US20110318196A1 - Integrated pump priming system - Google Patents
Integrated pump priming system Download PDFInfo
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- US20110318196A1 US20110318196A1 US13/143,890 US201113143890A US2011318196A1 US 20110318196 A1 US20110318196 A1 US 20110318196A1 US 201113143890 A US201113143890 A US 201113143890A US 2011318196 A1 US2011318196 A1 US 2011318196A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cavity
- fluid
- primer
- impeller
- pump
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/34—Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
- A47L11/4088—Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
Definitions
- the floor cleaner accessory generally is secured to the main vacuum in order to employ the suction power of the vacuum to draw debris away from the floor surface.
- the floor cleaner accessory provides moving bristles or other devices which physically interact with the floor surface to remove or sweep up debris into a flow of air generated by the main vacuum that draws the debris into the housing of the main vacuum.
- Some floor cleaning accessories for vacuums may apply a cleaning solution or other liquid, e.g., water, to the floor surface to enhance the ability of the accessory to clean a particular floor surface.
- a cleaning solution may be applied to a carpet surface, which is then vacuumed with the accessory, thereby drawing debris away and also the cleaning solution.
- Cleaning solutions in various forms may treat stains in the carpet, providing a more thorough cleaning of the carpet or other floor surface.
- Floor cleaning accessories that employ a cleaning solution are generally complex, as the accessories must not only be capable of drawing away moisture in the form of cleaning solutions and water, as examples, but must also be equipped with a pumping mechanism to apply a liquid, e.g., the cleaning solution, to the floor surface prior to vacuuming.
- Floor cleaning accessories that employ cleaning solutions in a pre-treating step are therefore relatively expensive to design and manufacture.
- known mechanisms for pumping cleaning solutions take up a relatively large amount of space within and add significant weight to the floor cleaning accessory itself, making the floor cleaning accessories less user-friendly.
- An exemplary vacuum accessory includes a pump motor assembly, a vacuum line configured to supply a vacuum pressure to the pump motor assembly, and a fluid reservoir configured to supply a fluid to the pump motor assembly.
- An exemplary pump motor assembly includes a motor having a housing. The motor drives a pump impeller. The pump motor assembly further includes a primer assembly secured to the motor, the primer assembly defining an impeller cavity receiving the pump impeller. The primer assembly includes a primer cavity in fluid communication with the impeller cavity and a fluid inlet that is in fluid communication with the primer cavity. The fluid inlet is configured to receive fluid from a fluid reservoir, and the pump impeller is configured to pump the fluid from the impeller cavity when the motor is driven.
- an exemplary pump motor assembly may include a pump impeller that is fixed to a shaft of the motor for rotation therewith, the shaft disposed partially within the housing and extending out of the housing.
- a pump motor assembly may include at least two fluid passages extending between the primer cavity and the impeller cavity, each of the fluid passages allowing fluid communication between the primer cavity and the impeller cavity.
- a pump motor assembly may include a primer assembly having a float ball disposed within the primer cavity, and a vacuum port configured to receive a vacuum pressure, thereby drawing fluid from the fluid inlet into at least one of the impeller cavity and the primer cavity.
- the float ball may be configured to prevent fluid from freely flowing out of the vacuum port when the primer cavity is filled with fluid. Additionally, the float ball and the vacuum port may cooperate to allow air from the primer cavity to purge through an interface between the float ball and the vacuum port when the primer cavity contains an amount of fluid sufficient to push the float ball against the vacuum port.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of a floor cleaning vacuum accessory
- FIG. 2 is a cutaway rear perspective view of a pump motor assembly in a main housing of the vacuum accessory;
- FIG. 3A is an exploded front perspective view of the pump motor assembly of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 3B is a section view of the pump motor assembly of FIG. 2 , taken along lines 3 B- 3 B of FIG. 3A ;
- FIG. 3C is a closeup view of a portion of FIG. 3B ;
- FIG. 4 is an exemplary process flow diagram.
- Floor cleaning vacuum accessory 100 includes a main body 102 that supports a fluid reservoir 104 .
- Main body 102 may include wheels or any mechanism for allowing main body 102 to be rolled across a floor surface for cleaning.
- Fluid reservoir 104 may generally contain any type of liquid used for cleaning floor surfaces, e.g., water, a cleaning solution, or the like.
- Floor cleaning vacuum accessory 100 may further include a suction wand 106 which extends away from the main body 102 .
- Suction wand 106 generally provides an attachment for a power cord 108 and an accessory attachment hose 110 .
- Accessory attachment hose 110 is configured to be attached to a main vacuum (not shown) in order to supply suction and/or electrical power, via power cord 108 , to floor cleaning vacuum accessory 100 and/or main body 102 .
- Suction wand 106 is in fluid communication with attachment hose 110 and main body 102 , thereby generally providing vacuum pressure or suction from the main vacuum (not shown) to main body 102 .
- Suction wand 106 may be generally rigid, and further may be pivotable or otherwise moveable relative to main body 102 to allow for main body 102 to be manipulated or translated across floor surfaces for cleaning.
- FIG. 2 is a rear perspective cutaway view of the main body 102 shown in FIG. 1 , a pump motor assembly 200 is illustrated.
- Pump motor assembly 200 is generally housed within or supported by main body 102 , and is configured to pump liquid from the fluid reservoir 104 (not shown in FIG. 2 ) to the floor surface for cleaning.
- pump motor assembly 200 may apply a cleaning solution to the floor surface immediately prior to passing main body 102 over the floor surface, thereby allowing the cleaning solution to generally dissolve or break up debris, stains, etc. prior to application of vacuum suction with main body 102 , thereby enhancing the cleaning power of floor cleaning vacuum accessory 100 .
- Pump motor 200 is in fluid communication with reservoir 104 via a fluid inlet 214 , and pumps fluid out of a fluid outlet 222 , as will be further described below.
- a vacuum port 216 is provided on pump motor assembly 200 , which is in fluid communication with suction wand 106 , such that a vacuum pressure from a main vacuum may be selectively applied to the vacuum port 216 .
