WATER PRESSURE BOOSTER

Abstract

A pump is provided, comprising: a base with a first side having a first inlet, a second side having a second inlet and a first outlet, a third side having a second outlet, and a fourth side, wherein the inlets are coupled to a pump motor assembly configured to deliver water from the inlets to a discharge cover, and wherein the outlets are coupled to a sensor pipe configured to deliver water from the discharge cover to the outlets; and a cover with first and second priming ports and an interface on the front, and configured to mount to a housing in a first orientation wherein the front is adjacent the second side and the first priming port is aligned with the discharge cover, and a second orientation wherein the front is adjacent the fourth side and the second priming port is aligned with the discharge cover.

Claims

1. A water pressure booster pump, comprising: a base having a first side, a second side, a third side opposite the first side, and a fourth side opposite the second side, the base having a first water inlet at the first side, a second water inlet and a first water outlet at the second side, and a second water outlet at the third side; a pump motor assembly (PMA) mounted to the base; a cylindrical pump shell mounted to the base and forming an annular gap between the PMA and an inner surface of the cylindrical pump shell, the annular gap being in fluid communication with the first and second water inlets of the base; a discharge cover mounted to the cylindrical pump shell and configured to receive pressurized water from the PMA, the discharge cover including a priming opening; a sensor pipe having an inlet portion in fluid communication with a discharge opening of the discharge cover and an outlet portion in fluid communication with the first and second water outlets of the base; a housing having a first end coupled to the base and a second end; and a cover removably coupled to the second end of the housing to substantially enclose, with the housing and the base, the PMA, the cylindrical pump shell, the discharge cover and the sensor pipe, the cover including a front surface with a user interface and a top surface with a first priming port and a second priming port; wherein the cover is configured to couple to the second end of the housing in a first orientation wherein the front surface is adjacent the second side of the base and the priming opening of the discharge cover is substantially aligned with the first priming port, and in a second orientation wherein the front surface is adjacent the fourth side of the base and the priming opening of the discharge cover is substantially aligned with the second priming port.

2. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third and fourth sides of the base form a rectangle, the first and third sides being shorter than the second and fourth sides.

3. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, wherein the housing includes two housing halves connected together at a pair of mating edges.

4. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the pump increases with distance from the base to the cover.

5. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, further comprising a cap to close the priming opening of the discharge cover through the first priming port when the cover is in the first orientation, and to close the priming opening of the discharge cover through the second priming port when the cover is in the second orientation.

6. The water pressure booster pump of claim 5, wherein the cap threads into the priming opening to close the priming opening.

7. The water pressure booster pump of claim 5, further comprising an insert to close the second priming port when the cover is in the first orientation, and to close the first priming port when the cover is in the second orientation.

8. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, wherein the base further includes a first inlet conduit in fluid communication with the first inlet and the annular gap, a second inlet conduit in fluid communication with the second inlet and the annular gap, a first outlet conduit in fluid communication with the first outlet and the outlet portion of the sensor pipe, and a second outlet conduit in fluid communication with the second outlet and the outlet portion of the sensor pipe.

9. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second inlets and the first and second outlets includes a metallic insert with internal threads configured to mate with external threads of a mating pipe fitting.

10. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, further comprising a first plug and a second plug, wherein when the first inlet is coupled to a water inlet line, the second inlet is closed by the first plug, when the second inlet is coupled to the water inlet line, the first inlet is closed by the first plug, when the first outlet is coupled to a water outlet line, the second outlet is closed by the second plug, and when the second outlet is coupled to the water outlet line, the first outlet is closed by the second plug.

11. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, further comprising a pressure tank, wherein the base further includes a tank fitting in fluid communication with the outlet portion of the sensor pipe and the first and second outlets, the pressure tank being coupled to the tank fitting.

12. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, wherein the base further includes a shell collar to receive the cylindrical pump shell, the shell collar having an inner diameter that substantially corresponds to an outer diameter of the cylindrical pump shell.

13. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of rods, each rod of the plurality of rods extending through the discharge cover and the base and having at least one end configured to receive a nut, wherein tightening the nut on the at least one end compresses the discharge cover and the base against the cylindrical pump shell.

14. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, wherein the annular gap extends around a first cylindrical housing of a motor section of the PMA and a second cylindrical housing of a mechanical section of the PMA.

15. The water pressure booster pump of claim 14, wherein the discharge cover and the second cylindrical housing form at least one slot providing a vent for air resulting from priming the pump to pass from the mechanical section of the PMA to the annular gap.

16. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, further comprising a check valve disposed in the discharge opening of the discharge cover to prevent flow from the sensor pipe into the discharge cover.

17. The water pressure booster pump of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the sensor pipe to provide pressure measurements of water flowing through the sensor pipe and a flow sensor in fluid communication with the sensor pipe to provide flow measurements of water flowing through the sensor pipe.

18. A water pressure booster pump, comprising: a base having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side having a first inlet, the second side having a second inlet and a first outlet, and the third side having a second outlet, wherein the first and second inlets are in fluid communication with each other and with a pump motor assembly configured to deliver water received from the first and second inlets to a discharge cover, and wherein the first and second outlets are in fluid communication with each other and with a sensor pipe configured to deliver the water from the discharge cover to the first and second outlets; a housing mounted to the base; and a cover including a top surface having a first priming port and a second priming port, and a front surface having an interface with a display, the cover being configured to mount to the housing in a first orientation wherein the front surface is adjacent the second side of the base and the first priming port is aligned with the discharge cover, and a second orientation wherein the front surface is adjacent the fourth side of the base and the second priming port is aligned with the discharge cover.

19. The water pressure booster pump of claim 18, wherein the third side of the base is substantially opposite the first side and the fourth side is substantially opposite the second side.

