Abstract:
A pump includes a substantially tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and defining a central axis and a chamber within the body portion, and a movable valve assembly slidably received within the housing for movement in the direction of the central axis. The pump also includes a handle assembly slidably disposed at least partially around an outer circumference of the housing for movement in the direction of the central axis, the handle assembly being substantially annular ring-shaped, and the handle assembly including a grip engageable by a hand of an operator for manually sliding the handle assembly, the handle assembly being coupled to the movable valve assembly, manual movement of the handle assembly along the central axis causing corresponding movement on the movable valve assembly along the central axis.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/325,097, filed Apr. 16, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to pumps and, more particularly, to a primer bulb for an engine, such as a marine engine. 
     An engine, such as a marine engine, may employ a rubber primer bulb type pumping device to provide initial prime to the fuel supply system. Such devices are simple rubber bulbs connected to fuel hoses and with a set of one-way valves to direct the direction of pumping when the bulb is squeezed. 
     In one independent aspect, a pump may generally include a substantially tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and defining a central axis and a chamber within the body portion. The pump may also include a movable valve assembly slidably received within the housing for movement in the direction of the central axis, the movable valve assembly dividing the chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion, the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion having first and second volumes which vary with the position of the movable valve assembly, the movable valve assembly including a valve member operable to selectively allow fluid to flow between the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion. The pump may also include a handle assembly slidably disposed at least partially around an outer circumference of the housing for movement in the direction of the central axis, the handle assembly being substantially annular ring-shaped, and the handle assembly including a grip engageable by a hand of an operator for manually sliding the handle assembly, the handle assembly being coupled to the movable valve assembly, manual movement of the handle assembly along the central axis causing corresponding movement on the movable valve assembly along the central axis. 
     In another independent aspect, a pump may generally include a substantially tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and defining a central axis and a chamber within the body portion. The pump may also include an inlet connector coupled to the housing and configured to be coupled to an inlet conduit and including a first outer rim projecting radially beyond an outer surface of the inlet end of the housing. The pump may also include an outlet connector coupled to the housing and configured to be coupled to an outlet conduit and including a second outer rim projecting radially beyond an outer surface of the outlet end of the housing. The pump may also include a movable valve assembly slidably received within the housing for movement in the direction of the central axis, the movable valve assembly dividing the chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion, the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion having first and second volumes that vary with the position of the movable valve assembly, the movable valve assembly including a valve member which selectively allows fluid to flow between the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion. The pump may also include a handle assembly including a grip for manually actuating the handle assembly, the handle assembly being coupled to the movable valve assembly, manual movement of the handle assembly along the central axis causing corresponding movement on the movable valve assembly along the central axis, movement of the handle assembly being limited by the first outer rim and the second outer rim of the inlet connector and the outlet connector, respectively. 
     In yet another independent aspect, a method of assembling a pump is provided. The method may generally include providing a substantially tubular housing having an open inlet end and an open outlet end and defining a central axis and a chamber within the body portion, providing an inlet connector having a first outer rim, and providing an outlet connector having a second outer rim, providing a movable valve assembly including a valve member. The method may also include positioning the movable valve assembly into the chamber for movement in the direction of the central axis, the movable valve assembly being operable to divide the chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion, the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion having first and second volumes that vary with the position of the movable valve assembly, the valve member selectively allowing fluid to flow between the first chamber portion and second chamber portions. The method may also include providing an annular handle assembly including a grip for manually actuating the handle assembly, sliding the handle assembly around an outer circumference of the tubular housing to slidably support the handle assembly with respect to the housing, coupling the inlet connector to the inlet end of the housing and disposing the first outer rim around an outer surface of the inlet end of the housing, and coupling the outlet connector to the outlet end of the housing and disposing the second outer rim around an outer surface of the outlet end of the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a pump, such as a primer bulb, and illustrating the forward position 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the primer bulb shown in  FIG. 1  and illustrating the rearward position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the primer bulb shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the primer bulb shown in  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the primer bulb shown in  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the primer bulb shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 7-12  are views similar to  FIGS. 1-6  of an alternative construction of a pump, such as a primer bulb. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any independent embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     One construction of a pump  10 , such as a primer bulb, for pumping a liquid, such as fuel, to, for example, prime an engine, is shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . It should be understood that, in other constructions, the pump  10  may be used to pump other liquids or fluids. 
