Apparatus for generating a current in a pool

Apparatus for generating a current in a liquid-containing vessel having an exercise zone for a swimmer, the apparatus including:

• a) a shell, the shell including an upwardly extending intake chamber in fluid communication with the vessel, the intake chamber having a liquid intake zone located in a lower end of the intake chamber;
• b) an axial pump having an upstream suction-side and a downstream discharge-side, the pump located at an upper end of the intake chamber, the pump having:
• i) a pump housing having a suction-side inlet in fluid communication with the intake chamber, a substantially horizontal discharge-side channel having an open front end forming a discharge-side outlet, and a suction-side end wall remote from the suction-side inlet and discharge-side outlet;
• ii) a substantially horizontal drive shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the pump;
• iii) a pumping element for expelling liquid via the discharge-side channel and discharge-side outlet into the exercise zone;
• iv) a guide means arranged to direct liquid to flow longitudinally in the discharge-side channel substantially without swirling, the guide means being located downstream of the pumping element;
• c) drive means adapted to drive the drive shaft, wherein driving the drive shaft produces a discharge of liquid through the discharge-side outlet, to create a current in the exercise zone for a swimmer to swim against.