20. The water pressure booster pump of claim 18, further comprising a first plug and a second plug, wherein when the first inlet is coupled to a water inlet line, the second inlet is closed by the first plug, when the second inlet is coupled to the water inlet line, the first inlet is closed by the first plug, when the first outlet is coupled to a water outlet line, the second outlet is closed by the second plug, and when the second outlet is coupled to the water outlet line, the first outlet is closed by the second plug.

21. A method of installing a water pressure booster pump, comprising: positioning a base of the pump in a first desired orientation relative to a water inlet line and a water outlet line or a second desired orientation; connecting the water inlet line to one of a first inlet of the base or a second inlet of the base positioned at substantially 90 degrees relative to the first inlet; connecting the water outlet line to one of a first outlet of the base or a second outlet of the base positioned at substantially 90 degrees relative to the first outlet; connecting a housing to the base; and connecting a cover to the housing, the cover being configured to connect to the housing in a first orientation wherein a front surface having an interface faces a user and a first priming port of the cover is positioned for priming the pump when the base is in the first desired orientation, or in a second orientation wherein the front surface faces the user and a second priming port of the cover is positioned for priming the pump when the base is in the second desired orientation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The above-mentioned and other advantages and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood, by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fully assembled water pressure booster according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1 with the outer housing and cover removed;

[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a base of the water pressure booster of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the base of FIG. 3;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a partially transparent perspective view of the water pressure booster of FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the water pressure booster shown in FIG. 8;

[0020] FIGS. 10A and 10B are top views of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1 in different orientations for installation.

[0021] FIGS. 11A-D are top views of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1 showing various plumbing connections to the booster in a first orientation;

[0022] FIGS. 12A-D are top view of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1 showing various plumbing connections to the booster in a second orientation;

[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1 with the outer housing, the cover and the pressure tank removed;

[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of a drive box of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the water pressure booster of FIG. 1 with the outer housing, the cover and the pressure tank removed;

[0026] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a wall mount for use with the water pressure booster of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 17 is a top view of the wall mount of FIG. 16 before the wall mount is bent into its final form;

[0028] FIG. 18A is a side view of the wall mount of FIG. 16 attached to a wall and supporting the pump of FIG. 1 in a first orientation;

[0029] FIG. 18B is a side view of the wall mount of FIG. 16 attached to a wall and supporting the pump of FIG. 1 in a second orientation;

[0030] FIG. 19A is a top view of the wall mount and pump of FIG. 18A; and

[0031] FIG. 19B is a top view of the wall mount and pump of FIG. 18B.

[0032] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features may be exaggerated or omitted in some of the drawings in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, a water pressure booster pump 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Pump 10 generally includes a base 12, an outer housing 14, a cover 16, as well as a plurality of internal components that will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 12 includes a body 18 having two inlets 20A, 20B (only 20B is shown in FIG. 1) and two outlets 22A, 22B. The inlet 20A is located on a short side 21 of the body 18. The outlet 22B is located on another short side 23 of the body 18 opposite the short side 21. The inlet 20B and the outlet 22A are located on a long side 25 of the body 18. As should be apparent from the foregoing, the body 18 of the base 12 is substantially rectangular in shape. A plurality of adjustable feet 24 are threaded into a bottom wall 27 of the body 18 adjacent each of its corners. The adjustable feet 24 are configured to engage an installation surface 26 (e.g., a floor of a basement or garage) and permit levelling of the pump 10 in a manner known in the art. In certain embodiments, the portion of the feet 24 that engages the installation surface 26 is made of a semi-elastic material (e.g., rubber) to absorb vibration as the pump 10 operates and reduce noise. A power cord 28 is shown extending from the base 12 between a gap formed by the adjustable feet 24 between the bottom wall 27 of the body 18 and the installation surface 26. The cord 28 includes a conductor cable 30 connected on one end to the pump 10 as described below, and on the other end to a plug 32 configured to connect to an outlet supplying main power.

[0034] The outer housing 14 generally includes two housing halves 34A, 34B which mate with one another at a pair of mating edges 36A, 36B (FIG. 7). The halves 34A, 34B, in certain embodiments, may be connected together adjacent the top ends of the mating edges 36A, 36B using fasteners such as screws (not shown). Together, the housing halves 34A, 34B form a generally rectangular enclosure that is opened at the top facing the cover 16 and at the bottom facing the base 12. In certain embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the outer housing 14 (taken in planes parallel to the installation surface 26) increases with distance from the base 12 to the cover 16. The outer housing 14, when assembled, includes a pair of side surfaces 38 that, in certain embodiments include grips 40 for lifting the outer housing 14 such as to separate the outer housing 14 from the base 12.

[0035] The cover 16 is generally configured to connect to the top of the outer housing 14 and enclose the components (described below) within the pump 10. The cover 16 generally includes a top surface 42, a pair of side surfaces 44A, 44B, a front surface 46 and a rear surface 48. The top surface 42 includes a pair of priming ports 50A, 50B. The priming port 50A is shown with a threaded cap 52 installed which may be removed for priming the pump 10 as is further described below. The priming port 50B has a snap-fit insert 53 installed. The side surfaces 44A, 44B meet with the front surface 46, the rear surface 48 and the top surface 42 at recesses 54 which each terminate adjacent a lower edge 56 of the cover 16 at shelves 58. Each of the shelves 58 is configured to receive a fastener 59 (FIG. 7) such as a screw to secure the cover 16 to the outer housing 14. The front surface 46 of the cover 16 carries an interface 61 which functions as a user interface as is further described below.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2, the pump 10 is shown with the outer housing 14 and the cover 16 removed. Within these removed components, the pump 10 generally includes (along with the base 12) a drive box 62, a cylindrical pump shell 64, a discharge cover 66, a sensor pipe 68 and a pressure tank 70.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 2-6, the base 12 will now be described in more detail. As is further described below, the base 12 connects several of the various components of the pump 10 together and directs the flow of incoming and outgoing water, depending upon which of the inlets 20A, 20B and the outlets 22A, 22B are connected to the plumbing at the installation site. The outer housing halves 34A, 34B connect to the base 12 along an upper edge 72 of the body 18 of the base 12 using screws and/or other fasteners. In general, the base 12 functions as a manifold for the inlets 20A, 20B and the outlets 22A, 22B as is further described below. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the inlet 20B and the outlet 22A on the long side 25 of the base 12 are closed by plugs 74. In this configuration, the inlet 20B and the outlet 22A are not used and incoming water is routed through the inlet 20A and outgoing water is routed through the outlet 22B of the base 12. The inlets 20A, 20B and the outlets 22A, 22B each include a hex boss 76 (FIG. 3) which provides a gripping surface (e.g., for a wrench) to use for tightening a mating pipe fitting to the respective inlet 20A, 20B or outlet 22A, 22B, which also prevents the base 12 from rotating during plumbing installation. In certain embodiments, the base 12 is formed of hard plastic material or other material that facilitates molding of the base 12.

