Submersible Water Pump Device

Abstract

A submersible water pump device is provided. The submersible water pump device includes a housing that contains a stator and windings and a control circuit. A rotor with curved impeller blades, which is contained within the stator attached to the windings, is inserted into the proximal end of the housing. A filter and volute, which cover the curved impeller blades of the rotor, are removably attached to the housing. The control circuit detects the polarity of the magnetic field of the rotor to control when to turn the motor on, so that the rotor only runs in one direction to increase the pump's efficiency using the curved impeller blades.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 106,383 filed on Oct. 17, 2008 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office entitled “Submersible Water Pump.”BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to a water pump device and in particular to an improved submersible water pump device, which may he used, for example, in a decorative fountain, an aquarium, a garden pool, and the like.[0003]Within the homeowner industry, and in particular within the landscaping market, a demand exists to provide water pump devices that increase the aesthetics of fountains, garden pools, aquariums, and the like. Conventionally, water pump devices are used for a variety of different applications, such as to create indoor and outdoor water falls in fountains, to aerate aquariums, and to create a variety of water works in garden pools. Generally, these water pump devices are submersible and draw water...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit contained within the housing is capable of detecting the polarity of the magnetic field in the motor. The control circuit uses this capability to control when to turn the motor on so that the rotor only turns in one direction. This unidirectional turning of the rotor allows illustrative embodiments of the present invention to use curved blades on the impeller, which is attached to the rotor, to increase the efficiency and lift of the submersible water pump device and stabilize water flow.

[0011]In accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit also contains a water level sensor, which is capable of detecting no water or a low water level entering the submersible water pump device. When the water level sensor detects no water or a low water level entering the submersible water pump device, the control circuit stops the pump's motor from running. When the water level sensor detects a sufficient level of water entering the submersible water pump device so that no damage to the submersible water pump device may occur, the control circuit allows the pump's motor to start running again. The submersible water pump device uses the water as a natural lubricant between the shaft and the rotor. When the water level is low, abrasion occurs, which is caused by the lack of water between the shaft and the rotor, causing damage to the pump and decreasing the life expectance of the pump. Thus, the water level sensor contained in the control circuit helps to increase life expectance of submersible water pump devices and decrease concerns about continued maintenance.

[0012]In accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit is also capable of detecting when the rotor is struggling to rotate within the motor. This capability by the control circuit provides rotation-clogging protection. Rotation-clogging protection automatically shuts down the power supply to the pump's motor when the rotor is struggling to rotate. After several seconds, the rotation-clogging protection then restarts the power supply to the pump's motor. This shutting down and restarting of the motor's power supply prevents the motor from being damaged by a large electrical current buildup that may occur when the motor becomes clogged or stops.

Problems solved by technology

When the water level is low, abrasion occurs, which is caused by the lack of water between the shaft and the rotor, causing damage to the pump and decreasing the life expectance of the pump.

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