     The primer bulb  10  generally includes a housing assembly  12  formed by a main housing portion or cylinder  14  and inlet and outlet end portions  16 ,  18  which cooperate to define a chamber  20 . The main housing portion  14  defines a central axis A, or longitudinal axis. A seal arrangement (not shown) may be provided between the cylinder  14  and the end portions  16 ,  18  to seal the chamber  20 . In the illustrated construction, the inlet end portion  16  provides an inlet to the housing assembly  12  and is connected to a supply of liquid (not shown), such as a fuel container or tank, and the outlet end portion  18  provides an outlet from the housing assembly and is connected to the device to be supplied with liquid, such as an engine (not shown). 
     The inlet and outlet end portions  16 ,  18  includes respective inlet and outlet connectors  22 ,  24 , such as, in the illustrated construction, a barb fitting, for connection to, for example, a conduit, hose, etc. (not shown), providing fluid communication between the fluid source and the engine. It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the connectors  22 ,  24  may have a different shape, size, etc. for connection to a conduit, hose, etc. having a complementary construction. Also, another connecting arrangement, such as clamps, adhesive materials, etc., may provide and/or improve the connection. The connection could also be threaded. 
     A cap  26  is supported by the inlet end portion  16  and provides (or supports) a valve seat  28 . A valve member  30 , such as an umbrella valve member, is supported for selective engagement with the valve seat  28  and provides an inlet valve for the primer bulb  10 . In an open position (see  FIG. 1 ), the inlet valve member  30  is out of engagement with the valve seat  28  such that fluid can enter the chamber  20  through the inlet. In a closed position (see  FIG. 2 ), the inlet valve member  30  engages the valve seat  28  such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the inlet. 
     A carrier  32  is supported for movement in the chamber  20 . The carrier  32  supports a cap  34 , which provides a valve seat  36 , and a valve member  38 , such as an umbrella valve member, is supported for selective engagement with the valve seat  36 . The carrier  32  and the valve member  38  cooperate to divide the chamber  20  into a first chamber portion  40  (e.g., the upstream portion of the chamber  20  in  FIGS. 1-2 ) and a second chamber portion  42  (e.g., the downstream portion of the chamber  20  in  FIGS. 1-2 ). As the carrier  32  and the valve member  38  move in the chamber  20 , the relative volume of the chamber portions  40 ,  42  changes (as illustrated in the relative differences between  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ). 
     A seal  46  is provided between the carrier  32  and an inner surface  48  of the cylinder  10  such that flow between the chamber portions  40 ,  42  is provided only when the valve member  38  is in an open position (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). In the open position (see  FIG. 2 ), the valve member  38  is out of engagement with the valve seat  36  such that fluid can flow between the first chamber portion  40  and the second chamber portion  42  (e.g., from the first chamber portion  40  to the second chamber portion  42  during operation of the primer bulb  10 , as described below). In a closed position (see  FIG. 1 ), the valve member  38  engages the valve seat  36  such that fluid is prevented from flowing between the chamber portions  40 ,  42 . 
     An actuator is provided to move the carrier  32  in the chamber  20  and to selectively open and close the valves  30 ,  38 . In the illustrated construction, the actuator includes a handle assembly  50  formed by handle portions  52 ,  54 . The handle portions  52 ,  54  are generally annular ring-shaped members which surround and are freely slidable along the cylinder  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , each end portion  16 ,  18  includes a respective outer rim  56 ,  58  which fits around the outer surface of the cylinder  14 . The outer rims  56 ,  58  limit movement of the handle assembly along the cylinder  14 . 