- Each of fluid inlet 214 , fluid outlet 222 , and vacuum port 216 may be provided with hoses (not shown) to allow each of fluid inlet 214 , fluid outlet 222 , and vacuum port 216 to be in fluid communication with various other parts of vacuum accessory 100 , e.g., fluid reservoir 104 , an exit port (not shown) of main body 102 that applies cleaning solution to a floor surface, or suction wand 106 , merely as examples.
- Pump motor assembly 200 may also drive any belts or spindles that may in turn drive a brush or other device to scrub a floor surface, as will be further described below.
- Pump motor assembly 200 generally includes a housing 202 that may include a first half 202 a and a second half 202 b.
- the first and second halves of housing 202 may generally enclose a shaft 204 , such that shaft 204 is disposed generally within the housing 202 .
- shaft 204 may extend out of the housing 202 to allow attachment of any mechanism desired to be rotated by shaft 204 .
- the shaft 204 may generally drive a pump impeller and/or auxiliary cleaning devices, e.g., a rotating brush, of the floor cleaning vacuum accessory 100 , as will be described further below.
- the shaft 204 may be fixed to or formed with an electromagnet or any other mechanism for generally turning shaft 204 about its axis. Accordingly, pump motor assembly 200 may generally be an electric motor mechanism that runs on electrical power, for example by power supplied by a main vacuum (not shown) through attachment cord 110 and/or power cord 108 .
- Pump motor assembly 200 further includes a pump primer assembly 208 .
- Pump primer assembly 208 generally includes a main housing 209 and a cap 211 .
- Primer assembly 208 generally houses a pump impeller 206 .
- the pump impeller 206 may secured to an end of shaft 204 and fixed for rotation therewith, such that the pump motor assembly 200 selectively drives the pump impeller 206 directly by the shaft 204 .
- shaft 204 may be used to drive ancillary mechanisms, e.g., additional shafts, gears, etc., that in turn rotate a pump impeller 206 .
- pump impeller 206 need not be directly fixed to shaft 204 .
- Pump impeller 206 is received in an impeller cavity 210 of primer assembly 208 , and thus rotates within impeller cavity 210 according to the rotation of shaft 204 .
- Pump impeller 206 may be a centrifugal pump impeller, such that pump impeller 206 generally forces fluid inside impeller cavity 210 against outer walls of the impeller cavity, thereby creating an elevated pressure in the fluid and driving the fluid out of the impeller cavity 210 , such as through fluid outlet 222 .
- Primer assembly 208 further includes a primer cavity 212 that provides a pump priming function generally to the pump motor assembly 200 , e.g., to pump impeller 206 in the impeller cavity 210 .
- primer cavity 212 may generally be in fluid communication with impeller cavity 210 via one or more passages 220 that extend between primer cavity 212 and impeller cavity 210 .
- passages 220 may include two passages 220 a and 220 b.
- the provision of at least two passages generally prevents vapor lock that may occur during fluid exchange between impeller cavity 210 and primer cavity 212 , such as when either of impeller cavity 210 or primer cavity 212 are being filled with liquid, or when air bubbles may accumulate within either impeller cavity 210 or primer cavity 212 , as further described below. Additionally, the provision of multiple passages generally increases the speed with which impeller cavity 210 and/or primer cavity 212 may be filled with liquid.
- multiple passages extending between impeller cavity 210 and primer cavity 212 generally increase the speed at which the pump motor assembly 200 may be primed, and also generally prevent vapor lock between the primer cavity 212 and the impeller cavity 210 , thereby increasing the effectiveness of the pump motor assembly 200 in supplying cleaning fluid from fluid reservoir 104 to a desired cleaning site.
- the upper passage 220 a generally allows fluid communication between primer cavity 212 and an upper portion of impeller cavity 210 .
- the lower passage 220 b generally communicates between a lower portion of primer cavity 212 and a lower portion of impeller cavity 210 .
- primer cavity 212 whenever the primer cavity 212 is generally filled with fluid, fluid will be drawn or run into impeller cavity 210 through passages 220 a,b such that whenever primer cavity 212 is filled with liquid, impeller cavity 210 will therefore also be filled with liquid.
- Primer cavity 212 thus generally maintains a level of fluid within impeller cavity 210 sufficient to allow effective pumping of a fluid from the impeller cavity 210 .
- the pump priming assembly 208 will generally be in a “primed” state wherein fluid may be pumped from the fluid reservoir 104 to the desired cleaning site.
- Fluid inlet 214 may generally receive fluid from fluid reservoir 104 by way of a flexible hose or tubing, or any other mechanism for conveying fluid from the fluid reservoir 104 to the fluid inlet 214 .
- Vacuum port 216 generally receives a vacuum pressure from the main vacuum (not shown).
- suction wand 106 may be placed in fluid communication with vacuum port 216 and the interior of attachment hose 110 , thereby providing suction received from a main vacuum (not shown) to the vacuum port 216 .
- passages 220 allow air bubbles that may propagate within the impeller cavity 210 to be drawn into the primer cavity 212 , thereby maintaining a level of fluid sufficient to allow pump impeller 206 to effectively draw fluid from the fluid reservoir 104 and expel fluid out of the impeller cavity 210 . Accordingly, fluid may be effectively and continuously pumped from the fluid reservoir 104 and/or impeller cavity 210 to the desired cleaning site, despite propagation of air bubbles within any part of vacuum accessory 100 , such as when fluid reservoir 104 is nearly emptied, or when vacuum accessory 100 is jostled, merely as examples.
- Primer assembly 208 further includes a float ball 218 that is disposed within the primer cavity 212 .
- Float ball 218 may be formed of any generally bouyant material, such that float ball 218 generally rises and falls according to the amount of fluid contained within primer cavity 212 .
- float ball 218 is formed of a hard plastic material, e.g., a polypropylene material.
- Float ball 218 is generally sized to rise and fall within the primer cavity 212 , and generally obstruct the flow of fluid, particularly of water or other cleaning solutions, out of primer cavity 212 when the float ball 218 rises to an upper portion of the primer cavity 212 .
