U.S. patent application number 13/613223 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-21 for pool water treatment device with simplified hydraulic priming, and pool equipped with such a device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Philippe Blanc-Tailleur, REMI DELOCHE. Invention is credited to Philippe Blanc-Tailleur, REMI DELOCHE.
Application Number | 20130067654 13/613223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45524595 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130067654 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DELOCHE; REMI ; et
al. |
March 21, 2013 |
POOL WATER TREATMENT DEVICE WITH SIMPLIFIED HYDRAULIC PRIMING, AND
POOL EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE
Abstract
Treatment device for treating water of a pool comprising a
hydraulic circuit between a suction port and a return port, a
pumping device and a treatment unit interposed in the hydraulic
circuit, wherein at least one suction port comprises a flap
configured so that it is able to create a pressure drop in the
return direction of a fluid, and wherein said flap has a reflux
orifice allowing fluid to return through the suction port.
Inventors: |
DELOCHE; REMI; (Toulouse,
FR) ; Blanc-Tailleur; Philippe; (Toulouse,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DELOCHE; REMI
Blanc-Tailleur; Philippe |
Toulouse
Toulouse |
|
FR
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
45524595 |
Appl. No.: |
13/613223 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61556919 |
Nov 8, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/507 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/1209 20130101;
E04H 4/129 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/507 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/12 20060101
E04H004/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 14, 2011 |
FR |
1102777 |
Claims
1. A treatment device for treating water of a pool, comprising: a
water pumping device interposed in a hydraulic circuit in order to
generate therein a flow of water between at least one suction port
for the water of the pool and at least one return port for the
water of the pool, a water treatment unit interposed in the
hydraulic circuit for treating the water circulating therein,
wherein at least one suction port of said hydraulic circuit having
a passage cross-section in the suction direction has, in the return
direction, a non-zero passage cross-section smaller than the
passage cross-section in the suction direction, the hydraulic
circuit further comprises a coupling, called a priming coupling,
which forms a water inlet into the hydraulic circuit and is
configured to allow the hydraulic circuit to be primed with
water.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one suction
port is provided with a flap configured for reducing the passage
cross-section of said suction port in the return direction without
blocking it.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction port is
provided with a non-return flap provided with a reflux orifice
having a passage cross-section that is smaller than the passage
cross-section of the suction port in the suction direction.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reflux orifice has
a passage cross-section in the return direction of between one
tenth and one thirtieth of the passage cross-section (Sa) in the
suction direction of the suction port.
5. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flap is made of an
elastomeric material.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said priming coupling
is configured so that it can be connected to a standard domestic
tap.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said priming coupling
is mounted on an upstream pipe of the hydraulic circuit extending
between a suction port of reduced passage cross-section in the
return direction and the pumping device.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic circuit
is further equipped with at least one manual filling port in order
to enable the hydraulic circuit to be primed with water
manually.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said treatment unit is
a water heating device.
10. A pool equipped with at least one treatment device as claimed
in claim 1.
11. The pool as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a main
filtration circuit comprising: a main water pumping device
interposed in a main hydraulic circuit in order to generate therein
a flow of water between at least one pool water recovery port and
at least one pool water return port, at least one main water
filtration unit interposed in the main hydraulic circuit for
treating the water circulating therein, wherein it further
comprises at least one treatment device as claimed in claim 1 and:
the main hydraulic circuit of the main filtration circuit is
separate from the hydraulic circuit of each treatment device. each
recovery port of the main filtration circuit is separate from each
suction port of each treatment device, and each return port of the
main filtration circuit is separate from each return port of each
treatment device, the main pumping device of the main filtration
circuit is separate from the pumping device of each treatment
device, the main filtration unit of the main filtration circuit is
separate from the treatment unit of each treatment device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of French Patent
Application No. 11.02777 filed on Sep. 14, 2011 and claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/556,919 filed on
Nov. 8, 2011, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a pool water treatment device with
simplified hydraulic priming. The invention extends to a pool,
especially a swimming pool, equipped with such a device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Some water treatment devices comprise a dedicated pumping
device which allows them to circulate water in treatment units.