     The pump  10  also includes a coupling between the handle assembly  50  and the carrier  32 . In the illustrated construction, the coupling includes a magnet assembly which uses magnetic forces to couple the handle assembly  50  and the carrier  32 . Because, in the illustrated construction, the coupling is provided without direct contact between the handle assembly  50  and the carrier  32 , an opening through the side wall of the cylinder  14  through which these components could be coupled is not required, eliminating the requirement to seal such an opening. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and  5 , the magnet assembly includes an inner magnet member  60  connected to and movable with the carrier  32  and an outer magnet member  62  supported by and movable with the handle assembly  50 . In the illustrated construction, both magnet members  60 ,  62  are magnetically charged. It should be understood that, in other constructions, only one of the magnet members (e.g., magnet member  60 ) is magnetically charged, and the other magnet member (e.g., magnet member  62 ), while not magnetically charged, is formed of a material (e.g., as a metal sleeve) which cooperates with the magnetically-charged member to provide the coupling, e.g., a ferromagnetic material, etc. It should also be understood that, in such a construction, either magnet member  60  or  62  may be magnetically charged. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates assembly of the primer bulb  10 . The cylinder  14  may be formed as an extruded tube, may be injection molded, etc. The carrier  32 , the valve seat  36 , the valve member  38 , the inner magnet member  60  and the seal  46  are assembled as a unit and inserted into the cylinder  14 . The outer magnet member  62  is assembled between the handle portions  52 ,  54 , and the handle assembly  50  is slid onto the cylinder  14 . The handle assembly  50  may be connected as a unit by welding such as spin welding, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, etc. or by using other means, such as adhesives. The connection operation captures the metal component (the outer magnet member  62 ) in the handle portions  52 ,  54 . 
     The magnet members  60 ,  62  are radially aligned, i.e., positioned at about the same axial location, to provide the coupling. The inlet end piece  16 , the cap  26  and the inlet valve member  30  are assembled as a unit and connected to the inlet end of the cylinder  14  (e.g., by welding, adhesive, press-fit, threading, etc.) with the outer rim  56  surrounding the inlet end of the cylinder  14 . The outlet end piece  18  is connected to the outlet end of the cylinder  14  (e.g., by welding, adhesive, press-fit, threading, etc.) with the outer rim  58  surrounding the outlet end of the cylinder  14 . The primer bulb  10  is thus fully assembled (as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ). 
     The primer bulb  10  is connected in the fuel supply. An inlet conduit is connected between the fuel tank and the inlet end connector  22 , and an outlet conduit is connected between the outlet end connector  24  and the engine. The primer bulb  10  may then be operated to prime the engine. The primer bulb  10  may be positioned on a structure (e.g., a vehicle frame (not shown)) such that the operator is not required to support the primer bulb  10  during operation and can, therefore, operate the primer bulb  10  with one hand, as described below. 
       FIGS. 1-2  illustrate operation of the primer bulb  10 . In an initial position (for example, shown in  FIG. 2 ), the handle assembly  50  and the carrier  32  are in a rearward (upstream) position, and the first chamber portion  40  has relatively less volume than the second chamber portion  42 . As the handle assembly  50  is moved toward the forward (downstream) position (downwardly in  FIGS. 1-2 ), the magnetic coupling causes the carrier  32  to also move toward the forward position. This movement also causes the movable valve member  38  supported on the carrier  32  to be in the closed position (see  FIG. 1 ). The resulting vacuum in the first chamber portion  40  causes the inlet valve member  30  to move to the open position and fuel to be drawn into and fill the first chamber portion  40 . The handle assembly  50  is movable until engagement with the outer rim  58  on the outlet end portion  18  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Once the handle assembly  50  reaches the forward position (downstream position), the handle assembly  50  is then moved toward the rearward position (upstream position; upwardly in  FIGS. 1-2 ). Movement of the handle assembly  50  causes movement of the carrier  32  (through the magnetic coupling). This movement also causes the movable valve member  38  to be opened and the inlet valve member  30  to be closed (due to the resulting forces on the fuel in the first chamber portion  40 ). As a result, fuel in the first chamber portion  40  moves through the movable valve  38  to fill the second chamber portion  42 . The handle assembly  50  is movable until engagement with the outer rim  56  on the inlet end portion  16  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     With fuel in the second chamber portion  42 , the handle assembly  50  is again moved toward the forward position. This movement also causes the movable valve member  38  supported on the carrier  32  to be in the closed position (see  FIG. 1 ) such that fuel in the second chamber portion  42  is forced through the outlet. At the same time, the resulting vacuum in the first chamber portion  40  causes the inlet valve member  30  to move to the open position and fuel to be drawn into and fill the first chamber portion  40 . The handle assembly  50  is again movable until engagement with the outer rim  58  on the outlet end portion  18  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Movement of the handle assembly  50 /cycling of the valves  30 ,  38  is continued as necessary (e.g., until the engine is primed). During normal operation of the engine, the engine can draw fuel from the tank through the primer bulb  10  (the valves  30 ,  38  are moved to the open position by the flow of fuel caused by the engine). 
