Bilge System

Abstract

A bilge pump system for removing residual fluid from a vessel surface, includes at least one collection unit having a collection base with a collection inlet and a collection outlet, and a pump having a pump inlet flow-connected by at least one tube to the collection outlet. A discharge tube is flow-connected to the pump outlet, wherein the collection inlet comprises at least one opening on a bottom face of the collection base arranged to be on the vessel surface. A sponge is arranged within the opening of the collection base and in liquid communication with the vessel surface. The sponge can be fitted into place by lips or lugs protruding from the collection base.

Claims

1. A bilge pump system for removing residual fluid from a vessel surface, comprising: a collection unit having a collection base with a collection inlet and a collection outlet, a pump having a pump inlet flow-connected by at least one tube to the collection outlet, a discharge tube flow-connected to the pump outlet, wherein the collection inlet comprises at least one opening on a bottom face of the collection base arranged to be on the vessel surface.

2. The bilge pump system according to claim 1, comprising a sponge arranged within the opening of the collection base.

3. The bilge pump system according to claim 2, wherein the sponge is fitted into place by lips or lugs protruding from the collection base.

4. The bilge pump system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings.

5. The bilge pump system according to claim 1, wherein the collection base is weighted.

6. The bilge pump system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tube between the pump inlet and the outlet of the collection base is affixed with at least one push fit fitting.

7. The bilge pump system according to claim 1, wherein the collection base includes a check valve to prevent backflow into the collection base.

8. The bilge pump system according to claim 1, wherein the pump is a diaphragm pump.

9. The bilge pump system according to claim 1, comprising an inline strainer upstream of the pump inlet to avoid clogging the pump.

10. The bilge pump system according to claim 1, comprising a timer switch to turn on and off the pump.

11. The bilge pump system according to claim 1, comprising pneumatic, electric, or solenoid valves, in order to reach multiple inlet tubes.

12. The bilge pump according to claim 1, further comprising a user-programmable timer switch and wherein the pump is enclosed by a housing and the housing also encloses the user-programmable timer.

13. The bilge pump according to claim 12, wherein the housing includes screw-holding protrusions to fasten the housing to an external surface.

14. The bilge pump according to claim 1, comprising multiple collection units, each collection unit having a collection base with a collection inlet and a collection outlet, the pump inlet flow-connected by multiple tubes to the collection outlets, wherein each collection inlet comprises at least one opening on a bottom face of the collection base arranged to be on the vessel surface.

15. The bilge pump according to claim 14, further comprising controllable valves each flow connected between the pump inlet and one collection outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bilge pump system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the system shown in FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the system shown in FIG. 1; and

[0018] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the system shown in FIG. 1, taken from line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternate bilge pump system according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

[0021] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a bilge pump system 10 according to the invention. The system includes a suction unit 16, connected to a collection unit 20, by suction tubes 24, 26. The suction unit 16 is connected to a discharge tube 28. A pneumatic, electric, or solenoid operated valve 32 can be flow connected between the suction tubes 24, 26. The solenoid valve is useful if more than one collection unit 20 is used. For one collection unit 20, the solenoid valve can be eliminated and a single suction tube 24 can connect the collection unit 20 to the suction unit 16.

[0022] The collection unit 20 includes a collection base 34 with a weight 36 built in (encapsulated in ultrasonically welded plastic) to help hold the base down onto the floor if it is not attached. The top of the collection base 34 can use a PUSH FIT fitting 40, which allows the suction tube 24, such as a tube, to easily be installed onto the collection base 34 by just forcing it in with a user's hand, without need for a tool. The collection base can also incorporates a check-valve 42. The check valve 42 ensures liquid that has moved past the collection base, does not drip back down into the collection base. The base also incorporates two lugs 44, 46 with holes which allows for screw-down mounting of the base. The collection base also incorporates two bosses 48, 49 that each accept a screw, for different attaching methods and brackets for securing the collection base.

[0023] A strainer 52 is used to catch any debris that may have made it past the collection base, and prevents debris from being sucked into the suction unit 16, preventing damage. The suction tubes can use PUSH FIT fittings, which allows line to easily be installed onto the strainer by just forcing it in by hand without the need for a tool.

[0024] The collection base 34 has an open bottom face 54 that is closed by a sponge 56. The sponge can be held in place in the base 34 by lugs or lips 51, 52 protruding inward from the base. The sponge enhances the collection of water or other fluid that otherwise would be very shallow on the vessel surface. The base has peripheral holes 57 exposing the sponge to allow water to reach the sponge.

[0025] The suction unit 16 shown in FIG. 2 includes a housing 58 containing a self-priming diaphragm pump 62, a timer 66, a check valve 70, an electrical connection 72 for the pump 62, an internal suction tube 78 and an internal discharge tube 79. The pump 62 suctions the liquid entering the collection base 34 through the sponge 56, through the check valve 42, through the suction tubes 24, 26 and solenoid valve 32 if present, through the strainer 52, through the internal suction tube 78, through the pump 62, through the internal discharge tube 79 and the check valve 70, through the outlet 80, and through the discharge tube 28 to an external collection location to be disposed of or collected. The housing 58 can includes flanges 92, 94 (FIG. 2) having screw holes for attaching the housing to a floor or wall or bracket or four feet 95a, 95b, 95c, 95d (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) with screw holes for attaching the housing to a floor or wall or bracket.

[0026] The suction unit 16 can be configured to effectively suction liquid from the collection base 34 from over 25 feet away from the collection base 34. The diaphragm pump 62 can be activated by a timer 66 that can be built into the unit 16. This timer is user-programmable. This allows the user to activate the pump 62 for as many minutes as desired, such as 16 activations a day, to as little as one activation per week. This allows the user to custom tailor activation to their vessel's need. This timer 66 can be hidden behind a water-tight lid 72 with a o-ring gasket 76. A discharge outlet 80 of the unit 16 can be a barbed fitting connected to the discharge tube 28, which can be a inch tube. The tube 28 can be discharged overboard via a thru hull, collected into a holding container, or otherwise removed from the vessel floor.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an enhanced system 100 wherein multiple suction tubes 26 (four shown) are connected to a manifold 110 that is connected to multiple pneumatic, electric, or solenoid operated valves 32 (four shown) that are connected to multiple suction tubes 24 (four shown), each tube connected to a collection unit 20 (four shown). In this way, different surfaces of a vessel that are likely to collect water or other fluid can be serviced by plural collection units 20 and only one suction unit 16. The solenoid operated valves 32 can be controlled to connect suction to one collection unit 20 at a time, or combinations of collection units 20 at a time.

[0028] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.