- float ball 218 generally may abut against or otherwise obstruct vacuum port 216 , thereby preventing the vacuum pressure applied to vacuum port 216 from drawing significant amounts of water or cleaning fluid out of primer cavity 212 , as further described below. Accordingly, float ball 218 generally prevents fluid from freely flowing out of the vacuum port 216 when the primer cavity 212 is filled with fluid. As shown in FIG. 3B , float ball 218 generally rises to an upper portion of end cap 211 , thereby generally obstructing vacuum port 216 and preventing fluid from being drawn out of primer cavity 212 by the vacuum pressure.
- Float ball 218 may be configured to releasably seal against vacuum port 216 , or allow for at least a small amount of fluid to escape between the float ball 218 and the vacuum port 216 , and into the suction wand 106 and/or attachment hose 110 .
- float ball 218 generally nearly entirely prevents fluid from flowing out of vacuum port 216 , but may preferably does not absolutely prevent fluid from flowing out of vacuum port 216 .
- a perfect vacuum seal that allows no fluid whatsoever to escape between the float ball 218 and the vacuum port 216 may not be desirable because air bubbles contained within primer cavity 212 would not be allowed to escape. Air could then accumulate within primer cavity 212 , reducing the effectiveness of the primer assembly 208 at maintaining pump motor assembly 200 in a primed state where it may effectively draw fluid from reservoir 104 and expel fluid from impeller cavity 210 .
- a generally imperfect or releasable seal between float ball 218 and vacuum port 216 generally may increase the effectiveness of primer assembly 208 at maintaining the pump motor assembly 200 in a primed state.
- a generally imperfect or releasable seal between float ball 218 and vacuum port 216 may be thought of as allowing a small amount of fluid to escape from primer cavity 212 , at least to the extent that air bubbles that propagate within primer cavity 212 are generally drawn out of the primer cavity 212 by a vacuum pressure applied to vacuum port 216 , and do not accumulate to the extent that the pump motor assembly 200 reaches an “unprimed” state where it does not effectively expel fluid from impeller cavity 210 .
- Such an imperfect or releasable seal between the vacuum port 216 and the float ball 218 may be provided, merely as one example, by shaping the float ball 218 and or the vacuum port 216 to allow air bubbles accumulating within primer cavity 212 to be drawn out of vacuum port 216 .
- a surface detail, such as a graining pattern or a groove, on either vacuum port 216 or float ball 218 , or both, will generally allow air bubbles to slip between the float ball 218 and the vacuum port 216 , and be drawn into the suction wand 106 and/or attachment hose 110 .
- a minimal amount of fluid communication may occur between primer cavity 212 and suction wand 106 and/or attachment hose 110 , and ultimately a main vacuum (not shown), through grooves, undulations, or any other features formed in, merely as examples, an outer surface of float ball 218 or vacuum port 216 .
- this fluid communication may include not only air bubbles that propagate within primer cavity 212 , but also an amount of cleaning fluid or water contained within primer cavity 212 .
- a balance may be struck between maximizing the general effectiveness of the primer assembly 208 in maintaining a pump motor assembly 200 in a primed state, and minimizing durability risks resulting from cleaning fluid or water that is drawn out of primer assembly 212 and into suction wand 106 and/or attachment hose 110 .
- FIG. 3C an example of an imperfect seal between float ball 218 and vacuum port 216 is illustrated where a groove 219 is provided on float ball 218 , such that air bubbles may be drawn from a lower portion of primer cavity 212 and into vacuum port 216 .
- groove 219 is shown in exaggerated form as being visible in FIG. 3C for the purposes of illustration, one or more very small grooves, graining patterns, or slight misalignments between float ball 218 and vacuum port 216 may be provided, even to such a degree that the grooves, graining patters, or misalignments are not visible to the naked eye, that will allow air bubbles to be drawn away to effectively maintain pump motor assembly 200 in a primed state. Accordingly, a groove 219 need not be as large as shown in FIG. 3C , or even visible to the naked eye, in order to properly allow air bubbles to flow from the primer cavity 212 and through the vacuum port 216 .
- Primer assembly 208 may be configured to generally allow fluid to drain out of pump motor assembly and/or primer assembly 208 when vacuum pressure is removed from vacuum port 216 .
- primer cavity may be disposed generally above outlet port 222 , such that fluid drains out of primer cavity 212 by way of outlet port 222 .
- Outlet port 222 generally provides an outlet for fluid that is pumped by the impeller 206 , e.g., to a floor surface that is being cleaned by vacuum accessory 100 .
- Outlet port 222 may include a check valve or one-way flow valve (not shown) that generally allows fluid to flow out of the outlet port 222 , while preventing fluid from flowing back into the primer cavity 212 and/or impeller cavity 210 .
- Primer assembly 208 may include any devices or parts for generally sealing the pump impeller cavity 210 and primer cavity 212 , thereby allowing fluid communication between the two, preferably with a minimum of leaking, and also generally preventing fluid from reaching and/or damaging internal components of vacuum accessory 100 , e.g., electrical components of pump motor assembly 200 .
- primer assembly may include a rotary pump seal 224 , as best seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B .
- Rotary pump seal 224 generally provides a water tight seal between pump impeller 206 and the pump motor assembly 200 , especially electrical components of the pump motor assembly 200 , thereby preventing leakage of fluid from impeller cavity 210 .
- rotary pump seal 224 generally prevents fouling or contamination of the pump motor assembly 200 with cleaning fluid and/or other liquids that are pumped by pump motor assembly 200 .
- Primer assembly 208 further includes an o-ring seal 226 that generally seals a perimeter of the impeller cavity 210 . Accordingly, rotary pump seal 224 and o-ring seal 226 generally cooperate to provide a watertight seal about the entirety of the impeller cavity 210 , preventing fluid from leaking out of impeller cavity 210 , and increasing the effectiveness of fluid transfer between impeller cavity 210 and primer cavity 212 .
- pump motor assembly 200 further includes a spindle 228 at an end of the shaft generally opposite the pump impeller 206 .
- Spindle 228 may be used to drive a brush, or any other rotary mechanism, to generally scrub the floor surface beneath main body 102 .
