Patent Publication Number: US-11022123-B2

Title: Transfer pump and transfer pump accessory

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/634,411 filed Feb. 23, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present subject matter relates to a transfer pump for the transfer of a fluid, such as water, from one location to another location. Typically, a motorized pump is used to aid the transfer of the fluid. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a transfer pump is disclosed. A transfer pump includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. A main pump path disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A bypass path disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A motor in fluid communication with the main pump path. The motor being configured to be energized to move a fluid through the main pump path and the bypass path. The fluid movement being indicative of a non-siphoning condition occurring between the inlet and the outlet. A flow sensor disposed in fluid communication with the bypass path, the flow sensor being configured to generate a flow rate signal indicative of a flow rate of fluid in the bypass path. A controller in communication with the flow sensor for receiving the flow rate signal. The controller being configured to de-energize the motor when the flow rate signal satisfies a first flow rate threshold indicative of a siphoning condition occurring between the inlet and the outlet. 
     In another embodiment, a method of operating a transfer pump is disclosed. The method includes providing a pump being configured to transfer a fluid through a primary channel and a bypass channel, the pump including a motor being configured to transfer the fluid through the primary channel. Determining a flow rate associated with the fluid being transferred through the primary channel or the bypass channel. De-energizing the motor to discontinue the transfer of the fluid through the primary channel based on the flow rate satisfying a first flow rate threshold. 
     In yet another embodiment, a transfer pump accessory is disclosed. The transfer pump accessory includes a first fitting configured to operably couple to an inlet of a transfer pump, a second fitting configured to operably couple to an outlet of the transfer pump, a conduit fluidly coupled between the first fitting and the second fitting, the conduit being configured to transport a fluid, a valve disposed within the conduit, the valve being operable between an open position and a closed position, and an attachment bypass path defined from the first fitting through the conduit to the second fitting. The transfer pump accessory is operatively connected to at least one of a motor interface and a controller. When the valve is in an open position and a siphon condition has been reached, the fluid will siphon through the attachment bypass path. 
     Other aspects of the present subject matter will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a transfer pump body according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective and schematic view of a transfer pump system including the transfer pump body of  FIG. 1  with a motor, a power source, and controller operatively coupled thereto. 
         FIG. 3A  is a plan view of an example display for the system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3B-3D  are plan views of example input controls for the system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates modes initiated by the controller based on a relationship between a flow rate and an operation time of the transfer pump. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method of transferring fluid via the transfer pump of  FIG. 1  and/or the system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a bypass attachment accessory for a standard transfer pump in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the present subject matter 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 present subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a transfer pump  10 , which may also be referred to as a utility pump. The components of the transfer pump  10  are supported by a housing  12 , or body. The housing  12  includes an inlet  14 , an outlet  16 , a main pump path  18  defined in the housing  12  between the inlet  14  and the outlet  16 , and a bypass path  20  defined in the housing  12  between the inlet  14  and outlet  16 . The transfer pump  10  may include a main housing (not shown) generally enclosing and/or supporting the components of the transfer pump  10  and/or including other features for the transfer pump  10  such as a carrying handle, a hanging apparatus, a base or feet to increase the stability of the transfer pump  10 , lubricant, a hose, and additional components (e.g., extra impellers, valves, etc.). 
     The inlet  14  is fluidly coupled to a source of fluid, such as a liquid medium (e.g., water, mud, oil, and/or the like), that enters the transfer pump  10 . The transfer pump  10  is configured for the source of fluid to exit the transfer pump  10  via the outlet  16  by way of pumping the fluid along the main pump path  18  and/or the bypass path  20  as described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet  14  and outlet  16  are disposed on an upper section of the housing  12 . The inlet  14  and outlet  16  may extend from the housing  12  at an angle with respect to each other, e.g., at an angle of between about 30 and about 160 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle is about 90 degrees. The term “about” is defined herein as plus or minus 10 degrees. In other embodiments, the transfer pump  10  may be constructed with a side discharge outlet and/or the inlet  14  and the outlet  16  may be disposed in different locations or angles with respect to each other, such as about 180 degrees, or any other suitable angle. 
