WO2001023765A1

WO2001023765A1 - Fluid flow pump

Info

Publication number: WO2001023765A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/001129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zoltan Balint
Original assignee: Zoltans Pool Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1999-09-14
Filing date: 1999-12-21
Publication date: 2001-04-05
Also published as: AU714337B3

Abstract

A fluid flow pump having a pump body (10) with an input enclosed channel (17) leading to an output enclosed channel (18) with an interruption between the input and the output channels (17, 18) formed by an opening (35) fluidly connected to the exterior surrounds; the input channel (17) having a constricting outlet (43) at the interruption and able to feed fluid from the input channel (17) to an opening (47) of the output channel (18) at the interruption; and a venturi-shaped formation (41) made at least partially of a substantially non-eroding material and able to be connected at or near the output channel (18) at the interruption wherein a venturi effect is formed at the interruption so that fluid flow from the input channel (17) into the output channel (18) draws fluid and any suspended particulate matter from outside the pump into the opening (35) and into the output channel (18).

Description

FLUID FLOW PUMP This invention relates to a fluid flow pump which makes use of the flow of one liquid

to ensure the flow of a second liquid which second liquid may incorporate paniculate matter

or other material. The invention can particularly make use of a venturi fluid flow. It is known to use venturi flow in movement of a second liquid such as shown in US

5, 179,969 for removal of free standing water from a roof. However, generally such systems

use a solid heavy duty metal venturi system which is connected to a flexible light weight

siphon system. In this way the siphon head can be placed at the position of the pool of water

on the roof and connects back by an extended pipe to the flow centre having the venturi flow means mounted fixedly on the side wall of the building to enable a suction of the water from

the roof into the recovery system.

In another US patent document 4.332,044 there is shown a means of emptying a water

bed by use of a siphon pump attached directly to the mattress outlet and can be secured to an

integrally formed storage chamber in the mattress whereby flow through the venturi pump

forms a decrease in pressure to allow outlet of the water from the water bed through an

outlet tube to a drain. Such apparatus is primarily fixed or able to be fixed to this particular connection.

Clearly from the above the particular venturi system needs to be specifically made and

have specific connections for the particular application. Further they are generally formed

from heavy duty metal and because of their specific requirements are expensive to make and

difficult to move.

Also in US 5,695,654, there is disclosed an apparatus and method for draining,

cleaning and filling a fish aquarium. The venturi means has three connecting points with one

connecting directly to a faucet and having an outlet feeding directly to the normal water

Substitute Sheet Rule 26 RO/AU outlet of the faucet and an intermediate connection point for an extended hose extending

from the position of the faucet to the aquarium For the outlet material to be collected or

discarded at a different point from the normal water faucet outlet, a further connection must be made to the outlet of the venturi means This three connection venturi system, therefore, requires specific connections for the three mounts and requires specific hoses connecting the

venturi meter to the aquarium Clearly there are limits on its use and position of use

It is an object of the invention, to provide a fluid flow pump that is particularly

versatile in its use and particularly cost effective in its form of manufacture due to its

construction

In accordance with the invention there is provided a fluid flow pump having a pump

body with an input enclosed channel leading to an output enclosed channel with an

interruption between the input and output channels formed by an opening fluidly connected

to the exterior surrounds; the input channel having a constricting outlet at the interruption

and able to feed fluid from the inlet channel to an opening of the outlet channel at the

interniption. and a venturi-shaped formation made at least partially of a substantially

non-eroding material and able to be connected at or near the output channel at the

interruption wherein a venturi effect is formed at the interruption so that fluid flow from the

inlet channel into the outlet channel draws fluid and any suspended paniculate matter from outside the pump into the opening and into the outlet channel

The fluid flow pump can have the venturi-shaped formation attached to the end of the

outlet channel at the interniption, or the venturi-shaped formation could be an insert received

within the end of the outlet channel at the interruption

A fluid flow pump in accordance with the invention can have the venturi-shaped

formation with an internal channel with a first frusto-conical restricting diameter portion and

Substitute Sheet Rule 26 RO/ATJ a second fnisto-conical enlarging diameter portion so as to provide the venturi effect It mav

further have an intermediary tubular constant diameter portion between the first and second

portion In one form the venturi-shaped formation is internally shaped to provide a venturi

effect when the inlet channel and the outlet channel have the same cross-sectional flow area 5 The relative lengths of the first intermediary and second portions can be approximately in

the ratio 2 1 4 with the first portion having an angle of the frusto-conical shape of between