[0038] As best shown in FIG. 3, each of the inlets 20A, 20B and the outlets 22A, 22B includes a metallic insert 78. The insert 78 is generally cylindrical and includes a plurality of rings 80, each having a plurality of teeth 82. The inserts 78 are positioned in a mold of the base 12 such that the base 12 (including the inlets 20A, 20B and the outlets 22A, 22B) are formed over the inserts 78. As such, the interior surface of the inlets 20A, 20B and the outlets 22A, 22B conform to the rings 80 and the teeth 82, thereby preventing the inserts 78 from moving about or along a central axis of the inlets 20A, 20B and the outlets 22A, 22B. The inner surface of the inserts 78 includes a plurality of internal threads 84 to receive exterior threads of a mating pipe fitting of either a pipe (not shown) carrying incoming water or a pipe (not shown) carrying outgoing water.

[0039] As best shown in FIG. 4, which depicts a cross-section of the base 12 that substantially bisects the inlets 20A, 20B and the outlets 22A, 22B, the body 18 of the base 12 routes incoming water either through the inlet 20A to a pump motor assembly (PMA) mounting section 86 of the base 12 or through the inlet 20B to the PMA mounting section 86. More specifically, the inlet 20A is fluidly connected by an inlet conduit 88A formed in the body 18 to an annular gap 90 between an inner ring 92 and an outer ring 94 of the PMA mounting section 86. Likewise, the inlet 20B is fluidly connected by an inlet conduit 88B formed in the body 18 to the annular gap 90. In other words, the annular gap 90 (further described below) receives incoming water from whichever inlet 20A, 20B is selected during installation of the pump 10 to be connected to a water inlet line (not shown) carrying the incoming water and does not receive water from the inlet 20A, 20B not connected to the water inlet line (i.e., the inlet 20A, 20B fitted with a plug 74).

