Pump and pump assembly

Abstract

Provided is a fluid pump assembly. The pump has a pair of housings magnetically coupled to each other. The first housing contains a drive motor and a magnetic assembly. The second housing contains a magnetic assembly and a blade for imparting movement to a fluid. As the first magnetic assembly is rotated by the drive motor, the magnetic connection to the assembly in the second housing causes the second magnet to rotate, driving the blade.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A pump comprising:
 a housing;   a casing disposed in the housing;   a drive motor disposed in the casing;   a magnet disposed in the first housing and operatively associated with the drive motor to rotate when the drive motor is in operation; and   a fan operably associated with the magnet to rotate with the magnet.   
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises at least one air inlet vent and at least one air outlet vent. 
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 2 , wherein the air inlet vent and the air outlet vent are in communication with one another along a path extending within the housing and along an exterior surface of the casing. 
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate connected between the magnet and the fan. 
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises an exterior surface having at least one fin that dissipates heat. 
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 5 , wherein the casing is cylindrical and a plurality of fins are arrayed longitudinally along the exterior surface of the casing. 
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the drive motor comprises a rotating shaft and the magnet is connected to the rotating shaft via a threaded fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a releasably connected bottom cover. 
     
     
         9 . A pump comprising:
 a housing comprising at least one air inlet vent and at least one air outlet vent for facilitating airflow through the housing;   a drive motor disposed in the housing;   a magnet disposed in the housing and operatively associated with the drive motor; and   a fan operably connected with the magnet to rotate therewith and draw air through the housing.   
     
     
         10 . The pump of  claim 9 , further comprising a plate connected between the fan and the magnet, the plate limiting the affects of the magnetic field created by the rotation of the magnet on the drive motor. 
     
     
         11 . The pump of  claim 9 , wherein the drive motor comprises a rotating shaft operably connected to the magnet and the fan. 
     
     
         12 . The pump of  claim 11 , wherein the magnet is connected to the rotating shaft through a threaded connection. 
     
     
         13 . The pump of  claim 9 , wherein the housing further comprises a bottom cover and a pad attached to the bottom cover. 
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 9 , wherein the air inlet comprises a rounded outer edge. 
     
     
         15 . The pump of  claim 9 , wherein the housing is molded from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         16 . The pump of  claim 9 , further comprising a casing surrounding the motor, the casing comprising a fin extending from a surface of the casing towards the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 16 , wherein the fan draws air in through the inlet vents and along the fins and casing. 
     
     
         18 . A pump assembly comprising:
 a first housing comprising a top portion and a bottom cover;   a casing disposed in the first housing;   a drive motor disposed in the casing;   a first magnet disposed in the first housing and operatively associated with the drive motor;   a fan connected to the first magnet; and   a second housing containing a second magnet and a blade operatively connected to the second magnet for imparting movement to a fluid,   wherein the first housing and the second housing are capable of being magnetically coupled to one another thought the first and second magnets.   
     
     
         19 . The pump assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the first housing comprises at least one air inlet vent and at least one air outlet vent. 
     
     
         20 . The pump assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a plate connected between the first magnet and the fan.