10° and 25° and preferably 18° and the second portion having an angle at the fnisto-conical

shape of between 2^" and 8° and preferably 3°

Preferably the fluid flow pump of the invention has the external connection inlet and

10 outlet at the beginning of the inlet channel and end of the outlet channel respectively are able

to be connected to hoses for ready supply of fluid source and removal of the fluid combining

the fluid source and fluid and material drawn into the fluid flow pump The external

connection inlet and outlet can be substantially ad)acent with the inlet and outlet channels

substantially forming a U-shape

I T he fluid flow pump can be used with domestic mams pressure water supply and able

to be readily connected and disconnected to domestic garden hoses such as by snaplocks for

ready suction of domestic sumps such as swimming pools, garden or garage puddles etc

In one form of the invention there is provided a moulded plastic body with an internal interrupted channel connected between respective external connection inlet and outlet, able

0 to be formed into a single integral body with the channel being interrupted by an opening

fluidly connected to the exterior surrounds and an insert formed at least partially of a harder

material than the moulded plastic body and able to be received in the channel on the exit side

of the opening to form a venturi effect structure at the opening wherein a constricting outlet

at the interruption of the channel is able to feed fluid from the external connection inlet into

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU the opening and directly across to a relatively enlarged inlet holding the insert and feeding to the continuation of the channel the insert being internally shaped such that flow along the

interrupted channel and across the opening draws fluid and any suspended particulate matter

from the exterior surrounds into the insert and to the external connection outlet of the channel The moulded plastic body can be elongated and shaped and the channel constructed

such that the external connection inlet and outlet are at or near a first end of the moulded

plastics bodv and the opening forming the channel interruption is at or near the opposite end

and wherein a substantial portion of the interrupted channel before and after the interniption

of the channel are of similar dimensions and coextend substantially adjacently and formed

integrally and wherein the insert is formed of metal

The invention also provides a method of forming a fluid flow pump comprising the

steps of

(a) forming a pump body with enclosed inlet and outlet channels with an

interruption therebetween forming a fluid connection to the exterior surrounds,

(b) forming a venturi-shaped formation from a substantially non-eroding material.

(c) connecting the venturi-shaped formation at or near the output channel at the interruption to form a venturi effect at the interniption so that fluid flow from the inlet

channel into the outlet channel draws fluid and any suspended particulate material into the

opening and into the outlet channel

The method can have the step of forming inlet and outlet channels comprising

moulding two parts each with one inlet groove and one outlet groove such that combining

the two parts in respective alignment forms enclosed inlet and outlet channels Also the

method can have the step of connecting the venturi-shaped formation comprises forming

location shapes in or adjacent the outlet grooves adjacent the interruption and locating the

Substitute Sheet Rule 26 RO AU venturi-shaped formation in one outlet by the location shapes prior to placing the other moulded part having the other outlet groove in relative position to form the enclosed outlet

channel and at least substantially encapsulate the venturi-shaped formation. The body with the inlet and outlet channels can be moulded from plastic and the venturi-shaped formation is

made from metal able to withstand corrosive or eroding effects of fluid and material being

drawn into the outlet channel.

It can be seen that the construction of the invention provides a substantial advantage in

its manufacture Instead of being a large fixed bulky construction or made from copper or

brass as other venturi type pumps this can be easily constructed substantially from plastics Precisely shaped flow stnictures to provide a venturi constricting opening are extremely

difficult and costly to make from plastics. As normal plastic will generally be eroded over a

short time by contact with particulate matter such as sand, it is generally not feasible to make

such an item from plastic However, the apparatus of the invention is able to use harder

plastics only for the insert which are able to withstand sand erosion and therefore be useable

in more circumstances The apparatus of the invention is also able to make use of metal

characteristics and strength and shaping flexibility in combination with the benefits of plastics The particular structure of the invention including the insert construction allows

these advantages to be used which have not previously been able to be effectively used

The invention in one particularly advantageous form provides a fluid flow pump

further having the moulded plastic body being elongated and shaped and the channel

constructed such that the external connection inlet and outlet are at or near a first end of the moulded plastics body and the opening forming the channel interniption is at or near the

opposite end and wherein a substantial portion of the interrupted channel before and after the

interruption of the channel coextend substantially adjacently

Substitute Sheet Rule 26 RO/AU This particular structure provides the dual benefit of allowing minimal plastic use in the moulding process and a stronger structure while providing a useful structure that can

have its external connections at one end connected to required hoses and allow the other end

to be inserted into the pool of liquid to be transported away.

