WATER PUMP DRAIN PLUG SYSTEM

Abstract

A water pump drain plug has a first end which is adapted for engagement to a water pump drain opening which communicates with the pressurized fluid within the water pump. The drain plug has an axial passage communicating therethrough capable of draining fluid from the water pump. The axial passage is plugged initially by a sealing member engaged therein which will release upon communication of fluid pressure against it at a predetermined release pressure.

Claims

1. A water pump drain plug, comprising: a plug body, said plug body having a first end opposite a second end thereof; an axial passage communicating from a first opening at said first end of said plug body to a second opening at said second end of said plug body; said first end of said plug body engageable with a drain opening of a water pump having pressurized fluid therein; a sealing member, said sealing member held in an engaged position by a pressure released connector located on said sealing member, said pressure released connector forming a removable engagement between said sealing member and said plug body; said sealing member in said engaged position forming a fluid seal, said fluid seal blocking any flow of said pressurized fluid through said second opening; said pressure released connector deforming at a predetermined release pressure communicated thereagainst by said pressurized fluid from said water pump; and said sealing member disengaging from said engaged position upon said deforming of said pressure released connector, whereby a breach is formed in said fluid seal through which said pressurized fluid flow communicates to said second opening.

2. The water pump drain plug of claim 1, additionally comprising: said sealing member having a sealing body formed of polymeric material, said sealing body having a circumferential surface surrounding an axis of said sealing member, said circumferential surface extending a first distance from said axis to a contact against a sidewall at said second opening; said pressure released connector comprising an annular projection formed at said first end of said sealing body, said annular projection extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis of said sealing member for a second distance, said second distance exceeding said first distance; and said annular projection in contact with an endwall of said axial cavity with said sealing member in said engaged position.

3. The water pump drain plug of claim 1, additionally comprising: said sealing member formed of a layer of polymeric material in a planar disk; said pressure released connector formed by said layer of polymeric material of said sealing member having a thickness configured to burst at said predetermined release pressure; a cap, said cap having an opening at a first end, said opening communicating with a passage running through said cap; said sealing member positioned within said passage at a second end of said cap in an alignment with an aperture formed in an endwall at said second end of said cap; and interior threads in said passage being removably engageable with secondary threads positioned on an exterior of said plug body, whereby said sealing member is replaceable by a removal of said cap from said plug body and insertion of a different said sealing member therein.

4. The water pump drain plug of claim 1, additionally comprising: said sealing member having a sealing member body formed of polymeric material; said pressure released connector comprising: said sealing member body having exterior threads formed around a circumferential exterior surface thereof; said exterior threads being removably engageable with internal threads formed into an interior surface of said body surrounding an open area at said second opening; said exterior threads deforming toward said central axis of said open area upon a communication of said pressurized fluid against said member body at said predetermined release pressure, whereby said sealing member is ejected from said engaged position through said second opening.

5. The water pump drain plug of claim 4, additionally comprising: said sealing member positionable to said engaged position by engaging said exterior threads on said member body with said internal threads formed into said interior surface.

6. The water pump drain plug of claim 5, additionally comprising: a tool connecter positioned on said sealing member body; and said sealing member being positionable to said engaged position by rotation of said sealing member body to engage said exterior threads with said internal threads using a tool engaged with said tool connector to rotate said sealing member body.

7. The water pump drain plug of claim 5, additionally comprising: said sealing member body having a tether extending therefrom; and said tether engageable with said plug body to hold said sealing member proximate to said plug body upon being ejected therefrom.

8. The water pump drain plug of claim 6, additionally comprising: said sealing member body having a tether extending therefrom; and said tether engageable with said plug body to hold said sealing member proximate to said plug body upon being ejected therefrom.

9. The water pump drain plug of claim 2, additionally comprising: a kit, said kit including a plurality of said sealing members; and each of said plurality of sealing members having a respective said annular projection extending a consecutively longer said second distance, than the others of said plurality of sealing members.

10. The water pump drain plug of claim 4, additionally comprising: a kit, said kit including a plurality of said sealing members formed of said polymeric material; each of said plurality of sealing member bodies formed of said polymeric material having a respective consecutively higher shore in a range between 20A-100A; and indicia positioned on each of said sealing member, said indicia identifying a respective said predetermined release pressure for said respective sealing member.

