Flexible drive pump

Abstract

A two-stage pump device features a main pump for pumping a fluid; and a priming pump coupled to the main pump via a length of flexible hose, the priming pump having a propeller for feeding the fluid to the main pump and priming the same in response to either manual actuation or a switching device. The propeller may be arranged in the flexible hose and driven by a flexible drive shaft that is coupled to the main motor. The priming pump remains operational to ensure air locks do not occur. The main pump is suitably adapted for mounting in an accessible location and the priming pump is suitably adapted for mounting in an inaccessible location. The switching device is either an automatic float/air switch or an in-built electronic control system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing includes the following Figures, that are not necessarily drawn to scale:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the flexible drive pump installed in a boat or vessel according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the flexible hose/drive pump shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the main pump assembly of the flexible hose/drive pump shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the priming pump assembly of the flexible hose/drive pump shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Claims

1. A method comprising: pumping with a main pump a fluid; andcoupling a priming pump to the main pump via a length of flexible hose, the priming pump having a propeller for feeding the fluid to the main pump and priming the same in response to either manual actuation or a switching device so as to form a two-stage pump device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the propeller is arranged in the flexible hose and driven by a flexible drive shaft that is coupled to the main motor.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the priming pump remains operational to ensure air locks do not occur.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the main pump is suitably adapted for mounting in an accessible location and the priming pump is suitably adapted for mounting in an inaccessible location.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the switching device is either an automatic float/air switch or an n-built electronic control system.

6. A two-stage pump device, comprising: a main pump for pumping a fluid; anda priming pump coupled to the main pump via a length of flexible hose, the priming pump having a propeller for feeding the fluid to the main pump and priming the same in response to either manual actuation or a switching device.

7. A two-stage pump device according to claim 6, wherein the propeller is arranged in the flexible hose and driven by a flexible drive shaft that is coupled to the main motor.

8. A two-stage pump device according to claim 6, wherein the priming pump remains operational to ensure air locks do not occur.

9. A two-stage pump device according to claim 6, wherein the main pump is suitably adapted for mounting in an accessible location and the priming pump is suitably adapted for mounting in an inaccessible location.

10. A two-stage pump device according to claim 6, wherein the switching device is either an automatic float/air switch or an n-built electronic control system.