In order that the invention is more readily understood, a particular embodiment

thereof will be described by way of illustrations with reference to the drawings wherein

Figure 1 is a front view of a fluid flow pump in accordance with a first embodiment of

the invention

Figure 2 is a side view of the fluid flow pump of Figure 1

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of preferred insert able to be used in the fluid

flow pump of Figure 1

Figure 4 is a front view of a fluid flow pump in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention

Figure 5 is a side view of the fluid flow pump of Figure 4

Referring to the drawings there is shown a fluid flow pump 10 having a substantially U

shaped internipted channel comprising inlet channel 17 and outlet channel 18 The fluid flow

pump 10 uses the venturi effect to draw external liquid into the outlet channel 18 at an opening 35 forming an interniption in the channels 17. 18 between an external connection inlet 3 1 and an external connection outlet 33

The fluid flow pump comprises a moulded plastic body 10 being substantially planar

and elongated with the integral internal interrupted U-shaped channel 17, 18 connected

between an external connection inlet 31 and outlet 32 at or near one end of the body 15

The inlet 3 1 and outlet 32 both have a snap-on structure for ready connection to snap-on

Substitute Sheet Rule 26) RO/AU structures used with domestic garden hoses or the like The channel 17, 18 is internipted by

the opening 35 near the distal end This allows the channel 17, 18 to be fluidly connected to

the exterior surrounds A substantial portion of the inlet channel 17 and outlet channel 18

before and after the interniption of the channel coextend substantially adjacently

The moulded body 10 is formed by two mirror body parts 1 1, 12 which each have

corresponding grooves such that joining the two parts in alignment the grooves form

enclosed tubular channels 17, 18

A venturi shaped formation, in the form of an insert 41 and made preferably of brass,

is received in the channel 17. 18 during manufacture and form a venturi effect stnicture at

the opening 35 The insert 41 has an internal shape of opposing frusto conical shapes and

feeding to and expanding to the internal dimensions of the outlet channel 18

The interruption of the channel 17, 18 begins at the end of the first continuous channel

part 1 7 shortly after negotiating the U-shape end bend with a frusto conical shaped

constricting outlet 45 The outlet 45 is able to feed liquid into the opening 35 and directly

across an inlet 47 of the insert 41 at the beginning of the linear extending outlet channel 18

In this way flow of a liquid along the inlet channel 17 and across the opening 35 to the venturi shaped formation insert draws liquid and any suspended particulate matter from the

exterior surrounds around the opening 35 into the enlarging inlet 47 and to the external

connection outlet 33 of the channel

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a particularly preferred metal insert 41 having a

constant outside circular dimension except for an enlarged placement ring 51 near one end of

the metal insert 41 This placement ring 51 is sized to fit within a metal insert locating

groove 44 comprising an enlargement of the outlet channel 18 and a subsequent enlargement

of the external moulded structure The metal insert 41 has a continuous internal channel

Substitute Sheet Rule 26) RO/AU comprising three portions being a first opening portion 53 which is frusto conical in shape and has its largest opening leading from its inlet 47 leading from the opening 35 between the

two parts of the channel 17, 18. The first opening portion 53 feeds into a middle portion 54

having parallel tubular sides with the same dimension as the smallest dimension of the 5 opening portion 53 to allow smooth flow and leading to the third part being an exit portion

55 also being frusto conical extending from the smallest dimension equal to the dimension of

the middle portion 54 to a larger dimension just smaller than the internal dimension of the second channel part 18 The relative lengths of each portion are approximately in ratio of

2 1 4 from the opening portion 53 to the middle portion 54 to the exit portion 55

10 In operation the external connection inlet 1 will be connected to a main water

pressure hose connection feeding water down the first channel part 17 having an outer

circumference of about 18 mm and inner circumference of about 14 mm and extending around the U-bend to a constricting outlet 43 The outlet 43 size is about 3 mm feeding

water directly across the opening 35 of about 4 mm to the opening portion 53 of the insert