After addition of such a treatment device to a pool, the problem
arises of priming the hydraulic circuit with water. It is a
question, in particular, of avoiding cavitation of a pump of the
hydraulic circuit of such a device, which can be the source of
premature ageing or of breakdown of the pump as soon as the device
is started. That operation is generally carried out once and for
all by the professional in charge of the installation.
[0004] However, it is desirable to provide a simple solution for
the installation and especially the priming with water of the
hydraulic circuit, in order to permit installation by a user
without specific knowledge in the field of swimming pool filtration
circuits.
[0005] However, the addition of a device for treating (filtering,
chlorinating, heating, etc.) the water of a pool, especially a
swimming pool, is generally complex and expensive. In fact, the
addition of an additional treatment device in most cases requires
the involvement of a specialist, whether the pool already has a
filtration circuit or not. In particular, such an addition
generally requires considerable large-scale work on the swimming
pool and/or major intervention in the plant room, necessitating the
involvement of a professional. In all cases, the problem of priming
the circuit with water arises for a user without either specific
knowledge or tools in this field.
[0006] A fortiori in the case of such a device which is removable
from the pool, the hydraulic circuit is emptied each time it is
taken out of the water of the pool and must therefore be re-primed
each time it is re-installed (for example each spring). However,
for such a removable device, certain elements of the hydraulic
circuit can be more or less level with the water in the pool,
according to the ground on which it is installed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention aims, therefore, to remedy those disadvantages
by proposing a novel pool water treatment device.
[0008] The invention aims in particular to propose such a device
which can be added simply to an existing pool and therefore without
major modification of the pool, in particular without the necessity
of modifying the walls of the pool or a pre-existing hydraulic
circuit.
[0009] The invention aims especially to propose such a device which
can be fixed (or installed) and uninstalled without emptying the
swimming pool, or even during bathing.
[0010] The invention aims also to propose such a device which can
be primed with water under all installation conditions.
[0011] The invention aims also to propose such a device which is
simple and quick to install and start up.
[0012] Throughout the text, the tem "water" is used for any liquid
aqueous composition. The water of a pool can contain dissolved
salts, chemical elements, microorganisms, etc.
[0013] Likewise, throughout the text, the term "treatment" is used
generically for any type of conditioning, on its own or in
combination, of pool water: chlorination, filtration, salivation,
UV treatment, heating, cooling, oxygenation, colouring, etc.
[0014] To that end, the invention relates to a treatment device for
treating pool water, comprising:
[0015] a water pumping device interposed in a hydraulic circuit in
order to generate therein a flow of water between at least one
suction port for the water of the pool and at least one return port
for the water of the pool,
[0016] a water treatment unit interposed in the hydraulic circuit
for conditioning water circulating therein,
wherein
[0017] at least one suction port of said hydraulic circuit having a
passage cross-section in the suction direction has, in the return
direction, a non-zero passage cross-section smaller than the
passage cross-section in the suction direction,
[0018] the hydraulic circuit further comprises a coupling, called a
priming coupling, which forms a water inlet into the hydraulic
circuit and is configured to allow the hydraulic circuit to be
primed with water.
[0019] A device according to the invention can be installed by a
user of the pool without particular knowledge.
[0020] The invention for the first time makes it possible to
propose a water treatment device for fitting to swimming pools
which cannot include such a device, especially for fitting to
swimming pools which do not have an integrated hydraulic filtration
and/or heating circuit, for example above-ground or dismantleable
swimming pools.
[0021] The inventors have found that reducing the passage
cross-section of the suction port in the return direction cleverly
allows a pressure drop to be created in the return direction
through said suction port. That pressure drop allows the whole of
the hydraulic circuit of the treatment device to be filled easily.