- the pump motor assembly 200 may drive both a mechanical cleaning device, such as a brush, pump motor assembly 200 to supply cleaning fluid to a desired cleaning site.
- Process 400 begins at step 402 , where vacuum pressure is supplied to vacuum port 216 .
- vacuum port 216 may be in fluid communication with a vacuum pressure supplied by a main vacuum (not shown) by way of attachment hose 110 .
- the vacuum pressure may generally draw fluid from the fluid reservoir 104 into the fluid inlet 214 , such that fluid generally fills the impeller cavity 210 , and then the primer cavity 212 .
- one, two, or more passages 220 may generally allow fluid communication between the impeller cavity 210 and primer cavity 212 , such that the primer cavity 212 maintains a level of fluid within the impeller cavity 210 sufficient to allow effective pumping of fluid from impeller cavity 210 , thus fully priming pump motor assembly 200 .
- Process 400 then proceeds to step 404 .
- float ball 218 is urged to an upper portion of primer cavity 212 by the fluid level rising within primer cavity 212 .
- Float ball 218 may be generally imperfectly sealed to vacuum port 216 , such that at least air bubbles that may propagate within impeller cavity 210 , primer cavity 212 , or within any other component(s) of vacuum accessory 100 where air bubbles may be undesirable, will seep out of vacuum port 216 .
- provision of at least two passages 220 may allow effective fluid exchange between primer cavity 212 and impeller cavity 210 , such as passage of air bubbles from impeller cavity 210 to primer cavity 212 , and/or passage of cleaning solution, water, or any other liquid, from primer cavity 212 to impeller cavity 210 .
- the imperfect seal between float ball 218 and vacuum port 216 may allow a small or insignificant amount of cleaning fluid, water, or other liquid, to escape from primer cavity 212 .
- an imperfect seal between float ball 218 and vacuum port 216 may generally allow float ball 218 to fall away from vacuum port 216 when operation of the accessory is generally ceased, e.g., power supplied to vacuum accessory 100 is discontinued. The float ball 218 may thus generally be maintained in a given position according to the fluid level within primer cavity 212 and the vacuum pressure of vacuum port 216 .
- Process 400 then proceeds to step 406 .
- step 406 vacuum pressure is removed from vacuum port 216 . Accordingly, the float ball 218 may thus generally fall away from the vacuum port 216 , and the fluid within the priming cavity 212 to flow out of the priming cavity 212 . Process 400 may then proceed to step 408 , or may in the alternative end.
- step 408 a vacuum pressure is applied to vacuum port 216 , generally filling primer cavity 212 with fluid and urging float ball 218 up against vacuum port 216 once again. Accordingly, the imperfect or otherwise releasable seal between the float ball 218 and the vacuum port 216 generally allows the priming feature to be effective.
- pump motor assembly 200 provides rotary motion by way of shaft 204 for driving both mechanical cleaning devices, e.g., brushes, of the vacuum accessory 100 , while also including a self-priming function in a compact design that allowing for a minimum of parts and complexity.
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Abstract
Description
- Industrial and commercial vacuums typically are available with a variety of accessories that have specialized uses. These may include smaller attachments for the vacuum, such as nozzles or brushes of various shapes and sizes, for providing a specific suction power and cleaning ability for a particular use. Larger, more complex accessories may also be provided such as a floor cleaner accessory. The floor cleaner accessory generally is secured to the main vacuum in order to employ the suction power of the vacuum to draw debris away from the floor surface. Typically, the floor cleaner accessory provides moving bristles or other devices which physically interact with the floor surface to remove or sweep up debris into a flow of air generated by the main vacuum that draws the debris into the housing of the main vacuum.
- Some floor cleaning accessories for vacuums may apply a cleaning solution or other liquid, e.g., water, to the floor surface to enhance the ability of the accessory to clean a particular floor surface. For example, a cleaning solution may be applied to a carpet surface, which is then vacuumed with the accessory, thereby drawing debris away and also the cleaning solution. Cleaning solutions in various forms may treat stains in the carpet, providing a more thorough cleaning of the carpet or other floor surface.
- Floor cleaning accessories that employ a cleaning solution are generally complex, as the accessories must not only be capable of drawing away moisture in the form of cleaning solutions and water, as examples, but must also be equipped with a pumping mechanism to apply a liquid, e.g., the cleaning solution, to the floor surface prior to vacuuming. Floor cleaning accessories that employ cleaning solutions in a pre-treating step are therefore relatively expensive to design and manufacture. Further, known mechanisms for pumping cleaning solutions take up a relatively large amount of space within and add significant weight to the floor cleaning accessory itself, making the floor cleaning accessories less user-friendly.
- Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a simplified pumping mechanism capable of pumping liquids to a remote site, while allowing for a compact layout that is relatively lightweight, thereby improving the ease of use of an accessory employing the pumping mechanism.
- Various exemplary illustrations of a vacuum accessory and a pump motor assembly are disclosed. An exemplary vacuum accessory includes a pump motor assembly, a vacuum line configured to supply a vacuum pressure to the pump motor assembly, and a fluid reservoir configured to supply a fluid to the pump motor assembly. An exemplary pump motor assembly includes a motor having a housing. The motor drives a pump impeller. The pump motor assembly further includes a primer assembly secured to the motor, the primer assembly defining an impeller cavity receiving the pump impeller. The primer assembly includes a primer cavity in fluid communication with the impeller cavity and a fluid inlet that is in fluid communication with the primer cavity. The fluid inlet is configured to receive fluid from a fluid reservoir, and the pump impeller is configured to pump the fluid from the impeller cavity when the motor is driven.