1 5 41 with an opening of just less than 13 mm circumference leading to the middle portion

having an internal circumference of about 10 mm which feeds to the exit portion having an

outlet size of about 15 mm and feeding back into the second channel part 1 8 having an

internal circumference of about 14 mm and external dimensions of about 18 mm The

opening portion 53 has an angle of the frusto conical shape of about 18° while the exit 0 portion 55 has an angle of about 3°

The shaping around the external part of the constricting outlet 43 is also substantially

frusto conical allowing ready access of the external liquid adjacent to the 3 mm outlet and in the opening 35 to the opening portion 53 of the metal insert 41

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU By means of the increase of speed of the flow due to the constricting outlet 43 and the enlarging diameter of the exit portion 55 of the metal insert 41 to allow a lower pressure relative to the fluid around the opening 35, the fluid and any particulate matter around the

opening 35 is drawn into the metal insert 41 and into the second channel part 18 to exit the external connection outlet 33

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 there is shown a fluid flow pump 60 substantially the

same as the fluid flow pump at Figures 1 to 3 but with an add-on attachable venturi-shaped

formation 71 rather than an insert 41 This venturi-shaped formation 71 is able to be

connected to the shortened outlet channel 18 by internal or external screw thread or clip

means or the like Thereby the liquid is directed into the venturi-shaped formation from the

inlet channel 17 so as to have the ventuπ-shaped formation in linear alignment with an outlet

43 of the inlet channel 17 and an inlet 77 of the outlet channel 18

It should be noted that the above description of the embodiments are illustrative and

not restrictive of the scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims

Substitute Sheet Rule 26 RO/AU

Claims

1 A fluid flow pump having a pump body 10 with an enclosed input channel 17 leading

to an enclosed output channel 18 with an interruption between the input and output channels formed by an opening 35 fluidly connected to the exterior surrounds,

5 the input channel 17 having a constricting outlet 43 at the interruption and able to feed

fluid from the inlet channel 17 to an opening 47 of the outlet channel 18 at the interruption.

and a venturi-shaped formation (41 , 71) made at least partially of a substantially

non-eroding material and able to be connected at or near the output channel 18 at the

interniption wherein a venturi effect is formed at the interruption so that fluid flow from the

10 inlet channel 17 into the outlet channel 18 draws fluid and any suspended particulate matter

from outside the pump into the opening 35 and into the outlet channel 18

2 A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 1 wherein the venturi-shaped formation 71 is attached to the end of the outlet channel 18 at the interruption

3 A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 1 wherein the venturi-shaped formation

1 5 41 is an insert received within the end of the outlet channel 18 at the interruption

4 A fluid flow pump in accordance with claims 2 or 3 wherein the venturi-shaped formation 41 , 71 has an internal channel with a first frusto-conical restricting diameter

portion 53 and a second frusto-conical enlarging diameter portion 55 so as to provide the venturi effect

0 5 A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 4 wherein the venturi-shaped formation

41 , 71 has an intermediary tubular constant diameter portion 54 between the first and second portion 53. 55

Substitute Sheet Rule 26 RO/AU 6 A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 5 wherein the venturi-shaped formation 41, 71 is internally shaped to provide a venturi effect when the inlet channel 17 and the outlet

channel 18 have the same cross-sectional flow area.

7. A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 6 wherein the relative lengths of the first,

intermediary and second portions 53, 54, 55 are approximately in the ratio 2: 1 :4.

8. A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 6 wherein the first portion 53 has an angle

of the fnisto-conical shape of between 10° and 25° and preferably 18° and the second

portion 55 has an angle at the frusto-conical shape of between 2° and 8° and preferably 3°.

9 A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 4. wherein external connection inlet 3 1

and outlet 32 at the beginning of the inlet channel 17 and end of the outlet channel 18

respectively are able to be connected to hoses for ready supply of fluid source and removal

of the fluid combining the fluid source and fluid and material drawn into the fluid flow pump

10

10. A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 4 wherein the external connection inlet 3 1

and outlet 33 are substantially adjacent with the inlet and outlet channels 17. 18 substantially

forming a U-shape

1 I A fluid flow pump having:

a moulded plastic body 10 with an internal interrupted channel 17. 18 connected between respective external connection inlet 3 1 and outlet 33, able to be formed into a single integral

body, with the channel being internipted by an opening 35 fluidly connected to the exterior

surrounds;

and an insert 41 formed at least partially of a harder material than the moulded plastic

body and able to be received in the channel 17, 18 on the exit side of the opening 35 to form

a venturi effect stnicture at the opening 35 wherein a constricting outlet 43 at the

