U.S. patent application number 12/579917 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-22 for submersible water pump device.
Invention is credited to Wen Hua He.
Application Number | 20100098555 12/579917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42108823 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100098555 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
He; Wen Hua |
April 22, 2010 |
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.
Inventors: |
He; Wen Hua; (Zhongshan,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Garlitz Bell, LLP
3010 LBJ Frwy, Suite 990
Dallas
TX
75234
US
|
Family ID: |
42108823 |
Appl. No.: |
12/579917 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61106383 |
Oct 17, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/18 ;
417/423.3; 417/44.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 13/086 20130101;
F04D 15/0066 20130101; F04D 15/0077 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/18 ;
417/423.3; 417/44.11 |
International
Class: |
F04D 27/00 20060101
F04D027/00; F04D 29/18 20060101 F04D029/18 |
Claims
1. A submersible water pump device, comprising: a motor, wherein
the motor includes a stator and a rotor positioned within the
stator on a shaft, and wherein the stator is connected to windings
that energize the stator to produce a rotating magnetic field that
produces a torque on the rotor causing rotation of the rotor; an
impeller with curved blades connected to an end of the rotor on the
shaft, wherein the impeller with curved blades is used to increase
an amount of water discharged from the submersible water pump
device; and a control circuit that includes a motor control circuit
to control running of the motor in the submersible water pump
device, wherein the motor control circuit includes control logic
for determining when and when not to run the motor.
2. The submersible water pump device of claim 1, wherein the motor
control circuit detects a polarity of the rotating magnetic field
around the rotor to determine when to turn the motor on.
3. The submersible water pump device of claim 1, wherein the motor
control circuit controls the rotation of the rotor by detecting the
polarity of the rotating magnetic field around the rotor to
determine when to turn the motor on so that the rotation of the
rotor is unidirectional in order to utilize the impeller with
curved blades.
4. The submersible water pump device of claim 1, wherein the
control circuit includes a water sensor circuit for detecting a low
water level entering the submersible water pump device.
5. The submersible water pump device of claim 4, wherein the water
sensor circuit directs the motor control circuit to stop the motor
from running in response to detecting the low water level entering
the submersible water pump device to prevent damage caused by
abrasion, and wherein the water sensor circuit directs the motor
control circuit to start the motor in response to detecting that
the low water level entering the submersible water pump device no
longer exists.
6. The submersible water pump device of claim 1, wherein the motor
control circuit detects when the rotor is struggling to rotate, and
wherein the motor control circuit automatically shuts down a power
supply to the motor in response to the rotor struggling to rotate
to prevent an electrical current buildup and then restarts the
power supply after a predetermined time interval.
7. The submersible water pump device of claim 4, wherein a water
level sensor is included on the control circuit, and wherein the
water level sensor is electrically connected to the water sensor
circuit.
8. The submersible water pump device of claim 4, wherein the
control circuit includes a voltage regulator circuit to regulate
voltage from a power source to the motor control circuit and the
water sensor circuit.
9. A submersible water pump device, comprising: a motor, wherein
the motor includes a stator and a rotor positioned within the
stator on a shaft, and wherein the stator is connected to windings
that energize the stator to produce a rotating magnetic field that
produces a torque on the rotor causing rotation of the rotor; an
impeller with curved blades connected to an end of the rotor on the
shaft, wherein the impeller with curved blades is used to increase
an amount of water discharged from the submersible water pump
device; and a control circuit that includes a motor control circuit
to control running of the motor in the submersible water pump
device, wherein the motor control circuit controls the rotation of
the rotor by detecting the polarity of the rotating magnetic field
around the rotor to determine when to turn the motor on so that the
rotation of the rotor is unidirectional in order to utilize the
impeller with curved blades, and wherein the control circuit
includes a water sensor circuit for detecting a low water level
entering the submersible water pump device, wherein the water
sensor circuit directs the motor control circuit to stop the motor
from running in response to detecting the low water level entering
the submersible water pump device to prevent damage caused by
abrasion, and wherein the water sensor circuit directs the motor
control circuit to start the motor in response to detecting that
the low water level entering the submersible water pump device no
longer exists, and wherein the motor control circuit detects when
the rotor is struggling to rotate, and wherein the motor control
circuit automatically shuts down a power supply to the motor in
response to the rotor struggling to rotate to prevent an electrical
current buildup and then restarts the power supply after a
predetermined time interval.