11. The water pump drain plug of claim 7, additionally comprising: a kit, said kit including a plurality of said sealing members formed of said polymeric material; each of said plurality of sealing member bodies formed of said polymeric material having a respective consecutively higher shore in a range between 20A-100A; and indicia positioned on each of said sealing member, said indicia identifying a respective said predetermined release pressure for said respective sealing member.

12. The water pump drain plug of claim 3, additionally comprising: a kit, said kit including a plurality of said sealing members formed of said polymeric material; each of said plurality of sealing member bodies formed of said polymeric material having a respective consecutively higher shore in a shore range between 20A-100A; and indicia positioned on each of said sealing member, said indicia identifying a respective said predetermined release pressure for said respective sealing member.

13. The water pump drain plug of claim 2 wherein said predetermined release pressure is 650-800 PSI.

14. The water pump drain plug of claim 3 wherein said predetermined release pressure is 650-800 PSI.

15. The water pump drain plug of claim 4 wherein said predetermined release pressure is 650-800 PSI.

16. The water pump drain plug of claim 6 wherein said predetermined release pressure is 650-800 PSI.

17. The water pump drain plug of claim 2 wherein said predetermined release pressure is substantially 800 PSI.

18. The water pump drain plug of claim 3 wherein said predetermined release pressure is substantially 800 PSI.

19. The water pump drain plug of claim 4 wherein said predetermined release pressure is substantially 800 PSI.

20. The water pump drain plug of claim 6 wherein said predetermined release pressure is substantially 800 PSI.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0030] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features of the various mode of the water pump drain plug system herein. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 depicts one preferred mode of the drain plug device herein, showing a sealing member positioned in sealed engagement with a second opening in the body of the drain plug.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a mode of the drain plug device herein, having a sealing member removably positioned within the second opening at the second end of the axial passage communicating through the body.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the drain plug of FIG. 3 depicting an annular projection at a second end of the sealing member which projects a longer distance than a circumference of the body of the member to contact an endwall and is configured to deform and release the sealing member once pressure within the axial passage equals or exceeds a release pressure.

[0035] FIG. 5A shows a mode of the device herein wherein an engageable end cap threadably engages with a projection surrounding the second opening and has a sealing member on an endwall thereof.

[0036] FIG. 5B depicts the device as in 5A disassembled.

[0037] FIG. 5C shows the endwall of the cap having the sealing member positioned therein.

[0038] FIG. 5D shows a perspective view of the device as in 5A.

[0039] FIG. 6A depicts a mode of the device similar to that of 5A wherein a cap engages with the second end of the body and holds the sealing member in sealed engagement over the second opening.

[0040] FIG. 6B depicts an exploded view of FIG. 6A.

[0041] FIG. 6C shows a perspective end view of the device as in FIG. 6A.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows a mode of the device having a removably engageable sealing member connected with the second opening of the body of the drain plug.

[0043] FIG. 8 depicts an exploded sectional view of the device of FIG. 7 showing the threadably engageable sealing member positioned for threaded engagement within the second opening.

[0044] FIG. 9 shows the device as in FIG. 7-8 with the inclusion of a second sealing member in a removable connection to the body of the device.

[0045] FIG. 10 depicts the device herein in a kit form where a plurality of different sealing members are provided which are formed with a connector to engage them to the body of the plug where each is marked to show the relapse pressure level of the respective plug.

[0046] Other aspects of the present drain plug device and system herein shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0047] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right, first, second, and other such terms refer to the drain plug device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only, and they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the drain plug has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0048] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-10, where similar components of the device 10 herein are identified by like reference numerals. In all modes of the device 10 herein, the device 10 has a body 12 which has a first end 14 opposite a second end 16 thereof. A first opening 18 is positioned at the first end of the body 12 opposite a second opening 20 at the second end of the body 12. An axial passage 22 communicates through the body 12 between the first opening 18 and second opening 20.

[0049] The first end 14 of the body 12 of the device 10 is configured for a sealed engagement with a drain opening of a water pump. Currently, threads 24 positioned on the body 12 extending from the first end 14 toward the second end 16 provide for such a sealed engagement in a conventional fashion. As noted above, the drain opening of a pump, conventionally, is internally threaded and the threads 24 on the body 12 herein are configured to engage with the drain opening threads and position the device 10 in an as-used positioning with a water pump. While not shown, such a threaded sealed engagement is well known.

