Porous solenoid structure

• US 6,295,662 B1
• Filed: 08/02/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carsten H. Idland
• Original Assignee: Softub, Inc.
• Inventors: Abdelkerim, Peter J., Idland, Carsten H., Fleishman, Roc V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eloshway, Charles R.
• Application Number:
  US09/364,998
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 454/11--416, 449/2, 450/9, 417/366, 417/417, 417/418
• US Class Current: 4/541.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6047 With incorporated pump means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6052 Having flow regulating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6063 Specifically adapted for fitting in bathtub walls
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/06 Pumps for delivery of both liquid and elastic fluids at the same time wet gas pumps F04B37/20
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/04 Pumps having electric drive

Abstract

A spa water delivery system comprising a reciprocating pumping structure to pump water for reception in a spa zone; and driver structure, including a solenoid body element and a solenoid plunger element, the elements being relatively movable; at least one of the elements containing passage structure to receive water in communication with water to be pumped to the zone.

Claims

1. For use as a spa water delivery system, the combination comprising:

a) reciprocating pumping structure located in a housing adapted for location in a spa wall to pump water for reception in a spa zone,

b) and driver structure, including a solenoid body element and a solenoid plunger element, said elements being relatively movable,

c) at least one of said elements containing passage structure to receive water in communication with water to be pumped to said zone,

d) there being inlet and outlet porting for creating a simultaneous intake and discharge of water, so as to balance and cancel or reduce an associated momentum change, which in turn reduces forces imposed on spa wall means forward of said pumping structure.

2. The combination of claim 1 including a cavity in which said elements are received, and to receive water that is to be pumped to said zone.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said body element contains a body portion of said passage structure.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said body element defines a body wall and solenoid coils, said body portion of said passage structure extending through the body wall, in heat transfer relation to said coils.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said body portion of said passage structure includes multiple passages extending through said body wall.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said body wall defines an axis, said multiple passages spaced about said axis.

7. The combination of claim 6 including a plastic tubular bearing carried by one of said elements and the other element having a cylindrical surface sliding on said bearing.

8. The combination of claim 1 including a plastic tubular bearing carried by one of said elements and the other element having a cylindrical surface sliding on said bearing.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said driver structure includes solenoid winding structure, and said passage structure extends in relatively close relation to said winding structure.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said winding structure has at least three sides, and said passage structure extends adjacent at least two of said sides.

11. The combination of claim 9 wherein said solenoid body element includes a wall through which a portion of said passage structure extends.

12. The combination of claim 9 wherein said solenoid body element and said solenoid plunger element have relatively movable walls defining a variable volume chamber into which water is received and from which water is expelled, during reciprocating operation of the solenoid.

13. For use as a spa water delivery system, the combination comprising:

a) reciprocating pumping structure to pump water for reception in a spa zone,

b) and driver structure, including a solenoid body element and a solenoid plunger element, said elements being relatively movable,

c) at least one of said elements containing passage structure to receive water in communication with water to be pumped to said zone,

d) a plastic tubular bearing carried by one of said elements, and the other element having a cylindrical surface sliding on the bearing,

e) and wherein said plastic tubular bearing has radially spreadable structure to interfit said one element and hold the bearing in position.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said radially spreadable structure includes flange parts on the bearing.

15. For use as a spa water delivery system, the combination comprising:

a) reciprocating pumping structure to pump water for reception in a spa zone,

b) and driver structure, including a solenoid body element and a solenoid plunger element, said elements being relatively movable,

c) at least one of said elements containing passage structure to receive water in communication with water to be pumped to said zone,

d) a plastic tubular bearing carried by one of said elements, and the other element having a cylindrical surface sliding on said bearing,

e) and wherein said bearing defines axially extending splits, flange elements carried at one end of the bearing intersected by said splits, and another flange at the opposite end of the bearing.

16. For use as a spa water circulation system, the spa including wall means facing toward a water reception zone, the combination comprising:

a) plurality of water pumps associated with said wall means, said pumps spaced about said zone, and oriented to receive water intake from said zone and to discharge water streams into said zone,

b) each pump including water pumping structure, and there being means for controlling pumping operation of said structure,

c) and wherein inlet and outlet porting is provided to create a simultaneous intake and discharge of fluid, so as to balance and cancel or reduce an associated momentum change, which in turn reduces forces imposed on said wall means,

d) each said pump including

i) an inner chamber within which a movable part of the pumping structure is reciprocable, and from which water is discharged relatively forwardly to said outlet porting, said part having forward and rearward sides, and said inner chamber having a rearward portion, said inlet and outlet porting located forwardly of said reciprocable part,

ii) an outer passage extending outwardly of and about said inner chamber, and to which water is drawn via said inlet porting, said outer passage communicating with the rearward portion of said inner chamber to deliver water to the rearward side of said part,

e) said movable part forming at least one through opening to pass water.

17. For use as a spa water delivery system, the combination comprising:

a) reciprocating pumping structure to pump water for reception in a spa zone,

b) and driver structure, including a solenoid body element and a solenoid plunger element, said elements being relatively movable,

c) at least one of said elements containing passage structure to receive water in communication with water to be pumped to said zone,

d) said driver structure including solenoid winding structure, and said passage structure extends in relatively close relation to said winding structure,

e) said solenoid body element and said solenoid plunger element having relatively movable walls defining a variable volume chamber into which water is received and from which water is expelled, during reciprocating operation of the solenoid,

f) and wherein said walls are substantially conical.

18. A fluid cooled solenoid apparatus, comprising in combination:

a) reciprocating pumping structure located in a housing adapted for location in a receiving wall to pump fluid,

b) and driver structure for said pumping structure, including a solenoid body element and a solenoid plunger element, said elements being relatively movable,

c) at least one of said elements containing passage structure to receive fluid flow in opposite directions during operation of said pumping structure,

d) there being inlet and outlet porting for creating a simultaneous intake and discharge of water, so as to balance and cancel or reduce an associated momentum change, which in turn reduces forces imposed on said receiving wall forward of said pumping structure and.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said driver structure includes solenoid winding structure, and said passage structure extends in relatively close relation to said winding structure.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said winding structure has at least three sides, and said passage structure extends adjacent at least two of said sides.

21. The combination of claim 19 wherein said solenoid body element includes a wall through which a portion of said passage structure extends.

22. The combination of claim 18 wherein said solenoid body element and said solenoid plunger element have relatively movable walls defining a variable volume chamber into which fluid is received and from which fluid is expelled, during reciprocating operation of the solenoid.