WO2020098964A1

WO2020098964A1 - Fluid pump

Info

Publication number: WO2020098964A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/085758
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tobias DEMMELMAIER
Original assignee: Husqvarna Ab
Priority date: 2018-11-14
Filing date: 2018-12-19
Publication date: 2020-05-22
Also published as: HUE062152T2; EP3880962A1; CN113167256B; EP3880962B1; CN113167256A

Abstract

A fluid pump (100) includes a housing (102) and a handle portion (114) coupled to the housing (102). The handle portion (114) includes a first portion (116) fixedly coupled to the housing (102). The handle portion (114) also includes a second portion (122) coupled to the first portion (116). The second portion (122) is movable relative to the first portion (116). A movement of the second portion (122) relative to the first portion (116) is adapted to alter at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump (100).

Description

FLUID PUMP

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a fluid pump, and more particularly to an operational aspect of the fluid pump.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a fluid pump, such as a water pump, may include a number of controls provided on the fluid pump, such as a pump speed control, a pump flow control, an automatic/manual control, a clean/dirty fluid operation, and the like. In many situations, location of the controls provided on the fluid pump may be unergonomic, in turn, making it difficult for a user to operate the controls. For example, in some submersible type fluid pumps, the controls may be located within a fluid tight housing. In such a situation, the fluid pump may have to be completely removed out of the fluid in order to operate the controls. In many situations, the fluid tight housing may have a complex structure, in turn, providing a laborious and time-intensive method for controlling the fluid pump.

In some embodiments, during switching of the fluid pump between the clean and dirty fluid operation modes, a complex mechanism may have to be operated by the user. For example, a base or an inlet of the fluid pump may have to be adjusted in order to provide an increased inlet area during the dirty fluid operation or to provide a reduced inlet area during the clean fluid operation. In such a situation, the complex mechanism may provide a laborious and time intensive method to switch the fluid pump between the clean and dirty fluid operation modes. Hence, there is a need for an improved fluid pump for such applications.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a fluid pump, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fluid pump includes a housing and a handle portion coupled to the housing. The handle portion includes a first portion fixedly coupled to the housing. The handle portion also includes a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion. A movement of the second portion relative to the first portion is adapted to alter at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump. As such, the fluid pump provides a simple, effective, and ergonomic method to control one or more operational characteristics of the fluid pump, in turn, providing improved user comfort.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second portion is adapted to move relative to the first portion between at least a first position and a second position. As such, one or more operational characteristics of the fluid pump may be easily controlled by moving the second portion between at least the first position and the second position.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump is activation of the fluid pump and deactivation of the fluid pump. As such, the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically switched between on and off positions, based on user requirement, in turn improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first position and the second position is adapted to activate the fluid pump and other of the first position and the second position is adapted to deactivate the fluid pump. As such, the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically switched between the on and off positions by simply moving the second portion between the first position and the second position, in turn, improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump is activation of one of a manual mode of the fluid pump and an automatic mode of the fluid pump. As such, the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically switched between the manual and automatic modes, based on user requirement, in turn improving usability. According to an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first position and the second position is adapted to activate the manual mode of the fluid pump and other of the first position and the second position is adapted to activate the automatic mode of the fluid pump. As such, the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically switched between the manual and automatic modes by simply moving the second portion between the first position and the second position, in turn, improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump is a variable speed control of the fluid pump. As such, an operational speed of the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically controlled, based on user requirement, in turn improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second portion is adapted to move variably between the first position and the second position to variably control the speed of the fluid pump. As such, the operational speed of the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically controlled by simply moving the second portion between the first position and the second position, in turn, improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump is a variable flow control of the fluid pump. As such, a flow of fluid from the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically controlled, based on user requirement, in turn improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second portion is adapted to move variably between the first position and the second position to variably control the flow of fluid from the fluid pump. As such, the flow of fluid from the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically controlled by simply moving the second portion between the first position and the second position, in turn, improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump is a clean fluid operation of the fluid pump and an dirty fluid operation of the fluid pump. As such, the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically switched between the clean and dirty fluid modes, based on user requirement, in turn improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in one of the first position and the second position of the second portion, a base portion is adapted to be releasably locked in a retracted position relative to the housing. The retracted position of the base portion is associated with the clean fluid operation of the fluid pump. As such, the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically switched to the clean fluid mode by simply moving the second portion between the first position and the second position, in turn, improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in other of the first position and the second position of the second portion, the base portion is adapted to be releasably locked in an extended position relative to the housing. The extended position of the base portion is associated with the dirty fluid operation of the fluid pump. As such, the fluid pump may be easily and ergonomically switched to the dirty fluid mode by simply moving the second portion between the first position and the second position, in turn, improving usability.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid pump is a submersible type fluid pump. As such, the fluid pump may be partially or completely submerged with the fluid, in turn, improving product versatility and flexibility.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid is at least one of water and slurry. As such, the fluid pump may be compatible with wide variety of fluids, in turn, improving product versatility and flexibility.

Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a fluid pump, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the fluid pump of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show different partial perspective views of a handle portion of the fluid pump of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a partial perspective cutaway view of the fluid pump of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective cutaway view of the fluid pump of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example,“upper”,“lower”,“front”, “rear”,“side”,“longitudinal”,“lateral”,“transverse”,“upwards”,“downwards”, “forward”, “backward”, “sideward”, “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward”, “inner”, “outer”, “inward”, “outward”, “top”, “bottom”, “higher”, “above”, “below”, “central”, “middle”, “intermediate”, “between”, “end”, “adjacent”, “parallel”, “inclined”, “proximate”, “near”, “distal”, “remote”, “radial”,“circumferential”, or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, different perspective views of a fluid pump 100 are illustrated. The fluid pump 100 will be hereinafter interchangeably referred to as the“pump 100”. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 100 is a submersible type fluid pump. In other embodiments, the pump 100 may be any type of fluid pump, such as a semi-submersible type fluid pump, a non- submersible type fluid pump, and the like. The pump 100 is adapted to provide a flow of fluid, such as water, slurry, and the like, at a predetermined pressure and/or flow rate.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 100 has a substantially elongated, stepped, and cylindrical configuration. In other embodiments, the pump 100 may have any other configuration, such as rectangular, elliptical, and the like. The pump 100 includes a housing 102. The housing 102 defines a longitudinal axis X-X’. The housing 102 has a substantially hollow, elongated, stepped, and cylindrical configuration. In other embodiments, the housing 102 may have any other configuration, based on an overall configuration of the pump 100. The housing 102 is adapted to enclose one or more internal components (not shown) of the pump 100, such as a motor, a rotor, blades, vanes, bearings, fluid passages, electrical/electronic components, controller, and the like. The housing 102 may be made of any material, such as a metal, a polymer, and/or a combination thereof. The housing 102 may be manufactured using any process, such as molding, casting, fabrication, additive manufacturing, and the like. The pump 100 includes a base portion 104. The base portion 104 has a substantially hollow configuration. The base portion 104 is movably coupled to the housing 102 such that the base portion 104 is adapted to move axially along the longitudinal axis X-X’ relative to the housing 102. The base portion 104 includes a primary inlet (not shown) provided on a bottom portion 106 of the base portion 104. The base portion 104 also includes a number of secondary inlets 108 provided on a side portion 110 of the base portion 104. Each of the primary inlet and the secondary inlets 108 is adapted to allow the flow of fluid into the housing 102 via the base portion 104. The base portion 104 may be made of any material, such as a metal, a polymer, and/or a combination thereof. The base portion 104 may be manufactured using any process, such as molding, casting, fabrication, additive manufacturing, and the like. The base portion 104, the primary inlet, and the secondary inlets 108 will be explained in more detail later.

The pump 100 also includes a fluid outlet 112. The fluid outlet 112 is disposed on the housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid outlet 112 is disposed substantially parallel and spaced apart with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X’. In other embodiments, the fluid outlet 112 may be disposed in any orientation and at any location on the housing 102. The fluid outlet 112 is fluidly coupled to each of the primary inlet and the secondary inlets 108 via the base portion 104. As such, the fluid outlet 112 is adapted to provide the flow of fluid out of the housing 102 and the pump 100.

