Abstract: A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning the submerged bottom surfaces of a pool or tank in a predetermined regular pattern includes a reversible water jet drive means for propelling the apparatus in opposite directions corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. The direction of the discharge of the propelling water jet is changed by mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, or by interrupting the water pump. The source of the pressurized jet stream can include a pump integral to the apparatus or an external portable pump and/or a pump associated with the pool's filtering and/or circulation system.

Abstract: A self-propelled robotic pool cleaner (100) has a first pair of driven brushes (12, 14) and second pair of free brushes co-axially mounted for rotation on axles (16) at the opposite ends of the pool cleaner that are transverse to the direction of movement. The first pair of brushes are mounted on one side and are driven by a drive motor (110); the second pair of brushes are mounted on the opposite side of the cleaner. A rotational delay clutch (30) is co-axially positioned between each pair of the first and second brushes so that reversing the drive motor causes the first pair of driven brushes to temporarily rotate at an angular rotational velocity that is greater than that of the second pair of brushes, thereby pivoting the pool cleaner through a predetermined angular change in direction before the synchronous rotation of the second pair of dual brushes is initiated by the engagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning the submerged bottom surfaces of a pool or tank in a predetermined regular pattern includes a reversible drive means for propelling the apparatus in opposite directions corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. A housing is formed by a top wall, depending front and rear walls and depending side walls, where the side walls defining the periphery of the apparatus. At least one projecting pivot member extends from a side wall of the housing, wherein the end of the projecting pivot member serves as a pivot point in contact with a side wall of the pool to change the orientation of the apparatus with respect to the side wall of the pool.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner discharges water jets under the cleaner body, directed toward its center from its sides, to agitate and lift debris toward one or more vacuum intake openings, to greatly enhance the cleaning ability of the cleaner. The suspended dirt and debris become semi-buoyant under the force of the jetted water which is preferably moving in the same direction as the cleaner, so that the relative speed between the cleaner and the suspended dirt and debris is reduced, thereby enabling the cleaner to move at a relatively faster rate and still clean with equivalent or even greater efficiency than a pool cleaner that is not equipped with directional cleaning water jets. In addition, displaced front and back orientations of the intake ports allow for longer time for any dirt and debris to be picked up.

Abstract: A pool or tank cleaner that is propelled by means of one or more water jets is directed in one or more predetermined systematic scanning patterns of either straight, curvilinear, or combinations of both, by an apparatus and method that controls and varies the directional discharge of one or more water jets that propel the cleaner in its translational movement. The direction of the discharge of the propelling water jet is changed by mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, or by interrupting the water pump. Further variations in the direction of translational movement of the cleaner are effected by activating at least one retractable depending member to periodically contact the pool surface below the moving cleaner, thereby causing the cleaner to pivot or otherwise change direction.

Abstract: A portable battery-powered ozone generator, or ozonator, contained in a waterproof housing with an air intake and an ozone discharge conduit diffuses ozone directly into a body of water in a pool, pond or tank. The ozone generator and housing can be part of (1) a buoyant floating platform that is also equipped with solar power collector panels to provide a recharging current for the battery; (2) a robotic, self-propelled pool cleaner; or (3) a skimmer filter assembly that can include a solar panel under a solar transmissive cover that is flush mounted in the walk area alongside the pool.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner discharges water jets under the cleaner body, directed toward its center from its sides, to agitate and lift debris toward one or more vacuum intake openings, to greatly enhance the cleaning ability of the cleaner. The suspended dirt and debris become semi-buoyant under the force of the jetted water which is preferably moving in the same direction as the cleaner, so that the relative speed between the cleaner and the suspended dirt and debris is reduced, thereby enabling the cleaner to move at a relatively faster rate and still clean with equivalent or even greater efficiency than a pool cleaner that is not equipped with directional cleaning water jets. In addition, displaced front and back orientations of the intake ports allow for longer time for any dirt and debris to be picked up.

