Abstract: Swimming pool cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning unit intended to be immersed in a swimming pool and at least one liquid filter circuit between at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet via a filter chamber removable from the body of the cleaning unit. The filter chamber may include a cover and a filter basket. The cover may include components for fastening the filter basket and locking the filter chamber to the body of the cleaning unit. The locking component may be releasable and, when released, may cause an extraction handle to be deployed from the filter chamber and urged toward a predetermined position.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning apparatus (10) may include a body (11), a hydraulic circuit for liquid circulation between a liquid inlet (13) and a liquid outlet (14) and through a filtration chamber (17), driving and guiding members (12) of the body on a submerged surface, and defining a guide plane (XY), and an adjustment mechanism (30) for the orientation of a liquid flow, disposed at the outlet of the liquid outlet. The adjustment mechanism is adapted to direct the flow of liquid that escapes from the liquid outlet in (at least) two predefined directions, one of which (33) corresponds to a first direction inclined with respect to the guide plane and the other of which (32) corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to the guide plane.

Abstract: Freeze-protection systems and techniques are identified, particularly for equipment of swimming pools and spas. Included within structures subject to receiving water subject to freezing are means for accommodating expanded volumes of the water as it freezes. In this manner, the expanded volumes are less likely to cause damage to the structures themselves.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are described. The connectors may be positioned on, at, in, or near bodies of the APCs and configured to be submerged in water of swimming pools. They additionally may be designed to withstand mechanical pulling stresses when their associated electrical cables are pulled by users to remove APCs from the pools. If such a connector is separable, essentially the entirety of the electrical cable may be separated from the APC for purposes of untangling or storing the cable, as examples. The separation additionally may allow for insertion of one or more extension cables as needed or desired.

Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) may include debris filters accessible from externally of the swimming pools in which the APCs are operating. The APCs may be programmed to climb to waterlines of the pools and present their debris filters above the waterlines for removal by users positioned outside the pools. Sensors may determine whether the filters have been reinstalled within the APCs, thus allowing the APCs to return to cleaning service.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) may be used as a primary or sole water-circulation system of a pool or spa. The pool or spa hence need not employ dedicated water-circulation equipment, unlike conventional such vessels. In some cases, the APC includes a water treatment system for dispensing one or more chemicals for sanitizing (or otherwise treating) pool water.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner may operate within a pool during a cleaning cycle. The duration of the cleaning cycle may be tailored, or optimized, for the pool by determining a maximum length of time between, for example, a rotation of the cleaner and when it next detects a wall of the pool during a designated interval. As another example, deducing information relating to rotation speed of the cleaner also may be useful in determining the tailored cleaning cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming-pool cleaning apparatus which comprises: a body; at least one hydraulic circuit for circulating liquid between at least one liquid intake and at least one liquid outlet, and through a filtering device of the cleaning apparatus; a fluid-circulation pump installed in the hydraulic circuit downstream from the filtering device; means for adjusting the pressure inside the hydraulic circuit upstream from the circulation pump, in response to a detected variation of said pressure, said pressure-adjustment means comprising: at least one secondary liquid intake (21) connected to the hydraulic circuit, upstream from the circulation pump, said at least one secondary liquid intake (21) being provided with a valve (22) mounted rotatably movable about an axis of rotation, and with means for driving the valve from an open position to a closed position, said means for driving the valve comprising a float (26), the orientation and/or the force of which depend on the orientation of the cleani

Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners may include cable storage systems for storing an electrical cable on, in, or near a body of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. Some cable storage systems may include a cable storage device on the body of the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or on a cover for the body of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. Cable storage systems may additionally or alternatively include a cable storage device on the electrical cable. The automatic swimming pool cleaners may be configured and balanced to be supported by their rear portions essentially upright when stored.

Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners may include time-of-flight sensors. The sensors may operate underwater and transmit and receive light radiation. They may be useful especially in providing distance and angular information relating to location of a pool cleaner relative to a wall of, or object within, a pool.

Abstract: Swimming pool cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning unit intended to be immersed in a swimming pool and at least one liquid filter circuit between at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet via a filter chamber removable from the body of the cleaning unit. The filter chamber may include a cover and a filter basket. The cover may include components for fastening the filter basket and locking the filter chamber to the body of the cleaning unit. The locking component may be releasable and, when released, may cause an extraction handle to be deployed from the filter chamber and urged toward a predetermined position.

Abstract: A heat pump for a pool or spa may include a human-machine interface (HMI). The HMI of the heat pump may be movable relative to a housing or body of the heat pump such that regardless of the location and orientation of the installation of the body of the heat pump, the HMI may be positioned so that it is accessible to a user. A heat pump may additionally or alternatively include means for managing condensate created by operation of said heat pump.

Abstract: Concepts relating to automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. Some concepts may involve communication with APCs either in or out of the water of swimming pools or spas, while other concepts may concern battery charging or management or other operational aspects of cleaner usage in a pool or spa, among others. Many of the concepts may be applicable to avoid need for a robotic APC to be wired to an external control device.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner may include a modular battery block attachable to a component of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. The modular battery block may include at least one battery or other source of electrical power that is accessible from externally of the chassis. A venting system or arrangement may be included for venting the modular battery block, such as venting gas produced by at least one battery. Supplying electrical power to an automatic swimming pool cleaner having a chassis and an motor may include (i) attaching a modular battery block to the chassis so as to form an integrated device, and (ii) causing an electrical connection within the integrated device between the motor and at least one battery of the modular battery block.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner may include motive elements intentionally driven in an unbalanced manner. This unbalanced driving may allow a cleaner to maintain contact with (“hug”) walls of a pool, allowing the cleaner to, e.g., obtain information allowing mapping of the pool perimeter.

Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) may include separate chassis and bodies. Such constructions may facilitate assembly and disassembly of certain components of the APCs, with or without using tools. APCs with separate chassis and bodies may enable quick and easy access to motor assemblies of the APC, and bodies of the APCs may be readily interchanged on a common chassis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool cleaning system comprising a cleaning apparatus (10) to be immersed in the pool, the system further comprising at least one moving image acquisition means (30) secured to a float (31) via a flexible tie (32).

Abstract: Bypass mechanisms especially useful for automatic swimming pool cleaners are described. Such a mechanism may facilitate climbing of generally vertical walls by the cleaners. When a cleaner is to be extracted from a swimming pool, the mechanism additionally may assist in draining water from within the body of the cleaner to facilitate extraction.

Abstract: Swimming pool cleaners may operate autonomously within pools and spas. The cleaners need not include any external hoses or cords, and their bodies may be oriented at pool waterlines so as to make their on-board filters readily accessible for removal. The cleaners may dock at docking stations for various purposes, including (but not limited to) for charging any on-board battery and communicating electronically with the docking station or other external equipment.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods may be used for wirelessly communicating underwater (or through air) with equipment such as, but not necessarily limited to, automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs). Such communication avoids any need for conventional wired communication with the APCs. At least some of the devices may be hand-held and capable of having at least portions immersed in water in normal use. The devices preferably do not use radio frequency (RF) signal to communication with APCs, instead employing light-based or other signal types.