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU interniption of the channel is able to feed fluid from the external connection inlet 31 into the

opening 35 and directly across to a relatively enlarged inlet 47 holding the insert 41 and feeding to the continuation of the channel 18; the insert 41 being internally shaped such that flow along the internipted channel and across the opening draws fluid and any suspended

5 particulate matter from the exterior surrounds into the insert 41 and to the external

connection outlet 33 of the channel 18

12. A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 1 1 wherein the moulded plastic body 10 is

elongated and shaped and the channel 17. 18 constmcted such that the external connection

inlet 3 I and outlet 3 are at or near a fu t end of the moulded plastics body and the opening

10 35 forming the channel interniption is at or near the opposite end and wherein a substantial

portion of the interrupted channel 17, 18 before and after the interniption 35 of the channel

are of similar dimensions and coextend substantially adjacently and formed integrally and wherein the insert 41 is formed of metal.

1 A method of forming a fluid flow pump comprising the steps of.

15 (a) forming a pump body 10. 60 with enclosed inlet and outlet channels 17, 1

with an interniption 35 therebetween forming a fluid connection to the exterior surrounds;

(b) forming a venturi-shaped formation 41. 71 from a substantially non-eroding material;

(c) connecting the venturi-shaped formation 41. 71 at oi near the output channel

0 18 at the interniption 35 to form a venturi effect at the interniption so that fluid flow from

the inlet channel 17 into the outlet channel 18 draws fluid and any suspended particulate material into the opening 35 and into the outlet channel 18.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the step of forming inlet and outlet

channels 17. 18 comprises moulding two parts 1 1 , 12 each with one inlet groove and one

Substitute Sheet 2 R A outlet groove such that combining the two parts in respective alignment forms enclosed inlet and outlet channels 17, 18.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein the step of connecting the venturi-shaped formation 41. comprises forming location shapes in or adjacent the outlet

grooves adjacent the interruption and locating the venturi-shaped formation in one outlet by

the location shapes prior to placing the other moulded part having the other outlet groove in

relative position to form the enclosed outlet channel and at least substantially encapsulate the

venturi-shaped formation.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein the body with the inlet and outlet

channels is moulded from plastic and the venturi-shaped formation is made from metal able

to withstand corrosive or eroding effects of fluid and material being drawn into the outlet

channel.

17. A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 10 for use with domestic mains pressure

water supply and able to be readily connected and disconnected to domestic garden hoses

such as by snaplocks for ready suction of domestic sumps such as swimming pools, garden or garage puddles etc.

18. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein the step of connecting the

venturi-shaped formation 71 comprises connecting by internal or external screw or clip

means to the outlet channel 18 so as to have the venturi-shaped formation in linear alignment with an outlet 43 of the inlet channel 17 and an inlet 77 of the outlet channel 18.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein the body with the inlet and outlet

to withstand corrosive or eroding effects of fluid and material being drawn into the outlet channel.

Substitute Sheet AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 21 December 2000 (21.12.00); new claims 20-22 added; remaining claims unchanged (1 page)]

20. A fluid flow pump having: a moulded plastic body with an internal interrupted channel connected between respective external connection inlet and outlet, able to be formed into a single integral body, 5 with the channel being interrupted by an opening fluidly connected to the exterior surrounds; and an insert formed at least partially of a harder material than the moulded plastic body and able to be received in the channel on the exit side of the opening to form a venturi effect structure at the opening wherein a constricting outlet at the interruption of the channel

10 is able to feed fluid from the external connection inlet into the opening and directly across to a relatively enlarged inlet holding the insert and feeding to the continuation of the channel the insert being internally shaped such that flow along the interrupted channel and across the opening draws fluid and any suspended particulate matter from the exterior surrounds into the insert and to the external connection outlet of the channel.

15 21. A fluid flow pump in accordance with claim 20 wherein the moulded plastic body is elongated and shaped and the channel constructed such that the external connection inlet and outlet are at or near a first end of the moulded plastics body and the opening forming the channel interruption is at or near the opposite end and wherein a substantial ponion of the interrupted channel before and after the interruption of the channel are of similar

20 dimensions and coextend substantially adjacently and formed integrally and wherein the insert is formed of metal.

22. A fluid flow pump substantially as defined in claim 20 or 21 and as described hereinbefore with reference to the drawings.