Pool Pump Priming System with Sensor-Controlled Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pool pumps located remote from and/or above the waterline of a pool often experience insufficient suction head when idle, due to water draining and leaks in the piping, which can prevent operation and increase the risk of damage from flooding or noise pollution.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a priming pump and a valve that provides fluid communication to the pool pump, with sensors and a controller to manage the priming process, ensuring sufficient suction head is maintained by energizing the pool pump when predetermined criteria are met, such as time or fluid flow conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the pool pump is located remote from and/or above the waterline, then noise pollution is reduced and flooding risk is minimized, but suction head becomes insufficient when the pump is idle
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using the priming pump to fill the suction piping with water before the pool pump needs to operate. This ensures that when the pool pump starts, sufficient suction head is already present in the piping, eliminating the need for the pump to be located near or below the waterline.
Solution Approach 2:
The priming pump acts as an intermediary device that provides the necessary water to the suction piping. This intermediary system allows the pool pump to be located remotely or above the waterline by mediating the water supply to maintain suction head without requiring direct gravitational feed from the pool.
2Reliability
If the pool pump is located near the pool at or below the waterline, then sufficient suction head is available, but the pump is exposed to flooding damage and creates noise pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-fills the suction piping with water using the priming pump before the pool pump operates, ensuring suction head is available without requiring the pool pump to be positioned at or below the waterline, thereby avoiding flooding exposure and noise issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The priming pump system serves as an intermediary that provides water to the suction piping, enabling the pool pump to be located in a safe, quiet position while still maintaining adequate suction head through the mediated water supply.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pool pump is located remote from the pool, then installation flexibility is improved, but the complexity of the priming system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pumping function into two distinct parts: the pool pump for main circulation and the priming pump for suction piping fill. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling remote installation while keeping the system manageable through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses feedback from sensors (such as pressure sensors detecting suction head levels or flow sensors detecting water presence in the piping) to automatically control the priming pump operation. This feedback mechanism simplifies the overall system by enabling automatic control, reducing manual intervention, and making the increased complexity manageable through intelligent automation.
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
Enables reliable operation of the pool pump by maintaining sufficient suction head, even when located remote from or above the waterline, reducing the risk of damage and noise pollution, and allowing for cost-effective installation or retrofitting to existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
A priming pump is in fluid communication with the piping. The priming pump includes a suction and a discharge
Implementation Method 2
A valve is in fluid communication with the piping, and the valve has an open position that permits fluid flow through the valve and a shut position that prevents fluid flow through the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A system for priming a pool pump includes piping that provides fluid communication to or from the pool pump. A valve is in fluid communication with the piping, and the valve has an open position that permits fluid flow through the valve and a shut position that prevents fluid flow through the valve. A priming pump is in fluid communication with the piping. The priming pump includes a suction and a discharge, and the suction of the priming pump connects to the piping upstream from the valve. A sensor generates a control signal reflective of time, fluid flow downstream from the priming pump, and/or fluid flow downstream from the pool pump. A controller receives the control signal, and when the control signal satisfies a predetermined criterion, the controller deenergizes the priming pump, repositions the valve to the open position, and/or energizes the pool pump.