[0050] In this as-used positioning, the first opening 18 is in communication directly or through an internal pathway with the internal cavity of a water pump. A pressurized fluid stream from water within the internal cavity, or generated by water within the internal cavity of the pump, is communicated into the first opening 18 through the axial passage 22 in the body 12 and thereby communicated to the second opening 20 at the second end 16 of the body 12 of the device 10. Such a pressurized fluid stream will generally be water itself under pressure from freezing or pump action but can include any air or gas within the axial passage 22 also.

[0051] Common to all modes of the device 10, at the second end 16 of the body 12, in a sealed engagement with the second opening 16, is positioned a sealing member 26. This sealing member 26 is in a pressure released connector in or with the second opening 20. By pressure released connector is meant a sealed connection between the sealing member 26 and the body 12 of the device 10, which prevents the fluid stream communicated into the axial passage 22 from exiting the body 12 through the second opening 20 until the internal pressure of the fluid stream within the axial passage 22 which is communicated to the second opening 20 exceeds a predetermined release pressure, wherein the sealing member 26 bursts or a pressure released connector deforms, shears, or otherwise releases the connection to the body 12. Such a pressure released connector, for example and in no way limiting, can include threads 24, or annular projections 32 contacting an endwall 34, whereby the sealing member 26 is ejected by fluid pressure thereon, releasing the sealing member from a sealed engagement of the second opening 20. By predetermined release pressure is meant a fluid pressure of the fluid stream within the axial passage 22, and/or which is communicated against the sealing member 26 sealing the second opening 20, which is 650-800 PSI for a mode of the device 10 herein shown during experimentation to protect against both over-pressure operation and freezing, with 800 PSI being a particular favorite to allow the pump to surge for a duration during operation without dismounting the sealing member 26 unless the pressure reaches 800 PSI.

[0052] For a customized mode of the device 10 in custom or kit form, the predetermined release pressure will be at least 50 PSI and more preferred at least 200 PSI above the normal operating fluid pressure of the water pump within the internal cavity thereof to which the device 10 herein is operatively engaged in an as-used positioning. Such a nominal operating pressure is conventionally posted on labels on the water pump itself, or in the specification booklet, or manual provided with the respective water pump and easily determined.

[0053] Thus, once pressure of the fluid stream communicated through the first opening 18 and into the axial passage 22 and against the sealing member 26 in the pressure-released engagement of the pressure-released connector with the second opening 20 or within the axial passage 22 reaches the predetermined release pressure level, the sealing member 26 will release. Such a release will occur by bursting of the body of the sealing member, if formed planar, or by a disengagement of the body 12 from sealed engagement with the second opening 20, whereby the sealing member 26 will no longer block fluid flow from the second opening 20 from the axial passage 22.

[0054] Such a release of the sealing member 26 in this pressure released engagement of a pressure released connector, in all modes of the device 10, allows the pressurized fluid stream within the axial passage 22 to flow through the second opening 20 and out of the body 12 of the device 10. This fluid flow continues as long as there is a pressurized fluid stream communicated through the first opening 18 into the axial passage 22. It provides protection from over-pressure operation of the water pump as well as from freezing.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sealing member 26 is positioned in the pressure released engagement of the pressure released connector such as the annular projection 32 at the communication of the second opening 20 with the second end 16 of the body 12 of the device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the sealing member 26 is formed in a layer or thickness which is configured to burst once the fluid stream contacting it from the axial passage 22 reaches or exceeds the predetermined release pressure. By varying the thickness and material forming this mode of the sealing member 26, it can be formed to burst at the predetermined release pressure of either 800 PSI or the customized determined PSI. For example, by forming it from a metal with known failure properties or from a polymeric or other non metallic material with known failure or burst properties. Once the device 10, as in FIGS. 1-2, fails, it must be entirely replaced.

[0056] In FIGS. 3-4 is shown a mode of the drain plug device herein, wherein the sealing member 26 has an elongated seal body 28 extending a first distance D1 from the axis thereof to a circumferential wall. The circumferential wall extending the first distance D1 has a diameter sized to form a sealed contact against an interior wall of the second opening 16.

