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US 8,485,796 B2Granted
Booster water spraying system
AssigneeBriggs & Stratton Corporation
InventorRichard J. Gilpatrick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A garden hose spray system includes a water pump and a controller with a switch for engaging and disengaging the pump. The pump is used for boosting a water flow through the system. The controller is in communication with the pump, and directs the switch to engage the pump when the water flow exceeds a predetermined, non-zero threshold flow rate. In certain embodiments, the system further includes a variable outlet. The variable outlet is operable at a first flow setting for a flow rate greater than the threshold and a second flow setting for a non-zero flow rate less than the threshold.
Claims30
A garden hose spray system, comprising:
- a pump for boosting a water flow rate of a water flow through the system, the pump including an inlet and an outlet;
- a garden hose connector coupled to the pump outlet;
- a sensor configured to detect the water flow rate through the garden hose spray system relative to a threshold water flow rate, the threshold flow rate being non-zero;
- a controller in communication with the pump, wherein the controller turns on the pump only when the sensor detects a water flow rate above the threshold flow rate and turns off the pump when the sensor detects a water flow rate below the threshold flow rate;
- a variable outlet fluidly coupled to the pump, the variable outlet including a first flow setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than the threshold flow rate and a second flow setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the threshold flow rate;
- and
- a flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position.
4 more elements
A garden hose assist system, comprising:
- a water pump having a motor, an inlet, and an outlet;
- a garden hose connector coupled to the pump;
- a flow rate sensor coupled to the pump, the sensor having a status based upon measuring a water flow rate flowing through the system relative to a non-zero, positive flow rate threshold;
- a variable outlet fluidly coupled to the outlet of the water pump, the variable outlet including a first flow setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than the flow rate threshold and a second flow setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the flow rate threshold;
- a flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position;
- and
- an electronic control circuit that turns the pump on in response to the status of the flow rate sensor.
4 more elements
A booster system for use with a garden hose, comprising:
- a water pump having a motor, wherein the pump is configured to produce a maximum water pressure of less than 1000 psi;
- a garden hose connector coupled to an outlet of the pump;
- a sensor for determining a water flow rate through the booster system;
- a switch configured to turn the pump on when the water flow rate exceeds a non-zero threshold flow rate and to turn the pump off when the water flow rate is below the non-zero threshold flow rate;
- a variable outlet fluidly coupled to the water pump, the variable outlet including a first flow setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than the threshold flow rate and a second flow setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the threshold flow rate;
- a flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position;
- and
- a hose storage structure for holding a garden hose proximate to the pump.
5 more elements
A garden hose storage and booster system, comprising:
- a water pump;
- a garden hose connector coupled to an outlet of the pump;
- a sensor for determining a water flow rate through the booster system;
- a switch configured to turn the pump on when the water flow rate exceeds a non-zero threshold flow rate and to turn the pump off when the water flow rate is below the non-zero threshold flow rate;
- a variable outlet fluidly coupled to the water pump, the variable outlet including a first flow setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than the threshold flow rate and a second flow setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the threshold flow rate;
- a flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position;
- a hose storage structure for holding a garden hose proximate to the pump;
- and
- a storage housing substantially enclosing the pump and the hose storage structure.
6 more elements
A garden hose booster control system, comprising:
- a water pump system including a motor, a wireless receiver, and a switch for turning the motor on and off, and
- a variable outlet fluidly coupled to the water pump system, the variable outlet having a first flow rate setting resulting in a water flow rate greater than a non-zero threshold flow rate, a second flow rate setting resulting in a water flow rate less than the threshold flow rate, and a wireless transmitter, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a wireless signal to the receiver to indicate that the variable outlet is operating at the first flow setting or the second flow setting;
- and
- a controller configured to adjust the switch based upon the signal such that the switch turns the motor on when the signal indicates the variable outlet is operating at the first flow setting and such that the switch turns the motor off when the signal indicates the variable outlet is operating at the second flow setting;
- and
- a flow restriction valve fluidly coupled to the variable outlet, the flow restriction valve having an open position and a closed position, the flow restriction valve allowing the water flow to exit the variable outlet when in the open position and preventing the water from exiting the variable outlet when in the closed position.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.