     The inlet  14  and outlet  16  may include, or be coupled with, respective connectors  22 ,  24  to allow easy connection of a conduit (not shown), (e.g., a garden hose, pipe, tube, lumen, and/or the like) to the transfer pump  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet  14  and outlet  16  both have threaded hose connectors  22 ,  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors  22 ,  24  have external threads that are sized and configured for connection to a standard garden hose or other conduit. In other embodiments, one or both of the connectors  22 ,  24  may be internally threaded for a standard garden hose or other conduit. In yet other embodiments, the connectors  22 ,  24  may include quick connectors, cam locks, or other types of connection mechanisms. Additionally, the inlet  14  and outlet  16  not have the same type or configuration of connector. 
     The main pump path  18  is defined in the housing  12  by or between the inlet  14 , the outlet  16 , and a main channel  26 , which fluidly connects the inlet  14  and the outlet  16 . The bypass path  20  is defined in the housing  12  by or between the inlet  14 , the outlet  16 , and a bypass channel  28 , which may be disposed in parallel with the main channel  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bypass path  20  is disposed above the main pump path  18  within the housing  12 . In other embodiments, the bypass path  20  may be disposed below the main pump path  18 . Generally, the bypass path  20  is disposed horizontally, or approximately horizontally (e.g., within 30 degrees of horizontal), through the transfer pump  10 . In other embodiments, the bypass path  20  may have other orientations, shapes, and/or configurations. 
     The housing  12  further defines a metering cavity  30  in fluid communication with the bypass path  20  for gauging a fluid flow through the pump and an impeller cavity  32  for receiving a motor impeller (as will be described in greater detail below) in fluid communication with the main pump path  18 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a transfer pump system  34  including the transfer pump  10  with a motor  36  having an impeller  38  disposed in the main pump path  18  for moving the fluid, and a control system  40 , which is described in greater detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor  36  is coupled to the housing  12  by fasteners (not shown) positioned through apertures  42  formed in the housing  12 . The impeller  38  is disposed in the impeller cavity  32 . In other embodiments, the motor  36  may be coupled to the housing  12  by a fitting, support, or other connection means. 
     A one-way valve  44 , or check valve, may be disposed in the bypass path  20  (e.g., in the metering cavity  30 ) to allow fluid to flow through the bypass path  20  in a direction from the inlet  14  towards the outlet  16  and to inhibit the flow of fluid in an opposite direction, i.e., from the outlet  16  towards the inlet  14 . In this way, the one-way valve  44  may inhibit backflow. In the illustrated embodiment, the one-way valve  44  may be disposed in the upstream half of the bypass path  20 , closer to the inlet  14  than to the outlet  16 . In other embodiments, the one-way valve  44  may be disposed at any location within the bypass path  20 , e.g., in the downstream half closer to the outlet  16  than to the inlet  14 , proximate to the middle of the bypass path  20 , and/or the like. 
     A flow sensor  46  may be disposed within the metering cavity  30  of the bypass path  20 . The flow sensor  46  is configured to measure, or detect, a rate (e.g., a flow rate) at which the fluid flows between the inlet  14  and the outlet  16  through the bypass path  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flow sensor  46  may be disposed approximately midway between the inlet  14  and outlet  16  in the bypass path  20 , but may be disposed in the upstream half or the downstream half of the bypass path  20  in other embodiments. In yet other embodiments, the flow sensor  46  may be disposed in the main pump path  18  or disposed anywhere between the inlet  14  and the outlet  16  for sensing the rate of fluid flow therebetween. 