[0040] In a similar manner, the body 18 of the base 12 routes outgoing water from the sensor pipe 68, which is fluidly connected to a sensor pipe inlet 128 (FIG. 3) of the body 18 either through the outlet 22A or through the outlet 22B, depending upon which outlet 22A, 22B is selected for connection to a water outlet line (not shown) carrying outgoing water from the pump 10. The outlet 22A, 22B not selected for connection to the water outlet line is fitted with a plug 74. More specifically, the outlet 22A is fluidly connected by an outlet conduit 98A formed in the body 18 to the sensor pipe inlet 128 connected to the sensor pipe 68 and the outlet 22B is fluidly connected by an outlet conduit 98B formed in the body 18 to the sensor pipe inlet 128 connected to the sensor pipe 68.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 13 and 15, the base 12 further includes a power opening 110 for receiving the cable 30 of the power cord 28. The cable 30 is routed through the base 12, exits the base 12 at a conductor holder 112 and extends into the drive box 62. A motor cable 31 extends from the PMA 104, is routed through the base 12, exits the base 12 at a motor conductor holder 113 and extends into the drive box 62. A motor ground wire 33 extends from the drive box 62, through a ground holder 114 at the base 12, and into the PMA 104. As shown in FIG. 15, a pressure sensor wire 37 extends from a pressure sensor 168 (described below) coupled to the sensor pipe 68 and is routed to the drive box 62. A flow sensor wire 39 extends from a flow sensor 164 (described below) coupled to a flow port 172 of the sensor pipe 68 and is routed to the drive box 62. Finally, an interface cable 41 extends between the drive box 62 and the interface 61 mounted to the cover 16. It should be understood that the cables and wires are routed within the outer housing 14 in a dry space outside the water flow routes in the base 12, the PMA 104 (FIG. 7) enclosed by the cylindrical pump shell 64, the discharge cover 66, the sensor pipe 68 and the pressure tank 70.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the cylindrical pump shell 64 is made of steel. As shown in FIG. 2, the base further includes a tank fitting 116 configured to mate with a tank pipe 118 extending from the pressure tank 70. The pressure tank 70 provides constant pressure of the water provided by the pump 10 even as demand for water fluctuates. The tank fitting 116 includes a hex boss 120 configured to permit a user to grip the hex boss 120 with a tool such as a wrench when tightening the tank pipe 118 into the tank fitting 116. The tank fitting 116 provides fluid communication between the pressure tank 70 and the outlet conduits 98A, 98B (FIGS. 4 and 6), which are also in fluid communication with the sensor pipe 68 as is further described herein. The base 12 further includes a shell collar 122 that extends upwardly from the base 12. The shell collar 122 is a cylindrical wall that is sized to have an inner diameter that substantially corresponds to an outer diameter of the cylindrical pump shell 64 such that the cylindrical pump shell 64 is received within the shell collar 122. The inner surface of the shell collar 122 includes an annular groove 124 (FIG. 8) that is sized to receive an O-ring 126 (FIG. 8) which is compressed when the cylindrical pump shell 64 is inserted into the shell collar 122, thereby forming a fluid tight seal between the two components. The sensor pipe inlet 128 of the base 12 includes external threads 130 which are sized to receive internal threads of a sensor pipe fitting 131 (FIG. 2) that connects the sensor pipe 68 to the base 12 as is further described below. The sensor pipe inlet 128 provides fluid communication between the sensor pipe 68 and the outlet conduits 98A, 98B (FIGS. 4 and 6), which are also in fluid communication with the pressure tank 70 via the tank fitting 116.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 14, the drive box 62 generally includes an outer cover 100 and a mount 102. The outer cover 100 is connected to the mount 102 using fasteners 105, such as screws. When connected together, the outer cover 100 and the mount 102 form an enclosed volume in which is mounted a printed circuit board (PCB 107; FIG. 14) carrying electronic components that receive power from the power cord 28, receive signals from a pressure sensor 168 (described below with reference to FIG. 8) and a flow sensor 164 (described below with reference to FIG. 8), control the functions of the PMA 104 (FIGS. 7 and 8) enclosed by the cylindrical pump shell 64, and communicate with the interface 61. In certain embodiments, the drive box 62 is supported in contact with the cylindrical pump shell 64 by adhesive and, in some embodiments, by connection to the discharge cover 66 and the rods 182 (described below), such that the water flowing in the cylindrical pump shell 64 absorbs heat generated by the electrical components of the drive box 62. Further description of the drive box 62 mounting structure is provided by co-pending non-provisional patent application Ser. No. ______, attorney docket no. FEC0371-01-US, titled Booster Pump Drive Attachment, filed on Nov. 7, 2024, the entire contents of which being expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the pump 10 is depicted in exploded form (FIG. 7) and in cross-section when fully assembled (FIG. 8). As shown, the bottom or end bell of the PMA 104 is received by a recess 132 formed in the inner ring 92 (FIG. 4) of the PMA mounting section 86 of the base 12. The O-ring 126 is fitted into the annular groove 124 of the shell collar 122. The cylindrical pump shell 64 is fitted over the PMA 104 and into the shell collar 122 of the base 12, compressing the O-ring 126 to provide a water-tight seal between the cylindrical pump shell 64 and the shell collar 122. Another O-ring 134 is fitted into an annular groove 136 formed on an inner surface of an annular recess 138 of the discharge cover 66. The annular recess 138 of the discharge cover 66 is fitted over the upper end of the cylindrical pump shell 64, compressing the O-ring 134 to provide a water-tight seal between the discharge cover 66 and the cylindrical pump shell 64.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, the discharge cover 66, the cylindrical pump shell 64 and the base 12 are clamped together by a plurality of rods 182 to prevent water pressurized by the PMA 104 from leaking through the connections between the discharge cover 66 and the cylindrical pump shell 64 and the base 12 and the cylindrical pump shell 64. Each of the rods 182 includes a lower end that extends through the base 12 and receives a lower nut 184 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. The upper ends of the rods 182 extend through rod receivers 186 formed in the discharge cover 66 as shown in FIG. 2. The upper ends also receive an upper nut 188 (or are formed to include a bolt head). Upon tightening the upper nut 188 on the upper end of each rod 182, pressure is applied by the lower nut 184 to the base 12 and by the upper nut 188 to the rod receivers 186, thereby tensioning the rod 182 and compressing the discharge cover 66 and the base 12 against the cylindrical pump shell 64.

[0046] Referring now primarily to FIG. 8, the PMA 104 generally includes a motor section 190 substantially enclosed by a cylindrical housing 192 and a mechanical section 194 substantially enclosed by a cylindrical housing 196. The motor section 190 generally includes a stator 198 fixed within the cylindrical housing 192 and a rotor 200 situated within the stator 198 and configured to rotate about a central, vertical axis of the PMA 104. The rotor 200 is coupled to a drive shaft 202 which is supported on a lower end by a bearing 204 and on an upper end by a bearing 206. When the rotor 200 rotates as a result of electricity flow through windings of the stator 198 (as is known in the art), the drive shaft 202 also rotates on the bearings 204, 206. The upper end of the drive shaft 202 includes a coupling 208 which couples with and transfers the rotation of the drive shaft 202 to the mechanical section 194 as is further described below. A seal 209 external to the motor section 190 prevents flow of water from the mechanical section 194 into the motor section 190.

[0047] The mechanical section 194 of the PMA 104 includes an impeller assembly 210 having a driven shaft 212 supported at an upper end by an upper bearing 214 and at a lower end by the coupling 208 which is threaded into the drive shaft 202. A plurality of impellers 216 are coupled to the driven shaft 212 and are configured to drive the flow of water radially and upwardly from a lower portion of the mechanical section 194 toward the discharge cover 66. In the example shown, three impellers 216 are provided and the driven shaft 212 has a hexagonal cross-section to key the impellers 216. It should be understood, however, that in other embodiments more or fewer than three impellers 216 may be used. The impellers 216 each add additional pressure to the water flow as described further herein. In the depicted embodiment, the impellers 216, which are identical in shape, provide three times the pressure that a single impeller 216 would provide. The mechanical section 194 also includes a plurality of diffusers 218, each supported by the cylindrical housing 196 above a respective impeller 216. The diffusers 218 convert the kinetic energy of the water driven by the impellers 216 into static pressure in a manner known in the art.