In particular, that pressure drop allows any pressure drops formed
by the pumping device and the treatment unit(s) when they are
stopped to be equalized.
[0022] By contrast, they have found, against all expectations, that
it is necessary to retain a non-zero passage cross-section in the
return direction, that is to say to form a controlled leak, in
order to allow a reflux of fluid through the suction port. The
reflux is certainly limited as compared with the suction which
takes place through a larger passage cross-section, but it is not
zero. That passage cross-section in the return direction through
the suction port especially allows air trapped in the hydraulic
circuit to be evacuated.
[0023] A user of the pool can accordingly easily prime the
hydraulic circuit of a device according to the invention by filling
it with water. In fact, the dual function of pressure drop and
permitting a reflux of air allows the hydraulic circuit to be
filled in a simple manner (provided, however, that none of the
water treatment units has a closed valve or major pressure drops
when they are stopped).
[0024] Accordingly, when water is injected through a priming
coupling--which constitutes a point for filling the hydraulic
circuit with water--at a sufficient pressure, the injected water
pushes the air of the hydraulic circuit through a return port for
the portion of the hydraulic circuit situated downstream of the
priming coupling, and through the suction port for the portion of
the hydraulic circuit situated upstream of the priming
coupling.
[0025] The water injected into the hydraulic circuit displaces the
air from the hydraulic circuit at least through a suction port
having a non-zero passage cross-section in a return direction
through the suction port. If the passage cross-section prevented
any reflux of air from the circuit through the suction port, it
would not be possible to prime the circuit with water: the air
trapped between the suction port and the priming coupling would be
compressed at the pressure of the injected water but would remain
blocked between the suction port and the priming coupling.
[0026] Allowing the reflux of air in the return direction through
the suction port avoids having to equip the hydraulic circuit with
a pressure equalization port close to the suction port for
evacuation of the air trapped in the hydraulic circuit.
[0027] Accordingly, an upstream portion of the hydraulic circuit
situated between the suction port and a pumping device fills with
water until the water reaches the reduced passage cross-section.
When the water reaches that reduced cross-section, it creates a
considerable pressure drop, which limits the return of water
through the suction port. The water injected through the priming
coupling then ceases filling the remainder of the hydraulic
circuit, especially downstream of the priming coupling.
[0028] Advantageously, the priming water injected at a point of
filling of the hydraulic circuit is injected at a pressure greater
at least than atmospheric pressure. Advantageously, it is injected
at a pressure strictly greater than the pressure prevailing in the
region of the suction port and of the return port when the water
treatment device is installed in a pool.
[0029] A priming coupling according to the invention allows the
hydraulic circuit to be connected easily to a source of pressurized
water, for example such as a water supply tap supplied by a water
tower, or alternatively pressurized water supplied by a pump,
etc.
[0030] Such a coupling is an additional water inlet which is not a
suction port or a return port of the treatment device and which
allows at least a portion of the hydraulic circuit to be primed,
that is to say filled with water, before the pumping device is put
into operation. Such a coupling is configured for connection to a
source of pressurized water other than the pump of the hydraulic
circuit of the treatment device according to the invention.
[0031] Advantageously, such a coupling allows at least the pumping
device and any pipe of the hydraulic circuit situated upstream of
the pumping device to be filled with water.
[0032] Such a coupling also facilitates the connection of the
hydraulic circuit to an external water supply, for example to a
standard tap.
[0033] The invention proposes a treatment device which is simple to
prime whatever the conditions in which it is installed. In fact,
when the priming coupling is connected to a pressurized water
supply, the whole of the hydraulic circuit can be filled with water
even if some portions of the circuit are situated higher than the
surface of the pool.
[0034] The invention relates very particularly to removable
treatment devices, which therefore comprise simple fixings with
which a device according to the invention can quickly be fitted to
and removed from a pool by a user without special knowledge.
