Abstract: Wastewater treatment and conveyance; and other chemical processes result in emission of a wide variety of odorous compounds. Contaminated exhaust air is typically a byproduct emitted from sludge in tanks and wells that are part of a wastewater treatment, conveyance, or chemical process. Said contaminated air has to be treated to capture or reduce odorous compounds or pollutants below human smell recognition threshold levels before the exhaust is discharged to the atmosphere. The present invention is a carbon scrubber used to treat and filter contaminated exhaust air produced in wastewater treatment and conveyance; and other chemical processes.

Abstract: A current sensing switch for use with a pump that is physically separate from the pump and contains a current sensor for measuring the electrical current flowing to the pump as a method of determining whether the pump is operating in low fluid, dry conditions, or with an impeller that has ceased to rotate. When the current drops below or raises above a predetermined value for a predetermined amount of time, the switch electrically disconnects power to the pump and reconnects it periodically to cheek whether the state of the pump has changed.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is disclosed herein that includes a filter, such as a cartridge, positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower-section housing and a cover assembly removably attached to the lower-section housing. The filter apparatus has multiple ports and valves, such as a valve associated with the cover assembly, so as to allow a user to easily switch between various operations on a pool filter, such as between a backwash mode and a filtration mode. The filter apparatus also employs a cage positioned around the cartridge, thereby between the housing and the filter. The cage provides additional support to the cartridge so as to reduce wear and tear of the cartridge. The cover is rotatable about the lower-section housing so as to allow a user to position ports on the cover in any direction.

Abstract: A water bonding fixture is provided herein which includes a shaft and a plurality of electrically conductive plates disposed at one end of the shaft and spaced apart from each other so as to provide a gap between adjacent plates. Each electrically conductive plate defines two planar surfaces each of which are substantially exposed and each electrically conductive plate is electrically connected to each other electrically conductive plate to provide a surface area of conductive surface approximately equal to the exposed surface area of all of the electrically conductive plates. The water bonding fixture is preferably used in conjunction with swimming pool equipment such as pool pumps, skimmers and filters.

Abstract: A current sensing switch for use with a pump that is physically separate from the pump and contains a current sensor for measuring the electrical current flowing to the pump as a method of determining whether the pump is operating in low fluid or dry conditions. When the current drops below a predetermined value for a predetermined amount of time, the switch electrically disconnects power to the pump.

Abstract: A water bonding fixture is provided herein which includes a shaft and a plurality of electrically conductive arcuate shaped plates disposed at one end of the shaft and spaced apart from each other so as to provide a gap between adjacent plates. The water bonding fixture is preferably used in conjunction with swimming pool equipment such as pool pumps, skimmers and filters.

Abstract: The flowmeter of the present invention is primarily used in swimming pools and is configured to deactivate a swimming pool pump when the drain in the swimming pool is blocked or covered. Swimming pool drains are often blocked or covered by the body of a swimmer. When the drain is blocked or covered, the pump creates substantial suction force that entraps the body of a swimmer against the drain. By deactivating the pump when the drain is blocked or covered, the flowmeter of the present invention serves as a safety vacuum release system that prevents entrapment of a person by the drain of the swimming pool.

Abstract: A liquid pump for use with a fluid circulation system for a body of water includes a strainer assembly; a centrifugal pump assembly having at least first and second outlet ports respectively oriented in vertical and horizontal directions; a motor; and at least one cap configured and dimensioned to engage and close an outlet port.

Abstract: A water bonding fixture is provided herein which includes a shaft and a plurality of electrically conductive arcuate shaped plates disposed at one end o the shaft and spaced apart from each other so as to provide a gap between adjacent plates. The water bonding fixture is preferably used in conjunction with swimming pool equipment such as pool pumps, skimmers and filters.

Abstract: Disclosed is an end cap for a motor housing containing an electric motor, including a tubular structure defining an interior space, including an open first end connectable to the motor casing; a second end, including a first planar surface; a second planar surface offset from the first planar surface and substantially parallel to the first planar surface; and at least one air grate surface substantially perpendicular to the first planar surface and the second planar surface, positioned between and attached to the first planar surface and the second planar surface, and wherein the at least one air grate surface includes at least one air grate configured to permit air flow into and/or out of the interior space.