- According to a first exemplary illustration, an exemplary pump motor assembly may include a pump impeller that is fixed to a shaft of the motor for rotation therewith, the shaft disposed partially within the housing and extending out of the housing. According to a second exemplary illustration, a pump motor assembly may include at least two fluid passages extending between the primer cavity and the impeller cavity, each of the fluid passages allowing fluid communication between the primer cavity and the impeller cavity. According to a third exemplary illustration, a pump motor assembly may include a primer assembly having a float ball disposed within the primer cavity, and a vacuum port configured to receive a vacuum pressure, thereby drawing fluid from the fluid inlet into at least one of the impeller cavity and the primer cavity. The float ball may be configured to prevent fluid from freely flowing out of the vacuum port when the primer cavity is filled with fluid. Additionally, the float ball and the vacuum port may cooperate to allow air from the primer cavity to purge through an interface between the float ball and the vacuum port when the primer cavity contains an amount of fluid sufficient to push the float ball against the vacuum port.
- While the claims are not limited to the illustrated embodiments, an appreciation of various aspects is best gained through a discussion of various examples thereof. Referring now to the drawings, illustrative embodiments are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent the embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an embodiment. Further, the embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricting to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail by referring to the drawings as follows.
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FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of a floor cleaning vacuum accessory; -
FIG. 2 is a cutaway rear perspective view of a pump motor assembly in a main housing of the vacuum accessory; -
FIG. 3A is an exploded front perspective view of the pump motor assembly ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 3B is a section view of the pump motor assembly ofFIG. 2 , taken alonglines 3B-3B ofFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 3C is a closeup view of a portion ofFIG. 3B ; and -
FIG. 4 is an exemplary process flow diagram. - Reference in the specification to “an exemplary illustration”, and “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the exemplary approach is included in at least one illustration. The appearances of the phrase “in an illustration” or similar type language in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same illustration or example.
- Turning now to
FIG. 1 , an exemplary floorcleaning vacuum accessory 100 is shown. Floorcleaning vacuum accessory 100 includes amain body 102 that supports afluid reservoir 104.Main body 102 may include wheels or any mechanism for allowingmain body 102 to be rolled across a floor surface for cleaning.Fluid reservoir 104 may generally contain any type of liquid used for cleaning floor surfaces, e.g., water, a cleaning solution, or the like. Floorcleaning vacuum accessory 100 may further include asuction wand 106 which extends away from themain body 102.Suction wand 106 generally provides an attachment for apower cord 108 and anaccessory attachment hose 110.Accessory attachment hose 110 is configured to be attached to a main vacuum (not shown) in order to supply suction and/or electrical power, viapower cord 108, to floorcleaning vacuum accessory 100 and/ormain body 102.Suction wand 106 is in fluid communication withattachment hose 110 andmain body 102, thereby generally providing vacuum pressure or suction from the main vacuum (not shown) tomain body 102.Suction wand 106 may be generally rigid, and further may be pivotable or otherwise moveable relative tomain body 102 to allow formain body 102 to be manipulated or translated across floor surfaces for cleaning. - Turning now to
FIG. 2 , which is a rear perspective cutaway view of themain body 102 shown inFIG. 1 , apump motor assembly 200 is illustrated.Pump motor assembly 200 is generally housed within or supported bymain body 102, and is configured to pump liquid from the fluid reservoir 104 (not shown inFIG. 2 ) to the floor surface for cleaning. For example,pump motor assembly 200 may apply a cleaning solution to the floor surface immediately prior to passingmain body 102 over the floor surface, thereby allowing the cleaning solution to generally dissolve or break up debris, stains, etc. prior to application of vacuum suction withmain body 102, thereby enhancing the cleaning power of floorcleaning vacuum accessory 100.Pump motor 200 is in fluid communication withreservoir 104 via afluid inlet 214, and pumps fluid out of afluid outlet 222, as will be further described below. Avacuum port 216 is provided onpump motor assembly 200, which is in fluid communication withsuction wand 106, such that a vacuum pressure from a main vacuum may be selectively applied to thevacuum port 216. Each offluid inlet 214,fluid outlet 222, andvacuum port 216 may be provided with hoses (not shown) to allow each offluid inlet 214,fluid outlet 222, andvacuum port 216 to be in fluid communication with various other parts ofvacuum accessory 100, e.g.,fluid reservoir 104, an exit port (not shown) ofmain body 102 that applies cleaning solution to a floor surface, orsuction wand 106, merely as examples.Pump motor assembly 200 may also drive any belts or spindles that may in turn drive a brush or other device to scrub a floor surface, as will be further described below. - Turning now to
FIGS. 3A and 3B ,pump motor assembly 200 is shown in further detail.Pump motor assembly 200 generally includes a housing 202 that may include afirst half 202 a and asecond half 202 b. The first and second halves of housing 202 may generally enclose ashaft 204, such thatshaft 204 is disposed generally within the housing 202. Further,shaft 204 may extend out of the housing 202 to allow attachment of any mechanism desired to be rotated byshaft 204. For example, theshaft 204 may generally drive a pump impeller and/or auxiliary cleaning devices, e.g., a rotating brush, of the floor cleaningvacuum accessory 100, as will be described further below. Theshaft 204 may be fixed to or formed with an electromagnet or any other mechanism for generally turningshaft 204 about its axis. Accordingly, pumpmotor assembly 200 may generally be an electric motor mechanism that runs on electrical power, for example by power supplied by a main vacuum (not shown) throughattachment cord 110 and/orpower cord 108. -
