Abstract: A discharge head for a submersible pump includes a plastic body having an internally threaded neck for receiving a tapered threaded end of a fluid delivery pipe and a metal shell surrounding and engaging the neck to reinforce the neck against the radial forces developed by the tapered end of the pipe as it is tightened. An annular shoulder extends radially outward and downward from the neck and includes a pair of apertured lugs, each having a pair of laterally extending detents. The shell includes a shoulder corresponding to the annular shoulder and a pair of slots for receiving the lugs and for snapping down over the detents to aid in retaining the shell on the body. In one embodiment of the invention, a skirt extends downwardly from the annular shoulder and includes threads for connection with corresponding threads on a casing of the pump section of the pump.

Abstract: A skimmer assembly for use in swimming pools in which a skimmer housing is provided with a skimming inlet and a drain inlet for receiving water from a pool. An outlet is also provided for connection with a vacuum source for discharging water from the housing. A floating weir is disposed in the housing for regulating the amount of water entering the housing from the skimming inlet and a filter basket is disposed in the housing with its open end communicating with the skimming inlet and a wall portion communicating with the drain inlet. An adaptor member and a cover plate cooperate with said basket for selectively controlling the flow of water from said skimming inlet to said outlet. The basket is adapted to attain a plurality of positions in the housing for regulating the flow through the drain inlet to the housing, and a sealing assembly is provided on the weir and the basket for sealing off flow through the skimmer inlet when the level of water in the pool falls below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A liquid level presence detection circuit includes a selectively gatable TRIAC serially connected with a load and triggered into conduction by twin sensitive-gate SCR's connected anode-to-cathode with the gates of the SCR's connected to voltage divider circuits which provide gating current to the SCR's in response to the presence of a conductive liquid bridging the two spaced apart contacts of a liquid presence detecting probe. The circuit is used in wet-niche type lamp assemblies that provide underwater illumination in swimming pools and the like and in which cooling is effected by the surrounding liquid. The detection circuit advantageously interrupts the flow of electrical energy to the lamp when the level of surrounding liquid falls below a predetermined level to prevent over-temperature operation of the lamp and consequent damage thereto and resumes the flow of electrical energy to the lamp when the level of the surrounding liquid increases to a safe level to permit adequate cooling thereof.

Abstract: In a lighting fixture, a light source is partially surrounded by a reflector system mounted in a housing to direct light from the light source out through an aperture in the front of the housing. The reflector is cylindrically and parabolically shaped to provide a cut-off above a selected vertical angle and to provide a decreasing intensity with decreasing vertical angles from a maximum intensity to effect uniform distribution. A lens is provided in the aperture to achieve uniform distribution through a wide horizontal angle. The reflector system and the light source are pivotable within the housing about a fixed horizontal axis to adjust the vertical cut-off angle and the angle of the maximum intensity. A fixed reflector is mounted near the top of the aperture on the front wall of the housing to get more sideways distribution of the light when the light source is pivoted toward the back of the housing.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing and vapor recovery system designed to be utilized in gasoline stations, or the like, in which the gasoline is pumped from a storage tank, through a first conduit system, and to each of several dispensing units for dispensing the gasoline to the vehicle tanks. A portion of the gasoline at each dispensing unit is diverted from the first conduit system into a second conduit system before it passes to the dispensing nozzle, and means are responsive to the gasoline flow through the second conduit system for drawing vapors from the receptacle into the second conduit system. A sump tank is connected to the second conduit system for receiving the mixture of diverted gasoline and vapor, and means are provided which are responsive to the operation of the pump for drawing the diverted gasoline from the sump tank to an additional conduit for passage back into the storage tank.

Abstract: A liquid level responsive proximity switch for submersible sump and sewage pumps in which a magnetic float, normally buoyed on mercury or other conductive liquid, is submerged by a movable magnetic actuator to displace the mercury into contact with a pair of switch electrodes. The mercury, magnetic float and electrode assembly are housed in permanently sealed casing having a downwardly opened chamber for the actuator under the magnetic float.

Abstract: A fan assembly, which includes a centrifugal-type fan wheel mounted for rotation in, e.g., a scroll-like fan casing or a tubular fan casing is provided with a retractable fan inlet funnel which may be selectively positioned relative to the fan wheel between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the inlet funnel axially overlaps the inlet side of the fan wheel with substantially all the inlet air being directed into the fan wheel. In the retracted position, the inlet funnel is spaced away from the fan wheel to permit a portion of the fan wheel outlet air to recirculate to the inlet side of the fan wheel. Fan performance characteristics including the static pressure, the volume flow rate, the selection of a stable air flow operating point, and the fan wheel power requirements are conveniently and advantageously controlled by adjusting the inlet funnel position.

Abstract: A threaded lid for closing the opening in a pump housing having a body portion and a gripping formation defined by a ridge on the body portion having a central portion and projections extending beyond the central portion. A juncture between the central portion and each of the projections varies gradually from a rounded angle at one terminus of the juncture to a gently sloping ramp at the other terminus of the juncture, so that a simple elongated tool such as a stick may be placed between the projections of the gripping formation and rotated to loosen the lid, but not to tighten it. Furthermore, the mildly curved S-shape provides surfaces which conform to the hand to enable substantial manual loosening force to be applied comfortably to the lid, whereas the surfaces of the gripping formation engaged by the hand to tighten the lid are not conducive to the application of a substantial amount of manual force.