US3644062A - Bilge pump for boats - Google Patents

Abstract

A bilge pump for a boat or vessel of any type is provided which is operative in response to any movement of the boat in which the pump is provided, such as pitching or rolling. The pump includes preferably two or three diaphragm-type pumps mounted in a housing. A vertical shaft is rotatably mounted in a housing, the shaft is secured to an unbalanced mass exterior responsive to the movements of the boat to effect the rotation of the shaft. The end of the shaft remote from the end at which the mass is secured comprises an eccentric journal which is connected to a two- or three-arm member by a bearing and whose arms are in turn connected to the diaphragms for operating same successively to take in bilge water through intake pipes and valves and discharge same through outlet valves and pipes.

Description

ma United States atem 51 3,644,062 ozic 1 Feb. 22, 1972 [54] BILGE PUMP FOR BOATS 1,325,773 12/1919 Babendreer ..417/211 [72] Inventor: lgerrsCgl zzlgcw, Avenue 1so1a-Be1la-06, Primary Examiner Robert M. walker Attorney-Baldwin, Wight & Brown [22] Filed: June 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 42,717 [57] ABSTRACT A bilge pump for a boat or vessel of any type is provided which [30] Foreign Application Prior"), Dam is operative in response to any movement of the boat in which the pump 15 provided, such as pitching or rolling. The pump June 6, 1969 France l includes preferably two or three diaphragm-type pumps Oct. 2, 1969 France ..6933728 mounted i a housing, A vertical shaft is rotatably mounted in a housing, the shaft is secured to an unbalanced mass exterior U.S. responsive t th movements f th b t t ff t h t ti [5 1 1 p Cl 19/00 of the shaft. The end of the shaft remote from the end at which of Search 1, the mass is Secured comprises an eccentric journal which is connected to a twoor three-arm member by a bearing and [56] References Clted whose arms are in turn connected to the diaphragms for UNITED STATES PATENTS operating sam'e successively to take in bilge water through intake pipes and valves and discharge same through outlet 3,190,230 6/1965 Nielsen 417/211 valves and pipes 862,867 8/1907 Eggleston .....417/390 2,068,653 1/ 1937 Brynild ..417/211 11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] FEB 2 2 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 4 PATENTEDFEB22 m2 SHEET 2 BF 4 FIG.3

BILGE PUMP FOR BOATS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bilge pump for boats.

It is known that it is frequently necessary to remove water which accumulates in the hulls of all types of boats. The means employed ranging from a simple bailing scoop with a manually operated pump to a motorized pump depending on the size of the boat.

An object of the present invention is to put at the disposition of all boat owners a bilge pump which is in continuous operation without requiring manual or mechanical driving force other than that which is assured by the rolling or the pitching of the boat or both in combination whether it be in a port, harbor or during navigation.

PRIOR ART Pumps are already known which have the same object but as their operation is based on the pendulum movement of a mass, their operation is assured only by a predetermined degree of tilting and the pumping is not effectuated by a single pump body. Further, diaphragm type pumps are also known in which the diaphragms are actuated by an offset journal fixed to a shaft rotatably driven by a motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention enables the achievement of the aforesaid object while assuring the continuous operation of the pump regardless of the direction and magnitude of the movements of the boat, the said movements also being gyratory and can therefore actuate a known type of multiple diaphragm pump.

The bilge pump according to the invention comprises a shaft mounted by ball bearings, roller bearings or needle bearings along the vertical axis of a hollow housing and which carries an unbalanced mass or weight by means of an eccentric bearing surface on at least one lift-and-force pump under the action of the movements of the sea on the boat in which the pump is mounted.

The pump or pumps controlled by the support shaft with an eccentric journal are of the diaphragm-type and each diaphragm is connected to the eccentric journal which acts against it through a member having one or more rigid or articulated arms.

A two-arm member having arms extending in opposite y directions can act at its ends against the diaphragms of two pumps arranged diametrically opposite one another relative to the vertical axis of the housing. I

A three-arm member can act against the diaphragms of three pumps placed l20 from one another.