Because they are removable, the suction and return ports of a
device according to the invention are regularly taken out of the
water (for example at the end of each season, in the autumn, or in
order to return the pool to its original appearance). However, when
the ports are taken out of the water, the water of the hydraulic
circuit is evacuated so that it is necessary to re-prime the
hydraulic circuit each time the device is installed again. Simple
re-priming is therefore particularly advantageous in this case.
[0035] Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one
suction port is provided with a flap configured for reducing the
passage cross-section of said suction port in the return direction
without blocking it.
[0036] In particular, advantageously and according to the
invention, at least one suction port is provided with a non-return
flap provided with a reflux orifice having a passage cross-section
that is smaller than the passage cross-section of the suction port
in the suction direction.
[0037] Such a flap allows water to pass in the suction direction
through the suction port and reduces the return of water through
the suction port.
[0038] Such a flap can be of different types and can be rigid,
movably mounted, or resiliently deformable, etc. Such a flap is
advantageously based on the principle of a non-return flap, but
which does not limit completely the return of fluid. In particular,
a flap according to the invention can be produced by forming a
reflux orifice in a non-return flap.
[0039] The reflux orifice makes it possible to allow a reflux of
fluid, and especially of air, in the return direction through the
suction port. The dimensions of the orifice are chosen to be
sufficiently smaller than the dimension of the flap, in order to
form a considerable pressure drop in the return direction of water
through the suction port when the circuit is filled with water (and
therefore primed).
[0040] Because air is much less viscous than water (under normal
atmospheric conditions), the pressure drop formed by a flap pierced
with a reflux orifice is much smaller for air than for water. For
that reason, the evacuation of air pushed by water through the
reflux orifice is easy, and the return of water through the reflux
orifice is less so.
[0041] Accordingly, such a flap does not wholly prevent the passage
of fluid in the return direction through the suction port.
[0042] Accordingly, advantageously and according to the invention,
the reflux orifice has a passage cross-section in the return
direction of between one tenth and one thirtieth of the passage
cross-section in the suction direction of the suction port.
[0043] The size of the passage (or opening) cross-section formed by
the reflux orifice is such that it allows air from the hydraulic
circuit to escape easily when the air is pushed back by the water
injected under pressure into the hydraulic circuit.
[0044] However, the reflux orifice has a passage cross-section
configured for limiting the flow of water in the return direction
through the suction port. In particular, the reflux orifice creates
a pressure drop which prevents pressure equalization between the
water injected under pressure into the hydraulic circuit through a
priming coupling and the water in the pool at the level of the
suction port, when the pressure in the hydraulic circuit is greater
than the pressure in the pool.
[0045] The inventors have found that a ratio between the passage
cross-section in the return direction and the passage cross-section
in the suction direction of between one tenth and one thirtieth is
particularly advantageous, especially a ratio of about one
twentieth.
[0046] The flap is flexible and is able to deform in order to
permit the passage of pool water sucked into the hydraulic circuit
by the pumping device.
[0047] The flap is advantageously fixed to at least one point of
the suction port, especially at a peripheral point thereof.
[0048] In addition, the suction port advantageously forms a stop
(by means of a shoulder, a collar or the like) with which the flap
comes into abutment under the effect of a fluid circulating
counter-currently (from downstream to upstream) in the hydraulic
circuit, that is to say returning through the suction port. Any
bending of the flap in the direction of a return of the water from
the hydraulic circuit towards the pool is thus at least limited, if
not prohibited.
[0049] The flap is advantageously made of an elastomeric material
such as, for example: ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM),
natural rubber, polyisobutylene (PIB) or the like. It is in
particular made of a flexible material which is resistant to the
conditions of the pool: for example, it is resistant to chlorine,
salts, ultraviolet, etc.
[0050] In addition, advantageously and according to the invention,
the flap is close to an inlet surface of the suction port, on the
inside of that surface.
[0051] Such an inlet surface is defined by a surface starting from
which the water is in the suction port and therefore in the
hydraulic circuit. It is easily represented by a plane in contact
with at least three points of the inlet edges of the suction
port.
