Method and apparatus for circulating water in swimming pools

March 16, 1937. _L. j. day 2,073,784

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CIRCULATING WATER IN SWIMMING POOLS

Sheets-Sheet 1

Filed Dec. 4, Ϊ934

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March 16, 1937. _L j, day 2,073,784

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CIRCULATING WATER IN SWIMMING POOLS Filed Dec. 4, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

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Patented Mar» 16, 1937

2,073,784

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,073,784

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CIRCULATING WATER IN SWIMMING POOLS

Louis J. Day, Floral Park, N. ¥., assignor to Josam Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware

Application December 4, 1934, Serial No. 755,955

Claims. (Cl. 210—11)

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for effecting; circulation of water in a swimming pool or the like. This, therefore, is the general object of the invention.

In swimming pools it is customary at the present time to remove water, purify it and return it to the pool. This provides a certain amount of circulation. However, it has been found that “dead spots” exist, that is, in portions of the 10 pool there is no circulation, allowing the collection or segregation of impure water. One of the objects of the present invention is to eliminate such so-called “dead” spots by effecting localized circulation of water in the pool and 15 to facilitate also the maintenance of uniformity of temperature of the body of water comprising the pool.

A more specific object is to provide a method and apparatus for effecting a localized circula20 tion of water in a swimming pool by maintaining at least two circulatory streams of water travel to and from the pool. One of these streams being a pump-forced stream directly to the pool and another stream being induced by an injector 25 action, depending upon the flow action of the pump-forced stream.

Other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying draw30 ings, in which I illustrate a preferred form of mechanism for carrying out my improved method of circulation. The essential features of the invention will be set forth in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a 35 typical cross-section of a swimming, pool, and illustrates an improved form of apparatus for carrying out my method; Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partially broken away and on an enlarged scale, of the inlet for water to the pool; Fig. 3 is 40 a vertical section, taken in substantially the same plane as Fig. 1, but on an enlarged scale; the section is also indicated by the line 3—3 on Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section, as indicated by the line 4—4 on Fig. 3.

My improved method of effecting a localized circulation of water in a swimming pool comprises, in general, maintaining at least two circulatory streams of water traveling to and from the pool, the flow of one of the streams being 50 maintained by a pump, and the other stream being impelled by the flow of the pump-maintained; stream. This enables the drawing of water from one point in the pool, by a pump, which forces the water into the pool at a distant 55 point. The force of this circulating stream in turn causes an ejection of water from another point in the pool, mixes it with the pump-circulating stream and causes such water to be injected into the pool.

The pump circulated stream may pass through 5 suitable filters, chlorinators, sterilizers and the like, in the usual maimer to purify the water, while the other stream acts to maintain the circulation in the pool and prevent the accumulation of impurities in dead spots in the pool, 10 by effecting localized circulation.

The above described method enables the maintaining of a high degree of purity at all points in the pool, with a minimum amount of equipment. The circulating stream of water induced by the 15 pump circulated purified stream is injected into the pool by an injector action impelled by the purified stream, thereby causing both streams to co-mingle or mix at the point of injection and maintaining a constant circulation of water of ₂o a higher degree of purity than that which is removed from the pool without increasing the capacity of such a purification apparatus and mechanism. *

Referring again to the drawings, and espe- _2gcially to Fig. 1,1 have shown an improved form of apparatus for carrying out my method, as adapted for use in a swimming pool of the general type. As illustrated, the pool comprises a water-proof basin 10, having bottom walls slop- ₃₀ing toward a drain outlet 20, which is connected by a suitable conduit 21 to the inlet of a pump 22.

The water flows from the pool by gravity into the pump which is operated by any suitable means, such as an electric motor, not shown. A ₃₅conduit 23, communicating with the outlet of the pump 22, conducts the stream of water into a filter or purifying apparatus 25, through which the stream is forced by the pump. Suitable conduits 28 conduct the water from the purify- ₄₀ing apparatus returning it to the pool slightly below the water level thereof or at any point below the water level. The water could flow by gravity to a surge tank or open sump, in which case the position of the pump, as shown in the 45 drawings, would be reversed.