10. The submersible water pump device of claim 9, wherein a water
level sensor is included on the control circuit, and wherein the
water level sensor is electrically connected to the water sensor
circuit.
11. The submersible water pump device of claim 4, wherein the
control circuit includes a voltage regulator circuit to regulate
voltage from a power source to the motor control circuit and the
water sensor circuit.
12. A method for assembling a submersible water pump device, the
method comprising: connecting an impeller having curved blades to a
proximal end of a rotor; positioning the rotor connected to the
impeller having curved blades on a shaft; inserting the shaft and a
distal end of the rotor into a stator connected to windings to form
a motor, wherein the windings energize the stator to produce a
rotating magnetic field that produces a torque on the rotor causing
rotation of the rotor; connecting the motor electrically to a
control circuit that includes a motor control circuit and a water
sensor circuit, wherein the motor control circuit controls running
of the motor and includes control logic for determining when and
when not to run the motor. and wherein the water sensor circuit
detects a low water level entering the submersible water pump
device; placing the motor and the control circuit into a housing so
that the impeller with curved blades extends out of the housing;
and attaching a volute to the housing over the impeller having
curved blades that extends from the housing.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the motor control circuit
detects a polarity of the rotating magnetic field around the rotor
to determine when to turn the motor on.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the motor control circuit
controls the rotation of the rotor by detecting the polarity of the
rotating magnetic field around the rotor to determine when to turn
the motor on so that the rotation of the rotor is unidirectional in
order to utilize the impeller with curved blades.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the water sensor circuit
directs the motor control circuit to stop the motor from running in
response to detecting the low water level entering the submersible
water pump device to prevent damage caused by abrasion, and wherein
the water sensor circuit directs the motor control circuit to start
the motor in response to detecting that the low water level
entering the submersible water pump device no longer exists.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the motor control circuit
detects when the rotor is struggling to rotate, and wherein the
motor control circuit automatically shuts down a power supply to
the motor in response to the rotor struggling to rotate to prevent
an electrical current buildup and then restarts the power supply
after a predetermined time interval.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein a water level sensor is
included on the control circuit, and wherein the water level sensor
is electrically connected to the water sensor circuit.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein the control circuit includes a
voltage regulator circuit to regulate voltage from a power source
to the motor control circuit and the water sensor circuit.
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 from a lower
reservoir into an inlet of the pump in order to transfer the water
up to an elevated surface which causes the water to cascade back
down to the lower reservoir.
[0004] Submersible water pump devices are electrically driven and
usually require either a manual activation or a separate automatic
timer device to activate the water pump during the desired hours of
operation. Submersible water pump devices may be electrically
powered by alternating-current (AC) or direct-current (DC).
[0005] Even though submersible water pump devices powered by
permanent magnet AC synchronous motors are proven to be reliable,
these devices are generally more costly to manufacture and must
meet more stringent electrical shielding and/or insulation
requirements to protect users and the devices themselves while
operating in an aqueous environment. In addition, an AC power cord
for a submersible water pump device may detract from the aesthetics
of a display and, due to the limited length of the power cord, may
limit the position of the display.
[0006] Further, the rotor of a permanent magnet AC synchronous
motor runs in random directions. As a result, all impeller blades
connected to the rotor must be configured in a straight vertical
direction in order to pump water into the water outlet regardless
of which direction the impeller is turning. This straight vertical
configuration of impeller blades makes it difficult to improve the
water flow of a pump, increase the efficiency of the pump, increase
the durability of the pump and its motor, and improve stability of
the water flow of the pump. Moreover, when the water level
decreases to a point that causes harm to the pump, the pump does
not stop running. This continued running when the water is below
normal operational levels may reduce the lifetime of the pump
because abrasion increases between the rotor and the shaft due to
the lack of water, which lubricates the rotor. Furthermore, this
continued running also increases the pump temperature, which may
cause further damage to the motor.
[0007] Submersible water pump devices that are powered by DC pumps
are generally cheaper to manufacture and, because these DC pumps
operate on DC power, they do not have the aesthetic disadvantages
of the AC powered pumps. However, DC powered pumps tend to require
increased maintenance because of the constant need to maintain the
electrical source of the pump.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Illustrative embodiments provide an improved submersible
water pump device. The problems presented in known submersible
water pump devices are solved by the improved submersible water
pump device of the present invention. In accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention, a submersible water pump
device is provided that includes a housing containing a stator and
windings and a control circuit. A rotor that includes an impeller
with curved blades is inserted into the proximal end of the
housing. The rotor is contained within the stator, which is
attached to the windings, all contained within the housing. This is
accomplished by inserting a shaft that runs from the control
circuit through the stator to the proximal end of the housing. When
the rotor is inserted into the housing, the rotor is inserted onto
the shaft.
