Patent Publication Number: US-10760586-B2

Title: Pool pump with multiple outlets

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/915,609, filed Dec. 13, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to pumps and, more particularly, to centrifugal pumps for use in connection with fluid circulation systems for swimming pools, spas and other recreational bodies of water. 
     Numerous pumps have been developed in the past for use in connection with fluid circulation systems for swimming pools, spas, whirlpools and the like. A pump should adapt easily to the specific configuration of the existing fluid circulation system. For example, a return line of the fluid circulation system (which is typically connected to the pump, directly or indirectly) could be positioned either horizontally, vertically, or in any position therebetween; and, therefore, the outlet of the pump must be aligned with the return line accordingly. 
     However, many conventional pumps are not easily adaptable to a wide variety of configurations of fluid systems, and doing so typically involves substantial or total disassembly of the pumps. As a result, much time and labor are required to make the pumps adaptable. 
     Sometimes, a contractor who has been retained to install the pump must carry on hand two sets of pumps, one having a vertically positioned outlet and one having a horizontally positioned outlet, in order to ensure he or she has the correct pump that will adapt to the specific configuration of the fluid circulation system. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,531,092 discloses a pump having a casing with a single outlet which can be positioned vertically or horizontally, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. However, the operation of altering the position of casing involves releasing a latching mechanism and manually turning the pump casing until the latch engages one of the tabs in the pump housing to align and secure the outlet in the desired position. 
     There is a need for a simple method of selecting the position of the outlet which involved less manual handling of the pump with easier selection of the outlet position to suit different operational requirements and configurations of the fluid circulation system. 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided herein is a liquid pump for use with a fluid circulation system for a body of water which can include a strainer assembly; a centrifugal pump assembly having at least first and second outlet ports respectively oriented in vertical and horizontal directions; a motor; and, at least one cap configured and dimensioned to engage and close an outlet port. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the swimming pool pump assembly of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the inlet side of the centrifugal pump assembly; and 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the outlet side of the centrifugal pump assembly. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. 
     Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     The swimming pool pump assembly described herein includes a centrifugal pump assembly which has a casing with a double outside shell to minimize expansion and obtain the benefit of thinner walls to save in material costs and minimize the visible internal shell expansion. Plural outlet ports are included for the end user to easily select the direction of fluid outlet. A cap for the outlet ports allows the end user to select the desired outlet without manually disengaging the centrifugal pump to change its configuration. The centrifugal pump housing is streamlined to improve performance. The front side of the centrifugal pump assembly is circular to have better water movement inside the pump. A housing extension is provided to cover the motor face. The housing extension also preferably has a slot at the bottom for the passage of air to cool the motor and for drainage of water in case of a leakage. Grounding plates for water bonding may be built into the swimming pool pump assembly to conform to state and federal ordinances. 
     More particularly now referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , swimming pool pump assembly  100  includes a strainer assembly  110 , a centrifugal pump assembly  120  and a motor  130 . Strainer assembly includes a strainer housing  110   a  that has a front side  111 , a rear side  112 , a top  113  and a bottom  114 . An inlet  115  for water is positioned on front side  111  of the strainer housing. A strainer basket (not shown) is typically enclosed in strainer housing  110   a  and is employed to filter the water passing therethrough. An outlet of the strainer assembly admits filtered water into centrifugal pump assembly  120 . 
     Centrifugal pump assembly  120  includes a casing  121  having an outer shell  121   a  and an inner shell  121   b  ( FIG. 2 ) concentrically disposed within outer shell  121   a  and spaced apart therefrom. Centrifugal pump assembly  120  includes at least first and second outlet ports  122 / 123 . First outlet port  122  can include an internal thread  122   a  and an external thread  122   b  and is oriented in a vertical direction (see  FIG. 1 ). Second outlet port  123  can include an internal thread  123   a  and an external thread  123   b  and is oriented in a horizontal direction (see  FIG. 1 ). Additional outlet ports can be incorporated in the centrifugal pump assembly to accommodate other outlet directions. Preferably, the outlet ports are of the same size and configuration, although they may be constructed of different sizes and configurations if desired. Axial aperture  124  is adapted to receive a rotatable shaft powered by motor  130  to operate the rotor (not shown) of the centrifugal pump. Centrifugal pump assembly  130  also includes an annular housing extension  125  to cover a motor face. Housing extension  125  preferably has a slot  126  at the bottom to permit the passage of air to cool the motor. Also, if there is any leakage of water into centrifugal pump assembly  120 , slot  126  facilitates its drainage. 
     Motor  130  rests upon pedestal  131  and is a conventional pool pump motor. 
     The invention further includes at least one cap  140  ( FIG. 1 ) configured and dimensioned to fit on and close an outlet port  122  or  123 . Typically, cap  140  will have an internal thread configured and dimensioned to engage the external thread of the outlet port. However, it is also possible for the cap to have an external thread adapted to engage the internal thread of the outlet port to be closed. 
     The outlet side of centrifugal pump assembly  120  is shown in  FIG. 3 . Included therein is a channel  127  formed into the outer circumference of the centrifugal pump assembly  120 . Channel  127  connects with each outlet port  122 / 123 . Channel  127  assists to direct the flow of water to and out of outlet ports  122 / 123 . 
     A significant feature of the invention is the option given to the end user to select the desired outlet port direction with a minimum of handling. For example, if the end user wishes to have a vertical outlet for swimming pool pump assembly  100 , cap  140  can be screwed onto horizontal second outlet port  123  to close it off and allow water to exit only through vertical first outlet port  122 . Conversely, if the user wishes to have a horizontal outlet for swimming pool pump assembly  100 , cap  140  can be screwed onto vertical first second outlet port  122  to close it off and allow water to exit only through horizontal second outlet port  123 . The centrifugal pump casing and outlet ports are stationary and do not rotate relative to the strainer assembly or motor. Additional manipulation of swimming pool pump assembly  100  is not needed for the purpose of outlet port selection, thereby providing a fluid pump with reduced complexity, lower cost and greater adjustability and user convenience. Alternatively, both outlet ports  122 ,  123  can be left open as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     While the above description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. For example, the swimming pool pump assembly can be in connection with fluid circulation systems for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, whirlpools, and any other bathing facilities. Those skilled in the art will envision many other embodiments within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.