AU2008200609A1 - Portable pump assembly - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service is: David Ronald Marshall David Ronald Marshall SHELSTON IP Margaret Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Telephone No: Facsimile No.

(02) 97771111 (02) 9241 4666 Invention Title: PORTABLE PUMP ASSEMBLY Details of Associated Provisional Application No. 2007900887 dated 21 Feb 2007 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 52914AUP00 5014462891 DOC/5844 00 -2- PORTABLE PUMP ASSEMBLY 00 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable pump assembly for transporting fluids and in particular to a portable pump assembly for domestic use.

The invention has been developed primarily for use as a portable hand-held 00pump assembly for recycling domestic wastewater and will be described hereinafter Swith reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Increased focus on the conservation and management of water resources has lead to growing public awareness of the need to minimise domestic water use. Public awareness campaigns have focused on the capture and recycling of domestic wastewater, such as the water left after baths, showers, dishwashing and clothes washing. Buckets have been used to capture this domestic wastewater for recycling as water for gardens and household plants. However, carrying buckets of water is quite onerous and labour intensive, especially for people who are unfit or have a disability.

Furthermore, the placement of buckets of water in shower recesses and baths presents a child safety hazard.

Existing fluid pumps are primarily designed for industrial applications and so are heavy, large, complex in assembly, expensive, frequently fixed in place and are not adaptable to other piping systems. These pumps generally have a pumping capacity that exceeds what is necessary for domestic use. Furthermore, these industrial-type pumps are driven by petrol, diesel or gas operated generators or must 00 -3be connected to a mains electrical supply. This means that the installation, operation and maintenance of these pumps must be performed by a skilled tradesperson and 00 00 subject to occupational health and safety requirements due to the associated noise and air pollution and the risks in handling flammable liquids or of electrocution.

Therefore, these pumps are not suitable for domestic applications and do not provide a cheap and efficient solution for poor or remote areas.

00 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

It is an object of the present invention in its preferred form to provide a portable pump assembly that is safe, cheap and convenient to use in a domestic environment and enable the convenient recycling of domestic wastewater.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a portable pump assembly for a fluid, said assembly including: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a pump in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet; and a rechargeable battery for driving the pump.

Preferably, the rechargeable battery includes a closed cell rechargeable battery.

Preferably, the battery is solar chargeable. Preferably, the rechargeable battery is a low power battery.

Preferably, the housing includes a handle for carrying the pump assembly.

Preferably, the pump assembly is configured as a hand-held portable pump assembly.

Preferably, the fluid is discharged from the outlet at a higher pressure than the pressure at the inlet.

00 Preferably, the pump assembly includes a pressure switch connected to the pump and actuatable in response to the pressure at the outlet. Preferably, the pressure 00 switch is interconnected between the pump and the rechargeable battery. Preferably, 0 the pressure switch ceases operation of the pump in response to a predetermined level of pressure at the outlet.

NO

OPreferably, the pump assembly includes a filter for the fluid. Preferably, the Nfilter is fluidly connected to the inlet and the pump.

00 Preferably, the pump is a self-priming pump. Preferably, the pump is a low voltage pump.

Preferably, the housing is substantially sealed to protect the assembly from the environment.

Preferably, the assembly includes a first conduit for fluidly connecting the inlet to a fluid reservoir. Preferably, the first conduit includes a pipe or hose. Preferably, the hose is a garden hose. Preferably, the inlet includes a fitting for connection to the first conduit. Preferably, the inlet fitting is a garden hose-type fitting.

Preferably, the pump assembly includes a second conduit fluidly connectable to the outlet. Preferably, the second conduit is fluidly connectable to a fluid dispenser.

Preferably, the second conduit includes a pipe or hose. Preferably, the hose includes a garden hose. Preferably, the fluid dispenser includes a spray gun or tap. Preferably, the outlet includes a fitting for connection to the second conduit. Preferably, the outlet fitting is a garden hose-type fitting.

Preferably, the fluid includes domestic wastewater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 00 FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a pump assembly according to one Sembodiment of the invention; 00 O FIGURE 2 is a side view illustrating an application of the pump assembly of Figure 1; and NO FIGURE 3 is a side view illustrating another application of the pump assembly O of Figure 1.