[0052] In addition, advantageously and according to the invention,
the priming coupling is configured so that it can be be connected
to a standard domestic tap.
[0053] A priming coupling according to the invention is
advantageously standard, so that it is easy for a user of a
removable treatment device according to the invention to prime the
hydraulic circuit thereof, whatever the conditions in which said
device is installed.
[0054] The priming coupling can in fact be located at any point of
the hydraulic circuit. However, the hydraulic circuit may include
considerable differences in height depending on the terrain close
to the pool on which it is disposed, so that it has high points and
low points.
[0055] However, by virtue of the invention, even if the pumping
device is situated at a high point of the hydraulic circuit,
priming is simple and quick.
[0056] In particular, a user who owns a private swimming pool must
be able to simply connect the priming coupling to a tap in his
house which complies with normal standards or conventions in terms
of dimensions, pressure, water delivered, etc.
[0057] Accordingly, advantageously and according to the invention,
the priming coupling is mounted on an upstream pipe of the
hydraulic circuit extending between a suction port of reduced
passage cross-section in the return direction and the pumping
device.
[0058] The pumping device of a treatment device according to the
invention is generally situated upstream of the water treatment
units. For that reason, it is important that the upstream portion
of the hydraulic circuit, that is to say the portion situated
between the suction port and the pumping device at least, is full
of water when the pumping device is started in order to avoid
cavitation of the pump. Arranging the priming coupling in that
portion of the circuit makes it possible to ensure that said
upstream pipe is filled first and that the pumping device will not
encounter bubbles during the first moments of its operation.
[0059] Ideally, the whole of the hydraulic circuit is primed with
water when the pump is started.
[0060] Alternatively or in combination, advantageously and
according to the invention, the hydraulic circuit is further
equipped with at least one manual filling port in order to enable
the hydraulic circuit to be primed with water manually.
[0061] Accordingly, a user of the treatment device according to the
invention is able to fill the hydraulic circuit with water without
having a source of pressurized water close by. Such a manual
filling port is advantageously in the form of a funnel prolonged by
a water column connected at its lower end to the hydraulic circuit,
so as to supply sufficient pressure to fill the hydraulic
circuit.
[0062] Because filling of the upstream portion of the circuit
(between the suction port and the pumping device) is essential, the
manual filling port is advantageously arranged close to the pumping
device.
[0063] The invention relates also to a pool water treatment device
characterized in combination by all or some of the features
mentioned hereinabove or hereinbelow.
[0064] The invention relates also to a method for filling a pool
water treatment device according to the invention, in which the
priming coupling is connected to a supply of water at a pressure
configured for filling with water at least a pump of the pumping
device and an upstream pipe of the hydraulic circuit.
[0065] The invention relates also to a method for filling a pool
water treatment device characterized in combination by all or some
of the features mentioned hereinabove or hereinbelow.
[0066] The invention can extend to an improvement kit for priming a
pool water treatment device according to the invention,
comprising:
[0067] a suction port front configured so that it can be mounted on
a suction port of said treatment device and reduce the passage
cross-section of said suction port in the return direction without
blocking it,
[0068] a priming coupling configured so that it can be mounted at a
point of the hydraulic circuit, and configured to form a water
inlet into the hydraulic circuit so as to allow the hydraulic
circuit to be primed with water.
[0069] The invention relates also to a pool equipped with at least
one treatment device according to the invention.
[0070] In particular, advantageously and according to the
invention, such a pool further comprises a main filtration circuit
comprising:
[0071] a main water pumping device interposed in a main hydraulic
circuit in order to generate therein a flow of water between at
least one pool water recovery port and at least one pool water
return port,
[0072] at least one main water filtration unit interposed in the
main hydraulic circuit for treating the water circulating
therein,
wherein it comprises at least one treatment device according to the
invention, and:
[0073] the main hydraulic circuit of the main filtration circuit is
separate from the hydraulic circuit of each treatment device,
[0074] each recovery port of the main filtration circuit is
separate from each suction port of each treatment device, and each
return port of the main filtration circuit is separate from each
return port of each treatment device,
[0075] the main pumping device of the main filtration circuit is
separate from the pumping device of each treatment device,
[0076] the main filtration unit of the main filtration circuit is
separate from the treatment unit of each treatment device.