Abstract: A dual speed pump controller includes a motor controller for operating a dual speed motor. The controller includes an operating speed circuit for operating the motor in one of a first speed or a second speed, the first speed being greater than the second speed; an event circuit for operating the motor at the first speed before a predetermined event and operating the pump at the second speed after the predetermined event.

Abstract: The high flow water return fitting of the present invention is designed to connect directly to the end of a water return pipe in a swimming pool, spa, or the like. Water return fittings have been available for many years and have the primary purpose of returning filtered water back into a swimming pool, spa, or the like. However, the water return fitting of the present invention does not only return water into the swimming pool, it also substantially increases the water outflow so that a greater area of water in the pool can be circulated or agitated. The present invention has a uniquely curved nozzle with a flat flange. Both the curvature of the nozzle and the flat flange promote the accumulation of water within the nozzle so as to build up pressure that then pushes the water out a small outlet hole at a greater rate than does a conventional water return fitting. The outflow from the nozzle then creates a low pressure condition within a mixing chamber.

Abstract: A swimming pool step assembly includes a plurality of steps which can be stacked in a vertical array including a top step, bottom step and, optionally one or more intermediate steps between the top step and the bottom step, each step having a top surface, a periphery, and a bottom, wherein the bottoms of at least the bottom step and the intermediate step(s) each include a recess configured to receive an adjacent higher step in the vertical array.

Abstract: The high flow water return fitting of the present invention is designed to connect directly to the end of a water return pipe in a swimming pool, spa, or the like. Water return fittings have been available for many years and have the primary purpose of returning filtered water back into a swimming pool, spa, or the like. However, the water return fitting of the present invention does not only return water into the swimming pool, it also substantially increases the water outflow so that a greater area of water in the pool can be circulated or agitated. The present invention has a uniquely curved nozzle with a flat flange. Both the curvature of the nozzle and the flat flange promote the accumulation of water within the nozzle so as to build up pressure that then pushes the water out a small outlet hole at a greater rate than does a conventional water return fitting. The outflow from the nozzle then creates a low pressure condition within a mixing chamber.

Abstract: The drain apparatus of the present invention is designed and configured to prevent the entrapment of a person by the suction or vacuum forces of a drain in a swimming pool, spa, or any other large body of water with a recirculation system. The drain apparatus of the present invention has a spring biased plunger that immediately closes the drain of a swimming pool, spa, or any other large body of water when a substantial portion of the drain cover is blocked or restricted. By closing the drain, the drain apparatus of the present invention eliminates any vacuum or suction pressure at or underneath the drain cover that entraps a person thus allowing the person to break free easily and immediately without any time delays.

Abstract: The drain apparatus of the present invention is designed and configured to prevent the entrapment of a person by the suction or vacuum forces of a drain in a swimming pool, spa, or any other large body of water with a recirculation system. The drain apparatus of the present invention has a spring biased plunger that immediately closes the drain of a swimming pool, spa, or any other large body of water when a substantial portion of the drain cover is blocked or restricted. By closing the drain, the drain apparatus of the present invention eliminates any vacuum or suction pressure at or underneath the drain cover that entraps a person thus allowing the person to break free easily and immediately without any time delays.

Abstract: A header for a heat exchanger having a plurality of parallel hollow tubes mounted between a pair of flat mounting plates and defining a plurality of passages through the plates. The header comprises a tubular elongated body portion having an outer surface and an interior cavity. The body portion is provided with a plurality of parallel, hollow ports projecting from the outer surface to provide fluid communication between the passages and the cavity. The projecting ports space the header from the tube plate so that the header body remains relatively cool. This permits the header to be made from a plastic material.

Abstract: A diverter valve having a valve body with five ports. A valve assembly is disposed in the valve body and is rotatable between first and second positions. When the valve assembly is in the first position, fluid flows between aligned first and second ports by travelling axially through a cylindrical diverter gate, and fluid flows between aligned third and fourth ports by travelling axially through a generally cylindrical blocking gate. A fifth port is blocked by a waste seal. When the diverter valve is in the second position, the fifth port is open and a blocking projection on the blocking gate closes the fourth port. The blocking gate and the diverter gate direct fluid from the first port to the third port, and from the second port to the fifth port.