00 O PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, the pump assembly 1 includes a pump housing 2 with an inlet 3 and an outlet 4, a pump 5 and a rechargeable battery 6 for driving the pump 5. A switch 7 operates the pump 5, which is in fluid communication with the inlet 3 and the outlet 4.

The pump 5 is a low voltage pump to maximise the efficiency of the assembly 1 and the rechargeable battery 6. The pump 5 is also self-priming so that it can pump out any air in the assembly and suck in the fluid to be pumped.

The rechargeable battery 6 is a closed cell battery, as this provides a sufficiently high electrical current to operate the pump 5 over a long time period. It is preferred that the battery is also solar chargeable to maximise the energy efficiency of the pump assembly 1. When a solar charged rechargeable battery is used in the pump assembly 1, the pump assembly is energy usage neutral and thus confers significant environmental benefits.

A pressure cut-off switch 8 is fluidly connected to the pump 5 and the outlet 4 to act as a safety mechanism if there is a blockage downstream of the pump 5. If the outlet 4 is blocked, for example, due to the trigger action of a garden hose or tap, the outlet pressure builds up. Once the outlet pressure reaches to a predetermined level, the pressure cut-off switch 8 in response actuates to deactivate the pump 00 -6- A filter 9 is fluidly connected to the inlet 3 and the pump 5 to remove Scontaminants from the wastewater. A handle 10 is also provided on the housing 2 to 00 permit a user to easily carry the pump assembly 1.

Advantageously, the pump assembly 1 includes garden hose type fittings for the inlet 3 and the outlet 4, enabling domestic garden hoses to be fitted to the pump assembly 1. This allows readily available garden hoses to be fitted to the pump 00 assembly 1 to transport wastewater in a domestic environment.

00 STwo applications of the pump assembly in the domestic environment are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, where corresponding features are given the same reference numerals. In Figure 2, the pump assembly 1 is connected at the inlet 3 to one end of a garden hose 11, while the other end of the hose 11 is immersed into a reservoir of domestic wastewater, being a wash basin 12. The pump assembly 1 is connected at its outlet 4 to one end of another garden hose 13, while the other end of the garden hose 13 is immersed in a holding reservoir or tank 14.

In use, the pump assembly 1 is operated via the switch 7 and the domestic wastewater in the wash basin 12 is drawn through the garden hose 11 into the inlet 3.

The wastewater then passes through the filter 9 to remove contaminants and is driven by the pump 5 through the outlet 4 at a higher pressure than the pressure at the inlet 3.

The filtered wastewater is then discharged through the garden hose 13 into the holding tank 14. By using the pump assembly 1, there is no need for the user to scoop out the wastewater from the basin 12 into a bucket and then physically carry the wastewater to the holding tank 14.

After transferring the wastewater into the tank 14, the pump assembly 1 can be disconnected from the garden hoses 11 and 13, and the user can conveniently carry the lightweight pump assembly 1 by its handle 10 to its next application. Alternatively, the hoses 11 and 13 can be wrapped around the housing 12 for transport as a single unit.

In the second application illustrated in Figure 3, the pump assembly 1 is connected at its inlet 3 to a bathtub 15 containing wastewater via a garden hose 11.

00 The outlet 4 of the pump assembly 1 is connected to another garden hose 13, which is fitted with a spray gun 16. The hose 11 snakes through a window 17 to the pump 00 assembly 1 outside the house. In operation, the user actuates the pump assembly 1 via the switch to draw the wastewater from the bathtub 15, out through the window 17 and into the inlet 3 of the pump assembly 1. The wastewater than passes through the C filter 9 to remove contaminants and the pump 5 drives the wastewater through the outlet 4 at a higher pressure than the inlet pressure. The filtered wastewater is then 00 conveyed by the garden hose 13 for discharge by the spray gun 16 for reuse, to water the garden or pot plants 18.

Thus, it can be seen from these domestic applications that the pump assembly 1 can transport the wastewater safely and easily without intensive labour or the need for expensive equipment for recycling. Moreover, the pump assembly 1 requires little training to operate and only requires minimal maintenance, as the user only needs to clean the filter and recharge the battery. Furthermore, the fittings for the inlet 3 and outlet 4 can be easily replaced with common garden hose-type fittings.

