Suction fitting with pump control device

For use in conjunction with a fluid circulation pump in a tub or spa, a fluid suction fitting comprising:

• a hollow body, having a perforated front wall, a perforated rear wall generally parallel with the front wall, and a circumferential wall joining the front and rear walls, for installation below fluid level in the tub or spa;
• a suction tube in fluid communication with the body, for coupling the body, through a wall of the tub or spa, to a circulating pump line;
• and
• means for mounting the hollow body such that it is held away from the wall, to permit water to flow through perforations in the rear wall, whereby the chance of complete blockage of the fitting is minimized by the presence of perforations in the rear wall;
• wherein a portion of the suction tube is integral with the rear wall of the hollow body;
• and
• wherein the means for mounting the hollow body includes a raised area integral with the rear wall of the hollow body, wherein the raised area is secured against the wall of the tub or spa, and at least a portion of the rear wall is thereby spaced from the wall.

For use in conjunction with a fluid circulation pump in a tub or spa, a combination comprising:

• a suction fitting for installation beneath fluid level in the tub or spa, to provide fluid communication between the tub or spa and the fluid circulation pump, the suction fitting defining a perforated body having a perforated front wall, a perforated rear wall generally parallel with the front wall, and a circumferential wall joining the front and rear walls, whereby the presence of perforations in both front and rear walls reduces the possibility of complete blockage of the suction fitting;
• a suction tube coupled to the perforated body, for connection to a fluid line to the pump;
• means integral with the suction fitting for deactivating the pump in response to a condition in which fluid flow through the suction fitting to the pump is impeded;
• and
• means integral with the suction fitting, for mounting the perforated body held away from the wall, to permit water to flow through the perforated rear wall.

For use in conjunction with a fluid circulation pump in a tub or spa, a combination comprising:

• a suction fitting for installation beneath fluid level in the tub or spa, to provide fluid communication between the tub or spa and the fluid circulation pump, the suction fitting defining a perforated body having a perforated front wall and a perforated rear wall, whereby the presence of perforations in both walls reduces the possibility of complete blockage of the suction fitting;
• a suction tube coupled to the perforated body, for connection to a fluid line to the pump;
• means integral with the suction fitting for controlling operation of the pump in response to a condition in which fluid flow through the suction fitting to the pump is impeded;
• means integral with the suction fitting, for mounting the perforated body held away from the wall, to permit water to flow through the perforated rear wall;
• and
• pressure sensing means integral with the suction fitting, for sensing fluid pressure in the tub or spa during normal operation and for sensing reduced pressure immediately downstream of a blockage in the suction fitting;
• wherein the means for controlling operation of the pump in response to a condition in which fluid flow through the suction fitting is impeded, as detected by the pressure sensing means, includes means for shutting off the pump in the event of a detected blockage, whereby the possibility of damage or serious personal injury is minimized;
• and wherein the pressure sensing means includes
• a sensor tube extending through the suction fitting and having an opening into the tub or spa;
• and
• fluid communication means extending from the opening of the sensor tube to a region immediately downstream of the suction fitting, whereby the pressure sensing means can detect a reduced pressure immediately downstream of the blockage.

For use in conjunction with a fluid circulation pump in a tub or spa, a combination comprising:

• a suction fitting for installation beneath fluid level in the tub or spa, to provide fluid communication between the tub or spa and the fluid circulation pump, the suction fitting defining a hollow body having a perforated front wall and a perforated rear wall, whereby the presence of perforations in both walls reduces the possibility of complete blockage of the suction fitting;
• a suction tube coupled to the hollow body, for connection to a fluid line to the pump;
• means integral with the suction fitting for controlling operation of the pump in response to a condition in which fluid flow through the suction fitting to the pump is impeded;
• and
• means integral with the suction fitting, for mounting the hollow body held away from the wall, to permit water to flow through the perforated rear wall;
• wherein the suction tube includes a threaded portion integral with the rear wall of the suction fitting;
• and wherein the integral means for supporting the hollow body held away from the tub or spa wall includes a raised area surrounding the threaded portion of the suction tube, whereby the threaded portion is secured through the wall of the tub or spa, with the raised portion engaging the wall to hold the hollow body of the suction fitting out from the wall;
• and wherein the suction tube is offset toward one edge of the hollow body, to facilitate installation of the suction fitting close to a bottom wall of the tub or spa.