[0077] The pool in question, especially a swimming pool, is
therefore already equipped with a hydraulic treatment circuit,
called the main filtration circuit, which generally effects at
least water filtration, and to which there is added a second
treatment device according to the invention, which is wholly
independent of the main filtration circuit because it comprises its
own hydraulic circuit, its own suction and return ports, and its
own water treatment (for example heating) unit(s).
[0078] Accordingly, a treatment device according to the invention
allows a pool to be improved after it has been brought into
service, whether or not it is already equipped with a main water
filtration circuit. Such a treatment device allows water treatment
functionalities, such as heating by means of a heat pump or by
means of solar panels, for example, to be added easily.
[0079] The invention relates also to a pool characterized in
combination by all or some of the features mentioned hereinabove or
hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0080] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the following description of an
embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of example and
which refers to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0081] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a
device according to the invention close to a swimming pool,
[0082] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation in longitudinal section
of the suction port of the device of FIG. 1,
[0083] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation in longitudinal section
of the suction port of the device of FIG. 1, according to FIG.
2,
[0084] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation in longitudinal section
of the suction port of the device of FIG. 1, according to FIGS. 2
and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0085] A pool water treatment device according to the invention in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a device which comprises a
hydraulic circuit 1 between a suction port 7 and a return port 8,
which are disposed in the water 3 of the swimming pool 2. Between
the suction and return ports there are interposed a water pumping
device 4 for generating a flow of water in the hydraulic circuit 1,
and a water treatment unit 5, for example a heat pump. The pumping
device comprises in particular an electric water pump 14.
[0086] The pumping device 4 is configured so that, when it is
supplied with power and the circuit is primed with water, it can
create a circulation of swimming pool water from the suction port
to the return port. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" in the
hydraulic circuit 1 are defined in relation to this water
circulation direction.
[0087] The suction and return ports 7, 8 are disposed in the pool
water. The suction port is advantageously covered with a grate 15
in order to prevent submerged bodies which may damage and/or clog
the hydraulic circuit 1 and its active elements (pump, heat pump,
etc.) from being sucked in.
[0088] A pipe, called the upstream pipe 12, of the hydraulic
circuit 1 connects the suction port 7 to the pumping device 4. The
upstream pipe 12 is shown cut away in FIG. 1 so that the water and
air contained therein are visible.
[0089] The upstream pipe 12 has a priming coupling 10 configured so
that it can be connected hydraulically to a water supply 11, which
does not form part of the invention. In particular, said priming
coupling 10 has at least one end which is configured so that it can
be connected to a water supply. For example, the priming coupling
can be configured so that it can be connected to a tap of a
dwelling, for example the threading of which corresponds to a
current plumbing standard. Advantageously, in the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 1 to 4, the priming coupling 10 is a fast-fit priming
coupling with a snap-fit socket.
[0090] Advantageously, as is shown in FIG. 1, the priming coupling
10 is connected to a supply 11 of pressurized water (for example
connected to a water tower by way of a drinking water distribution
system). The water supplied by that supply 11 is advantageously at
a much higher pressure than the water pressure prevailing in the
region of the suction and return ports 7, 8.
[0091] Accordingly, when a tap (or a valve) of the water supply 11
is opened, the water flows into the hydraulic circuit and in
particular into the upstream pipe 12, upstream and downstream of
the priming coupling 10. Consequently, as is shown in FIG. 1, the
water injected through the priming coupling into the hydraulic
circuit forms an upstream water front 16 and a downstream water
front 17, which push back the air located in the hydraulic
circuit.
