Magnetic Aquarium Pump Mounting for Clear Viewing and Flexible Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aquarium pumps often require mechanical brackets that obstruct viewing and are limited in placement due to weight, making them less ideal for reef aquariums where circulation is crucial for maintaining water chemistry and providing nutrients to sessile organisms.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically supported fluid pump assembly with an outer and inner mount, utilizing permanent magnets and soft magnetic materials to create a magnetic circuit that allows for bracketless mounting on either side of a glass tank wall, enabling flexible positioning and rotation of the pump without obstructing the aquarium view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical brackets are used to support the pump, then the pump can be securely mounted, but the brackets obstruct viewing of the aquarium contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bracket support system with a magnetic field-based support system. Permanent magnets mounted on the aquarium wall create magnetic attraction forces that hold the pump in place without requiring any mechanical contact with the glass, thereby eliminating viewing obstructions while maintaining secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the pump and the aquarium wall. Instead of direct mechanical contact through brackets, the magnetic field acts as a mediator to transmit the supporting force, allowing the pump to be held securely against the glass without physical obstructions in the viewing path.
2Reliability
If the pump is located at a position determined by bracket placement, then the pump can be securely supported, but the pump placement flexibility is limited due to pump weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bracket system with a magnetic field-based support system that can be positioned anywhere on the aquarium wall. The magnetic attraction force can be adjusted by changing the strength or configuration of the magnets, allowing the pump to be supported at various positions regardless of its weight, thereby providing placement flexibility while maintaining support stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic mounting system where the magnetic field strength can be adjusted to accommodate different pump weights and positions. The magnetic support can be easily repositioned along the aquarium wall by adjusting the magnet locations or strengths, providing adaptability that rigid mechanical brackets cannot achieve.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The magnetic mounting system allows for efficient water circulation in aquariums by eliminating the need for mechanical brackets, providing flexible pump placement, and maintaining clear views while ensuring strong magnetic attractive forces hold the pump in place, minimizing material usage and costs.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic attractive forces between the at least one outer permanent magnet and the at least one inner permanent magnet are sufficiently strong to permit mounting of the outer mount and the inner mount on opposite sides of a glass tank wall
Implementation Method 2
The outer permanent magnet, the inner permanent magnet, and the soft magnetic material collectively form a magnetic circuit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to fluid pump assemblies in general, and in exemplary embodiments to fluid pump assemblies that are magnetically supported in position, and to related kits and methods useful to circulate water in aquariums. The fluid pump assembly comprises an outer mount, an inner mount, and a pump. The outer mount includes at least one outer permanent magnet; the inner mount includes at least one inner permanent magnet; and the pump includes at least one soft magnetic material. The outer permanent magnet, the inner permanent magnet, and the soft magnetic material collectively form a magnetic circuit.