Pump motor assembly 200 further includes apump primer assembly 208.Pump primer assembly 208 generally includes amain housing 209 and acap 211.Primer assembly 208 generally houses apump impeller 206. Thepump impeller 206 may secured to an end ofshaft 204 and fixed for rotation therewith, such that thepump motor assembly 200 selectively drives thepump impeller 206 directly by theshaft 204. Alternatively,shaft 204 may be used to drive ancillary mechanisms, e.g., additional shafts, gears, etc., that in turn rotate apump impeller 206. In other words, pumpimpeller 206 need not be directly fixed toshaft 204.Pump impeller 206 is received in animpeller cavity 210 ofprimer assembly 208, and thus rotates withinimpeller cavity 210 according to the rotation ofshaft 204.Pump impeller 206 may be a centrifugal pump impeller, such thatpump impeller 206 generally forces fluid insideimpeller cavity 210 against outer walls of the impeller cavity, thereby creating an elevated pressure in the fluid and driving the fluid out of theimpeller cavity 210, such as throughfluid outlet 222. -
Primer assembly 208 further includes aprimer cavity 212 that provides a pump priming function generally to thepump motor assembly 200, e.g., to pumpimpeller 206 in theimpeller cavity 210. For example,primer cavity 212 may generally be in fluid communication withimpeller cavity 210 via one or more passages 220 that extend betweenprimer cavity 212 andimpeller cavity 210. As shown inFIG. 3B , passages 220 may include twopassages impeller cavity 210 andprimer cavity 212, such as when either ofimpeller cavity 210 orprimer cavity 212 are being filled with liquid, or when air bubbles may accumulate within eitherimpeller cavity 210 orprimer cavity 212, as further described below. Additionally, the provision of multiple passages generally increases the speed with whichimpeller cavity 210 and/orprimer cavity 212 may be filled with liquid. In other words, multiple passages extending betweenimpeller cavity 210 andprimer cavity 212 generally increase the speed at which thepump motor assembly 200 may be primed, and also generally prevent vapor lock between theprimer cavity 212 and theimpeller cavity 210, thereby increasing the effectiveness of thepump motor assembly 200 in supplying cleaning fluid fromfluid reservoir 104 to a desired cleaning site. Theupper passage 220 a generally allows fluid communication betweenprimer cavity 212 and an upper portion ofimpeller cavity 210. Thelower passage 220 b generally communicates between a lower portion ofprimer cavity 212 and a lower portion ofimpeller cavity 210. Accordingly, whenever theprimer cavity 212 is generally filled with fluid, fluid will be drawn or run intoimpeller cavity 210 throughpassages 220 a,b such that wheneverprimer cavity 212 is filled with liquid,impeller cavity 210 will therefore also be filled with liquid.Primer cavity 212 thus generally maintains a level of fluid withinimpeller cavity 210 sufficient to allow effective pumping of a fluid from theimpeller cavity 210. Accordingly, when theprimer cavity 212 is generally filled with liquid, thepump priming assembly 208 will generally be in a “primed” state wherein fluid may be pumped from thefluid reservoir 104 to the desired cleaning site. -
Fluid inlet 214, as best seen inFIGS. 2 and 3A , may generally receive fluid fromfluid reservoir 104 by way of a flexible hose or tubing, or any other mechanism for conveying fluid from thefluid reservoir 104 to thefluid inlet 214.Vacuum port 216 generally receives a vacuum pressure from the main vacuum (not shown). For example,suction wand 106 may be placed in fluid communication withvacuum port 216 and the interior ofattachment hose 110, thereby providing suction received from a main vacuum (not shown) to thevacuum port 216. When thevacuum port 216 is in communication with a vacuum pressure, fluid from thefluid reservoir 104 is drawn into theimpeller cavity 210, through the passages 220, and into theprimer cavity 212 by the vacuum pressure, generally filling each of theimpeller cavity 210 and theprimer cavity 212 with the fluid. Passages 220 generally allow fluid communication betweenimpeller cavity 210 andprimer cavity 212, thereby priming the pump mechanism by maintaining a level of fluid withinimpeller cavity 210 sufficient to allowpump impeller 206 to expel liquid from theimpeller cavity 210 when thepump impeller 206 is driven by themotor assembly 200. Further, passages 220 allow air bubbles that may propagate within theimpeller cavity 210 to be drawn into theprimer cavity 212, thereby maintaining a level of fluid sufficient to allowpump impeller 206 to effectively draw fluid from thefluid reservoir 104 and expel fluid out of theimpeller cavity 210. Accordingly, fluid may be effectively and continuously pumped from thefluid reservoir 104 and/orimpeller cavity 210 to the desired cleaning site, despite propagation of air bubbles within any part ofvacuum accessory 100, such as whenfluid reservoir 104 is nearly emptied, or whenvacuum accessory 100 is jostled, merely as examples. -
Primer assembly 208 further includes afloat ball 218 that is disposed within theprimer cavity 212.Float ball 218 may be formed of any generally bouyant material, such thatfloat ball 218 generally rises and falls according to the amount of fluid contained withinprimer cavity 212. In one known example,float ball 218 is formed of a hard plastic material, e.g., a polypropylene material.Float ball 218 is generally sized to rise and fall within theprimer cavity 212, and generally obstruct the flow of fluid, particularly of water or other cleaning solutions, out ofprimer cavity 212 when thefloat ball 218 rises to an upper portion of theprimer cavity 212. For example,float ball 218 generally may abut against or otherwise obstructvacuum port 216, thereby preventing the vacuum pressure applied to vacuumport 216 from drawing significant amounts of water or cleaning fluid out ofprimer cavity 212, as further described below. Accordingly,float ball 218 generally prevents fluid from freely flowing out of thevacuum port 216 when theprimer cavity 212 is filled with fluid. As shown inFIG. 3B ,float ball 218 generally rises to an upper portion ofend cap 211, thereby generally obstructingvacuum port 216 and preventing fluid from being drawn out ofprimer cavity 212 by the vacuum pressure.Float ball 218 may be configured to releasably seal againstvacuum port 216, or allow for at least a small amount of fluid to escape between thefloat ball 218 and thevacuum port 216, and into thesuction wand 106 and/orattachment hose 110. In other words,float ball 218 generally nearly entirely prevents fluid from flowing out ofvacuum port 216, but may preferably does not absolutely prevent fluid from flowing out ofvacuum port 216. A perfect vacuum seal that allows no fluid whatsoever to escape between thefloat ball 218 and thevacuum port 216 may not be desirable because air bubbles contained withinprimer cavity 212 would not be allowed to escape. Air could then accumulate withinprimer cavity 212, reducing the effectiveness of theprimer assembly 208 at maintainingpump motor assembly 200 in a primed state where it may effectively draw fluid fromreservoir 104 and expel fluid fromimpeller cavity 210. - Accordingly, a generally imperfect or releasable seal between