[0092] In particular, the upstream water front 16 and the
downstream water front 17 push back the air located in the
hydraulic circuit upstream and downstream, respectively, of the
priming coupling 10, so that the air in the hydraulic circuit is
discharged through the suction port 7 and through the return port
8, respectively.
[0093] The suction port is equipped with a flap 6 shown in FIGS. 2
to 4.
[0094] As is shown in FIG. 2, when the device according to the
invention is operating normally (the whole of the hydraulic circuit
is full of water and the pumping device 4 at least is operating),
the flap moves aside to a large extent in order to allow water 3
from the swimming pool 2 to enter through the suction port 7. In
particular, the flap allows water to pass through a passage
cross-section Sa of the suction port.
[0095] To that end, the flap is advantageously flexible and/or
articulated at least in the direction of water suction. In
particular, the flap is advantageously made of
ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM). It is therefore flexible
and is fixed at a fixing point 18 of the suction port.
[0096] The flap 6 is fixed to the fixing point 18 of the pipe of
the suction port 7, and it is deformable in the direction upstream
of the suction port so as to leave a passage for the water 3 from
the pool 2 sucked towards the hydraulic circuit by virtue of the
suction created by the pump 14 of the pumping device 4.
[0097] If, on the other hand, water is circulating in the opposite
direction in the hydraulic circuit 1, as is shown in FIG. 4, that
is to say in a return direction of the water through the suction
port 7, the flap closes the passage cross-section Sa of the suction
port in order to minimize the flow of discharged water. The flap 6
comes into abutment on a shoulder 19 of the suction port in the
upstream direction relative to the suction port, so that it forms a
wall which prevents fluid from leaving through the suction
port.
[0098] However, advantageously and according to the invention, the
flap 6 has a reflux orifice 9 of passage cross-section Sr, which
allows the upstream water front 16--when it flows into the upstream
pipe--to dispel the air located between it and the suction port. In
fact, if the flap were perfectly hermetic, the injection of water
through the priming coupling 10 would create an overpressure in the
upstream portion of the upstream pipe 12, and the air located
therein would not be able to return through the suction port. That
air trapped between the priming coupling and the suction port would
result in drainage of the pump 14 shortly after being put into
operation.
[0099] Accordingly, in FIG. 3, the displacement of the air in the
upstream pipe, pushed back by the upstream water front 16, is
shown. Because air is a fluid of low viscosity, it is easily
discharged through a reflux orifice 9 of passage cross-section Sr
smaller than the passage cross-section Sa.
[0100] As soon as the upstream water front 16 meets the flap 6, the
flow of water passing through the reflux orifice 9 is reduced
because water is more viscous than air and flows less easily
through the reduced passage cross-section Sr. Accordingly, an
overpressure forms in the region of the flap, which limits the flow
of water in that portion of the pipe as soon as it is filled with
water.
[0101] In addition to limiting the loss of priming water in the
pool, the flap allows the remainder of the hydraulic circuit to be
filled as soon as the upstream portion of the upstream pipe 12 is
filled with water. In fact, the overpressure which forms between
the inside and the outside of the hydraulic circuit in the region
of said flap 6 forces the water injected through the priming
coupling to move downstream of the hydraulic circuit: it is the
downstream water front 17 which pushes back the air of the
hydraulic circuit downstream of the priming coupling, the air being
evacuated through the return port 8.
[0102] A device according to the invention may also comprise a
detector for detecting a variation in the pressure or flow in the
upstream pipe, which makes it possible to know the moment at which
the upstream portion of the upstream pipe is filled with water by
detecting the sudden overpressure (the reduction in flow) which
forms at the moment when the upstream water front 16 meets the
flap.
[0103] Accordingly, the reflux orifice 9 permits the evacuation of
the air in the upstream pipe 12 and minimises the loss of water in
the return direction through the suction port.
[0104] Its combination with a priming coupling arranged on the
upstream pipe permits simple filling of the upstream pipe to be
proposed.