     The flow sensor  46  may include a paddle wheel that is rotatably mounted in the metering cavity  30  by way of a rotatably mounted hub  48 , or shaft, and the flow sensor  46  may include one or more paddle arms  50  extending generally radially from the hub  48 . The paddle arms  50  may be arranged around the hub  48  such that the paddle arms  50  are even in number, odd in number, spaced equidistant around the hub  48 , spaced non-equidistant around the hub  48 , and/or the like. The flow sensor  46  may include one or more magnetic elements (not shown) cooperating with a Hall Effect sensor  52 , such that the Hall Effect sensor  52  may be used to determine the rate at which the fluid is flowing through the bypass path  20  and generate a flow rate signal indicative of the same. The one or more magnetic elements (e.g., magnets) may be disposed on the flow sensor  46  (e.g., by way of magnet(s) mounted on a paddle arm  50 , the hub  48 , and/or the like), may be integrated with the flow sensor  46  (e.g., by way of magnet(s) being integrally molded inside a paddle arm  50 , the hub  48 , and/or the like), and/or the like. In this way, the Hall Effect sensor  52  may generate a flow rate signal indicative of the rate at which fluid is flowing through the bypass path  20  based on determining a count, a speed, a rate, and/or the like at which the magnetic element(s) move in response to the fluid flowing through the bypass path  20 . In some embodiments, a portion of the hub  48  and/or one or more of the paddle arms  50  may be formed from a magnetic material. In other embodiments, the flow sensor  46  may include a polarized magnetic collar disposed on the paddle wheel&#39;s spinning hub  48 , or shaft. In yet other embodiments, the flow sensor  46  may include other flow rate sensing mechanisms (e.g., flow meters) for determining the flow rate of the fluid flowing between the inlet  14  and the outlet  16 . Additionally, the flow sensor  46  may be disposed in any part of the bypass path  20  for measuring the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the bypass path  20 . 
     A power source  54  is operatively connected to the motor  36  and provides power thereto. The power source  54  may additionally supply power to the flow sensor  46 , in cases where the flow sensor  46  is electric. In some embodiments, the power source  54  includes an interchangeable and rechargeable battery pack. The battery pack may provide a direct current electrical power supply to the motor  36  and may include one or more battery cells. For example, the battery pack may be a 12-volt battery pack and may include three (3) Lithium-ion battery cells. In other embodiments, the battery pack may include fewer or more battery cells such that the battery pack is a 14.4-volt battery pack, an 18-volt battery pack, or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the battery cells may have chemistries other than Lithium-ion such as, for example, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal-Hydride, or the like. The power source  54  may additionally or alternatively include a cord providing an alternating current power supply, e.g., from a utility source such as a standard outlet, and may include a transformer as necessary. In other embodiments, the motor  36  may be powered by other sources such as oil, gas, a fuel cell, a solar cell, combinations thereof, and/or the like. 
     A controller  56  is operatively coupled to the motor  36 , the flow sensor  46 , and/or the power source  54  to control activation and deactivation of the motor  36  based on flow rate signals obtained from the flow sensor  46  as described herein. In this way, the controller  56  may cause the pump to perform a pumping process in a motorized state/mode or a non-motorized state/mode (e.g., a bypass mode) based on evaluating the flow rate signals from the flow sensor  46 . In this way, the motor may be activated to improve the pumping process in some embodiments, and the motor may be deactivated to conserve energy, reduce waste, decrease noise, and/or the like in some embodiments as described herein. 
     The controller  56  is operatively coupled to be in communication with the flow sensor  46 , to receive one or more flow rate signals from the flow sensor  46 . In this way, the controller  56  may cause the transfer pump  10  to function in the motorized mode or the bypass mode based on comparing the flow rate signals obtained from the flow sensor  46  to one or more thresholds as described herein. In some embodiments, the controller  56  may be operatively coupled to the flow sensor  46  by way of a wired connection, a wireless connection (e.g., a Wi-Fi connection), and/or any other suitable connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller  56  is an electronic controller, but in other embodiments may include analog or mechanical control systems. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  56  includes a programmable processor implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software for implementing the motorized mode, the bypass mode, or a system disable mode. The processor is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP) a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. The controller  56  additionally includes a memory, and the processor includes one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform a function or mode. The memory may include, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area can include combinations of different types of memory, such as read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”) (e.g., dynamic RAM [“DRAM”], synchronous DRAM [“SDRAM”], etc.), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), flash memory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical, physical, electronic memory devices, or other data structures. The controller  56  may also, or alternatively, include integrated circuits and/or analog devices, e.g., transistors, comparators, operational amplifiers, etc., to execute logic described below with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     The controller  56  may perform one or more processes described herein. The controller  56  may perform these processes based on the processor executing software instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as the memory. A computer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A memory device includes memory space within a single physical