[0009] When assembled, the curved impeller blades protrude from the
proximal end of the housing. An o-ring is attached to the housing
around the rotor. The submersible water pump device also includes a
filter and volute. The filter and volute are removably attached
over the protruding curved impeller blades of the rotor onto the
proximal end of the housing against the o-ring. The submersible
water pump device also includes a power cord strain relief sleeve,
which is fitted on the distal end of the housing. The power cord
runs through the strain relief sleeve from a power source to the
control circuit. The electrical wires within the power cord supply
the electrical power, such as, for example, AC power or DC power,
to the submersible water pump device. Further, the submersible
water pump device includes a sealant, which is applied to the
distal end of the housing. A back cover is then placed over the
sealant.
[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.
[0013] Other objects, features, and advantages of illustrative
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent with
reference to the drawings and the detailed descriptions of those
drawings, which follow below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of an exploded
perspective view of a submersible water pump device in accordance
with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a side sectional
view of an assembled submersible water pump device in accordance
with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of the electrical
principles of a submersible water pump device in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for
assembling a submersible water pump device in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to
the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may
not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference
for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0019] In the following detailed description of illustrative
embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific illustrative embodiments in
which the present invention may be practiced. These illustrative
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the present invention, and it is
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical
mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not
necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, the detailed description may omit certain information
known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed
description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and
the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended
claims.
[0020] With reference now to the figures and in particular with
reference to FIGS. 1-2, exemplary pictorial illustrations of a
submersible water pump device are provided in which illustrative
embodiments may be implemented. It should be appreciated that FIGS.
1-2 are only exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any
limitation with regard to different illustrative embodiments. Many
modifications to the depicted submersible water pump device may be
made.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of an exploded
perspective view of a submersible water pump device in accordance
with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
Submersible water pump device 100 is a water pump device capable of
operating in a submerged aqueous environment, such as in a
waterfall display or an aquarium. Submersible water pump device 100
includes housing 102, which contains stator 104, windings 106, and
control circuit 108.
[0022] Rotor 110 includes impeller with curved blades 112. Rotor
110 is inserted into the proximal end of housing 102 and contained
within stator 104, which is attached to windings 106. Stator 104,
windings 106, control circuit 108, and rotor 110 are all contained
within housing 102. This is accomplished by inserting shaft 114,
which runs from control circuit 108, through stator 104, to the
proximal end of housing 102. When rotor 110 is inserted into the
proximal end of housing 102, rotor 110 is inserted onto shalt 114.
When assembled, impeller with curved blades 112 protrudes from the
proximal end of housing 102. Impeller with curved blades 112 is
used to efficiently discharge fluid from submersible water pump
device 100. O-ring 116 is attached to housing 102 around rotor 110.
O-ring 116 may, for example, be made of rubber and used for
waterproofing housing 102.
[0023] The motor of submersible water pump device 100 includes
stator 104, windings 106, and rotor 110. Stator 104 is a stationary
part in the motor and acts as an electromagnet. Windings 106, which
may be referred to a field winding or a field coil, energizes
stator 104 to produce the electromagnet, which creates a rotating
magnetic field. As discussed above, rotor 110, which is inserted on
shaft 114 and connected to impeller with curved blades 112, is
positioned within stator 104. The rotating magnetic field within
stator 104 provides a torque to rotor 110 for rotating rotor
110.
[0024] Submersible water pump device 100 also includes filter 118
and volute 120. Filter 118 and volute 120 are removably attached
onto the proximal end of housing 102 against o-ring 116 over
impeller with curved blades 112 of rotor 110. Removably attached
means that filter 118 and volute 120 may be easily attached or
removed from housing 102 by, for example, "snapping on" or
"snapping off" filter 118 or volute 120 from housing 102.
Submersible water pump device 100 uses filter 118 to filter
particulates out of the water entering submersible water pump
device 100. Submersible water pump device 100 uses volute 120 as a
water discharge port for submersible water pump device 100.
