Floatable pump unit

Abstract

A pump assembly is buoyant and includes an electrical drive motor ( 16 ), a centrifugal pump driven by the motor, and an assembly housing ( 2 ) accommodating the drive motor ( 16 ) and the centrifugal pump. Moreover, the pump assembly includes at least one inlet opening ( 8 ) which is arranged below the fluid surface ( 6 ) in the floating condition, and at least one outlet opening ( 10, 12 ). The assembly housing ( 2 ) is arranged such that on reaching a contact surface, the assembly housing changes its alignment with respect to the floating position.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A buoyant pump assembly with an electrical drive motor ( 16 ), a centrifugal pump driven by the motor, and an assembly housing ( 2 ) accommodating the motor and centrifugal pump, at least one inlet opening ( 8 ) in a floating condition being arranged below a fluid surface ( 6 ), and at least one outlet opening ( 10 ,  12 ), wherein the assembly housing ( 2 ) is arranged such that on reaching a contact surface ( 44 ), the assembly housing ( 2 ) changes alignment with respect to the floating position, and position-controlled switch means are provided within the assembly housing ( 2 ). 
     
     
         14 . The pump assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the assembly housing ( 2 ) comprises a tilt surface on a section which is at a bottom in the floating condition. 
     
     
         15 . The pump assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the assembly housing ( 2 ) tapers downwardly in a section which is at a bottom in the floating condition. 
     
     
         16 . The pump assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein a lower side of the assembly housing ( 2 ) is curved in a convex manner. 
     
     
         17 . The pump assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein a projection ( 38 ) is formed on the lower side of the assembly housing ( 2 ). 
     
     
         18 . The pump assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein an inclination switch is provided as the switch means, which is arranged in a manner such that the inclination switch switches off the centrifugal pump given an alignment of the assembly housing ( 2 ) which differs from the alignment in the floating condition. 
     
     
         19 . The pump assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the assembly housing ( 2 ) comprises at least one outlet opening ( 10 ) aligned perpendicularly to the fluid surface ( 6 ), in a region which is arranged above the fluid surface ( 6 ) in the floating condition. 
     
     
         20 . The pump assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the assembly housing ( 2 ) comprises at least one outlet opening ( 12 ) aligned essentially parallel to the fluid surface ( 6 ) in the floating condition. 
     
     
         21 . The pump assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the assembly housing ( 2 ) comprises at least two outlet openings ( 10 ,  12 ), wherein one of the two outlet openings ( 10 ,  12 ) is selectively flow-connectable to a pressure side of the centrifugal pump. 
     
     
         22 . The pump assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein a part ( 36 ) of the assembly housing ( 2 ) forming a tilt surface is designed in a removable manner and covers a stand surface ( 48 ) formed on the pump assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The pump assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein a fastening means is formed on the part ( 36 ) of the assembly housing ( 2 ) which is at a bottom in the floating condition. 
     
     
         24 . The pump assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the pump assembly comprises handling grips ( 11 ).