[0048] As is best shown in FIG. 8, openings 220 formed between the motor section 190 and the mechanical section 194 provide a flow path of water from an inlet 20A, 20B of the base 12, through the annular gap 90 of the PMA mounting section 86 and a gap 222 formed between the cylindrical pump shell 64 and the cylindrical housing 192 of the motor section 190, into the mechanical section 194. As shown in FIG. 8, the gap 222 also extends upwardly around the cylindrical housing 196 of the mechanical section 194 as is further described below.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 9, certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a slot 224 formed between the discharge cover 66 and the cylindrical housing 196 of the mechanical section 194 of the PMA 104. While one slot 224 is shown, it should be understood that more than one slot 224 may be used. The slot 224 functions as a vent from the outlet side of the PMA 104 to the gap 222 formed between the cylindrical pump shell 64 and the PMA 104. When the PMA 104 is primed (i.e., water is added as is described herein), some air is inevitably introduced into the water flow path through the pump 10. The slot 224 allows the air to pass into the gap 222, then through the openings 220 (FIG. 8) into the mechanical section 194 to prevent cavitation. The upper portion of the gap 222 collects the air and bubbles form in the water in the gap 222 which are then routed into the inlet of the PMA 104. Also, the slot 224 eliminates the need for an additional pluggable vent opening (like the priming opening described herein) to allow air to vent when performing the priming.

[0050] Still referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, when the cover 16 is connected to the outer housing 14, depending upon the orientation of the cover 16, either the priming port 50A or the priming port 50B is aligned with a priming opening 226 of the discharge cover 66. As depicted in these figures, the user primes the pump 10 by pouring water directly through the priming port 50A of the cover 16 into a central cavity 238 of the discharge cover 66 through the priming opening 226 of the discharge cover 66. A seal 232 is provided between the cover 16 and the discharge cover 66 to prevent water from spilling into the outer housing 14 during priming. The priming opening 226 may then be sealed by threading external threads 228 of the cap 52 into internal threads 230 formed in the priming opening 226. In certain embodiments, the cap 52 has a female hex socket 234 to permit tightening of the cap 52 into the priming opening 226 using an appropriate tool. In certain embodiments, a seal such as an O-ring 236 is provided between the cap 52 and the priming opening 226 to prevent leakage between the two components. A snap-fit insert 53 (FIG. 7) may be used to snap into the unused priming port 50B

[0051] The sensor pipe 68 is connected to a discharge opening 140 of the discharge cover 66 by inserting an inlet portion 142 of the sensor pipe 68 into the discharge opening 140 and threading internal threads 144 of a discharge fitting 146 which is slidably positioned onto the inlet portion 142, onto external threads 148 of the discharge opening 140. A compression ring 150 is compressed between the discharge opening 140 and the discharge fitting 146 when the discharge fitting 146 is tightened onto the external threads 148 of the discharge opening 140, thereby providing a water-tight seal between the components. In certain embodiments, an O-ring 151 is provided between the discharge opening 140 and the inlet portion 142 of the sensor pipe 68 to further ensure a sealed connection.

[0052] An outlet portion 152 of the sensor pipe 68 is similarly connected to the sensor pipe inlet 128 of the base 12. The outlet portion 152 is inserted into the sensor pipe inlet 128 and internal threads 154 of the sensor pipe fitting 131 are threaded onto the external threads 130 of the sensor pipe inlet 128. A compression ring 158 is compressed between the sensor pipe inlet 128 and the sensor pipe fitting 131 when the sensor pipe fitting 131 is tightened onto the external threads 130 of the sensor pipe inlet 128, thereby providing a water-tight seal between the components. In certain embodiments, an O-ring 133 is provided between the outlet portion 152 of the sensor pipe 68 and the sensor pipe inlet 128 of the base 12 to ensure a sealed connection. The sensor pipe fitting 131 and the compression ring 158 hold the sensor pipe 68 in place. In certain embodiments, the inner diameter of the sensor pipe 68 increases with distance from the inlet portion 142 to the outlet portion 152 to enable removal of a mould used to form the sensor pipe 68.

[0053] Prior to making the connections between the sensor pipe 68, the discharge cover 66 and the base 12 as described above, a check valve 160 is pressed into the discharge opening 140 of the discharge cover 66 and a pressure sensor 162 and a flow sensor 164 are installed on the sensor pipe 68. More specifically, the check valve 160 clamped into the discharge opening 140 to provide for one-way flow through an outlet 166 of the check valve 160. The check valve 160 is clamped in place by the discharge fitting 146. By eliminating back flow, the check valve 160 eliminates the need for repriming the pump 10. The pressure sensor 162 is threaded into a pressure port 168 formed in the sensor pipe 68 such that the pressure sensor 162 is in fluid communication (through a pressure opening 170 of the pressure port 168) with the sensor pipe 68 to sense the pressure of the water being discharged through the sensor pipe 68 (as well as the pressure in the pressure tank 70). Wiring (not shown) is routed from the pressure sensor 162 through a grommet (not shown) and a sealed epoxy fitting (not shown) to the drive box 62 to provide the pressure measurements of the pressure sensor 162 to the PCB 107 for processing.

[0054] The flow sensor 164 is similarly fitted into a flow port 172 of the sensor pipe 68 such that a flow sensing element 174 of the flow sensor 164 extends through a flow opening 176 of the flow port 172 into the sensor pipe 68. The flow sensor 164 is retained in the flow port 172 by a flow fitting 178 which threads onto the flow port 172 to capture the flow sensor 164. In certain embodiments, an O-ring 180 is compressed between the flow sensor 164 and the flow opening 176 to provide a water-tight seal between the two components. Wiring (not shown) is routed from the flow sensor 164 through a grommet (not shown) and a sealed epoxy fitting (not shown) to the drive box 62 to provide the flow measurements from the flow sensor 164 to the PCB 107 indicating the flow of water through the sensor pipe 68.

