Water gardening system

Details Water gardening system Water gardening system

1998-10-30

2001-06-05

Savage, Matthew O. (Department: 1723)

Liquid purification or separation

Flow, fluid pressure or material level, responsive

C210S121000, C210S170050, C210S172300, C210S167050, C210S196000, C210S315000, C210S447000, C210S232000, C210S436000, C210S416100, C210S195100, C210S257100, C210S258000, C210S261000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06241877

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to filtration systems, and more particularly, to water filtration systems for use in outdoor water gardening ponds, waterfalls, fountains, pools, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As used herein, the term “water garden”, “water gardening system”, and “water garden system” refer to any one of a number of types of outdoor constructs having at least one open water container, e.g., a pond, a lake, a pool, etc. Many of these constructs further include a fountain, a waterfall, multiple interconnected ponds, subsidiary streams, etc. In all of these systems it is important to circulate and filtrate the water in order to reduce debris and to add needed oxygen. In some systems it is also necessary to move water from one elevation to another, higher elevation (such as to a waterfall outlet or stream head.)
Currently, pond circulation and filtration are accomplished using water gardening systems that typically have a submersible circulation pump. It is also known to use a non-submersible pump (such as an external, out-of-pond pump) with a suction line placed between the non-submersible pump and the pond. The pump draws water from the suction line positioned at one location within the pond and returns the water through an output line having an output opening located elsewhere in the pond. Some pumps include filtering components. A separate dedicated waterfall pump is sometimes provided for moving pond water from one elevation to another, higher elevation. It is known to place both the circulation and waterfall pumps either in the pond itself, outside the pond in open space, or outside the pond in a dry container buried in adjacent ground.
There are a number of problems associated with current water gardening systems. One significant problem is that in-pond pump filters and suction lines clog easily. Depending on the accessibility of these components, removal of the clogging debris is not always easily accomplished. For this reason, there is a tendency for owners to neglect clogged pumps, which can result in the pumps burning out due to having to work harder to draw water.
Another significant problem associated with current water gardening systems has to do with maintaining a desired water level within the open water container. Over time, the water level in a pond will drop due to evaporation. The owner will usually place additional water in the pond to compensate. If the pump is then turned off, the water in the stream and waterfall will return to the pond. Because the owner likely did not leave enough room in the pond for the volume water in motion, such as the water in a stream or flowing from a higher water body, the pond will overflow. Similarly, if a water gardening system includes long, wide, or high-volume streams leading away from the main pond and the main pond surface is comparatively small relative to the water in motion, the main pond water level will drop when the system is first turned on. The owner will usually add more water. When the system is turned off, the pond will overflow. For ponds with large water systems this can result in a significant flooding problem, as well as significant water waste.
Thus, a need exists for a water gardening circulation and filtration system that is capable of keeping the pond water level at a desired height even though a significant amount of evaporation may occur or a significant amount of in-motion water may be used. The ideal system would further be able to filter large or small volumes of water in a manner that does not clog system pumps and that is easy to clean, with minimal design and installation restraints. The present invention is directed to fulfilling these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a circulation system is provided for use with water gardens having a container adapted to hold water at a preferred fill height. The circulation system includes a reservoir, an intake line, a pump, and a return line. The reservoir is located near the water container and is capable of holding an amount of reserve of water. The intake line includes a first end opening positionable within the water container near the preferred fill height and a second end opening connected to the reservoir. During use, water flows into the reservoir through the intake line. The pump is either a submersible pump or an external pump in communication with the reservoir via additional piping. The return line interconnects between the pump and a desired location in the water garden (such as a fountain head or waterfall outlet). The pump pushes reserve water back to the water garden through the return line. The reservoir is sufficiently large to provide reserve water in an amount capable of compensating for evaporation in the water container and/or the volume of water that is in motion when the system is activated.
In accordance with other aspects of this invention, the reservoir includes at least one filter located therein and adapted to receive water from the intake line second end opening. In one embodiment, the at least one filter is an easily removable basket filter. A preferred basket filter includes an outer rigid cylindrical wire mesh member and an internal flexible net. Other filter materials may be used such as perforated plastic or fibrous nets. The internal net catches large debris, while the outer mesh member catches smaller debris. The reservoir preferably includes an upper opening sized to allow removal of the filter for cleaning and/or replacement. Additionally, the reservoir may include a lid for the upper opening. The lid includes a vent whereby portions of the filter are removable from the reservoir through the vent.
In accordance with further aspects of this invention, the intake line first end opening is formed as an elbow member. In one embodiment, the elbow member is rotatable to allow adjustment of the preferred fill height. In another embodiment, one or more extension members are connected to the elbow in order to bring it up to the preferred fill height.
In accordance with further aspects of this invention, an alternative embodiment of filtering components is provided, including an upright cylindrical filter positionable within a reservoir and a cylindrical annular media chamber disposed about the upright cylindrical filter. The media chamber includes an outer wall, an inner wall and a filtering media disposed therebetween. The chamber outer wall has an upper rim. The chamber inner wall includes a number of passages located at a lower region therein. During use, water flows into the upright cylindrical filter, into the media chamber via the inner wall passages, through the filtering media, and over the chamber outer wall rim.
Various other features may be used in the present invention. In one embodiment the system includes a water supply line connected between a water source and the reservoir, and a refill valve positioned within the reservoir. A large reduction of the reserve water in the reservoir triggers the refill valve to allow addition water to enter the reservoir through the water supply line. In another embodiment, the pump includes a shut off valve triggered by a low water level within the reservoir.


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