Two two-arm members superposed and perpendicular to one another can act upon four pumps arranged at 90 from one another.

Each pump comprises an inlet valve and an outlet valve, the said valves of the same function being connected to one another by a peripheral channel provided in the wall of the cubic pump body and each of the channels open into a coupling member for external piping, one for the discharge of the liquid and the other for the admission.

The inlet valves and the outlet valves are preferably formed as ball valves.

Sealing members are inserted between the pump bodies and the part surrounding the inlet and outlet valves.

The unbalanced mass or external weight comprises a horizontal arm secured to the vertical shaft and a vertical cylindrical part which partially surrounds the pump combination.

A particular embodiment of the pump comprises: a central body constituted by a hollow cylindrical element provided with two cylindrical recesses diametrically opposite one another; two basin-shaped pump bodies inserted into each one of the said recesses; two diaphragms held between the pump bodies and a seating provided in each recess; a two-armed slotted member disposed on the same diameter from one end to the other of the axis of the housing and each connected at its end to the diaphragm of one of the pumps, the slotted member being mounted by the intermediary of a ball bearing on the eccentric journal at the end of the vertical shaft extending through bearings supported by a cover closing the upper opening of the hollow cylindrical element; an unbalanced mass secured onto the external part of the said vertical shaft; an annular rim surrounds the lower opening of the said hollow element; an inlet valve placed at the bottom of each pump body which open into a circular passage provided in the said rim and in communication with suction pipe for the liquid; and finally, an outlet valve disposed at the top of each of the pump bodies and emptying into circular passages formed in the said cover and in communication with a discharge pipe for the pumped liquid.

In another embodiment, the pump comprises a three arm member each arm comprising a yoke in which articulates a rod connected to the diaphragm of one of the three pumps arranged at l20 from one another in the central element of the pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described further in detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a vertical sectional view of a pump according to the invention taken along the line I-I in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the pump.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pump body when viewed from the direction of arrow F as shown in FIG. 1 with the mass or weight removed. 1

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the pump.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the pump taken along the line V-V of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the alternative embodiment of the pump.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the body of pump when viewed from the direction of arrow F as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the alternative embodiment of the pump.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, the pump comprises a central element 1 having a cylindrical shape in which are provided two cylindrical recesses la diametrically opposite one another with respect to the axis of element 1, and including a seating lb formed during the molding of the said element which is preferably pressure molded of synthetic plastic material.

The peripheral portion of a flexible circular diaphragm 2 is held by the wall 3a of the basin-shaped body of pump 3. The body of the pump 3 is secured on the seating lb by means of screws 4 (FIG. 3). The pump body could also be formed of synthetic material.

The top portion of the element 1 is covered by a piece 5 also of synthetic material and secured to the element 1 by means of screws 6. The piece 5 forms a cover and is provided at its center with a bearing support 5a in which are mounted two ball or roller bearings 7 and 7 which receive a vertical shaft 8 secured by means ofa resilient split ring 9.

The lower end of the shaft 8 is provided with an eccentric journal 10 which can turn in a two-armed slotted member I2 (FIG. 4) held on the said journal by an elastic split ring 13 through the intermediary ofa ball bearing 11.

At each end of the slotted member 12 is provided a disc 12a and receives a screw 12b traversing one of the circular diaphragm 2 after passing through a disc 14 which in combination with the disc 12a retains the diaphragm.

The upper portion ofthe shaft 8 extends through the cover 5 and is provided with a collar 811 on which is supported the horizontal arm 15a of the unbalanced weight or mass 15 surrounding approximately l20 of the pump combination.

The arm 15a is held on the collar 8a by a washer 16 and a screw 17 screwed into the shaft 8.

The screws 6 assure the watertight sealing between the cover and the central element 1 owing to the nature of these two members.

In one annular thickened portion 5b of the cover 5 are provided with two semicircular passages 18 and 19 and sockets 30 inserted into recess Sc into which the two passages terminate.

The sockets 3c inserted in the cover 5 are connected to conduits 31; disposed in the wall of the pump body 3 and in which are placed ball valves 21. The watertight scaling is assured in this zone by seal 22 placed about the outlet valves.