The pump 100 further includes a handle portion 114. The handle portion 114 is disposed on the housing 102. The handle portion 114 is adapted to lift and/or move the pump 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion 114 has a substantially elongated and C-shaped configuration. In other embodiments, the handle portion 114 may have any other configuration, such as an L-shaped configuration, a curved configuration, and the like. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion 114 extends substantially along the longitudinal axis X-X’. In other embodiments, the handle portion 114 may be disposed in any other orientation on the housing 102, based on application requirements. The handle portion 114 may be made of any material, such as a metal, a polymer, and/or a combination thereof. The handle portion 114 may be manufactured using any process, such as molding, casting, fabrication, additive manufacturing, and the like.

The handle portion 114 includes a first portion 116. The first portion 116 is fixedly coupled to the housing 102 via a number of leg portions 118, 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion 114 includes two leg portions 118, 120. In other embodiments, the handle portion 114 may include single or multiple leg portions, based on application requirements. The handle portion 114 also includes a second portion 122. The second portion 122 is movably coupled to the first portion 116. A movement of the second portion 122 relative to the first portion 116 is adapted to alter one or more operational characteristics of the pump 100.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 122 is adapted to move between a first position“PI” (shown in FIG. 3A) and a second position“P2” (FIG. 3B) along the longitudinal axis X-X’. In some embodiments, the second portion 122 may be adapted to be biased in the first position“PI” and adapted to be selectively moved to the second position“P2” by a user. In some embodiments, the second portion 122 may be non-biased and may be adapted to be selectively moved in any of the first position“PI” and the second position“P2” by the user. Additionally, in some embodiments, the second portion 122 may be adapted to move in one or more intermediate positions (not shown) between the first position“PI” and the second position “P2”. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 122 is disposed on a first side 302 of the first portion 116. In other embodiments, the second portion 122 may be alternatively disposed on a second side 304 of the first portion 116, based on application requirements.

In some embodiments, the operational characteristic of the pump 100 may include activation and deactivation of the pump 100. In such a situation, the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 may be associated with an electrical/electronic switch (not shown) adapted to activate and deactivate the pump 100. More specifically, in one embodiment, in the first position“PI” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to deactivate the pump 100. Further, in the second position“P2” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to activate the pump 100. Alternatively, in another embodiment, in the first position“PI” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to activate the pump 100. In such a situation, in the second position“P2” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to deactivate the pump 100.

In some embodiments, the operational characteristic of the pump 100 may include activation of a manual mode and an automatic mode of the pump 100. In such a situation, the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 may be associated with an electrical/electronic switch (not shown) adapted to switch the pump 100 between the manual mode and the automatic mode. More specifically, in one embodiment, in the first position“PI” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to activate the manual mode of the pump 100. Further, in the second position“P2” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to activate the automatic mode of the pump 100. Alternatively, in another embodiment, in the first position“PI” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to activate the automatic mode of the pump 100. In such a situation, in the second position“P2” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to activate the manual mode of the pump 100.

In some embodiments, the operational characteristic of the pump 100 may include variable speed control of the pump 100. In such a situation, the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 may be associated with an electrical/electronic switch (not shown) adapted to variably control the speed of the pump 100 between a first speed and a second speed. The first speed may be higher or lower with respect to the second speed, based on application requirements. More specifically, in one embodiment, in the first position“PI” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to control the pump 100 at the first speed. Further, in the second position“P2” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to control the pump 100 at the second speed. Alternatively, in another embodiment, in the first position “PI” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to control the pump 100 at the second speed. In such a situation, in the second position “P2” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to control the pump 100 at the first speed.

In some embodiments, the electrical/electronic switch may be adapted to variably control the speed of the pump 100 at one or more intermittent speeds between the first speed and the second speed. In such a situation, the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 may be adapted to move between one or more intermediate positions between the first position“PI” and the second position“P2” in order to variably control the speed of the pump 100 at one or more intermittent speeds between the first speed and the second speed. As such, when the first speed may be higher than the second speed, the second portion 122 may be adapted to gradually reduce the speed of the pump 100 from the first speed to the second speed as the second portion 122 may be gradually moved from the first position“PI” to the second position“P2”. Alternatively, when the first speed may be lower than the second speed, the second portion 122 may be adapted to gradually increase the speed of the pump 100 from the first speed to the second speed as the second portion 122 may be gradually moved from the first position“PI” to the second position“P2”.

