System and method for magnetic coupling jet with air control

Abstract

A fluid displacing apparatus, system, and method is provided. The apparatus includes a motor having a first shaft, the motor for rotating the first shaft; a first magnetic element coupled to the first shaft such that rotation of the first shaft causes rotation of the first magnetic element; a second magnetic element coupled to a second shaft, and magnetically coupled to the first magnetic element such that rotation of the first magnetic element causes rotation of the second magnetic element; an input section for receiving a fluid; an output section for outputting the fluid; a channel having first and second openings; and an impeller coupled to the second magnetic element such that rotation of the second magnetic element causes rotation of the impeller, thereby the fluid flows in the input section and out the output section. The flow of the fluid across the second opening of the channel encourages another fluid to flow in the first opening, through the channel, and out the second opening.

1 . A jet pump apparatus, comprising:
 a motor having a first shaft, the motor for rotating the first shaft;   a first magnetic element coupled to the first shaft such that rotation of the first shaft causes rotation of the first magnetic element;   a second magnetic element coupled to a second shaft, and magnetically coupled to the first magnetic element such that rotation of the first magnetic element causes rotation of the second magnetic element;   an input section for receiving a fluid;   an output section for outputting the fluid;   a channel having first and second openings; and   an impeller coupled to the second magnetic element such that rotation of the second magnetic element causes rotation of the impeller, thereby the fluid flows in the input section and out the output section;   wherein the flow of the fluid across the second opening of the channel encourages another fluid to flow in the first opening, through the channel, and out the second opening.   
     
     
         2 . The jet pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second magnetic element is integral with the impeller. 
     
     
         3 . The jet pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening of the channel is proximate the output section. 
     
     
         4 . The jet pump apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a detachable jet assembly that includes the second magnetic element, the impeller, the input section for receiving the fluid, the output section for outputting the fluid, and at least a portion of the channel, wherein the portion of the channel includes the second opening. 
     
     
         5 . The jet pump apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the detachable jet assembly includes a front cover and a back cover. 
     
     
         6 . The jet pump apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least a portion of the channel is integral with the back cover. 
     
     
         7 . The jet pump apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least a portion of the channel is integral with the front cover. 
     
     
         8 . The jet pump apparatus of  claim 5 , further including a mounting housing member that is disposed between the back cover of the jet assembly and the motor. 
     
     
         9 . The jet pump apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the portion of the channel is formed within the back cover and another portion of the channel is formed within the mounting housing member. 
     
     
         10 . The jet pump apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is formed within a detachable channel member that is secured to the jet pump such that the second opening is disposed proximate the output section of the jet pump. 
     
     
         11 . A method for displacing a fluid using a magnetically coupled jet pump that includes a motor, a channel, and primary and secondary magnetic elements, the primary magnetic element being coupled to motor, the secondary magnet being magnetically coupled to the primary magnetic element and being coupled to an impeller, the method comprising:
 driving the motor so that the primary magnetic element rotates, thereby causing rotation of the secondary magnetic element and rotation of the impeller;   receiving the fluid through an input section of the jet pump;   disturbing the fluid with the rotating impeller; and   outputting the fluid through an output section of the jet pump, the fluid passing over an opening of a channel encourages air to flow through the channel and out the opening of the channel.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the air flowing out of the opening of the channel travels out of the output section of the jet pump along with the fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further including controlling another opening of the channel to influence the flow of air through the channel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further including:
 providing a basin for containing the fluid; and   securing the jet pump within an insert of the basin in a manner so that a portion of the jet pump is in contact with the fluid and another portion of the jet pump is not in contact with the fluid.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the jet pump further includes a detachable jet assembly that includes a front cover and a back cover, the front and back covers collectively housing the secondary magnetic element and the impeller;
 wherein the jet pump further includes a mounting housing member that is disposed between the back cover and the motor;   wherein the securing the jet pump includes mechanically securing the mounting housing member to the basin so that the motor is not in contact with the fluid.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further including:
 forming a portion of the channel within the back cover; and   forming another portion of the channel within the mounting housing member.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further including detaching the jet assembly for cleaning the jet pump. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further including:
 forming the channel having the opening and another opening within a detachable channel member; and   securing the detachable channel member to the jet pump such that the opening of the channel is disposed proximate the output section of the jet pump and the another opening of the channel is disposed above a level of the fluid.   
     
     
         19 . A system, comprising:
 a basin for containing the fluid;   a jet pump; and   an insert disposed in the basin for receiving the jet pump in a manner so that a portion of the jet pump is disposed in the fluid;   wherein the jet pump includes:
 a motor having a first shaft, the motor for rotating the first shaft; 
 a first magnetic element coupled to the first shaft such that rotation of the first shaft causes rotation of the first magnetic element; 
 a second magnetic element coupled to a second shaft, and magnetically coupled to the first magnetic element such that rotation of the first magnetic element causes rotation of the second magnetic element; 
 an input section for receiving the fluid; 
 an output section for outputting the fluid; 
 a channel having first and second openings; and 
 an impeller coupled to the second magnetic element such that rotation of the second magnetic element causes rotation of the impeller, thereby the fluid flows in the input section and out the output section, wherein the flow of the fluid across the second opening of the channel encourages another fluid to flow in the first opening, through the channel, and out the second opening. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the system includes a pedicure spa system. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the system includes a jacuzzi system, wherein the jacuzzi system includes another jet pump and another insert in the basin for receiving the another jet pump in a manner so that a portion of the another jet pump is disposed in fluid. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the jet pump further includes a detachable jet assembly that includes the second magnetic element, the impeller, the input section for receiving the fluid, the output section for outputting the fluid, and a portion of the channel, wherein the portion of the channel includes the second opening. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the detachable jet assembly includes a front cover and a back cover, and wherein the jet pump further includes a mounting housing member that is disposed between the back cover of the jet assembly and the motor. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the portion of the channel is formed within the back cover and another portion of the channel is formed within the mounting housing member. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the channel is formed within a detachable channel member that is secured to the jet assembly such that the first opening is disposed above a level of the fluid in the basin and the second opening is disposed proximate the output section of the jet pump. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the fluid includes water and the another fluid includes air;
 wherein the second opening of the channel is proximate the output section; and   wherein the air flowing out of the second opening travels through the output section and into the fluid contained in the basin.