EP0961861B1 - Cooling device for compact pumping and filtration assembly for swimming pool - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the technical sector of the means of filtration of water in a swimming pool in particular.

It is known to ensure the filtration of water from a basin of pool, to use sets that integrate the functionality of a traditional system, namely essentially pumping water, filtration of the water and the discharge of the latter into the basin of the swimming pool. Essentially, these compact sets consist of two parts distinct.

One of these parts is intended to be immersed in the water of the pool basin, and receives filtration means of all known types and appropriate. The other part is located outside the pool basin and receives at least one suction and discharge pump. Pipes are arranged between the two parts, to connect the means of filtration by pumping means. In addition, the part immersed in water of the pool basin generally has at least one nozzle backflow of sucked water. Each of the parts constitutes a box, said parts being protected by a cover. Likewise, these two parts can be independent of each other and linked by any known means to constitute a unitary unit or, these two parts can form, by molding, or any other manufacturing process, an assembly compact unit.

From this conception, there are essentially two forms of achievement.

As is clear from the teaching of FR-A-2554857, the whole concerns a compact block transversely constituting a U-shaped jumper overturned, in order to be placed astride the edge of the pool. Or, as appears for example from the teaching of FR-A-2725634, all compact, can directly form a filter panel or staircase in this sense that the part intended to be immersed in the water of the basin of the pool is arranged to be coupled directly with the others constituent panels of the basin.

As indicated previously, a pipe is arranged between the two filtration and pumping compartments. Whatever embodiment, the two filtration and pumping compartments must be separated, in particular at the level of the connection piping, by arrangements preventing the ingress of water by overflow and / or splashing into the pumping compartment, since it is not conceivable that the pumping compartment receives, if only by accident, part of the water in the pool. In addition, it is necessary to create natural or forced ventilation at the level of the pumping compartment, to allow the pump (s) to work in good conditions, avoiding any effect of overheating.

For this reason, being considered elsewhere, that the pumping compartment cannot be put directly in outdoor communication, given the bad weather, it is necessary to spare at the level of the separation between the two compartments, a slit or the like, capable of allowing a sufficient film of air to pass through ventilation of the pumping compartment. The presence of this air film does not therefore does not allow the two to be completely sealed compartments. Under these conditions, we cannot totally exclude the risk, certainly reduced, that the pumping compartment receives accidentally some of the water in the submerged compartment filtration.

This problem is all the more real in the case of a panel of filtration where the water level in the submerged compartment is much closer to the separation between the two compartments and by therefore, much closer to the slot for the passage of air from recycling. Note also that these provisions do not allow real air circulation which tends to be confined.

The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks, in a simple, safe, efficient and rational way.

The technical problem which the invention proposes to solve, is to have a better seal between the two compartments of filtration and pumping, in order to avoid any accidental risk of passage of water between the two compartments, while having the objective of being able ensure the cooling, or more precisely the ventilation, of the compartment pumping.

To solve such a problem, it was designed and developed a cooling device according to claim 1 appended.

In other words, taking into account the characteristics underlying the invention, the technical problem which the invention proposes to solve, is no longer to manage any water passages between the compartment and the pumping compartment but to bring in air coming outside while avoiding the possible risks of water passage from outside, mainly rainwater, melting of Snow ...

Advantageously, to solve the problem posed of ensuring ventilation of the pumping compartment and, therefore, to put the third part of the compact assembly in communication with the air outside, the arrangements of the cover or the cover part are formed by an area having a plurality of perforations open out.

As indicated, to solve the problem of avoiding all accidental passage of rainwater, or other, into the compartment pumping, the third part and the part receiving the pump (s), are separated by arrangements allowing the passage of air while avoiding the passage of any water contained in said third part.

For this purpose, different embodiments can be considered.

For example, the separation arrangements are advantageously constituted by an inclined surface or else the separation arrangements are formed by an empty hollow space partially closed by a rib of the cover to form a baffle with water drainage system in front of the chicane.

Similarly, to avoid any risk of runoff at the level of the inner face of the cover, the latter advantageously has near the pumping compartment, a transverse rib serving as drip.

To make a compact set and unitary the third part is advantageously arranged in the same plane as the part receiving the pump (s) and in a substantially parallel manner by making chute office.

Advantageously, the bottom of the third part is drilled to evacuation of any water it may contain. The bottom of the third part is connected to an evacuation pipe.

Always with the objective of lowering the temperature level of the pumping compartment, it appeared interesting to set up communication of the engine air intake directly with the outside. To solve such a problem, the third part is advantageously put in communication with the suction and discharge pump by means of a tubular member, one end of which opens out from said parts while the other end has coupling arrangements with air intake from the pump motor.

In view of these provisions, it follows that the air is sucked in directly outside to be directed to the pump motor suction, so the resulting hot air is immediately released to the exterior, thus achieving perfect heat exchange.

