High volume pump

Abstract

A high-volume low pressure axial flow water pump with a flexible coupler and at least one bearing to increase the lifetime of the integral pump motor is disclosed. Both propeller and impeller units are disclosed for submersible pond pumps of the present invention. Various aspects include a floating display fountain pump and further include optional suction screens and/or sand slingers. Axial flow high pressure low volume pumps made in accordance with the present invention experience long life and higher efficiency. Inclusion of flexible couplers alleviate many problems with vibration and other fatal defects in the prior art, taking a vertical rotational direction from a central shaft to transfer vibration to a stable position. Another aspect of the invention includes using multiple bearings for stability, whether sleeve bearings or thrust bearings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A high volume pond pump, comprising:
 a pump housing;   a pump motor integral with the pump housing;   a pump shaft mechanically in communication with the pump motor, and being put into rotational motion by the pump motor;   at least one water thruster attached to the pump shaft;   at least one bearing on the pump shaft;   a flexible coupler for connecting the pump motor to the at least one water thruster, whereby the rotational motion is dampened from vibration, thereby lengthening the life of the pump motor.   
     
     
         2 . The high volume pond pump of  claim 1 , wherein the pond pump is a submersible pump. 
     
     
         3 . The high volume pond pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a suction screen located around the motor to strain out pond water particulates that could harm the pump motor. 
     
     
         4 . The high volume pond pump of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one water thruster is an impeller. 
     
     
         5 . The high volume pond pump of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one water thruster is a propeller. 
     
     
         6 . The high volume pond pump of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bearing is selected from the group consisting of sleeve bearings, thrust bearings, roller bearings, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The high volume pond pump of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bearing includes an upper and a lower bearing. 
     
     
         8 . The high volume pond pump of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one bearing is at least one thrust bearing made of a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, alumina, silicon nitride and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The high volume pond pump of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible coupler is made of a material selected from the group consisting of linear low density polyethylene, rigid polymeric materials, semi-rigid polymeric materials, polyvinyl chloride, PETG, butyrate, ABS, high impact polystyrene, styrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and thermoplastic elastomers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A method of pumping pond water, comprising:
 providing a pond pump with a water thruster mechanism;   attaching a float to the pond pump;   floating the pond pump in a body of water, such as a pond;   providing power to the motor; and   spraying water upward into the air by converting rotational motion of the pond pump into linear forces on the pond water, whereby the pond water is forced upward into the air above the water.