[0055] The operation of the pump 10 is described below with primary reference to FIG. 8 and assuming that inlet 20A and outlet 22B are selected during installation (i.e., inlet 20A is connected to a water inlet line and outlet 22B is connected to a water outlet line in fluid communication with water delivery mechanisms), while inlet 20B and outlet 22A are closed with plugs 74. After making the plumbing connections to the inlet 20A and the outlet 22B, the user primes the pump 10 by removing the cap 52 installed in the priming port 50A by using a tool to engage the hex socket 234 and unthread the cap 52 from the priming port 50A. The user then pours water into the priming port 50A, which fills the mechanical section 194 of the PMA 104 as well as the gap 222 surrounding the PMA 104 and the annular gap 90 of the PMA mounting section 86 of the base 12. The user then re-installs the cap 52 in the priming port 50A. After the power cord 28 is plugged into an electrical outlet and the drive box 62 is powered on, the pump 10 is ready for use.

[0056] The user then moves a shut-off valve (not shown) on the water inlet line to the pump 10 to the opened position to provide water to the pump 10. Incoming water enters inlet 20A and flows through inlet conduit 88A (FIG. 4) into the annular gap 90 of the PMA mounting section 86 of the base 12. The water flows up through the gap 222 around the PMA 104 as a result of suction generated by the impellers 216 of the impeller assembly 210. As the water flows through the gap 222, heat from the motor section 190 is transferred through the cylindrical housing 192 to the water, thereby cooling the motor section 190 of the PMA 104. Additionally, the flow of water through the gap 222 also absorbs heat from the drive box 62 which is mounted in contact with the cylindrical pump shell 64. The water then flows through the openings 220 between the motor section 190 and the mechanical section 194 of the PMA 104 and into the mechanical section 194. The rotation of the impellers 216 powered by rotation of the rotor 200 causes the water to flow through the diffusers 218 and increase in pressure as described herein. The pressurized water flows from the mechanical section 194 of the PMA 104 into the central cavity 238 of the discharge cover 66 and out of the discharge cover 66 through the discharge opening 140 and the check valve 160. The pressurized water flows through the sensor pipe 68 where its pressure is sensed by the pressure sensor 162 and its flow rate is sensed by the flow sensor 164. The water then flows out of the sensor pipe 68 into the outlet conduits 98A, 98B of the base 12 (FIGS. 4 and 6). The pressurized water flows through the tank fitting 116 of the base and the tank pipe 118 of the pressure tank 70 to fill the pressure tank 70. In this example, the outlet 22A is closed with a plug 74 so the pressurized water flows out of the pump 10 through the outlet 22B to provide water having a substantially constant pressure to the water delivery mechanisms connected to the pump 10.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a top view schematic diagram of a sample installation of the pump 10 of the present disclosure is provided. In this example, the water inlet line 300 at the site is located on the right and the water outlet line 302, which is connected to the water delivery mechanisms at the site, is located on the left. In FIG. 10A, the pump 10 is positioned so that the interface 61 with the display 60 is facing the user. The priming opening 226 (not shown) of the discharge cover 66 (shown in dashed lines) is directly aligned with the priming port 50A below the cover 16. The inlet of the pump 10 closest to the water inlet line 300 is inlet 20A and the outlet closest to the water outlet line 302 is outlet 22B. In FIG. 10A, the inlet 20B and the outlet 22A are closed by plugs 74. As indicated by the dashed lines 304, 306, a considerable amount of plumbing would be required to connect the water inlet line 300 to the inlet 20A and the water outlet line 302 to the outlet 22B.

[0058] The design of the pump 10 according to the present disclosure, however, provides for flexibility in the installation to reduce the complexity of the plumbing connections while permitting the interface 61 and the display 60 to remain in a user-friendly position. More specifically, the user may remove the threaded cap 52 from the priming port 50A and unscrew the screws 59 that connect the cover 16 to the outer housing 14 (FIG. 7). With the cover 16 disconnected from the outer housing 14, except for wiring connections between the drive box 62 and other components of the pump 10, the base 12 and the outer housing 14 of the pump 10 may be rotated 180 degrees as indicated by arrow 308 in FIG. 10A. The plugs 74 in the inlet 20B and the outlet 22A may be moved to the inlet 20A and the outlet 22B as shown in FIG. 10B.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 10B, after rotation of the pump 10 as described above, the inlet 20B is positioned adjacent the water inlet line 300 and the outlet 22A is positioned adjacent the water outlet line 302 such that the plumbing connections are greatly simplified. The rotation of the pump 10 repositions the priming opening 226 (not shown) of the discharge cover 66 such that it is now aligned with the priming port 50B when the cover 16 is reattached to the outer housing 14 to again position the interface 61 and the display 60 toward the user. Because the priming opening 226 has been repositioned, the user will prime the pump 10 using the priming port 50B and then install the threaded cap 52 into the priming port 50B. The snap-fit insert 53 is installed into the priming port 50A. As such, because the pump 10 provides two inlets 20A, 20B which are in flow communication with each other but oriented 90 degrees relative to one another, two outlets 22A, 22B which are in flow communication with each other but oriented 90 degrees relative to one another, and an easily detachable cover 16 with two priming ports 50A, 50B, the base 12 and other components of the pump 10 may be repositioned to simplify the plumbing to the pump 10 while the cover 16 is retained in a position such that the interface 61 faces the user.

[0060] It should be understood that in certain embodiments the functions of the pump 10 may be controlled through the interface 61 and/or through a WiFi connected device such as a smart phone. In other embodiments, both outlets 22A, 22B could be used at the same time.