[0057] An annular projection 32 extends perpendicular to the axis for a second distance D2 which exceeds the first distance D1 of the circumferential wall of the seal body 28 of the sealing member 26. The annular projection 32, as shown, is, thus, larger in diameter than the diameter of the circumferential wall and that of the second opening 20. So configured, the annular projection 32 forms a contact of the annular projection 32 against an interior wall 34 at a second end of the axial passage 22.

[0058] This contact of the annular projection 32 prevents the sliding disengagement of the sealing member 26 from sealing the second opening until the pressurized fluid stream, communicated into the axial passage 22, reaches or exceeds the predetermined release pressure. At that point, based on the shore hardness of the polymeric material forming the sealing member 26 and the distance D2 of projection, the annular projection 32, forming the pressure released connector, will either detach or deform and bend toward a center axis of the seal body 28 of the sealing member 26, and the sealing member 26 will be ejected from the second opening 20. The same sealing member 26, if undamaged after dismount, or a new one, can be reinserted by folding the annular projection 32 toward the center axis of the sealing body 28 while entering pressure on the side of the sealing body which is opposite the annular projection 32 or by insertion through the first opening 18.

[0059] FIGS. 5A-5D show a mode of the device 10 herein, wherein the sealing member 26 is engaged with a cap 36. A threaded opening 38 at a first end of this cap 36 is configured to form a sealed engagement with secondary threads 40 formed upon a projection 42 which surrounds the second opening 20.

[0060] As shown, the sealing member 26 is or forms part of an endwall 44 at a second end of the cap 36 opposite the threaded opening 38. With the cap 36 engaged by the threaded opening 38 upon the secondary threads 40 surrounding the projection 42, the second opening 20 is sealed from any fluid flow therethrough by the positioning of the endwall and sealing member 26 therein. The sealing member 26 in the endwall 44 is formed and operates the same as that of FIG. 1, in that it is of a thickness and of a polymeric material configured to burst at the predetermined release pressure. However, unlike the device of FIG. 1-2, a new sealing member 26 can be preengaged to seal the second opening 20 by screwing on a new cap 36 having the appropriately configured sealing member 26 adapted to burst at the predetermined release pressure for the device 10 in operative engagement with the drain opening of the chosen water pump.

[0061] The device 10 as in FIGS. 6A-6C is configured to operate the same as that of FIGS. 5A-5D, except that the cap 36 has an aperture 46 formed in the endwall 44 which aligns with the sealing member 26 which is formed as a planar disk. With the cap 36 engaged as shown in FIG. 6C, the planar disk forming the sealing member 26 seals the second opening 20 from any pressurized fluid flow therethrough. The sealing member 26 is formed in a fashion much the same as that shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, and FIG. 1, in that it is of a thickness and metal or preferably polymeric material adapted to burst or dismount once the fluid stream from the axial passage 22 reaches the predetermined release pressure. Should such occur, a new sealing member 26, in the disk form shown, can be placed over the second opening 20 and the cap 36 reengaged with the projection 42 to hold the sealing member in a sealed engagement between the cap 36 and the second end 16 of the body 12.

[0062] Shown in FIGS. 7-9 is a mode of the device 10, wherein the sealing member 26 is configured with member threads 48 which are configured to form the pressure released connector which will detach or will shear-off when fluid at the predetermined release pressure, of either 800 PSI or a customized PSI contacts the sealing member 26. As with the other modes of the device 10, the polymeric material forming the blastomeric sealing member 26 will be of a shore hardness such as between 20A-100A shore, whereupon the threads 48 will either shear or flex and dismount once the predetermined release pressure is reached.

[0063] The threads 48 extend a distance and in a thread pattern to form a sealed engagement with internal threads 40 formed in the wall surrounding the second opening 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the sealing member 26 may be rotated to engage the two sets of threads 24 and 50, to form the pressure released connector and position the sealing member 26 in the pressure released sealed engagement with the body 12 thereby preventing fluid flow through the second opening 20. A tool connector 52 such as a recess in the shape complimentary to the tool used, allows the user to rotate the sealing member 26 into position as in FIGS. 7 and 9. The length of the member threads 48 and the material forming the sealing member 26 are formed to enable the member threads 48 to bend and release from threaded engagement from the internal threads 50 once the fluid flow in the axial passage 22 reaches the release pressure.