The channel 23 in the central element 1 is in communication with the outlet orifice 24 via passages 18 and 19.

A rim 25 is fixed along the lower surface of the element 1 by means of screws 26 (FlGS. 1 and 4). A circular passage 27 is provided in the rim 25 in communication with the inlet orifice 28.

Seating inserts 29 each containing a ball valve 30 are screwed into the central element 1 in alignment with the outlet valves 21 and are in communication with the passage 27 of the rim 25. A seal 31 assures sealing. Orifices 32 are in communication with each ball valve 30 formed with the interior of each of the pump bodies.

Threaded holes 33 are provided in the rim 25 for enabling the pump to be fixed onto a support.

The operation of the pump thus described is easily understood. I

The mass or weight 15 will undergo movements, either oscillatory with variable amplitude or rotary making one or more complete revolutions caused by the rolling or pitching or the combination of the two and of greater or less intensity according to the size of the undertow acting on the boat equipped with the pump described hereinabove.

All the movements of the unbalanced mass 15 will effect the rotation of the shaft 8 whose journal acts on the diaphragms 2 which in turn cause changes of volume in the pump 3 and the suction and discharge of liquid through the orifices 28 and 24 respectively.

The interest of the pump which is the object of the invention resides in the fact that the pumping is uninterrupted and needs neither surveillance nor frequent maintenance. The starting of diaphragm pumps is done automatically which is a great advantage of this system.

Further, the unbalanced mass can be adjusted on the vertical shaft relative to the distance from the axis of rotation of said shaft which enables the adjustment of the amplitude of movement according to the type of boat on which the pump is to be used.

ln an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 58, the pump comprises a central element 41 having a cylindrical shape in which are provided three circular recesses 41a situated at 120 from one another and includes a seating 41b formed by molding the part 41 preferably formed by pressure molding ofsynthetic material.

The peripheral portion of the flexible circular diaphragm 42 is held by the wall 43a of the basin-shaped body of the pump 43 in the seating 41b of each recess 41a. The body of the pump 43 is secured to the seating 41b by means of screws 44 (FlG. 7). The pump body could also be formed by synthetic material.

The top portion of the element 41 is covered by a piece 45 also of synthetic material and secured to the part 41 by meansof screws 46. The piece 45 forms a cover and is provided at its center with a bearing support 45a in which are mounted two ball or roller bearings 47 and 47' which receive a vertical shaft 48 secured by means of a resilient split ring 49.

The lower end of the shaft 48 is provided with an eccentric journal 50 about which can turn by the intermediary of a ball bearing 51 in three armed slotted member (FIG. 8) each arm comprising a yoke in which a rod 520 articulates about an axis 52b, the three armed member being maintained on the said journal by a resilient split ring 53.

Each ofthe small rods 52a is extended by a screw traversing a disc 520, one of the three diaphragms 42 and a second disc 54 forming a cooperating nut in combination therewith retains the diaphragm therebetween.

The upper portion of the shaft 48 extends through the cover 45 and is provided with a collar 48a on which is supported the horizontal arm 55a of the unbalanced mass 55 surrounding approximately of the central part 41.

The arm 55a is held on the collar 48:: by a Washer 56 and a screw 57 screwed into the shaft 48. In one thickened annular portion 45b of the cover 45 are provided three passages 58, 59 and 60 (FIG. 6) having semicircular sections extending into the sockets 43c inserted in recesses 45c into which the three passages terminate.

The sockets 43c inserted in the cover 45 engage conduits 43!) disposed in the wall of the body of the pump 45 and in which are placed ball valves 61. The scaling is assured by seals 62 placed about the outlet valves.

A channel 63 in the central part 41 is in communication with the combination of passages 58,59 and 60 and with a discharge orifice 64.

Along the lower surface of the central part 41 is secured a rim 65 by means ofscrews 66 (FIGS. 5 and 8).