storage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storage devices. Software instructions may be read into the memory from another computer-readable medium or from another device via a communication interface (e.g., a transceiver, a receiver, and/or the like). When executed, the software instructions stored in the memory may cause the processor to perform one or more processes described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , and in some embodiments, the transfer pump  10  may also include a display  58  and one or more user input controls  60 . The display  58  may include a user interface such as a screen, a graphical user interface (GUI), and/or the like. The display  58  may be configured to display various information associated with and/or relating to the transfer pump  10 , such as an operational mode of the transfer pump  10 , an error associated with the transfer pump  10 , and/or the like. The user input controls  60  may include one or more of a touch screen control, a push-button control, a rotatable knob-type control, a switch, and/or the like. The user input controls  60  may facilitate user interaction with the transfer pump  10 , whereby a user may instruct the transfer pump  10  to turn on/off, perform a pumping process at a certain rate, and/or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , an example display  58  and user control  60  is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the display  58  includes an indicator light  60 , such as an LED or other suitable type of light, and a legend or key  62  for associating the meaning of a behavior exhibited by the indicator light  60  with a particular status and/or error. For example, as illustrated in the key  62 , the indicator light  60  may (1) emit continuous illumination to indicate the power is ON to the transfer pump  10 , (2) emit sinusoidal illumination and dimming to indicate the motor  36  is over temperature, (3) flash on and off to indicate that the pump has run dry, and/or (4) emit two flashes and a pause (on repeat) to indicate a pump overload. In other embodiments, the display  58  may include any other keys employing any other suitable indication behaviors, or any other suitable indication system for communicating status and/or errors to the user, such as individual lights for each status and/or error, a screen displaying words, symbols, or other indicia communicating the status and/or error, a speaker audibly communicating the status and/or error, or any other suitable form of communication. 
       FIG. 3B-3D  illustrate example user input controls  64 A- 64 C, which may be provided on the transfer pump  10 . For example, a first input control  64 A may be an ON/OFF switch  66 , which is manually engageable and/or actuatable by an user to turn the transfer pump  10  ON or OFF.  FIG. 3C  illustrates a second input control  64 B, which may include a manually actuatable slidable bypass mode selector  68  or a push-button bypass mode selector  70 , for manually turning ON and OFF a bypass mode of the controller  56  to respectively disengage and engage the motor  36 . In other cases, as described below, the bypass mode may be automatically implemented by the controller  56 .  FIG. 3D  illustrates a third input control  64 C, which may include a rotatable selector  72  knob or turn dial for inputting a desired quantity of water to be transferred during use of the transfer pump  10 . In the illustrated embodiments, the input controls may include one or more of a rocker switch, a push button, a turn dial, and/or any combination thereof. Other types of input controls (e.g., a toggle switch, a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, another type of touch sensor, a touch sensor integrated into a display screen, a selector, and/or the like) are contemplated. Such input controls may be disposed on the transfer pump  10  in any desired arrangement or location for allowing a user to interact with the transfer pump  10  to turn the pump on/off, transfer fluid, and/or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the third input control  64 C, illustrated in  FIG. 3D , may allow the user to select a desired quantity of water to be transferred before the transfer pump  10  is automatically turned off. The transfer pump  10  may also include OFF and ON setting, where the ON setting may include an unlimited time duration and/or volumetric throughput duration. In this way, the selector  72  may be operatively coupled to the controller  56  to send a signal to the controller  56  indicative of the desired amount of water such that the controller  56  is programmed to turn off the transfer pump  10  when the inputted desired amount of water is transferred through the pump, as measured by the flow sensor  46 . For example, as illustrated, the selector  72  provides indicia (e.g., a scale) of selectable water quantities, e.g., 10 gallons, 20 gallons, 30 gallons, 40 gallons, 50 gallons, etc., and an infinite run time (e.g., ON). Other desirable quantities and/or indicia may be employed in other embodiments. The scale may be continuous, allowing the user to select values in between the indicia on the selector  72 , or discrete. In other embodiments, the selector  72  may be based on motor  36  run time rather than quantity of water. Also, in other embodiments, the selector may include other forms, such as a slider, up/down selector buttons and an indicator for an amount selected, or the like, or be part of an input device, such as a display screen having a touch sensor. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates various modes of operating the transfer pump  10  that may be implemented by the controller  56 . The various modes may be based on the controller  56  determining that a flow rate of the fluid passing through the transfer pump  10  (e.g., as measured by the flow sensor  46 ) satisfies a threshold, or based on the controller  56  determining that a flow rate of the fluid passing through the transfer pump  10  in combination with an operation time (e.g., as measured by an onboard clock that is included with and/or communicatively coupled to the controller  56 , not shown) satisfies one or more thresholds. The controller  56  is configured to determine or detect a variety of conditions based on flow rates and/or operation times, which allows the controller  56  to determine whether to operate the transfer pump  10  in a (i) a bypass mode  74 , (ii) a motorized mode  76 , or (ii) a system disable mode  78  as described herein. 
