Multi-Stage Submersible Pump

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a booster pump to pressurize fluid for use by a pool cleaner in a pool or spa. The booster pump includes a front housing having an inlet, a plurality of diffuser units positioned in the front housing, and a motor housing detachably coupled to the front housing and having an outlet. A submersible motor positioned in the motor housing is operatively coupled to the diffuser units. A space is defined between an outer surface of the motor and an interior surface of the motor housing. A self-contained fluid flow path is formed from the inlet, through the diffuser units, and through the space to the outlet. As the fluid passes over the motor, the motor can be cooled and acoustic output of the booster pump can be dampened. The booster pump can be constructed of plastic for applications in the pool and spa industry.

1 . A booster pump to pressurize fluid for use by a pool cleaner in a pool or spa, the booster pump comprising:
 a front housing having an inlet to receive fluid from the pool or spa;   a plurality of diffuser units positioned in the front housing;   a motor housing detachably coupled to the front housing and having an outlet to provide fluid to the pool cleaner;   a submersible motor positioned in the motor housing and operatively coupled to the plurality of diffuser units; and   a space defined between an outer surface of the motor and an interior surface of the motor housing, a self-contained fluid flow path being formed from the inlet, through the diffuser units, and through the space to the outlet.   
   
   
       2 . The booster pump of  claim 1 , and further comprising a plurality of front housings configured to be individually and selectively coupled to the motor housing, each one of the plurality of front housings configured to house a different number of the plurality of diffuser units. 
   
   
       3 . The booster pump of  claim 1 , wherein the front housing is sized to selectively receive additional ones of the plurality of diffuser units. 
   
   
       4 . The booster pump of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of diffuser units are stacked along a common axis. 
   
   
       5 . The booster pump of  claim 1 , and further comprising a plurality of vanes on the inner surface of the motor housing to direct the fluid flow path over the motor. 
   
   
       6 . The booster pump of  claim 1 , and further comprising a footing mounted to the motor housing. 
   
   
       7 . The booster pump of  claim 1 , and further comprising a motor cooling system. 
   
   
       8 . The booster pump of  claim 1 , and further comprising an acoustic dampening system. 
   
   
       9 . The booster pump of  claim 1 , wherein the booster pump is substantially constructed of a plastic material. 
   
   
       10 . A booster pump to pressurize fluid for use by a pool cleaner in a pool or spa, the booster pump comprising:
 a booster pump housing having an inlet to receive fluid from the pool or spa and an outlet to provide fluid to the pool cleaner;   a plurality of diffuser units arranged along a common axis within the booster pump housing adjacent to the inlet; and   a submersible motor operably coupled to the plurality of diffuser units, a fluid flow path being defined from the inlet and the outlet, the fluid flow path passing through the plurality of diffuser units and over the submersible motor to the outlet.   
   
   
       11 . The booster pump of  claim 10 , wherein the booster pump housing comprises a front housing coupled to a motor housing. 
   
   
       12 . The booster pump of  claim 10 , wherein the booster pump housing is constructed of a plastic material. 
   
   
       13 . The booster pump of  claim 10 , wherein the motor is arranged along the common axis. 
   
   
       14 . The booster pump of  claim 10 , and further comprising a plurality of vanes on an interior of the booster pump housing for directing the fluid flow path over the motor. 
   
   
       15 . A method for pressurizing fluid for use by a pool cleaner in a pool or spa, the method comprising:
 submerging a booster pump in the pool or spa, the booster pump having an inlet to receive fluid from the pool or spa, an outlet to provide fluid to the pool cleaner, and a selected number of diffuser units arranged along a common axis;   engaging a motor to rotate the diffuser units, the rotation of the diffuser units generating a fluid current from the inlet to the outlet;   drawing fluid from the pool or spa into the inlet with the fluid current;   passing the fluid through the diffuser units to pressurize the fluid;   passing the pressurized fluid over the motor; and   expelling the pressurized fluid out of the booster pump through the outlet.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising cooling the motor by passing the pressurized fluid over the motor. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising dampening acoustic output of the booster pump by passing the pressurized fluid over the motor. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising selecting a greater number of diffusers to increase pressurization of the fluid. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising securing the booster pump to a wall of the pool or spa. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising directing the flow of the fluid with a plurality of vanes as it passes over the motor.