[0064] The blastomeric sealing member 26, as noted, is formed of a polymeric or similar pliable plastic or other blastomeric material with a shore which will flex upon communication of fluid pressure against the sealing member 26. This flexure can be controlled in a calculated fashion by forming the sealing member of a polymeric material with a higher or lower durometer or shore hardness of the elastomer or polymeric material in a manner well known in the art. Thus, the width, number, and the deepness of the threads 48, in combination with the determined shore hardness of the polymeric material, can form the sealing member 26 in a fashion where the threads 48 will either shear off or will flex and bend sufficiently to detach from their threaded engagement with body threads 50, upon communication of the fluid pressure at the predetermined release pressure against the body of the sealing member 26.

[0065] The sealing members 26, thus, can be provided in kit form as in FIG. 10 where each sealing member 26 is formed of material with a consecutively higher shore hardness and threads 48 which is calculated to deform and detach the threads 48 from engagement with body threads 50, at a consecutively different predetermined release pressure of the water pump. This will allow the user to choose the appropriate one of the kit of sealing members 26, which will resist the fluid pressure in the water pump, up to the predetermined release pressure desired. As noted, this is at least 50 PSI above the posted or specified operating pressure of the water pump, and in most instances more preferably at least 200 PSI above the specified operating pressure to allow for pressure surges without dismount.

[0066] In FIG. 9 is shown an especially preferred mode of the device 10 wherein a spare sealing member 26 is removably engaged to the body 12 of the device 10. As shown, a tether 53 such as an elastic band holds the spare sealing member 26 to the body 12 for use when needed. This tether 53 can also be employed to hold spare sealing members 26, such as those in FIG. 4 or 5C or 6B, where the tether 53 would be configured to removably engage therewith. The tether 53 will allow the same sealing member 26 to be re engaged where it has not been damaged and allow the user to do so. Such would be most preferred where the device 10 is used in remote areas where spare parts are not available.

[0067] Shown in FIG. 10 is a particularly preferred mode of the plug device 10 herein which is provided in a kit form. As shown, a plurality of different sealing members 26 are provided in the kit enabling the user to choose the sealing member 26 with a predetermined release pressure required for normal operation of the water pump but which will release when a pressure level at or above the predetermined relapse pressure is communicated to the sealing member 26.

[0068] As shown, the body 12 of the plug is provided which is configured to removably engage with each respective sealing member 26 in the kit. Each sealing member 26 in the kit is marked with indicia 27 which correlates to a specific predetermined release pressure at which the pressure released connector such as threads 24 or the annular projection 32 (FIG. 4) of the respective sealing member 26 will deform by bending toward the center of the axial passage 22, and release from engagement to the body 12, and open the axial passage 22 to allow water to escape therethrough. As shown, threads 24 form the pressure released connector for the depicted kit, however, it may also be employed with the annular projection 32 such as in FIG. 4. The indicia 27, while shown as color or patterns, may also be simple text molded into a wall surface of the formed sealing member 26.

[0069] In a method of use of the device 10 as in FIG. 10, the user will choose a predetermined release pressure for the water pump into which the body 12 will be engaged in a drain opening. Such may be a body 12 with a sealing member 26 which releases at 800 PSI and is marked as such. Alternatively, for use with a more customized approach, the predetermined release pressure desired by the user can be determined and chosen by reviewing the operating pressure specifications for the water pump for which the device 10 will be engaged and then determining the operating pressure for that pump. Then the user will choose the sealing member 26 in the kit which is marked with indicia 27 indicating that respective sealing member 26, from the kit being chosen, correlates to a specific predetermined release pressure the user wishes to employ with the specific water pump.

[0070] In a third step the user will engage the chosen sealing member 26 with the body 12 which will be, or is already operatively engaged with the water pump of choice. A chart, not shown but well known, which depicts the indicia 27 located on each sealing member 26 in the kit, can be provided when color or patterns are employed as the indicia 27. Where alphanumeric characters are employed as the indicia 27, such as on a planar wall surrounding the tool connector 52, the release pressure of the respective sealing member 26 in the kit may just be read by the user, prior to choosing the appropriate respective sealing member 26 from the kit.

[0071] It should be noted and anticipated that although the drain plug system is shown in its most simple form and potential configurations, various components and aspects of the disclosed drain plug device and system may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure are merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes of the device and system herein within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner.

[0072] Further, while all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the water pump drain plug system invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure as well as the claims which follow, and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.