[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 11A-D, the pump 10 may be positioned and configured to accommodate the plumbing available in various installation locations of the pump 10. In FIG. 11A, the pump 10 is configured as described above with reference to FIG. 10A near a wall 310. A water inlet line 300 is connected to the inlet 20A of the pump 10 and a water outlet line 302 is connected to the outlet 22B of the pump 10. The inlet 20B and the outlet 22A are closed by plugs 74. In FIG. 11B, the pump 10 is again configured as described above with reference to FIG. 10A, but near a corner formed by the wall 310 and an adjacent, perpendicular wall 312. In this installation, the water inlet line 300 is connected to the inlet 20A and the water outlet line 302 is connected to the outlet 22A. The inlet 20B and the outlet 22B are closed by plugs 74. In FIG. 11C, the pump 10 is again configured as described above with reference to FIG. 10A, but in another corner formed by the wall 310 and an adjacent, perpendicular wall 314. In this installation, the water inlet line 300 is connected to the inlet 20B and the water outlet line 302 is connected to the outlet 22B. The inlet 20A and the outlet 22A are closed by plugs 74. Finally, in FIG. 11D, the pump 10 is again configured as described above with reference to FIG. 10A, but in recess formed by the wall 310, the wall 312 and the wall 314. In this installation, the water inlet line 300 is connected to the inlet 20B and the water outlet line 302 is connected to the outlet 22A. The inlet 20A and the outlet 22B are closed by plugs 74. In all of the installations depicted in FIGS. 11A-D, the interface 61 with the display 60 is positioned to face the user.

[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 12A-D, the pump 10, when configured as described above with reference to FIG. 10B, may be positioned and configured to accommodate the plumbing available in various installation locations of the pump 10. In FIG. 12A, the pump 10 is located near the wall 310. In this installation, a water inlet line 300 is connected to the inlet 20A of the pump 10 and a water outlet line 302 is connected to the outlet 22B of the pump 10. The inlet 20B and the outlet 22A are closed by plugs 74. In FIG. 12B, the pump 10 is located near the wall 314. In this installation, the water inlet line 300 is connected to the inlet 20A and the water outlet line 302 is connected to the outlet 22A. The inlet 20B and the outlet 22B are closed by plugs 74. In FIG. 12C, the pump 10 is located near the wall 312. In this installation, the water inlet line 300 is connected to the inlet 20B and the water outlet line 302 is connected to the outlet 22B. The inlet 20A and the outlet 22A are closed by plugs 74. Finally, in FIG. 12D, the pump 10 is located between the wall 312 and the wall 312. In this installation, the water inlet line 300 is connected to the inlet 20B and the water outlet line 302 is connected to the outlet 22A. The inlet 20A and the outlet 22B are closed by plugs 74. In all of the installations depicted in FIGS. 12A-D, the interface 61 with the display 60 is positioned to face the user.

[0063] As an alternative to installations where the pump 10 is supported by the feet 24 which engage an installation surface 26 such as the floor of a room (e.g., a basement), the pump 10 according to the present disclosure may be installed above the surface 26 on a mount such as the mount 400 depicted in FIGS. 16-19. The mount 400 generally includes an upper wall 402 with an upper surface 403, a first side wall 404, a second side wall 406, a forward wall 408, a first vertical rear brace 410, a second vertical rear brace 412 and a horizontal rear brace 414. In certain embodiments, the mount 400 is formed from a flat metal sheet of material which has been cut in the shape shown in FIG. 17. The upper wall 402 includes a forward interface 416 (i.e., a bend line) which connects the upper wall 402 to the forward wall 408. The upper wall 402 also includes a first side interface 418 (i.e., a bend line) which connects the upper wall 402 to the first side wall 404, and a second side interface 420 (i.e., a bend line) which connects the upper wall 402 to the second side wall 406. The upper wall 402 similarly includes a rearward interface 422 (i.e., a bend line) which connects the upper wall 402 to the horizontal rear brace 414. The upper wall 402 further includes a plurality of through holes 424 which facilitate mounting of the pump 10 to the mount 400 as described below, and a power cord hole 426 which facilitates routing the cable 30 of the power cord 28 from the pump 10 to a power source such as an outlet.

[0064] The first side wall 404 is generally triangular in shape and includes an outer surface 405, a lower edge 428 and a forward edge 430 that is substantially perpendicular to the first side wall interface 418. The first side wall 404 also includes a first vertical brace interface 432 (i.e., a bend line) which connects the first side wall 404 to the first vertical rear brace 410.

[0065] Similarly, the second side wall 406 is generally triangular in shape and includes an outer surface 407, a lower edge 434 and a forward edge 436 that is substantially perpendicular to the second side wall interface 420. The second side wall 406 also includes a second vertical brace interface 438 (i.e., a bend line) which connects the second side wall 406 to the second vertical rear brace 412.

[0066] The forward wall 408 is generally rectangular in shape and includes a forward surface 409, a lower edge 440, a first side edge 442 and a second side edge 444. The first vertical rear brace 410 includes a rearward surface 411, a lower edge 446, an inner edge 448 and a diagonal edge 450 that is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the inner edge 448. The first vertical rear brace 410 also includes a plurality of mounting holes 452 which facilitate connecting the mount 400 to a wall or other vertical surface as is further described below. Similarly, the second vertical rear brace 412 includes a rearward surface 413, a lower edge 454, an inner edge 456 and a diagonal edge 458 that is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the inner edge 456. The second vertical rear brace 412 also includes a plurality of mounting holes 460 which facilitate connecting the mount 400 to a wall or other vertical surface as is further described below. Finally, the horizontal rear brace 414 includes a rearward surface 415, a lower edge 462, a first diagonal edge 464 and a second diagonal edge 466.

[0067] As indicated above, in certain embodiments the mount 400 may be formed from a flat piece of metal that has been cut to the shape depicted in FIG. 17 and described above. The forward wall 408 may be bent at the forward interface 416 downwardly relative to the upper wall 402 (i.e., into the page) to an orientation of 90 degrees relative to the upper wall 402. The first side wall 404 may be bent at the first side wall interface 418 downwardly relative to the upper wall 402 (i.e., into the page) to an orientation of 90 degrees relative to the upper wall 402. The second side wall 406 may be bent at the second side wall interface 420 downwardly relative to the upper wall 402 (i.e., into the page) to an orientation of 90 degrees relative to the upper wall 402. After these bending steps, the forward edge 430 of the first side wall 404 is aligned with and contacting the first side edge 442 of the forward wall 408 and the forward edge 436 of the second side wall 406 is aligned with and contacting the second side edge 444 of the forward wall 408.

