not shown) is provided on the intake port 4. An intake port can also be formed on the side of the riser portion 2b as shown at 4a (a small intake hole). A plurality of small intake holes 4a are provided. The circulating passage 2 is provided a partitioning plate 13 lengthwith in a central portion thereof to define a water flow within the circulating passage 2 and contribute to an increase in flow velocity. A delivery unit 6 is installed within the circulating passage 2 facing the delivery port 3. More specifically, the delivery unit 6 comprises a driving motor 15, a drive shaft 16 and a screw blade 17. The driving motor 15 is placed on and secured to a receiving shelf 19 secured to the external portion of the tank portion 1 of the pool P. The drive shaft 16 of the driving motor 15 extends through a side wall 8 of the tank portion 1 through a water-tight bearing 20 and has the screw blade 17 secured to the extreme end thereof. The screw blade 17 is formed to be twisted with a predetermined curvature. Upon rotation of the screw blade 17, water is sucked from the back surface thereof due to a difference in a streamline distance flowing along curved surfaces of the front and back of the blade to extrude water toward the front surface. The drive shaft 16 is inclined upwardly at a suitable angle (10° to 30°) with respect to a horizontal surface of the water flow pool P. Thereby, a delivery angle of the screw blade 17 is directed toward the water surface through the delivery port 3 to provide a flow closest to a water level. While in the present embodiment, a single delvery port 3 and a single delivery unit 5 for use with a single person have been shown, it is to be noted that a plurality of such elements may be freely disposed even for use with a single person. The water flow pool P in the present embodiment is shown for use with a single person. Incidentally, the pool P has 3700 mm of longitudinal length, 2100 mm of lateral length, and 1430 mm of height. In the thus configured water flow pool 1 according to the present embodiment, the driving motor 15 of the delivery unit 6 is driven to rotate the screw blade 17, and water within the circulating passage 2 is drawn out by the screw action thereof and turned into a jet flow, which is delivered toward the delivery port 3. Since the screw blade 17 is directed obliquely and upwardly, the jet flow is moved upwardly of the water level and assumes a flow on the water level. The water flow control member 12 mounted on the delivery port 3 suppresses a turbulent element of the jet flow to form a uniform water flow. In other words, the water flow control member 12 suppresses scattering of the jet flow to concentrate energy. The water flow control member 12 also serves to protect the body of a swimmer. Water jetted out of the delivery port 3 flows into the tank portion 1 and then flows into the intake ports 4 and 4a formed on the other end of the tank portion 1. Water introduced to the intake port 4 moves within the circulating passage 2 and is again guided to the delivery port 3. This operation is repeated whereby water is forcibly circulated. In a process of this forced circulation of water, the flow water increases its flow velocity in the circulating passage 2 and will not decrease the flow velocity till it reaches the riser portion 2a, and therefore, the screw blade 17 provided at said portion can deliver a powerful jet flow toward the delivery port 3 and create a water flow that may be easily controlled. As a result, the delivery unit 6 will suffice to be a small horsepower, thus improving efficiency. Figs. 3 to 5 shows a further form of a water flow control member. In these drawings, members equal to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals. In the mode shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a single flow straightening plate 22 is arranged to be directed into the tank portion 1 in the central portion of the front surface of the delivery port 3. The flow straightening plate 22 is not limited to one but a different mode can be employed in which two control plates 23 are aligned with minor curvature as shown in Fig. 5. By the provision of these flow straightening plates 22 and 23, the jet flow delivered by the screw blade 17 increases its converging action, concentrates energy and and creates a further powerful water flow. Figs. 6 and 7 show a still another form of the water flow control member. This water flow control member 25 is designed so that a longitudinal flow straightening plate 26 and a lateral flow straightening plate 27, which are in the form of thin plate, are combined in a crossed manner. Reference numeral 28 designates a frame, which holds the flow straightening plates 26 and 27 and is secured to a partitioning wall plate 9 around the delivery port 3 by means of mounting bolts 29. The water flow control member 25 is featurized in that the longitudinal and lateral flow straightening plates 26 and 27 form an internally closed defined space K, which is included in the range of a diameter D of the screw blade 17. By using the water flow control member 25, the jet flow of the screw blade 17 is not only straightened two-dimensionally by the longitudinal and lateral flow straightening plates 26 and 27 but the jet flow converges energy in the defined space K to deliver a powerful water flow to the water tank 1. In this mode, the number of the longitudinal and lateral flow straightening plates 26 and 27 can be further increased. Figs. 8 and 9 show a further embodiment (a second embodiment) of the present invention. In these drawings, members equal to those shown in the previous first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals. A water flow pool Q in this embodiment is featurized in that a tank portion 1 is provided with a deep water tank 1A downstream of a water flow. This deep water tank 1A constitutes a treading water portion, which further adds a health promoting function to the present water flow pool. In the drawing, reference numeral 30 designates a tile portion. It is a natural matter of design that the water flow control members (22, 23, 25) shown in Figs. 3 to 7 can be applied to the water flow control member 12. Fig. 10 shows a still another embodiment (a third embodiment) of the present invention. For the reference numerals, refer to those used in the previous embodiments. In a water flow pool R in this embodiment, there is shown a large pool for accommodating a large number of people, in which water flow is jetted through delivery ports 3 from opposite sides, and the water flow is sucked toward intake ports 4b formed at the bottom in the central portion of the partitioning wall plate 9. For exchange of the water flow control member 12, refer to the previous second embodiment.

Claims: A circulating type water flow pool comprising a circulating passage (2) having a closed section formed in a lower portion of a tank portion (1), said circulating passage having at one end a riser portion (2a) extending to an upper portion of said tank portion and being formed with a delivery port (3) in communication with said tank portion (1), said circulating passage (2) being formed at the other end with an intake port (4) in communication with the tank portion (1), and a water flow control member (12) is mounted on said delivery port (3) at the riser portion (2a) of said circulating passage (2), and a screw blade (17) of a delivery unit (6) actuated by a driving motor (15) is disposed facing said delivery port (3), characterized in that the screw blade (17) is driven by a drive (16) shaft inclined upwardly at an angle of 10° to 30° with respect to a horizontal surface of the water pool, and the control member (12) is designed to impart a converging action on a water jet created by the spinning screw blade (17). A circulating type water flow pool according to claim 1, wherein the water flow control member (12) is single or plural in number. A forced circulating type water flow pool according to claim 1, wherein a suitable number of partitioning plates extended lengthwise are provided in the circulating passage. A forced circulating type water flow pool according to claim 1, wherein a deep tank portion (1A) whose depth is deep is provided downstream of the tank portion.. A circulating type water flow pool according to claim 1, characterized in that said tank portion (1) includes a shallow tank portion communicating with said delivery port (3) and having a depth and size to allow a person to swim therein, and a deep well portion (1A) in communication with said shallow tank portion and said intake port (4), said deep well portion (1A) having a depth and being sized to serve as treading water portion for the swimmer. A circulating type water flow pool according to claim 1, characterized in that said screw blade (17) has a diameter (D) and said water flow control member (12) comprises a pair of adjacent lateral flow straightening plates (27) intersecting a pair of longitudinal flow straightening plates (26) downstream of said screw blade (17), said lateral and longitudinal flow straightening plates defining an internally closed defined space (K) which is included in the range of said diameter (D).

Inventors: HATANAKA MIYOSHI, HATANAKA, MIYOSHI
Applicants: HATANAKA MIYOSHI, HATANAKA, MIYOSHI
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A63B69
IPC codes: A61H33, A63B69