To lower the temperature to inside the box, receiving the suction and discharge pump, the area of the third part into which the tubular member opens advantageously has transverse and lateral walls shaped to constitute a waterproof enclosure.

Advantageous results are obtained when the wall transverse is located roughly in the middle to separate the third part in two very roughly equivalent zones.

Given all of these characteristics, and for the purpose to significantly reduce the manufacturing cost, while having for objective of obtaining a compact and unitary assembly, the latter is obtained by rotational molding, it being understood that other methods can be used: plastic injection, polyester spray, thermoforming.

La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple de réalisation de l'ensemble compact de pompage et de filtration, ledit ensemble étant représenté avant la mise en place des couvercles.

La figure 2 est une vue correspondant à la figure 1 de l'ensemble compact après mise en place des couvercles.

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de l'ensemble selon une première forme de réalisation.

La figure 4 est une vue semblable à la figure 3, d'une autre forme de réalisation.

La figure 5 est une vue de dessus de l'ensemble compact de pompage et de filtration montrant la mise en communication avec l'air extérieur, du moteur de la pompe d'aspiration et de refoulement, les couvercles étant enlevés.

La figure 6 est une vue en coupe longitudinale considérée selon la ligne 6-6 de la figure 5.

The invention is set out below in more detail with the aid of the figures of the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the compact pumping and filtration assembly, said assembly being shown before the introduction of the covers.

Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 of the compact assembly after fitting the covers.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly according to a first embodiment.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of another embodiment.

Figure 5 is a top view of the compact pumping and filtration assembly showing the placing in communication with the outside air, of the motor of the suction and discharge pump, the covers being removed.

FIG. 6 is a view in longitudinal section considered along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

For a better understanding of the rest of the description, remember that the compact pumping and filtration unit includes two separate parts (A) and (B). Part (A) directly constitutes a box and is intended to be immersed in the water of the swimming pool basin. The part (A) receives at least one filter element (1) and at least one nozzle for delivery (2). Furthermore, the front face and / or the lateral faces of the part (A) immersed in water, present, in a perfectly known to a person skilled in the art, openings known as skimmers, for the passage of water from the pool. The other part (B) also constitutes a box located outside the pool basin and receives, at least one suction pump and delivery (3). Tubes (4) provide the connection between the filtration compartment and pumping compartment.

The filter element (1) is arranged in a support (5), the bottom is connected via a strainer by means of piping (4a) at the pump (3). Another piping (4b) ensures the water backflow drawn into the pool, in combination with the nozzle in particular discharge (2). These technical filtration provisions are not described in detail because perfectly known to a person skilled in the art and may be subject to different execution variants.

Likewise, the two parts (A) and (B) are interconnected, i.e. directly, or in a reported manner, to constitute a set compact unit. The assembly thus formed is shaped either to be arranged astride the edge of the walls of the swimming pool basin, either directly constitute a filtration panel or staircase, part (A) having in this case any arrangement for being fixed in combination and in alignment with the other constituent panels of the swimming pool basin.

According to a characteristic underlying the invention, the two parts (A) and (B) are separated in particular at the level of the pipes (4) in a sealed manner, for example by means of a partition (6). The part (B) receiving the pump (3) is in communication with at least one third part (C). A cover (7) ensures the closure of the two parts (C) and (A), while a cover (7c) ensures the closure of the compartment pumping (B). Obviously, without going beyond the ambit of the invention, the cover (7) can be made of several elements corresponding to each of the parts (A) (B) and (C).

The cover (7) in particular has arrangements for put the third part (C) in communication with the outside air. Advantageously, the cover has, at this third part (C), a plurality of through perforations (7a). This third part (C) is arranged in the same plane as the part (B) receiving the pumps (3) and essentially parallel by acting as chute (8). This chute (8) is therefore in communication by at least one opening (9) with the compartment of the part (B) receiving the one or more pumps.

Since the chute (8) is in communication with the air outside, by means of the perforations (7a), there will be air circulation at the level of the pumping compartment and the free communication space (9). This air circulation makes it possible to cool the pump (s) (3).

According to another characteristic, the chute (8) and the pumping compartment (B) are separated by arrangements allowing, as indicated, the passage of air while preventing the passage of water, possibly contained in said chute.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the separation between the chute (8) and the pumping compartment is effected by a surface inclined (10).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the chute (8) is connected to the pumping compartment by a hollow hollow space (11) intended to be partially closed by a rib (7b) of the cover, so to constitute, in combination, a chicane.

To avoid any trickling effect on the face internal cover (7), the latter has transversely on the its entire width and close to the separation with the compartment pumping, a rib (7d) serving as a drip line.

The bottom of the third part (C) or chute (8) is drilled to the evacuation of rainwater or other. Likewise, the bottom of the chute is connected to a conduit (12) connected for example, to the main sewer. So is even at the level of the hollow part (11) receiving the rib (7b).