float ball 218 andvacuum port 216 generally may increase the effectiveness ofprimer assembly 208 at maintaining thepump motor assembly 200 in a primed state. A generally imperfect or releasable seal betweenfloat ball 218 andvacuum port 216 may be thought of as allowing a small amount of fluid to escape fromprimer cavity 212, at least to the extent that air bubbles that propagate withinprimer cavity 212 are generally drawn out of theprimer cavity 212 by a vacuum pressure applied to vacuumport 216, and do not accumulate to the extent that thepump motor assembly 200 reaches an “unprimed” state where it does not effectively expel fluid fromimpeller cavity 210. Such an imperfect or releasable seal between thevacuum port 216 and thefloat ball 218 may be provided, merely as one example, by shaping thefloat ball 218 and or thevacuum port 216 to allow air bubbles accumulating withinprimer cavity 212 to be drawn out ofvacuum port 216. For example, a surface detail, such as a graining pattern or a groove, on eithervacuum port 216 orfloat ball 218, or both, will generally allow air bubbles to slip between thefloat ball 218 and thevacuum port 216, and be drawn into thesuction wand 106 and/orattachment hose 110. In other words, a minimal amount of fluid communication may occur betweenprimer cavity 212 andsuction wand 106 and/orattachment hose 110, and ultimately a main vacuum (not shown), through grooves, undulations, or any other features formed in, merely as examples, an outer surface offloat ball 218 orvacuum port 216. Further, this fluid communication may include not only air bubbles that propagate withinprimer cavity 212, but also an amount of cleaning fluid or water contained withinprimer cavity 212. While it is generally not desirable to draw significant amounts of cleaning fluid or water out ofprimer cavity 212, as the cleaning fluid or water may interfere with the operation of thevacuum accessory 100 and/or main vacuum by fouling or damaging internal components thereof, a small or otherwise insignificant amount may nonetheless be drawn out ofprimer cavity 212 along with air bubbles withinprimer cavity 212. Generally an amount of fluid drawn out ofprimer cavity 212 should be minimized to the extent it can be prevented while not interfering with the primary function of theprimer cavity 212 in allowing air bubbles to be drawn out of theprimer cavity 212. Accordingly, a balance may be struck between maximizing the general effectiveness of theprimer assembly 208 in maintaining apump motor assembly 200 in a primed state, and minimizing durability risks resulting from cleaning fluid or water that is drawn out ofprimer assembly 212 and intosuction wand 106 and/orattachment hose 110. - Turning now to
FIG. 3C , an example of an imperfect seal betweenfloat ball 218 andvacuum port 216 is illustrated where agroove 219 is provided onfloat ball 218, such that air bubbles may be drawn from a lower portion ofprimer cavity 212 and intovacuum port 216. Whilegroove 219 is shown in exaggerated form as being visible inFIG. 3C for the purposes of illustration, one or more very small grooves, graining patterns, or slight misalignments betweenfloat ball 218 andvacuum port 216 may be provided, even to such a degree that the grooves, graining patters, or misalignments are not visible to the naked eye, that will allow air bubbles to be drawn away to effectively maintainpump motor assembly 200 in a primed state. Accordingly, agroove 219 need not be as large as shown inFIG. 3C , or even visible to the naked eye, in order to properly allow air bubbles to flow from theprimer cavity 212 and through thevacuum port 216. -
Primer assembly 208 may be configured to generally allow fluid to drain out of pump motor assembly and/orprimer assembly 208 when vacuum pressure is removed fromvacuum port 216. For example, primer cavity may be disposed generally aboveoutlet port 222, such that fluid drains out ofprimer cavity 212 by way ofoutlet port 222.Outlet port 222 generally provides an outlet for fluid that is pumped by theimpeller 206, e.g., to a floor surface that is being cleaned byvacuum accessory 100.Outlet port 222 may include a check valve or one-way flow valve (not shown) that generally allows fluid to flow out of theoutlet port 222, while preventing fluid from flowing back into theprimer cavity 212 and/orimpeller cavity 210. -
Primer assembly 208 may include any devices or parts for generally sealing thepump impeller cavity 210 andprimer cavity 212, thereby allowing fluid communication between the two, preferably with a minimum of leaking, and also generally preventing fluid from reaching and/or damaging internal components ofvacuum accessory 100, e.g., electrical components ofpump motor assembly 200. For example, primer assembly may include arotary pump seal 224, as best seen inFIGS. 3A and 3B .Rotary pump seal 224 generally provides a water tight seal betweenpump impeller 206 and thepump motor assembly 200, especially electrical components of thepump motor assembly 200, thereby preventing leakage of fluid fromimpeller cavity 210. In other words,rotary pump seal 224 generally prevents fouling or contamination of thepump motor assembly 200 with cleaning fluid and/or other liquids that are pumped bypump motor assembly 200.Primer assembly 208 further includes an o-ring seal 226 that generally seals a perimeter of theimpeller cavity 210. Accordingly,rotary pump seal 224 and o-ring seal 226 generally cooperate to provide a watertight seal about the entirety of theimpeller cavity 210, preventing fluid from leaking out ofimpeller cavity 210, and increasing the effectiveness of fluid transfer betweenimpeller cavity 210 andprimer cavity 212. - As best seen in
FIG. 3B , pumpmotor assembly 200 further includes aspindle 228 at an end of the shaft generally opposite thepump impeller 206.Spindle 228 may be used to drive a brush, or any other rotary mechanism, to generally scrub the floor surface beneathmain body 102. Accordingly, thepump motor assembly 200 may drive both a mechanical cleaning device, such as a brush, pumpmotor assembly 200 to supply cleaning fluid to a desired cleaning site. - Turning now to