     The illustrated pump priming system  10  is designed primarily for operation by a human hand (engaging and reciprocating the handle assembly  50  and thereby the carrier  32 ), and the handle assembly  50  is configured to be ergonomic and easily grippable (e.g., may include a resilient material coating/surface, contoured grip surface, etc.). However, the handle assembly  50  could be engaged and driven by another means (e.g., mechanical/reciprocating means). 
     In other constructions (not shown), a different actuator may be provided to move the carrier  32  and to thereby operate the valve(s)  30 ,  38 . For example, an axial actuator (such as a piston rod) may penetrate through an end portion  16 ,  18  and be connected directly to the carrier  32  (as in a hand-operated air pump). In such a construction, a seal arrangement would be provided between the actuator and the end portion  16 ,  18  to allow relative movement while preventing leakage. Also, in such a construction, the associated connector  22 ,  24  on the end portion  16 ,  18  may be offset from the axis A to accommodate the actuator along the axis A (or vice versa). Similarly, the valve opening may be offset from the axis A or several valve openings may be provided around the axis A (or vice versa). The associated valve member would be selectively engageable with such opening(s). 
       FIGS. 7-12  illustrate another construction of a primer bulb  110 . The primer bulb  110  may be similar to the primer bulb  10  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , and common elements have the same reference number “100”. 
     In this illustrated construction, rather than umbrella valves  30 ,  38  (see  FIGS. 1-2  and  5 ), the illustrated primer bulb  110  uses check ball valves  130 ,  138  (see  FIGS. 6-7  and  11 ) which are commonly used in the marine industry. It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the primer bulb  110  may use still other valve arrangements (other than the umbrella valve or the check ball valve) and/or combinations of different valve arrangements. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6-7  and  11 , the inlet end piece  116  provides a valve seat  128 , and an inlet check ball  130  is selectively engageable with the valve seat  128  on the end piece  116 . Similarly, a molded spool  132  provides a valve seat  136 , and a check ball  138  is selectively engageable with the valve seat  136  on the spool  132 . A respective cap  164 ,  166  limits movement of each check ball  130 ,  138  towards the open position and may guide movement of the check ball  130 ,  138  between the open and closed positions. A spring member (not shown) may be provided to, for example, locate each check ball  130 ,  138 . 
     In the illustrated constructions, the housing assembly  12 ,  112  of the primer bulb  10 ,  110  could be formed of materials which limit the escape of hydrocarbons. Such materials could include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycarbonate, polycarbonate PBT (PC/PBT) Nylon 6, acetal(acetyl), polyethylene&#39;s with nano-sized platelets that act as a hydrocarbon barrier or any rigid polymer material that meets federal low permeation standards of less than 15 g/sq. m./day. Such a material may be a polymer with an embedded layer of carbon or other platelet particles that prevent hydrocarbon transfer. Acetal is also an exemplary material. The material used should generally be capable of being molded into components for assembly and either without seams or fitting together in such a way that there is no leakage or transfer of hydrocarbons at any seams. 
     While the illustrated primer bulb is intended primarily for fuel, it can also be used in any type of suction application such as the suction and delivery of oil or other fluids needing priming or delivery and, particularly, in the suction and delivery of any fluid needed to prime a fluid circuit, or to pump fluid from a reservoir to another place. 
     Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a pump for priming an engine. Various independent features and independent advantages of the invention may be set forth in the following claims.