In some embodiments, the operational characteristic of the pump 100 may include variable flow control of the pump 100. In such a situation, the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 may be associated with an electrical/electronic switch (not shown) or a flow control valve (not shown) adapted to variably control the flow of the pump 100 between a first flow and a second flow. The first flow may be higher or lower with respect to the second flow, based on application requirements. More specifically, in one embodiment, in the first position“PI” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to control the pump 100 at the first flow. Further, in the second position“P2” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to control the pump 100 at the second flow. Alternatively, in another embodiment, in the first position“PI” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to control the pump 100 at the second flow. In such a situation, in the second position“P2” of the second portion 122, the second portion 122 may be adapted to control the pump 100 at the first flow.

In some embodiments, the electrical/electronic switch or the flow control valve may be adapted to variably control the flow of the pump 100 at one or more intermittent flows between the first flow and the second flow. In such a situation, the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 may be adapted to move between one or more intermediate positions between the first position“PI” and the second position“P2” in order to variably control the flow of the pump 100 at one or more intermittent flows between the first flow and the second flow. As such, when the first flow may be higher than the second flow, the second portion 122 may be adapted to gradually reduce the flow of the pump 100 from the first flow to the second flow as the second portion 122 may be gradually moved from the first position“PI” to the second position“P2”. Also, when the first flow may be lower than the second flow, the second portion 122 may be adapted to gradually increase the flow of the pump 100 from the first flow to the second flow as the second portion 122 may be gradually moved from the first position “PI” to the second position“P2”.

In yet some embodiments, the operational characteristic of the pump 100 may include a clean fluid operation and a dirty fluid operation of the pump 100. In such a situation, the base portion 104 may be moved between an extended position“EP” (shown in FIG. 1) and a retracted position“RP” (shown in FIG. 2), based on a mode of operation of the pump 100. Referring to FIG. 4, a partial cutaway view of the pump 100 in the retracted position“RP” is illustrated. In the illustrated figure, a portion of the housing 102 of the pump 100 is omitted for the purpose of clarity and explanation. In the first position“PI” of the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114, the base portion 104 is adapted to be locked in the retracted position“RP” within the housing 102. More specifically, the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 is coupled to a locking mechanism 402. The locking mechanism 402 includes a first linkage member 404, a second linkage member 406, and a locking member 408. The first linkage member 404 is fixedly coupled to the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114. Also, the second linkage member 406 is fixedly coupled to the base portion 104. Further, the locking member 408 is movably coupled to the first linkage member 404 and releasably coupled to the second linkage member 406. In the first position“PI” of the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114, the locking member 408 locks the second linkage member 406 and, thus, the base portion 104 in the retracted position“RP” within the housing 102. In such a situation, the pump 100 receives the flow of fluid through the primary inlet. Also, each of the secondary inlets 108 is blocked by the housing 102. As such, the first position“PI” of the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 is associated with the clean fluid operation of the pump 100.

Referring to FIG. 5, a partial cutaway view of the pump 100 in the extended position“EP” is illustrated. In the illustrated figure, a portion of the housing 102 of the pump 100 is omitted for the purpose of clarity and explanation. In the second position“P2” of the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114, the base portion 104 is released and locked in the extended position “EP”. More specifically, a movement of the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 in the second position“P2” moves the first linkage member 404 axially along the longitudinal axis X-X’. An axial movement of the first linkage member 404 further moves the locking member 408 in a direction“Dl” such that the second linkage member 406 and, thus, the base portion 104 is released into the extended position“EP”. Further, as the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 is moved to the first position“PI”, the first linkage member 404 moves axially in order to move the locking member 408 in a direction“D2” such that the second linkage member 406 and, thus, the base portion 104 is locked in the extended position“EP”.

In such a situation, each of the secondary inlets 108 of the base portion 104 is unblocked by the housing 102. Accordingly, the pump 100 receives the flow of fluid via the primary inlet and each of the secondary inlets 108. The primary inlet and each of the secondary inlets 108 provide an increased inlet area for the flow of fluid into the pump 100. As such, the second position“P2” of the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 is associated with the dirty fluid operation of the pump 100 in order to allow debris, such as soil, slurry, and the like, to flow into the pump 100 along with the flow of water via the increased inlet area. It should be noted that, in other embodiments, the clean fluid operation and the dirty fluid operation of the pump 100 may be alternatively and/or interchangeably associated with the second position“P2” and the first position“PI” of the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114, respectively, by suitable modification to the locking mechanism 402.