[0025] Further, submersible water pump device 100 also includes
strain relief sleeve 122, which is fitted on the distal end of
housing 102. Strain relief sleeve 122 provides relief of strain for
a power cord, not shown, entering submersible water pump device
100. The power cord includes electrical wires that run through
strain relief sleeve 122 to control circuit 108. The electrical
wires are used to supply electrical power to submersible water pump
device 100 via control circuit 108.
[0026] Furthermore, submersible water pump 100 also includes
sealant 124. Sealant 124 is used to provide waterproofing for
submersible water pump device 100. Sealant 124 may, for example, be
an epoxy resin or a PU compound. Sealant 124 is applied to the
distal end of housing 102. Back cover 126 is then placed over
sealant 124 on the distal end of housing 102.
[0027] Moreover, submersible water pump device 100 also includes
feet 128 to stabilize submersible water pump device 100. Feet 128
are removably attached to the bottom of housing 102. In this
exemplary illustration, two feet 128 are depicted. However, it
should be noted that more or fewer feet 128 may be used by
illustrative embodiments. Feet 128 are attached to the underside of
housing 102 to help mount submersible water pump device 100 to a
contact interface to improve the stability of submersible water
pump device 100. This improved stability of submersible water pump
device 100 provides less vibration and noise. Feet 128 may, for
example, be rubber suction cups, however one skilled in the art
will appreciate that feet 128 may be made from a variety of
materials to accomplish the same purpose.
[0028] Submersible water pump device 100 has the ability to control
the direction of rotation of rotor 110 to increase the efficiency
of submersible water pump device 100. This ability to control the
rotational direction of rotor 110 allows submersible water pump
device 100 to use curved blades on the impeller, rather than using
only vertical blades on the impeller. Using impeller with curved
blades 112 not only increases the lift of submersible water pump
device 100, but also stabilizes the water flow through submersible
water pump device 100.
[0029] Further, submersible water pump device 100 uses control
circuit 108 to detect a low water level entering the pump to shut
off the pump's motor to minimize damage to submersible water pump
device 100. Control circuit 108 utilizes water level sensor 130 to
detect the low water level. Water level sensor 130 is included on
control circuit 108.
[0030] With reference now to FIG. 2, a pictorial representation of
a side sectional view of an assembled submersible water pump device
is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention. Submersible water pump device 200 may, for
example, be submersible water pump device 100 in FIG. 1.
Submersible water pump device 200 includes housing 202, stator 204,
windings 206, control circuit 208, rotor 210, impeller 212, shaft
214, o-ring 216, filter 218, volute 220, strain relief sleeve 222,
sealant 224, back cover 226, and feet 228, such as, for example,
housing 102, stator 104, windings 106, control circuit 108, rotor
110, impeller with curved blades 112, shaft 114, o-ring 116, filter
118, volute 120, strain relief sleeve 122, sealant 124, back cover
126, and feet 128 in FIG. 1.
[0031] With reference now to FIG. 3, an exemplary illustration of
the electrical principles of a submersible water pump device is
depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention. Control circuit 300 provides electrical
circuitry to control the functioning of a submersible water pump
device, such as submersible water pump device 100 in Figurer 1.
Control circuit 300 may, for example, be control circuit 108 in
FIG. 1. Control circuit 300 is contained within the housing of the
submersible water pump device, such as housing 102 in FIG. 1.
[0032] Control circuit 300 includes motor control circuit IC.sub.1
302, water sensor circuit IC.sub.2 304, and voltage regulator
circuit 306. Power input 308 is the electrical power supply to
components of control circuit 300. Control circuit 300 accepts
eleven to thirteen volts of AC or DC power to motor control circuit
IC.sub.1 302 and water sensor circuit IC.sub.2 304. Control circuit
300 uses voltage regulator circuit 306 to regulate the incoming
electrical power.
[0033] Control circuit 300 uses motor control circuit IC.sub.1 302
to detect the polarity of the rotating magnetic field around a
rotor, such as rotor 110 in FIG. 1. Motor control circuit IC.sub.1
302 uses this polarity detection to control when to turn the motor
on so that the rotor has unidirectional rotation or only rotates in
one direction. Motor control circuit IC.sub.1 302 utilizes control
logic 310 to make the determination as to when to turn the motor on
and off. This unidirectional rotation of the rotor allows curved
blades to be used on the impeller, such as impeller 112 in FIG. 1,
which is connected to the rotor. Using curved blades on the
impeller increases the efficiency and lift of the submersible water
pump device and stabilizes the water flow through the submersible
water pump device.