To decrease the temperature inside the receiving housing (B) the pump (3), it appeared advantageous to put its motor (3a) directly with the outside air. For this purpose, and as the shows in particular Figure 5, the third part (C), constituting the chute (8) in communication with the outside air by the perforations (7a) of the cover, is in communication with the pump (3) by means of a tubular member (13). One of the ends (13a) of the tubular member opens into the chute (8) and the other end (13b) has coupling arrangements (14) with the engine air intake (3a) of the pump (3). For example, these arrangements (14) are constituted by a bell-shaped volume, shaped to cover the outer section of the corresponding part of the pump motor. This bell volume (14) has a sleeve (14a) for coupling the end (13b) of the tubular member (13).

The area (8a) of the chute into which the end opens (13a) of the tubular member (13) has transverse walls (15) and side (16), shaped to constitute a sealed enclosure. Advantageously, the transverse wall (15) is located very substantially at middle of the chute (8) to separate it into two zones very substantially equivalents (8a) and (8b). Optionally, the transverse wall (15) is extended to separate the box (B) receiving the pump in two suction and discharge (3).

Given these provisions, it appears that the air is sucked directly outside to be directed to the engine (3a) of the pump, the air at the outlet of the engine being immediately rejected outside, it thus avoiding stagnating inside the box (B). This avoids any abnormal rise in temperature inside the box receiving the suction and discharge pump. Different tests and measurements have shown that a very high temperature is obtained inside the box (B) substantially equal to the outside air temperature.

According to another characteristic, and taking into account the provisions constructive, the compact assembly according to the invention can advantageously be obtained by rotational molding, plastic injection, thermoforming, polyester spray ...

The advantages are apparent from the description, in particular one underlines and recalls the possibility of sealingly separating the pumping compartment of the filtration compartment, while allowing to obtain air circulation at the level of the pumping compartment, with the reduced, if not non-existent, risk of the pumping compartment being subject to rainwater or other action, taking into account, on the one hand, arrangements at the level of air circulation and, on the other hand, of the strong probability that the chute will never be filled with water or the like.

We also observe that the engine communication of the pump with the outside air under the conditions indicated allows significantly reduce the temperature inside the housing receiving said pump. This advantageously results in an increase of the life of the engine and the elimination of any harmful effect on the adjacent components such as the transformer which is subject to influence of the temperature. Finally, we observe that it is possible to reduce the absorbed power of the engine, resulting in lower costs.

Claims (12)

1. Cooling device for compact pumping and filtration unit for a swimming pool basin comprising two distinct parts (A) and (B), one of which (A) is intended to be submerged in the water and accommodates at least one filtering member (1), at least one delivery nozzle (2) and pipework (4) for connection to the second part (B) which is intended to be situated outside the basin and which accommodates at least one suction and delivery pump (3), characterized in that:

   the two parts (A) and (B) are separated in a leaktight or virtually leaktight manner,

   the part (B) accommodating the pump or pumps is separated from at least a third part (C) by arrangements allowing the passage of air while preventing the passage of any water contained in the said third part,

   each of the parts (A) (B) (C) constitutes a caisson, the said parts each being protected by a lid (7),

   the lid (7), or lid part, corresponding to the third part, possesses arrangements to establish communication between this third part (C) and the outside air.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arrangements of the lid (7) take the form of a zone possessing a plurality of open-ended perforations (7a).
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the separation arrangements between the parts (B) and (C) take the form of an inclined surface (10).
4. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the separation arrangements between the parts (B) and (C) take the form of a hollow empty space (11) partially sealed by a rib (7b) of the lid (7) in order to form, in combination, a chicane.
5. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the third part (C) is arranged in the same plane as the part (B) accommodating the pump or pumps and in a substantially parallel manner, acting as a chute (8).
6. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bottom of the third part (C) is pierced for the drainage of any water which it may contain.
7. Device according to Claims 4 and 6, characterized in that the bottom of the third part (C) is connected to a drainage pipe (12), as is the bottom of the pumping compartment (B) and, if appropriate, the hollow space (11).
8. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inner face of the lid (7) of the third part (C) possesses transversely, in the vicinity of the separation from the pumping compartment (B), a rib (7d) acting as a drip stone.
9. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that communication is established between the third part (C) and the suction and delivery pump by means of a tubular member (13), one of whose ends (13a) opens into the said part while the other end (13b) possesses arrangements for coupling to the air intake of the motor (3a) of the pump.
10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the zone (8a) of the third part into which the tubular member opens possesses transverse (15) and lateral (16) walls shaped in order to form a leaktight enclosure.
11. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the transverse wall (15) is situated approximately centrally in order to divide the third part into two very substantially equivalent zones (8a and 8b)..
12. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the transverse wall (15) is extended in order to separate the part accommodating the pump into two.

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