Motor-driven pump for pool or spa

Abstract

An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.

1 .- 41 . (canceled) 
   
   
       42 . A swimming pool or spa pumping system, comprising:
 a. a motor-driven pump comprising:
 i. a motor; 
 ii. a drive shaft driven by the motor; 
 iii. a base comprising a lower surface configured to be oriented generally horizontally; 
 iv. a volute housing member defining, at least in part, a pump chamber, the volute housing member having (A) an axially-oriented suction intake port and (B) a tangentially-oriented, generally vertically upwardly projecting pressure discharge port; and 
 v. an impeller carried by the drive shaft within the pump chamber for pumping water from the suction intake port to the pressure discharge port so that water exits the pump generally vertically through the pressure discharge port; 
   b. means for conveying water from the pool or spa to the suction intake port; and   c. means for conveying water from the pressure discharge port to pool or spa equipment.   
   
   
       43 . A pumping system according to  claim 42  in which the volute housing member further has a drain port formed therein. 
   
   
       44 . A pumping system according to  claim 42  in which the pump further comprises a seal plate having a rim and a band clamp, and in which the volute housing member further has a periphery, the seal plate and the volute housing member together defining the pump chamber and the band clamp being removably secured to the rim of the seal plate and to the periphery of the volute housing member. 
   
   
       45 . A pumping system according to  claim 44  in which the band clamp comprises:
 a. first and second stops spaced circumferentially;   b. a threaded stud extending between the first and second stops; and   c. a knob threaded onto the stud for drawing the first and second stops toward each other to secure the band clamp to the rim of the seal plate and the periphery of the volute housing member.