Abstract: A cleaning system comprising a cleaner body configured to travel through a water pool powered by a positive pressure water flow supplied via a flexible hose. The system is characterized by: (1) a water distribution subsystem carried by the cleaner body including a state valve selectively operable in a forward or redirect state and a mode valve selectively operable in a top or bottom mode; and/or (2) a wall fitting including an outlet section extending downward at an oblique angle between 15° and 75° to reduce the likelihood of hose restraint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a pool cleaner body in a manner to maximize the time spent on cleaning relative to the time spent on repositioning. More particularly, the invention is directed to a control subsystem for operating a cleaner body to enable it to primarily travel in a forward direction (i.e., forward state) along a travel path but operable also in a backup/redirect state to translate and or rotate the body to enable it to escape from obstructions while also minimizing the formation of conduit tangles. The control subsystem is configured to perform reposition operations without increasing incidents of conduit tangling by: 1—avoiding an excessive rotation of the body, e.g., approximately 180° or more, when attempting to free the body from an obstruction; and/or 2—avoiding the initiation of a timed reposition operation while the body is transitioning between a travel path at the wall surface and a travel path at the water surface.

Abstract: An improved power conduit for use with automatic pool cleaners particularly configured to avoid the formation of persistent coils and/or knots. Embodiments in accordance with the invention are characterized by the use of at least one axially stiff elongate member together with axially flexible and axially swivelable means for coupling said stiff member between a stationary power source fitting and a cleaner. The axially flexible and axially swivelable means can be implemented in a variety of ways, e.g., a flexible elongate hose member and a swivel coupling.

Abstract: An improved power conduit for use with automatic pool cleaners particularly configured to avoid the formation of persistent coils and/or knots. Embodiments in accordance with the invention are characterized by the use of at least one axially stiff elongate member together with axially flexible and axially swivelable means for coupling said stiff member between a stationary power source fitting and a cleaner. The axially flexible means includes means for resiliently biasing adjacent stiff members to an axially aligned orientation.

Abstract: A pool cleaner debris bag (18) having an access opening (24) and a closure means (25) operable to close the access opening (24) for collecting debris or open the access opening (24) for emptying debris from the bag (18). The closure means (25) includes a clamp member (50) having clamping edges (56) for squeezing together bag layers (28, 29) to close the access opening (24). The closure means (25) is buoyant in water for orienting the bag to avoid impeding cleaner body (6) travel.

Abstract: An automatic pool cleaner configured to be powered by a supplied positive pressure water flow including an improved propulsion subsystem for propelling the cleaner body through a swimming pool along a substantially random travel path. The subsystem includes a hydraulic valve actuator configured to use water pressure to switch a valve element mounted for reciprocal linear movement from a default state (e.g., redirect travel state) to an active state (e.g., forward travel state) and to then restore the valve element to the default state. The water pressure for controlling the actuator is selectively supplied by a direction controller which responds to regular periodic occurrences and/or irregularly occurring events such as the interruption of cleaner body motion.

Abstract: A pool cleaning system including means responsive to the magnitude of negative pressure at the suction inlet of a system pump for controlling pump water flow in order to prevent pump cavitation. Systems in accordance with the invention are configured to pump a high rated volume of water when operating in a filtering mode and to provide a high negative pressure to power a pool cleaner when operating in a cleaning mode.

Abstract: A debris bag for a swimming pool cleaning device includes a body having a debris collection cavity, an upper end and a lower end. The lower end engages the pool cleaner to receive debris from the pool ejected by the cleaner into the bag. The debris bag also includes a float coupled to the body. The float is positioned outside of and adjacent to the debris collection region of the bag so as to be separate from the lower end.