[0068] The first vertical rear brace 410 may be bent at the first vertical brace interface 432 such that the rearward surface 411 of the first vertical rear brace 410 is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 405 of the first side wall 404. Similar, the second vertical rear brace 412 may be bent at the second vertical brace interface 438 such that the rearward surface 413 of the second vertical rear brace 410 is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface 407 of the second side wall 406. Finally, the horizontal rear brace 414 may be bent at the rearward interface 422 such that the rearward surface 415 of the horizontal rear brace 414 is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 403 of the upper wall 402. After these bending steps, the diagonal edge 450 of the first vertical rear brace 410 is aligned with and contacting the first diagonal edge 464 of the horizontal rear brace 414 and the diagonal edge 458 of the second vertical rear brace 412 is aligned with and contacting the second diagonal edge 466 of the horizontal rear brace 414.

[0069] After the bending operations described above, the joints between (1) the forward edge 430 of the first side wall 404 and the first side edge 442 of the forward wall 408, (2) the forward edge 436 of the second side wall 406 and the second side edge 444 of the forward wall 408, (3) the diagonal edge 450 of the first vertical rear brace 410 and the first diagonal edge 464 of the horizontal rear brace 414, and (4) the diagonal edge 458 of the second vertical rear brace 412 and the second diagonal edge 464 of the horizontal rear brace 414 may be welded or otherwise rigidly coupled. The result is the mount 400 as depicted in FIG. 16.

[0070] Referring now to FIGS. 18A and 18B, the mount 400 described above permits installation of the pump 10 at an elevated position relative to the surface 26 (i.e., the floor). The mount 400 may be connected to a vertical surface such as the wall 310 using a plurality of mounting fasteners 468 which pass through the mounting holes 452 of the first vertical rear brace 410 and the mounting holes 460 of the second vertical rear brace 412 into the wall 310. In certain embodiments, the mount 400 may be configured such that the distance between the mounting holes 452 and the mounting holes 460 substantially corresponds to a standard distance between studs (not shown) of the wall 310, such as approximately 16 inches.

[0071] After the mount 400 is connected to the wall 310 at the desired height from the surface 26 using the mounting fasteners 468, the pump 10 may be installed on the mount 400. The desired height may be a height corresponding to the location(s) of the existing plumbing to be coupled to the pump 10, or simply a height to elevate the pump 10 due to a lack of floor space in the desired installation location. In certain embodiments, the feet 24 of the pump 10 are used to secure the pump 10 to the mount 400. In such embodiments, the feet 24 are first removed (unthreaded) from the base 12. Then, a plurality of spacers 470 are placed on the upper surface 403 of the upper wall 402 at the through holes 424. Each of the spacers 470 has a through hole (not shown) which is aligned with one of the through holes 424 of the upper wall 402. When it is determined in which orientation the base 12 should be situated as described above, the plug 32 and the cable 30 of the power cord 28 may be routed through the power cord hole 426 of the upper wall 402 and the base 12 and internal components of the pump 10 may be placed onto the spacers 470. At a later step, the housing 14 of the pump 10 may be secured to the base 12 and the cover 16 may be secured to the housing in an orientation such that the display 60 of the interface 61 faces away from the wall 310 for convenient access for the user.

[0072] In one embodiment, the pump 10 is secured to the mount 400 using the feet 24. Each one of the feet 24 includes a threaded end 472 and a foot end 474. The threaded ends 472 of the feet 24 may be passed through the through holes 424 of the upper wall 402 from below the upper wall 402, through the spacers 470, and threaded into the threaded openings (not shown) in the base 12 configured for receiving the feet 24. The feet 24 may be tightly threaded into these openings to compress the spacers 470 somewhat and ensure a secure attachment of the pump 10 to the mount 400. In other embodiments, fasteners such as bolts are used instead of the feet 24 to secure the pump 10 to the mount 400. In certain embodiments, the spacers 470 are formed from a resilient material such as rubber to absorb vibrations caused by operation of the pump 10 and thereby reduce noise associated with operation of the pump 10. It should also be understood that the height of the spacers 470 may be sufficient to permit the cable 30 of the power cord 28 to be routed between the lower surface of the base 12 of the pump 10 and the upper surface 403 of the upper wall 402 and through the power cord hole 426 of the upper wall 402 of the mount 400.

[0073] FIG. 18A shows the pump 10 secured to the mount 400 in a configuration where the inlet 20B and the outlet 22A are facing the wall 301 as described above for the floor installation depicted in FIG. 12A. FIG. 18B shows the pump 10 secured to the mount 400 in a configuration wherein the base 12 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the position shown in FIG. 18A such that the inlet 20B and the outlet 22A are facing away from the wall 301 as described above for the floor installation depicted in FIG. 11A. FIG. 19A is a top view of the installation depicted in FIG. 18A and FIG. 19B is a top view of the installation depicted in FIG. 18B.

[0074] Some embodiments may be described using the expression coupled and connected along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term coupled to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term coupled, however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0075] As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0076] As used herein, the modifier about used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (for example, it includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity). When used in the context of a range, the modifier about should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the range from about 2 to about 4 also discloses the range from 2 to 4.

[0077] It should be understood that the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements. The scope is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless explicitly so stated, but rather one or more. Moreover, where a phrase similar to at least one of A, B, or C is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B or C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

[0078] In the detailed description herein, references to one embodiment, an embodiment, an example embodiment, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

[0079] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112 (f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase means for. As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0080] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.