Abstract:
This invention relates to a system and method for ensuring that there is an adequate flow of fluid into the pump of a skimmer system by utilizing a skimmer basket bypass. The bypass takes in fluid from beneath the surface of a body of fluid, and avoids the debris basket to ensure adequate flow to the pump.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to systems and methods used to prevent debris from blocking or stopping the flow of fluid drawn from a tank where debris is on or just below the surface. An example of where this method is used is swimming pools. Skimmer systems, including a debris strainer/basket, are used to prevent debris from entering the suction line. The strainer/basket commonly gathers debris that is on or just below the fluid surface, preventing it from entering the suction line. It is common to have a need to remove this debris to prevent it from reducing or stopping the flow of water into the suction line through the strainer/basket. The reduction or discontinuation of water flow into the suction line can cause damage to the pump. 
         [0002]    The filling of the strainer/basket is especially significant during the time of the year when leaves are falling from nearby trees into swimming pools and the person maintaining the skimmer system is away from or forgets to empty the strainer/basket. The amount of debris that is in the strainer/basket cannot be seen without removing the cover that is over the skimmer system. This could result in the debris blocking the flow of water for an extended period of time and causing significant damage. In these situations, there is a need for a method or system that alleviates the need to empty the strainer/basket in order to prevent damage to the pump. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This invention relates to a system and method for ensuring that there is an adequate flow of fluid into the pump of a skimmer system by utilizing a skimmer basket bypass. The fluid is drawn from below the surface to prevent the capture of surface debris. The inlet is configured in a way that provides fluid flow with a minimal amount of suction near the opening. Unless there is resistance to flow through the strainer/basket the amount of flow through the skimmer basket bypass will be very low. 
         [0004]    These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a common pool skimmer system of the type that an example embodiment of the current invention can be installed in. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of an example embodiment of the current invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of an example embodiment of the current invention, additionally illustrating debris build-up. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of an example embodiment of the current invention, additionally illustrating a multi-part skimmer basket bypass. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    In the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the system is composed of a suction pump  10 , a debris basket  20 , and a skimmer basket bypass  40 . When in operation, the system is mostly or completely submerged in a constrained fluid body  30 , in this case a swimming pool. 
         [0010]    Suction pump  10  can be any type of fluid pump that causes fluid (water) to flow from the constrained fluid body  30  through the debris basket  20  (e.g. centrifugal pump, positive displacement pump). Fluid that flows through suction pump  10  is typically circulated back into the constrained fluid body  30 . 
         [0011]    Debris basket  20  can be any type of debris-catching apparatus that allows fluid to flow through it but traps non-fluid debris that is larger than a certain size. In the example embodiment this is composed of wire mesh in the shape of a basket, but can also be composed of other materials (e.g. plastic), and shaped into other forms (e.g. a funnel). 
         [0012]    Skimmer basket bypass  40  has a tube-like structure that allows fluid (water) to flow freely through it. Skimmer basket bypass  40  is constructed of typical tubing material (e.g. PVC, plastic, rubber), and is shaped and placed to allow fluid to flow from the constrained fluid body  30  into the skimmer basket bypass inlet  70 , through the main body of skimmer basket bypass  40 , and out through skimmer basket bypass outlet  80 . In the example embodiment, skimmer basket bypass  40  has a circular cross-section, but the cross-section can be any shape that allows fluid flow. 
         [0013]    Shaping and placement of skimmer basket bypass  40  should allow fluid to avoid debris basket  20  and flow unrestricted towards suction pump  10 . Skimmer basket bypass inlet  70  can optionally be constructed with a screen covering the opening, in order to prevent any debris that is beneath the surface of constrained fluid body  30  from entering skimmer basket bypass  40 . Skimmer basket bypass  40  can also optionally be constructed with small inlet holes along its length, so as to not generate significant vacuum at any location along the tube. 
         [0014]    In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , debris  50  has collected in debris basket  20  and is preventing the flow of fluid to suction pump  10 . This situation can result in damage to suction pump  10 , especially if allowed to continue for an extended period of time (e.g. because the maintainer is away or because the collected debris is obscured by a cover). The skimmer bypass method and system can prevent this damage, however, as fluid will flow into skimmer basket bypass inlet  70  and continue as the arrows indicate to suction pump  10 , maintaining flow and preventing damage. 
         [0015]    In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , skimmer basket bypass  40  is connected to debris basket  20  at connector  60 . Although skimmer basket bypass  40  has been shown previously as a single constructed piece, this shows that it can be constructed in multiple pieces in order to support additional advantages such as allowing for ease of installation/maintenance, and allowing for adjustability to keep the system close to the pool wall to minimize disruption of use of the pool. Multiple piece construction can also allow skimmer basket bypass  40  to be retracted or removed when not in use. 
         [0016]    While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.