US-12616175-B2 - Aquarium system having improved flow controller and methods of use

US12616175B2US 12616175 B2US12616175 B2US 12616175B2US-12616175-B2

Abstract

A flow control arrangement for use with a pump in an aquarium includes a main body having an inlet flow conduit and an outlet flow conduit. The main body has a cylindrical wall having first and second opposite open ends and defining an open interior; and a through hole extending through the wall to the open interior. A flow control dial closes the first open end; and an aeration flow dial closes the second open end and is rotatably adjustable relative to the main body. The aeration flow dial has a tubular aeration wall extending into the open interior. The aeration wall has an aperture, wherein the aeration flow dial can be rotatably adjustable to control axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the wall of the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the open interior of the main body to outside of the main body.

Inventors

William Nathan Brunner
William D. Himes

Assignees

SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240809

Claims (11)

1 . A flow control arrangement for use with a pump in an aquarium; the flow control arrangement comprising: (a) a main body having an inlet flow conduit and an outlet flow conduit; the main body having a cylindrical wall having first and second opposite open ends and defining an open interior; and a through hole extending through the wall to the open interior; (b) a flow control dial closing the first open end; and (c) an aeration flow dial closing the second open end and being rotatably adjustable relative to the main body; the aeration flow dial having a tubular aeration wall extending into the open interior; (i) the aeration wall having an aperture, wherein the aeration flow dial can be rotatably adjustable to control axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the wall of the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the open interior of the main body to outside of the main body.
2 . The flow control arrangement of claim 1 wherein the aeration flow dial includes an aeration flow handle projecting therefrom to allow for grasping for rotatable adjustment.
3 . The flow control arrangement claim 1 wherein the flow control dial has first and second projections extending into the open interior and is rotatably adjustable relative to the main body, wherein the flow control dial is rotatably adjustable to control the first and second projections to block portions of the inlet flow conduit and the outlet flow conduit.
4 . The flow control arrangement of claim 1 wherein the flow control dial has a flow control handle projecting therefrom to allow for grasping for rotatable adjustment.
5 . The flow control arrangement of claim 1 wherein the inlet flow conduit and an outlet flow conduit are oriented between 80-120 degrees relative to each other.
6 . The flow control arrangement of claim 1 wherein the through hole and the aperture are oval shaped.
7 . An aquarium system comprising: (a) a tank having an interior volume holding water; (b) a pump positioned to pump water in the tank through a filter system; and (c) a flow control arrangement connected to the pump; the flow control arrangement having an aeration control to allow selective adjustment in an amount of aeration of water flowing from the pump and back into the tank; wherein the control arrangement includes: (i) a main body downstream of the pump; the main body having a through hole providing communication into an interior of the main body; and (ii) an aeration flow dial having an aperture, wherein the aeration flow dial can be rotatably adjustable to control axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the interior of the main body to outside of the main body.
8 . The aquarium system of claim 7 wherein the flow control arrangement includes a rotatable dial to selectively increase or decrease aeration of the water.
9 . The aquarium system of claim 7 further including a diffuser body and blade connected to the main body and positioned to return water to the tank.
10 . A method of aerating water in an aquarium tank; the method comprising: (a) providing a flow control arrangement having a main body with a through hole providing communication into an interior of the main body; and an aeration flow dial connected to the main body; the aeration flow dial having an aperture; (b) rotating the aeration flow dial to adjust axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the interior of the main body to outside of the main body; and (c) pumping water through the flow control arrangement.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the step of rotating includes using a handle on the aeration flow dial to adjust the size of the resulting orifice.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 63/604,521 filed on Nov. 30, 2023; and to U.S. provisional patent application 63/532,504 filed on Aug. 14, 2023, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to an aquarium system with a flow controller. In particular, this disclosure relates to a flow controller that can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of aeration of the water, and method of use. BACKGROUND Home aquariums are a popular hobby. People enjoy keeping fish and other aquatic animals in an aquarium for relaxation, enjoyment, and education. To keep aquatic life healthy, aquariums should have aerators to help oxygenate the water. Improvements are desirable. SUMMARY Assemblies, components, and methods are provided to improve the prior art. In one aspect, a flow control arrangement for use with a pump in an aquarium is provided; the flow control arrangement comprising: a main body having an inlet flow conduit and an outlet flow conduit; the main body having a cylindrical wall having first and second opposite open ends and defining an open interior; and a through hole extending through the wall to the open interior; a flow control dial closing the first open end; and an aeration flow dial closing the second open end and being rotatably adjustable relative to the main body; the aeration flow dial having a tubular aeration wall extending into the open interior; the aeration wall having an aperture, wherein the aeration flow dial can be rotatably adjustable to control axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the wall of the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the open interior of the main body to outside of the main body. In example embodiments, the aeration flow dial includes an aeration flow handle projecting therefrom to allow for grasping for rotatable adjustment. In some implementations, the flow control dial has first and second projections extending into the open interior and is rotatably adjustable relative to the main body, wherein the flow control dial is rotatably adjustable to control the first and second projections to block portions of the inlet flow conduit and the outlet flow conduit. In many examples, the flow control dial has a flow control handle projecting therefrom to allow for grasping for rotatable adjustment. Preferably, the inlet flow conduit and an outlet flow conduit are oriented between 80-120 degrees relative to each other. In some examples, the through hole and the aperture are oval shaped. In another aspect, an aquarium system is provided including: a tank having an interior volume holding water; a pump positioned to pump water in the tank through a filter system; and a flow control arrangement connected to the pump; the flow control arrangement having an aeration control to allow selective adjustment in an amount of aeration of water flowing from the pump and back into the tank. In many implementations, the flow control arrangement includes a rotatable dial to selectively increase or decrease aeration of the water. Example embodiments include the flow control arrangement having a main body downstream of the pump; the main body having a through hole providing communication into an interior of the main body; and an aeration flow dial having an aperture, wherein the aeration flow dial can be rotatably adjustable to control axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the interior of the main body to outside of the main body. In examples, a diffuser body and blade are connected to the main body and positioned to return water to the tank. In another aspect, a method of aerating water in an aquarium tank is provided. The method comprises: providing a flow control arrangement having a main body with a through hole providing communication into an interior of the main body; and an aeration flow dial connected to the main body; the aeration flow dial having an aperture; rotating the aeration flow dial to adjust axial alignment of the aperture with the through hole in the main body to selectively adjust a size of a resulting orifice from the interior of the main body to outside of the main body; and pumping water through the flow control arrangement. Example methods have the step of rotating including using a handle on the aeration flow dial to adjust the size of the resulting orifice. In another aspect, a pump arrangement for use with an aquarium is provided; the pump arrangement comprising: a water intake tube assembly positionable in an aquarium tank; a pump having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet; the intake tube assembly being in fluid communication upstream of the suction inlet, such that water from the aquarium tank is sucked into the intake tube assembly and conveyed into the pump suction inlet