FIG. 4 , a process for priming the pump motor assembly is shown.Process 400 begins atstep 402, where vacuum pressure is supplied tovacuum port 216. For example,vacuum port 216 may be in fluid communication with a vacuum pressure supplied by a main vacuum (not shown) by way ofattachment hose 110. Asvacuum port 216 is in fluid communication withfluid reservoir 104 by way ofprimer cavity 212,impeller cavity 210, andinlet port 214, the vacuum pressure may generally draw fluid from thefluid reservoir 104 into thefluid inlet 214, such that fluid generally fills theimpeller cavity 210, and then theprimer cavity 212. Further, one, two, or more passages 220 may generally allow fluid communication between theimpeller cavity 210 andprimer cavity 212, such that theprimer cavity 212 maintains a level of fluid within theimpeller cavity 210 sufficient to allow effective pumping of fluid fromimpeller cavity 210, thus fully primingpump motor assembly 200.Process 400 then proceeds to step 404. - In
step 404,float ball 218 is urged to an upper portion ofprimer cavity 212 by the fluid level rising withinprimer cavity 212.Float ball 218, as generally described above, may be generally imperfectly sealed tovacuum port 216, such that at least air bubbles that may propagate withinimpeller cavity 210,primer cavity 212, or within any other component(s) ofvacuum accessory 100 where air bubbles may be undesirable, will seep out ofvacuum port 216. Additionally, provision of at least two passages 220 may allow effective fluid exchange betweenprimer cavity 212 andimpeller cavity 210, such as passage of air bubbles fromimpeller cavity 210 toprimer cavity 212, and/or passage of cleaning solution, water, or any other liquid, fromprimer cavity 212 toimpeller cavity 210. Further, as describe above, the imperfect seal betweenfloat ball 218 andvacuum port 216 may allow a small or insignificant amount of cleaning fluid, water, or other liquid, to escape fromprimer cavity 212. Furthermore, an imperfect seal betweenfloat ball 218 andvacuum port 216 may generally allowfloat ball 218 to fall away fromvacuum port 216 when operation of the accessory is generally ceased, e.g., power supplied tovacuum accessory 100 is discontinued. Thefloat ball 218 may thus generally be maintained in a given position according to the fluid level withinprimer cavity 212 and the vacuum pressure ofvacuum port 216.Process 400 then proceeds to step 406. - In
step 406, vacuum pressure is removed fromvacuum port 216. Accordingly, thefloat ball 218 may thus generally fall away from thevacuum port 216, and the fluid within thepriming cavity 212 to flow out of thepriming cavity 212.Process 400 may then proceed to step 408, or may in the alternative end. - In
step 408, a vacuum pressure is applied tovacuum port 216, generally fillingprimer cavity 212 with fluid and urgingfloat ball 218 up againstvacuum port 216 once again. Accordingly, the imperfect or otherwise releasable seal between thefloat ball 218 and thevacuum port 216 generally allows the priming feature to be effective. - Accordingly, pump
motor assembly 200 provides rotary motion by way ofshaft 204 for driving both mechanical cleaning devices, e.g., brushes, of thevacuum accessory 100, while also including a self-priming function in a compact design that allowing for a minimum of parts and complexity. - With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain approaches, examples or embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claimed invention.
- Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims.
- All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2008/056378 WO2009114001A1 (en) | 2008-03-10 | 2008-03-10 | Integrated pump priming system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20110318196A1 true US20110318196A1 (en) | 2011-12-29 |
Family
ID=41065499
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/143,890 Abandoned US20110318196A1 (en) | 2008-03-10 | 2008-03-10 | Integrated pump priming system |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20110318196A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009114001A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10820762B2 (en) | 2018-08-27 | 2020-11-03 | Tti (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited | Floor cleaner |
US11497371B2 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2022-11-15 | Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited | Floor cleaner |
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US1768243A (en) * | 1927-12-12 | 1930-06-24 | Auto Prime Pump Company | Priming means for centrifugal pumps |
US2980294A (en) * | 1958-08-13 | 1961-04-18 | James Sacco | Liquid-delivering-and-metering apparatus and method |
US3296973A (en) * | 1964-03-20 | 1967-01-10 | Sykes Ltd Henry | Centrifugal pumps |
US5287590A (en) * | 1992-09-02 | 1994-02-22 | Yonkers Robert A | Wet vacuum/extractor with vacuum priming system |
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US6213970B1 (en) * | 1993-12-30 | 2001-04-10 | Stryker Corporation | Surgical suction irrigation |
US6167587B1 (en) * | 1997-07-09 | 2001-01-02 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Upright extraction cleaning machine |
US5660533A (en) * | 1995-11-09 | 1997-08-26 | The Gorman-Rupp Company | Vacuum assisted priming and cooling system for a pump |
US5918344A (en) * | 1996-07-12 | 1999-07-06 | Shop Vac Corporation | Self-evacuating vacuum cleaner |
US6409478B1 (en) * | 1999-02-26 | 2002-06-25 | Roper Holdings, Inc. | Vacuum-assisted pump |
US6176847B1 (en) * | 1999-05-14 | 2001-01-23 | Circon Corporation | Surgical irrigation system incorporating flow sensor device |
US6685667B1 (en) * | 2000-01-11 | 2004-02-03 | C. R. Bard, Inc. | Electrically powered surgical irrigator |
US6461323B2 (en) * | 2000-05-03 | 2002-10-08 | Reginald H. Fowler | Surgical system pump with flow sensor and method therefor |
US20070092388A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-04-26 | Fendall, Inc. | Pump assembly for an emergency eyewash station |
-
2008
- 2008-03-10 WO PCT/US2008/056378 patent/WO2009114001A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-03-10 US US13/143,890 patent/US20110318196A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1768243A (en) * | 1927-12-12 | 1930-06-24 | Auto Prime Pump Company | Priming means for centrifugal pumps |
US2980294A (en) * | 1958-08-13 | 1961-04-18 | James Sacco | Liquid-delivering-and-metering apparatus and method |
US3296973A (en) * | 1964-03-20 | 1967-01-10 | Sykes Ltd Henry | Centrifugal pumps |
US5287590A (en) * | 1992-09-02 | 1994-02-22 | Yonkers Robert A | Wet vacuum/extractor with vacuum priming system |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10820762B2 (en) | 2018-08-27 | 2020-11-03 | Tti (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited | Floor cleaner |
US11363923B2 (en) | 2018-08-27 | 2022-06-21 | Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited | Floor cleaner |
US11751734B2 (en) | 2018-08-27 | 2023-09-12 | Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited | Floor cleaner |
US11497371B2 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2022-11-15 | Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited | Floor cleaner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2009114001A1 (en) | 2009-09-17 |
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