[0034] Control circuit 300 uses water sensor circuit IC.sub.2 304
to detect no water or a low water level entering the submersible
water pump device. Water sensor circuit IC.sub.2 304 utilizes water
level sensor 312, such as water level sensor 130 in FIG. 1, to
detect the no water or the low level water state. When water level
sensor 312 detects no water or a low level of water, water sensor
circuit IC.sub.2 304 directs motor control circuit IC.sub.1 302 to
stop the pump's motor from running. Subsequently, when water level
sensor 312 detects that the water level has risen to a sufficient
level that will not cause damage to the submersible water pump
device, water sensor circuit IC.sub.2 304 directs motor control
circuit IC.sub.1 302 to again allow the motor to run.
[0035] The submersible water pump device uses water as a natural
lubricant between the rotor and a shaft, such as shaft 114 in FIG.
1. When the water level is low, abrasion caused by the lack of
water lubricant occurs between the rotor and the shaft causing
damage to the submersible water pump device and decreasing its
lifespan. Thus, water sensor circuit IC.sub.2 394 helps to increase
the life of the submersible water pump device and decrease concerns
about continuing maintenance.
[0036] Control circuit 300 also uses motor control circuit IC.sub.1
302 to detect when the rotor is struggling to rotate. After
detecting that the rotor is struggling to rotate, motor control
circuit IC.sub.1 302 utilizes control logic 310 to automatically
shut down the power supply to the motor. Then, after a
predetermined time interval, such as, for example, several seconds,
control logic 310 restarts the power supply to the motor. Thus,
control logic 310 provides rotation-clogging protection by
preventing the submersible water pump device from being damaged
from a large electrical current buildup, which may be caused by the
motor becoming clogged. Consequently, control logic 310 increases
the safety of the submersible water pump device.
[0037] With reference now to FIG. 4, a flowchart illustrating an
exemplary process for assembling a submersible water pump device is
shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention. The submersible water pump device may, for example, be
submersible water pump device 100 in FIG. 1.
[0038] The process begins when an assembler connects an impeller
having curved blades, such as impeller with curved blades 112 in
FIG. 1, to a proximal end of a rotor, such as rotor 110 in FIG. 1
(step 402). The assembler then positions the rotor connected to the
impeller having curved blades on a shaft, such as shaft 114 in FIG.
1 (step 404). Afterward, the assembler inserts the shaft and a
distal end of the rotor into a stator, such as stator 104 in FIG.
1, connected to windings, such as windings 106 in FIG. 1, for form
a motor (step 406).
[0039] Subsequently, the assembler connects the motor electrically
to a control circuit, such as control circuit 108 in FIG. 1, that
includes a motor control circuit and a water sensor circuit, such
as motor control circuit IC.sub.1 302 and water sensor circuit
IC.sub.2 304 in FIG. 3 (step 408). Then, the assembler places the
motor and the control circuit into a housing, such as housing 102
in FIG. 1, so that the impeller with curved blades extends out of
the housing (step 410). In addition, the assembler attaches a
volute, such as volute 120 in FIG. 1, to the housing over the
impeller with curved blades that extends from the housing (step
412). The process terminates thereafter. However, it should be
noted that the assembler may perform the steps in any order and may
perform two or more steps concurrently. Also, it should be noted
that the assembler may add additional parts and components to the
submersible water pump device at any time during the assembly
process.
[0040] Thus, illustrative embodiments provide a method and
apparatus for an improved submersible water pump device. The
circuit as described above is part of the design for an integrated
circuit chip. The chip design is created in a graphical computer
programming language, and stored in a computer storage medium (such
as a disk, tape, physical hard drive, or virtual hard drive such as
in a storage access network). If the designer does not fabricate
chips or the photolithographic masks used to fabricate chips, the
designer transmits the resulting design by physical means (e.g., by
providing a copy of the storage medium storing the design) or
electronically (e.g., through the Internet) to such entities,
directly or indirectly. The stored design is then converted into
the appropriate format (e.g., GDSII) for the fabrication of
photolithographic masks, which typically include multiple copies of
the chip design in question that are to be formed on a wafer. The
photolithographic masks are utilized to define areas of the wafer
(and/or the layers thereon) to be etched or otherwise
processed.
[0041] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to he exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described
in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the
practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in
the art to understand the invention For various embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated.
* * * * *