A circular groove 67 is provided in the rim 65 in communication with the suction orifice 68v Seating inserts 69 each containing a ball valve 70 are screwed into the central part 41 in alignment with the ball valves 61 and are in communication with the passage 67 of the rim 65. A seal 71 assures the sealing. Holes 72 are in commu nication with each suction valve such formed with the interior of each of the pump bodies.

The operation of the pump thus described is the same as that of the pump operation already described.

The manufacture of the pump according to the present invention is considerably simplified since all its parts can be formed by pressure molding of synthetic material or of a corrosion resistant metal.

The pump can be used in all cases in which it is fixed to an element capable of oscillating in all direction above an enclosure acting as a receptacle for liquid whether undesirable and in particular for bilges of boats.

I claim:

1. A bilge pump for boats operative in response to the movements of the boat including rolling and pitching and the size of the undertow acting on the boat comprising, in com: bination, a housing, at least two diaphragm-type pumps mounted in said housing, an upstanding shaft mounted for rotation in bearing means disposed in said housing, an unbalanced mass secured to the shaft exterior to said housing for effecting the rotation of said shaft in response to the move ments of the boat, an eccentric journal provided on said shaft, a multiarm member operatively connected between the eccentric journal and each of the diaphragm pumps for operating the pumps in response to the eccentric movement imparted by the eccentric journal, each of the diaphragm pumps including an inlet and an outlet valve, the inlet valves being arranged in communication with one another by a first plurality of channels in the housing, the outlet valves being arranged in communication with one another by a second plurality of channels in the housing, the first plurality of channels being connected to an intake pipe and the second plurality of channels being connected to a discharge pipe, the housing including a hollow cylindrical element with a plurality of peripherally spaced recesses with circular cross sections, basin-shaped pump bodies inserted into each one of said recesses, a diaphragm held between each pump body and an associated seating disposed in each of said recesses, the mul tiarm member being mounted on the eccentric journal by a bearing and connected at the periphery of its arms to the diaphragms.

2. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a cover closing the upper opening in the hollow cylindrical element and an annular ring surrounding the hollow cylindrical clement.

3. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein each inlet valve is disposed at the lower part of its associated pump body, the said first plurality of channels being formed in said ring and each outlet valve is disposed in the upper part of its associated pump body, the said second plurality of channels being formed in said cover.

4. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein there are two of said diaphragm pumps and said pumps are arranged diametrically opposite one another in their-respective recesses and wherein said multiarm member has two slotted arms.

5. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein there are three of said diaphragm pumps and said pumps are arranged in recesses spaced 120 from one another and wherein the said multiarm member has three slotted arms.

6. A bilge pump for boats operative in response to the movements of the boat including rolling and pitching and like movements of the boat, said bilge pump comprising a tubular housing having axially spaced ends, a plurality diaphragm-type pumps mounted in said housing in circumferentially spaced relation, each pump including a radial recess in said housing, a pump body seated in each recess, inlet and outlet valve assemblies extending axially into each pump body through said housing ends, rings secured to the opposite ends of said housing retaining said valve assemblies in place, each of said rings having a channel therein in communication with respective ones of said valve assemblies, one of said channels being an inlet channel and the other of said channels being an outlet channel, one of said rings being a part of a cover for said housing and carrying bearing means, a shaft carried by said bearing means, an unbalanced mass secured to said shaft exteriorly of said housing, and an eccentric connection within said housing between said shaft and said pumps for converting rotational movement of said shaft into radial movement at said pumps to actuate said pumps.

7. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein said housing has a cylindrical exterior, and the unbalanced mass comprises a lateral arm for securing the mass to the said shaft and a longitudinal part-cylindrical weight partially surrounding said housing. 1

8. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein said pump bodies have axially aligned bores, and said valve assemblies are in the form ofinserts seated in said bores.

9. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein each recess is of a stepped construction and includes an outwardly facing seat. and each pump includes a diaphragm secured between a respective pump body and seat.

10. The bilge pump of claim 9 wherein said eccentric connection includes a rigid multiarm member rigidly secured to each diaphragm, and said shaft has an eccentric shaft portion operatively connected to said multiarm member for shifting v the same relative to said housing.

11. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein each pump includes a diaphragm disposed adjacent the interior of said housing, and said eccentric connection includes a rigid multiarm member rigidly secured to each diaphragm, and said shaft has an eccentric shaft portion operatively connected to said multiarm member for shifting the same relative to said housing.

Claims (11)

1. A bilge pump for boats operative in response to the movements of the boat including rolling and pitching and the size of the undertow acting on the boat comprising, in combination, a housing, at least two diaphragm-type pumps mounted in said housing, an upstanding shaft mounted for rotation in bearing means disposed in said housing, an unbalanced mass secured to the shaft exterior to said housing for effecting the rotation of said shaft in response to the movements of the boat, an eccentric journal provided on said shaft, a multiarm member operatively connected between the eccentric journal and each of the diaphragm pumps for operating the pumps in response to the eccentric movement imparted by the eccentric journal, each of the diaphragm pumps including an inlet and an outlet valve, the inlet valves being arranged in communication with oNe another by a first plurality of channels in the housing, the outlet valves being arranged in communication with one another by a second plurality of channels in the housing, the first plurality of channels being connected to an intake pipe and the second plurality of channels being connected to a discharge pipe, the housing including a hollow cylindrical element with a plurality of peripherally spaced recesses with circular cross sections, basin-shaped pump bodies inserted into each one of said recesses, a diaphragm held between each pump body and an associated seating disposed in each of said recesses, the multiarm member being mounted on the eccentric journal by a bearing and connected at the periphery of its arms to the diaphragms.

2. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a cover closing the upper opening in the hollow cylindrical element and an annular ring surrounding the hollow cylindrical element.

3. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein each inlet valve is disposed at the lower part of its associated pump body, the said first plurality of channels being formed in said ring and each outlet valve is disposed in the upper part of its associated pump body, the said second plurality of channels being formed in said cover.

4. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein there are two of said diaphragm pumps and said pumps are arranged diametrically opposite one another in their respective recesses and wherein said multiarm member has two slotted arms.

5. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein there are three of said diaphragm pumps and said pumps are arranged in recesses spaced 120* from one another and wherein the said multiarm member has three slotted arms.

6. A bilge pump for boats operative in response to the movements of the boat including rolling and pitching and like movements of the boat, said bilge pump comprising a tubular housing having axially spaced ends, a plurality diaphragm-type pumps mounted in said housing in circumferentially spaced relation, each pump including a radial recess in said housing, a pump body seated in each recess, inlet and outlet valve assemblies extending axially into each pump body through said housing ends, rings secured to the opposite ends of said housing retaining said valve assemblies in place, each of said rings having a channel therein in communication with respective ones of said valve assemblies, one of said channels being an inlet channel and the other of said channels being an outlet channel, one of said rings being a part of a cover for said housing and carrying bearing means, a shaft carried by said bearing means, an unbalanced mass secured to said shaft exteriorly of said housing, and an eccentric connection within said housing between said shaft and said pumps for converting rotational movement of said shaft into radial movement at said pumps to actuate said pumps.

7. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein said housing has a cylindrical exterior, and the unbalanced mass comprises a lateral arm for securing the mass to the said shaft and a longitudinal part-cylindrical weight partially surrounding said housing.

8. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein said pump bodies have axially aligned bores, and said valve assemblies are in the form of inserts seated in said bores.

9. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein each recess is of a stepped construction and includes an outwardly facing seat, and each pump includes a diaphragm secured between a respective pump body and seat.

10. The bilge pump of claim 9 wherein said eccentric connection includes a rigid multiarm member rigidly secured to each diaphragm, and said shaft has an eccentric shaft portion operatively connected to said multiarm member for shifting the same relative to said housing.

11. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein each pump includes a diaphragm disposed adjacent the interior of said housing, and said eccentric connection includes a rigid multiarm member rigidly secured to each diaphragm, aNd said shaft has an eccentric shaft portion operatively connected to said multiarm member for shifting the same relative to said housing.

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