In other embodiments, the pump assembly I does not have a pressure switch 8 and relies on continuous operation until it is turned off at the switch 7. In another embodiment, the housing 2 is substantially sealed to protect the assembly 1 from the environment or tampering by young children. This enables the pump assembly 1 to operate in all types of adverse weather conditions. Other embodiments of the invention employ other types of rechargeable batteries, and the size and capacity of the pump assembly 1 can be varied within the limits of the power of pump 5 and rechargeable battery 6.

It can also be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art that the pump assembly 1 can be used to pump any non-flammable or non-corrosive fluid from one location to another.

It is also contemplated that the pump assembly can be used where a cheap, efficient, low maintenance and portable means of transporting water is required. For example, it is contemplated that the pump assembly 1 can be used in and areas, or 00 areas with limited infrastructure, to transport water from a remote well to an Sintermediate reservoir located near a town or village.

00 O By employing a rechargeable battery 6, the pump assembly 1 is able to have a compact and stand alone design, as there is no need to provide an external power source, such as a generator or electrical power supply. The compact and stand alone

INO

design of the pump assembly 1 also allows for the reduction in size of its components, 0 resulting in a lightweight device. In addition, the pump assembly 1 avoids the 00 Soccupational health and safety hazards presented by large industrial-type pumps and C1 avoids the child safety hazards involved in the use of buckets. Furthermore, no training is required to operate the pump assembly as it relies on a simple switch 7 for operation and removes the need for heavy labour associated with carrying buckets.

Thus, it can be seen that the invention provides a convenient means for transporting fluids with a compact design, mobility and general adaptability to many varied applications in the context of the domestic and water recycling environment.

Due to the small components and the readily available garden hose-type connections, the pump assembly can be easily maintained and repaired, and represents a cheap alternative to existing pump systems.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (19)

1. A portable pump assembly for a fluid, said assembly including: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a pump in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet; and O 5 a rechargeable battery for driving the pump. 00 2. The pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery includes a closed cell rechargeable battery.

3. The pump assembly of claim 2, wherein the battery is solar chargeable.

4. The pump assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the rechargeable battery is a low power battery. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing includes a handle for carrying the pump assembly.

6. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump assembly is confiured as a hand-held portable pump assembly.

7. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid is discharged from the outlet at a higher pressure than the pressure at the inlet.

8. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump assembly includes a pressure switch connected to the pump and actuatable in response to the pressure at the outlet.

9. The pump assembly of claim 8, wherein the pressure switch is interconnected between the pump and the rechargeable battery. The pump assembly of claim 8 or 9, wherein the pressure switch ceases operation of the pump in response to a predetermined level of pressure at the outlet.

11. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump assembly includes a filter for the fluid. 00

12. The pump assembly of claim 11, wherein the filter is fluidly connected to the Sinlet and the pump. 00 O 13. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump is a self-priming pump. NO 14. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump is a Slow voltage pump. 00 The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is Ssubstantially sealed to protect the assembly from the environment.

16. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly includes a first conduit for fluidly connecting the inlet to a fluid reservoir.

17. The pump assembly of claim 16, wherein the first conduit includes a pipe or hose.

18. The pump assembly of claim 17, wherein the hose is a garden hose.

19. The pump assembly of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the inlet includes a fitting for connection to the first conduit. The pump assembly of claim 19, wherein the inlet fitting is a garden hose-type fitting.

21. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pump assembly includes a second conduit fluidly connectable to the outlet.

22. The pump assembly of claim 21, wherein the second conduit is fluidly connectable to a fluid dispenser.

23. The pump assembly of claim 22, wherein the fluid dispenser includes a spray gun or tap. 24 The pump assembly of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the second conduit includes a pipe or hose. 00 -11- 0 The pump assembly of claim 24, wherein the hose includes a garden hose.

26. The pump assembly of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the outlet includes a 00 O fitting for connection to the second conduit.

27. The pump assembly of claim 26, wherein the outlet fitting is a garden hose-type NO 5 fitting. 00 28. The pump assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid Sincludes domestic wastewater.

29. A portable pump assembly for a fluid, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.