Abstract: A pool cleaner debris bag (18) having an access opening (24) and a closure means (25) operable to close the access opening (24) for collecting debris or open the access opening (24) for emptying debris from the bag (18). The closure means (25) includes a clamp member (50) having clamping edges (56) for squeezing together bag layers (28, 29) to close the access opening (24). The closure means (25) is buoyant in water for orienting the bag to avoid impeding cleaner body (6) travel.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning device includes a fluid distribution system for controlling its operation. More particularly, the distribution system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a pair of outlet openings and a valve chamber positioned between the inlet and the outlet openings. A piston, including a valve member, is movably mounted in the housing so as to be movable between a first position, in which the valve member closes one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the other one of the outlet openings, and a second position, in which the valve member closes the other one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the one of the outlet openings. A valve is provided for controlling the movement of the piston between the first and second positions. The piston has a passage extending therethrough so as to permit flow of pressurized fluid from the valve chamber to the valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a pool cleaner to travel through a water pool to collect dirt and other debris from the water and/or pool containment wall. The cleaner defines a suction passageway having an inlet open to pool water and an outlet adapted to be coupled via a flexible hose to the suction side of an electrically driven pump. A resulting suction flow, from the inlet to the pump, functions to (1) carry dirt and other debris to a filter and (2) to drive a turbine for propelling the cleaner. In accordance with the invention, the suction passageway inlet includes an orifice defining a physical flow area A1 and configured to create an “effective” flow area A2 smaller than A1, downstream from the orifice. The small effective flow area A2 creates a water flow of sufficient velocity to efficiently drive the turbine whereas the larger physical flow area A1 permits debris to pass more readily.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a pool cleaner (60) to travel through a water pool to collect dirt and other debris from the water and/or pool containment wall (88). The cleaner (60) defines a suction passageway having an inlet (74) open to pool water and an outlet (78) adapted to be coupled via a flexible hose (30) to the suction side of an electrically driven pump (26). A resulting suction flow, from the inlet (74) to the pump, functions to (1) carry dirt and other debris to a filter (41) and (2) to drive a turbine (80) for propelling the cleaner (60). In accordance with the invention, the suction passageway inlet (74) includes an orifice defining a physical flow area A1 and configured to create an “effective” flow area A2 smaller than A1, downstream from the orifice. The small effective flow area A2 creates a water flow of sufficient velocity to efficiently drive the turbine (80) whereas the larger physical flow area A1 permits debris to pass more readily.

Abstract: An improved power conduit for use with automatic pool cleaners particularly configured to avoid the formation of persistent coils and/or knots. Embodiments in accordance with the invention are characterized by the use of at least one axially stiff elongate member together with axially flexible and axially swivelable means for coupling said stiff member between a stationary power source fitting and a cleaner. The axially flexible and axially swivelable means can be implemented in a variety of ways, e.g., a flexible elongate hose member and a swivel coupling.

Abstract: An automatic pool cleaning system employing a unitary body configured to move through a pool to collect debris from adjacent to the pool containment wall surface and/or the pool water surface and more particularly to such systems which utilize electric power for propulsion and/or cleaning in combination with water suction power for cleaning and/or propulsion and/or electric generation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a pool cleaner (60) to travel through a water pool to collect dirt and other debris from the water and/or pool containment wall (88). The cleaner (60) defines a suction passageway having an inlet (74) open to pool water and an outlet (78) adapted to be coupled via a flexible hose (30) to the suction side of an electrically driven pump (26). A resulting suction flow, from the inlet (74) to the pump, functions to (1) carry dirt and other debris to a filter (41) and (2) to drive a turbine (80) for propelling the cleaner (60). In accordance with the invention, the suction passageway inlet (74) includes an orifice defining a physical flow area A1 and configured to create an “effective” flow area A2 smaller than A1, downstream from the orifice. The small effective flow area A2 creates a water flow of sufficient velocity to efficiently drive the turbine (80) whereas the larger physical flow area A1 permits debris to pass more readily.

Abstract: A conduit assembly including a flexible elongate conduit for delivering operating power to a pool cleaner body which assembly includes multiple substantially rigid elongate buoyancy (positive or negative) members attached to the conduit for situating the conduit at a level between the pool water surface and floor surface to avoid obstructing the cleaner's movement along its travel path, whether at the water surface or at the floor surface.

Abstract: An automatic pool cleaning system employing a unitary body configured to move through a pool to collect debris from adjacent to the pool containment wall surface and/or the pool water surface and more particularly to such systems which utilize electric power for propulsion and/or cleaning in combination with water suction power for cleaning and/or propulsion and/or electric generation.

Abstract: A system for automatically cleaning swimming pools includes a unitary body having a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall, a propulsion subsystem operable to selectively propel the body in either a forward or rearward direction, and a cleaning subsystem operable in either a water surface cleaning mode for skimming or scooping or a wall surface cleaning mode for vacuuming or sweeping. The subsystems are powered by an electric source such as solar cells and/or rechargeable batteries and/or a wire extending to the unitary body from an external power source. An alternative embodiment uses separate top and bottom units tethered together by an electric conduit.

Abstract: A conduit assembly including a flexible elongate conduit for delivering operating power to a pool cleaner body which assembly includes multiple substantially rigid elongate buoyancy (positive or negative) members attached to the conduit for situating the conduit at a level between the pool water surface and floor surface to avoid obstructing the cleaner's movement along its travel path, whether at the water surface or at the floor surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus responsive to a positive pressure water source (10) for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall (3) and the upper surface (7) of a water pool (1) contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body (6) and a level control subsystem (124, 138) for selectively moving the body (6) to a position either proximate to the surface (7) of the water pool for water surface cleaning or proximate to the interior surface (8) of the containment wall for wall surface cleaning. The cleaner body can have a weight/buoyancy characteristic to cause it to normally rest either (1) proximate to the pool bottom adjacent to the wall surface (i.e., heavier-than-water) or (2) proximate to the water surface (i.e. lighter-than-water).