Fluid vacuum safety device for fluid transfer systems in swimming pools

• US 5,947,700 A
• Filed: 07/28/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David Rizzi, Mark Fritze, Paul C. Mckain, Robert M. Downey
• Inventors: Rizzi, David, McKain, Paul C., Fritze, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Thorpe, Timothy S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gartenberg, Ehud
• Application Number:
  US08/901,849
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 417/63, 417/300, 417/306, 417/17, 417/44.9, 4/541.2
• US Class Current: 417/306
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0176 By stopping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/60 Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00 plumbing E03C1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6073 Intake mouths for recirculation of fluid in whirlpool baths
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/01 Pressure before the pump inlet
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/022 by means of pressure

Abstract

A safety device for use in a fluid transfer system for a swimming pool or similiar application, having a pump which draws water from a reservoir through one or more intake lines each extending from an open end at the reservoir to the pump intake. The device analyzes negative pressure levels in the system and, upon detecting a negative pressure level being outside of a selected operational range, the device deactivates the pump and triggers a vacuum breaker device to eliminate negative pressure in the system, by introducing air from atmosphere into the intake lines thereby removing suction at the open ends of the intake lines. The safety device may further activate warning devices including audible and visible alarms to indicate that the system has been deactivated.

Claims

1. A device for use in a fluid transfer system having a pump which draws water from a reservoir through one or more intake lines each extending from an open end at the reservoir to an intake of the pump;

said device comprising;

means for sensing negative pressure in the fluid transfer system;

means for analyzing the sensed negative pressure including comparing the sensed negative pressure to a predetermined range of negative pressure level values; and

vacuum pressure relief means actuated in response to said sensed negative pressure being at a negative pressure level value that is outside of the predetermined range for introducing positive pressure to the one or more intake lines of the system, thereby eliminating suction at the open end of the one or more intake lines;

means for disabling the pump to prevent continued operation thereof upon the sensed negative pressure being at a negative pressure level value that is outside of the predetermined range;

control means communicating with said sensing means, said analyzing means, and said vacuum pressure relief means for triggering actuation of said vacuum pressure relief means;

wherein;

said vacuum pressure relief means include a vacuum breaker structured and disposed to introduce air from atmosphere to said one or more intake lines upon actuation thereof;

said control means includes relay means for selectively directing electric current flow to said vacuum pressure relief means for actuation thereof upon the sensed negative pressure being at a negative pressure level value that is outside of the predetermined range;

said relay means is further structured to selectively direct and interrupt electric current flow to the pump to disable the pump upon the sensed negative pressure being at a negative pressure level value that is outside of the predetermined range.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 further including indicator means for indicating detection of the sensed negative pressure being at a negative pressure level value outside of the predetermined range;

and wherein

said relay means is further structured to selectively direct electric current flow to one or more indicator means for indicating detection of the sensed negative pressure being at a negative pressure level value that is outside of the predetermined range.

3. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein said indicator means includes at least one audible alarm device.

4. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein said indicator means includes at least one visual alarm device.

5. A device for use in a fluid transfer system having a pump which draws water from a reservoir through one or more intake lines each extending from an open end at the reservoir to an intake of the pump;

said device comprising;

means for sensing negative pressure in the fluid transfer system;

means for analyzing the sensed negative pressure in relation to a predetermined range of negative pressure levels;

vacuum pressure relief means actuated in response to said sensed negative pressure being at a negative pressure level outside of the predetermined range for introducing positive pressure to the one or more intake lines of the system, thereby eliminating suction at the open ends thereof; and

control means communicating with said sensing means, said analyzing means, and said vacuum pressure relief means for triggering actuation of said vacuum pressure relief means upon determining that said sensed negative pressure is at a level outside of the predetermined range;

wherein;

said analyzing means includes means for selectively setting the predetermined range of negative pressure levels;

said control means is structured and disposed for disabling the pump to prevent continued operation thereof upon detection of the sensed negative pressure being at a negative pressure level value that is outside of the predetermined range;

said control means is structured and disposed for actuating one or more indicator means for indicating detection of the sensed negative pressure being at a level outside of the predetermined range, actuation of said vacuum pressure relief means, and disabling of the pump.

6. A device for use in a fluid transfer system having a pump which draws fluid from a reservoir through one or more intake lines each extending from an open end at the reservoir to an intake of the pump;

said device comprising;

means for selecting an operational range of negative pressure level values;

means for sensing negative pressure in the fluid transfer system;

means for analyzing the sensed negative pressure to determine if said sensed negative pressure is at a negative pressure level value within the selected operational range;

vacuum pressure relief means for introducing positive pressure into the intake lines of the system to thereby remove suction at the open ends of the intake lines upon activation thereof; and

trigger means for actuating said vacuum pressure relief means upon said sensed negative pressure level being at a negative pressure level value that is outside of the selected operational range;

wherein

said vacuum pressure relief means include a vacuum breaker structured and disposed to introduce air from atmosphere to said one or more intake lines upon actuation thereof.