     In the bypass mode  74 , the motor  36  is OFF (de-energized, disengaged, and/or the like), as the controller  56  may determine the flow rate of the fluid passing through the transfer pump  10  to be associated with a siphoning condition in which the fluid may pass through the transfer pump  10  without having to engage the motor  36 . In this way, cost and/or energy savings may be realized. In the motorized mode  76 , the motor  36  is ON (e.g., engaged, energized, and/or the like), as the controller  56  may determine the flow rate of the fluid passing through the transfer pump to be associated with a non-siphoning condition in which the motor may be required to pump the fluid through the transfer pump  10 . In the system disable mode  78 , the system  34  may be disabled as the controller  56  may determine that the rate of fluid flowing through the system  34  may be so low during a predetermined time threshold that the controller  56  disables the system. In this way, the lifetime of the transfer pump  10  may improve. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  56  is configured to determine the mode of operability of the transfer pump. For example, the transfer pump  10  may cause the transfer pump  10  to operate in the bypass mode  74  upon disabling of the motor  36  when one or more bypass conditions are satisfied. In the illustrated embodiment, a bypass condition may include a flow rate (e.g., or a flow rate signal) satisfying a first flow rate threshold  80 . The first flow rate threshold  80  may be a predetermined flow rate level or value at or above which it is determined that the fluid automatically siphons through the pump (e.g., through the bypass path  20 ) without having to engage the motor  36 . The controller  56  is configured to detect when the siphoning condition occurs based on obtaining an indication of the flow rate from the flow sensor  46  and comparing the flow rate to the first flow rate threshold, and operate the transfer pump  10  in the bypass mode  74  via turning off the motor  36 . In this way, energy may be conserved, the pump motor  36 /impeller  38  may be protected from undue damage or wear, operating conditions (e.g., noise level, etc.) may be improved, and/or the like. In this way, the fluid transfer may rely on a siphoning condition occurring between the inlet  14  and outlet  16 . When in the bypass mode, the fluid may flow (e.g., siphon) through both the primary path  18  and the bypass path  20 , or the fluid may flow only the bypass path  20 , as desired. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  56  is configured to cause the transfer pump  10  to operate in the motorized mode  76  when one or more motorized mode conditions or non-siphoning conditions are satisfied. In the illustrated embodiment, a non-siphoning condition may include a flow rate (e.g., or a flow rate signal) failing to satisfy the first flow rate threshold  80 . The controller  56  is configured to detect when the non-siphoning condition occurs and operate the transfer pump  10  in the motorized mode  76  via turning the motor  36  on and/or continuing to engage the motor  36 . Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the non-siphoning conditions may be associated with the flow rate and/or the flow rate signal falling between the first flow rate threshold  80  and a second flow rate threshold  82 . The controller  56  may be configured to operate the transfer pump such that the operation modes automatically fluctuate between the motorized mode  76  (e.g., energizing the motor) and the bypass mode  74  (e.g., de-energizing the motor) based on fluctuations in a flow rate of fluid passing between the inlet  14  and outlet  16 . In this way, energy may be conserved, the pump motor  36 /impeller  38  may be protected from undue damage or wear, operating conditions (e.g., noise level, etc.) may be improved, and/or the like. When in the motorized mode, the fluid may flow (e.g., pump) through both the primary path  18  and the bypass path  20 , or the fluid may only be pumped through the primary path  18 , as desired. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  56  is configured to cause the transfer pump to enter the system disabled mode when one or more system disable mode conditions are satisfied. In the illustrated embodiment, a system disable mode condition may include a flow rate fails to satisfy a flow rate threshold (e.g., the second flow rate threshold  82 , which may correspond to a minimum flow rate value) and/or a time threshold  84  being satisfied. A clock or timer (not shown) may be used by the controller  56  to monitor time and determine whether the time threshold  84  has been reached. The time threshold  84  may, for example, be about 10 seconds or more, about 30 seconds or more, or any other suitable amount of time in other embodiments, such as less than 10 seconds, or more than 30 seconds. The controller  56  is configured to detect when the system disable mode conditions occur and operate the system in the system disabled mode by