The pump 100 provides a simple, effective, and cost-efficient method to switch the pump 100 between different operating modes. The operating mode of the pump 100 may be altered using the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114, in turn, improving ergonomics of operation of the pump 100. As described herein, the operational characteristics of the pump 100 that may be altered include, but not limited to, activation/deactivation of the pump 100, activation of manual/automatic mode of the pump 100, variable speed control of the pump 100, variable flow control of the pump 100, and switching between clean/dirty fluid operation of the pump 100. As such, any operational characteristic of the pump 100 may be controlled via the second portion 122 of the handle portion 114, in turn, improving versatility and flexibility. The second portion 122 of the handle portion 114 may be incorporated in any pump with little modification to the existing system and using limited components, in turn, reducing complexity and costs.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims. LIST OF ELEMENTS

100 Fluid Pump / Pump

102 Housing

104 Base Portion

106 Bottom Portion

108 Secondary Inlet

110 Side Portion

112 Fluid Outlet

114 Handle Portion

116 First Portion

118 Leg Portion

120 Leg Portion

122 Second Portion

302 First Side

304 Second Side

402 Locking Mechanism

404 First Linkage Member

406 Second Linkage Member

408 Locking Member

X-X’ Longitudinal Axis

PI First Position P2 Second Position

RP Retracted Position EP Extended Position D1 Direction

D2 Direction

Claims

1. A fluid pump (100) comprising:

a housing (102); and

a handle portion (114) coupled to the housing (102), the handle portion (114) including:

a first portion (116) fixedly coupled to the housing (102); and

a second portion (122) coupled to the first portion (116); characterized in that:

the second portion (122) is movable relative to the first portion

(116),

wherein a movement of the second portion (122) relative to the first portion (116) is adapted to alter at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump (100).

2. The fluid pump (100) of claim 1, wherein the second portion (122) is adapted to move relative to the first portion (116) between at least a first position (PI) and a second position (P2).

3. The fluid pump (100) of claims 1-2, wherein the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump (100) is activation of the fluid pump (100) and deactivation of the fluid pump (100).

4. The fluid pump (100) of claim 3, wherein one of the first position (PI) and the second position (P2) is adapted to activate the fluid pump (100) and other of the first position (PI) and the second position (P2) is adapted to deactivate the fluid pump (100).

5. The fluid pump (100) of claims 1-2, wherein the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump (100) is activation of one of a manual mode of the fluid pump (100) and an automatic mode of the fluid pump

(100).

6. The fluid pump (100) of claim 5, wherein one of the first position (PI) and the second position (P2) is adapted to activate the manual mode of the fluid pump (100) and other of the first position (PI) and the second position (P2) is adapted to activate the automatic mode of the fluid pump

(100).

7. The fluid pump (100) of claims 1-2, wherein the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump (100) is a variable speed control of the fluid pump (100).

8. The fluid pump (100) of claim 7, wherein the second portion (122) is adapted to move variably between the first position (PI) and the second position (P2) to variably control the speed of the fluid pump (100).

9. The fluid pump (100) of claims 1-2, wherein the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump (100) is a variable flow control of the fluid pump (100).

10. The fluid pump (100) of claim 9, wherein the second portion (122) is adapted to move variably between the first position (PI) and the second position (P2) to variably control a flow of fluid from the fluid pump

(100).

11. The fluid pump (100) of claims 1-2, wherein the at least one operational characteristic of the fluid pump (100) is a clean fluid operation of the fluid pump (100) and a dirty fluid operation of the fluid pump (100).

12. The fluid pump (100) of claim 11, wherein, in one of the first position (PI) and the second position (P2) of the second portion (122), a base portion (104) is adapted to be releasably locked in a retracted position (RP) relative to the housing (102).

13. The fluid pump (100) of claim 12, wherein the retracted position (RP) of the base portion (104) is associated with the clean fluid operation of the fluid pump (100).

14. The fluid pump (100) of claim 12, wherein, in other of the first position (PI) and the second position (P2) of the second portion (122), the base portion (104) is adapted to be releasably locked in an extended position (EP) relative to the housing (102).

15. The fluid pump (100) of claim 14, wherein the extended position (EP) of the base portion (104) is associated with the dirty fluid operation of the fluid pump (100).

16. The fluid pump (100) of claims 1-15, wherein the fluid pump (100) is a submersible type fluid pump.

17. The fluid pump (100) of claim 16, wherein the fluid is at least one of water and slurry.