The water forced through the purifier by the pump, is injected into the pool. The conduit 28, which leads from the purifier, communicates with an elongated nozzle 30 of an injector 31. The 50 purified water is therefore forced from the nozzle 30, through a suitable opening or inlet 33, into the pool at a point slightly below the normal water level thereof. This provides for the circulation of one stream of water to and from the 55

2,073,784 pool, the circulation or flow being caused by the action of the pumping mechanism.

A second stream of water is circulated to and from the pool by the flow of the pump fed stream. As shown, a second outlet or drain 40, spaced apart from the outlet 20, permits the water from the pool to enter a conduit 41, which communicates with a chamber 42 in the ejector. The chamber 42 surrounds the outlet of the nozzle 30 and communicates with the inlet 33. Both the inlet opening 33 and the outlet 40 and the communicating passageway or conduit 41 lie below the normal water lever in the pool. Hence, the conduit 41 and the injector chamber 42 will be normally filled with water. The flow of the purified stream through the chamber 42 will therefore induce a flow of water through the conduit 41 and inject it into the pool.

In the drawings, I have indicated in dotted lines, a second inlet opening 40α connected to the conduit 41 by a suitable conduit 41α. This enables one injector mechanism to eject the water from two different localities in the pool and inject it together with the purified stream at one point.

In certain swimming pools, because of their size, I prefer to employ a plurality of injectors. As shown, in Fig. 1, I have indicated a second injector 3lb, which is in communication with the pump 22, through a conduit 28b, which is connected to and communicates with the conduit 28 heretofore mentioned. The flow of the pump forced stream through the injector 31b acts to cause the circulataion of another stream of water. As shown, I have provided a second ejector opening 40b, similar in all respects to the opening 40 which, through a conduit 41b, makes a communication with the ejector 31b in a manner similar to that described in connection with the injector 30. Thus, it will be seen I am able to effect localized circulating streams of water in swimming pools with a minimum amount of apparatus, without necesitating or requiring addition or enlargement of purifying apparatus, and at the same time all of the water entering the pool is, to a certain degree, more pure than that withdrawn from the pool.

As shown in the drawings, each of the outlet members for the pool 40 and 20 are provided with suitable grills 50 to prevent the clogging of the system, and to prevent injury to those who use the pool. Each inlet member 33 or 33b is likewise provided with a grill 51. However, in this instance I prefer to use a wire mesh or screen, as this form of grill permits the flow of water with less restriction than a cast grid.

Occasionally it is desirable to force or inject water into the pool adjacent its bottom wall. At times this is desirable to cause the surface water to flow into suitable gutters 53 formed in the side walls of the pool and communicating with suitable drain through passageways 54. I accomplish the reversal of flow without reversing the flow of water through the filter or without necessitating the manipulation of a plurality of valves.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, I mount each grill or screen 51 in a frame 60, which is slidably mounted at the forward face of the injector member 31. The frame 60 is normally retained in position by springs 70, which hold the frame in frictional engagement with the injector. The frame is manually movable to bring a plate portion 63 thereof in front of the opening 64 in the wall of the injector member to prevent egress of water from the ejector directly into the pool. A suitable lug 66, carried by the frame 60 and extending through a slotted opening 65 in the wall of the ejector, enables the pool attendant to adjust the position of the frame 60. When the frame is adjusted to prevent direct communica- 5 tion between the injector and the pool the pump fed or purified stream will be forced downwardly through the conduit 41 and outlet 40 into the pool.

From the foregoing description it will be seen 10 that I have provided a method and apparatus for economically causing localized circulation of water in a swimming pool or the like, which method may be carried out in a simple manner and without necessitating expensive or bulky equip- 15 ment. While I have described the invention as used with a filtering and purifying system, the circulating method and apparatus will function as well with or without such system.