automatically powering off the transfer pump  10  and/or system  34 . In this way, the degree of safety associated with operating a pump may improve. Additionally, undue damage to the pump may be prevented and, thus, the lifetime of the transfer pump  10  may be extended. When in the system disable mode, fluid may be inhibited from passing through the primary path  18  and the bypass path  20 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart of a method  100  for the selective operation of transfer pump  10  and/or components (e.g., motor, impeller, and/or the like) thereof. The transfer pump  10  is provided, which is configured to transfer a fluid through the main pump path  18  and the bypass path  20 . At start-up, the controller  56  is configured to cause the motor  36  to transfer the fluid through the main pump path  18  (block  102 ). The controller  56  determines a flow rate associated with the fluid being transferred through the main pump path  18  or the bypass path  20  (block  104 ). The controller  56  turns the motor  36  OFF to discontinue transfer of the fluid through the main pump path  18  based on the flow rate satisfying the first flow rate threshold  80  (block  106 ). The controller  56  may implement logic that determines when to enter the bypass mode  74 , the motorized mode  76 , and/or the system disable mode  78 , as described herein. The controller  56  may cause the transfer pump  10  to fluctuate between the various modes as described herein, based on determining conditions satisfying various flow rate thresholds and/or timing thresholds. 
     The flow sensor  46  may continuously (which may include periodically or intermittently) monitor a flow rate of fluid passing through the transfer pump  10  and send signals, i.e., data, to the controller  56  for determining when to energize and de-energize the motor  36  to continue and discontinue the transfer of the fluid through the main pump path  18  based on the flow rate satisfying a first flow rate threshold  80 . Thus, the transfer pump  10  saves energy by de-energizing the motor  36  when a natural siphoning condition does the work to transfer the fluid and the motor  36  is not needed, and re-energizes the motor  36  when the siphoning condition ends to provide forced fluid transfer. 
     In operation, a first hose (not shown) may be coupled to the inlet  14  and a second hose (not shown) may be coupled to the outlet  16 . When the user turns the transfer pump  10  ON, the controller  56  activates or energizes the motor  36 . The energized motor  36  begins transferring fluid through the main pump path  18 , and fluid may also pass through the bypass path  20  in parallel with the main pump path  18 . When a siphoning condition occurs, as indicated by the flow rate signal from the flow sensor  46  being at or above the first flow rate threshold  80 , the controller  56  may de-activate the motor  36 . When the siphoning condition ends, as indicated by the flow rate signal from the flow sensor  46  dropping to or below the first flow rate threshold  80 , the controller  56  may re-activate the motor  36  to improve the flow rate and encourage re-establishment of a siphoning condition. To reduce overheating of the motor  36 , a time threshold  84  may be applied to limit the run time of the motor  36  while attempting to induce a siphon. In some embodiments, the user may choose to operate the transfer pump  10  in a conventional manner (e.g., the motor  36  turning ON or OFF based on the switch  66 ) by turning OFF the bypass mode (e.g.,  FIG. 3C ) by way of manually actuating the bypass selector  68 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a bypass attachment  200 , which is a retrofittable transfer pump accessory that is coupleable to a standard transfer pump (e.g., a transfer pump such as the one shown and described in  FIG. 2 , but not having bypass path functionality integrated therein). The bypass attachment  200  may operate similar to the bypass path  20  and components therein (e.g., flow sensor  46 , valve  44 , and/or the like) as described above, and may be operatively connected to at least one of a motor interface  202  and the controller  56 , whereby the controller  56  may selectively control the motor  36  (e.g., energized or de-energize the motor  36 ) based on a flow rate of fluid passing through the bypass attachment  200 . The bypass attachment  200  may be operatively connected to at least one of the controller  56  and the motor interface  202  via a wired connection, wireless connection and/or the like. The operative connection allows the bypass attachment  200  to communicate with the controller  56  and/or motor interface  202  to cause the transfer pump to selectively enter a bypass mode or a motorized mode. In the bypass mode, the motor  36  of the transfer pump may be de-energized to conserve energy and facilitate other benefits described above. In the motorized mode, the motor  36  of the transfer pump may be energized and operate similar to that of a standard transfer pump. 