[0105] Filling of the upstream pipe with water in that manner is
necessary for the correct operation of the pumping device as soon
as it is started, especially in order to avoid cavitation of the
pump 14. For that reason, advantageously in a method according to
the invention, a user must also ensure that a downstream portion of
the upstream pipe (situated between the priming coupling 10 and the
pump 14) is also filled with water at the moment the pumping device
is started.
[0106] That downstream portion of the upstream pipe 12 is filled
with water by a downstream water front 17 which displaces the air
located therein through the return port, which is not equipped with
a flap in either direction.
[0107] Advantageously, the pipe of the priming coupling 10 is
equipped with a valve 20 in order to enable the hydraulic circuit 1
to be closed when the device according to the invention is in
operation. Advantageously, the valve 20 is opened by the user in
order to prime the hydraulic circuit and closed by the user as soon
as the hydraulic circuit is primed sufficiently.
[0108] Furthermore, a device according to the invention also
comprises a manual filling port 13 in order to propose an
alternative means for filling the upstream pipe. Accordingly, a
user is able to prime the hydraulic circuit manually by adding
water through the manual filling port 13.
[0109] Accordingly, the manual filling port 13 is advantageously
formed in the casing of the pumping device according to the
invention in order to ensure that:
[0110] at least the portion of the hydraulic circuit that is
situated close to the pump 14 will be primed at the moment the
pumping device is put into operation,
[0111] the manual filling port 13 is oriented upwards in order
to:
[0112] allow the user to supply it easily without having to hold
it,
[0113] create an overpressure of the water supplied through that
port relative to the remainder of the circuit by virtue of the
column of water between the high opening of the port and its
opening into the hydraulic circuit.
[0114] In particular, the height of the manual filling port 13 is
chosen to be such that the overpressure that is created is greater
than the water pressure prevailing in the region of the suction and
return ports 7, 8.
[0115] Advantageously, the manual filling port 13 is in the form of
a funnel and forms a column of water that opens into the hydraulic
circuit 1. Accordingly, the manual filling port 13 advantageously
has a column of water of about 50 cm.
[0116] Advantageously, a device according to the invention as shown
in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprises a pump 14 configured for creating a
nominal flow of about 2000 litres/hour, and a hydraulic circuit 1
(in particular the upstream pipe) has a passage cross-section of
about 6 cm.sup.2.
[0117] The suction port 7 is substantially circular and has a
passage cross-section Sa of about 80 cm.sup.2. Likewise, the flap 6
has a surface area of about 80 cm.sup.2 so that it is able to close
off the passage cross-section Sa of the suction port while having a
reflux orifice 9 having a passage cross-section Sr of about 0.8
cm.sup.2.
[0118] The invention can be the subject of numerous other variant
embodiments which are not shown.
[0119] Accordingly, a plurality of priming couplings can be
provided in order to fill the whole of the circuit more
quickly.
[0120] Advantageously, the suction port and the return port can be
arranged close to one another. In particular, they can be formed
from the same piece that is immersed in the water from the edge of
the pool.
[0121] The invention can advantageously be implemented for all
types of water treatment device. It is particularly advantageous
for devices added to a pool after its construction, and in all
cases arranged outside the pool.
[0122] The invention can advantageously be a kit comprising a
priming coupling which is to be mounted on the hydraulic circuit,
and a suction port equipped with a flap having a reflux orifice,
which can be mounted on an existing suction port.
[0123] Furthermore, there is no reason not to provide a rigid flap
which is articulated by a pivot-type connection at a point of the
suction port in order to allow it to be opened in the downstream
direction, and which comes into abutment against a shoulder or a
stop of the suction port on the upstream side. Numerous other
embodiments of a flap can be envisaged with an identical
function.
[0124] Nor is there any reason not to provide different means for
restricting the passage cross-section of the suction port in the
return direction: for example, a controlled dynamic closure member,
etc.
* * * * *