     The bypass attachment  200  may include a first fitting  204 , a second fitting  206 , and a conduit  208  fluidly coupled between the first fitting  204  and the second fitting  206 . An attachment bypass path  210  is defined by or between the first fitting  204 , the conduit  208 , and the second fitting  206 . The first fitting  204  may include a first inner threaded surface  212  configured to be coupled to the inlet (e.g., similar to the inlet  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) of the standard transfer pump. The first fitting  204  also includes a first outer threaded surface  214  configured to be coupled to a hose, such as a garden hose. The second fitting  206  includes a second inner threaded surface  216  configured to be coupled to the outlet (e.g., similar to the outlet  16  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) of the standard transfer pump. The first fitting  204  may include a second outer threaded surface  218  configured to be coupled to another conduit, such as a garden hose. 
     The bypass attachment  200  may additionally include a valve actuator  220 , such as a knob (e.g., a wing knob), operatively coupled to allow a user to selectively open and close a valve  222  disposed in the conduit  208 . The valve  222  may include a butterfly valve, or any other suitable valve capable of assuming an open position and a closed position. When the valve  222  is in an open position, fluid may pass through the valve  222  and thus through the conduit  208 . When the valve  222  is in a closed position, the fluid is inhibited from passing through the valve  222  and thus is inhibited from passing through the conduit  208 . In other embodiments, other types of actuators for opening and closing the valve  222  may be employed. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the conduit  208  is formed from multiple separate conduit portions  224 A,  224 B; however, in other embodiments, the conduit  208  may be formed as a single piece. In some embodiments, the bypass attachment  200  may include a one-way valve (not shown), such as the one-way valve  44  described above and shown in  FIG. 1 , for inhibiting backflow. The one-way valve (not shown) may be disposed anywhere in the bypass attachment  200 , such as in the first fitting  204 , in the conduit  208 , or in the second fitting  206 . In other embodiments, the valve  222  may inhibit backflow with the one-way feature integrated therein. 
     In operation, the user may retrofit the standard transfer pump with the bypass attachment  200  by coupling the first fitting  204  to the standard transfer pump inlet (e.g., similar to the inlet  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) and coupling the second fitting  206  to the standard transfer pump outlet (e.g., similar to the outlet  16  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) such that the conduit  208  extends between the first and second fittings  204 ,  206 . The user may monitor the standard transfer pump and manually actuate the valve actuator  220  to position the valve  222  in the open position, thus manually turning the motor (e.g., the motor  36 ) OFF, e.g., by actuating a switch (such as the switch  66 ). When the valve  222  is in an open position and if a siphon condition has been reached, the fluid will siphon through the attachment bypass path  210 , thus saving motor and/or battery life. 
     In yet another embodiment, the bypass attachment  200  may be integrated into the standard transfer pump. Thus, the transfer pump (not shown) includes a bypass path (e.g., similar to the bypass path  20 ) integrated into the housing (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) and has a manually-actuatable valve (such as the valve  222  and valve actuator  220  illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) disposed in the bypass path instead of the flow sensor  46 . Thus, the transfer pump is manually actuatable as described above with respect to  FIG. 6  to open and close the bypass path and manually turn the motor (e.g., the motor  36 ) ON and OFF to save power during a siphoning condition. 
     The disclosure herein provides, among other things, a transfer pump  10  and a bypass attachment  200  that reduce energy consumption by de-energizing the motor  36  during natural siphoning conditions. 
     Some implementations are described herein in connection with thresholds. As used herein, satisfying a threshold may refer to a value being greater than the threshold, more than the threshold, higher than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than the threshold, fewer than the threshold, lower than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, or the like. 
     Various features and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in the following claims.