Abstract: A submersible robotic pool cleaner is provided with an integral sealed rechargeable battery and an inductive charging assembly, a first portion of which is mounted in the pool cleaner housing and during the charging, receives a second separate portion that is connected by a cable to a conventional power source. The pump motor drive shaft is treated with a specialized anti-friction lubricant composition to minimize frictional energy losses where the shaft contacts the seal(s) and any shaft bearing(s), to maximize efficiency and minimize the power consumption of the pump motor assembly and permit the pool cleaner to completely traverse the surfaces to be cleaned within the fully-charged power capacity of the battery.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the bottom of a pool uses an automated programmed pool cleaner capable of reversing movement and turning that is initially placed at an arbitrary location on the bottom of the pool and moved in a forward direction until it encounters an upright pool wall; the unit is reversed until it is a first predetermined distance from the wall, turned through a predetermined angle less than 180° and advanced until it again encounters an upright wall; these steps are repeated until the unit has encountered upright walls a predetermined number of times, after which the first predetermined distance is changed to one or more subsequent predetermined distances. All of the previous steps are repeated until all or substantially all of the pool has been cleaned. In a preferred embodiment, a rectangular pool is cleaned by setting the turning angle to 90° and the number of turns before changing the predetermined distance to seven.

Abstract: An automated power-driven pool cleaning apparatus is provided with a motion translating member that contacts the surface being cleaned, an associated signal transmitter and a sensor that is connected to the pool cleaner's programmed electronic control device, or chip, so that when the cleaner is moving, the mtm moves the signal transmitter past the sensor thereby providing an intermittent signal. When the cleaner stops moving, no intermittent signal is received and after a predetermined period of time, the control device causes the cleaner's drive means to move the cleaner in a different direction.

Abstract: A robotic pool or tank cleaner is supported by wheels that are mounted on fixed or movable axles that form an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the pool cleaner's body when the cleaner moves in either or both of two opposing directions to thereby provide a variable path as the device moves back and forth across the bottom surface of the pool or tank that is being cleaned.

Abstract: A cleaning brush for a power-driven pool cleaner having a rotatable shaft incorporates a flexible web having first and second opposing edges, the first edge having at least one first element extending in the direction of the first edge, and the second edge having at least one second element extending in the direction of the second edge. The web is deformable about the rotatable shaft to bring the first and second edges into contact, with the first element being in spaced relation to the second element such that the first element is aligned with the second element. Additionally, a positive locking structure is provided to hold the first and second elements together in a secure, locking fit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for removing undesired coiling or twisting that has developed in a power cable attached to a robotic swimming pool cleaner during the cleaner's pre-programmed or random movement over the bottom and/or side walls of the pool. A rotatable grip assembly is permanently or removably affixed to the power cable adjacent one or both ends of the power cable that can be disconnected from the power supply or the pool cleaner. The rotatable grip assembly includes one or more bearings, at least a portion of which bearings is fixed with respect to the power cable, and a gripping member that is in contact with the one or more bearings.

Abstract: A pool or tank cleaner that is propelled by means of one or more water jets is directed in one or more predetermined systematic scanning patterns of either straight, curvilinear, or combinations of both, by an apparatus and method that controls and varies the directional discharge of one or more water jets that propel the cleaner in its translational movement. The direction of the discharge of the propelling water jet is changed by mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, or by interrupting the water pump. Further variations in the direction of translational movement of the cleaner are effected by wheels and/or axles that are adjustably mounted to respond to changes in the translational movement of the cleaner.

Abstract: A pool cleaner and method for its operation provides for the efficient and systematic cleaning of the bottom of a rectilinear pool or tank in a controlled geometric pattern of parallel paths transversed between a pair of opposing sidewalls by having the pool cleaner complete a 180° U-turn at each wall, and when an end wall is reached, to effect a 90° turn and commence a similar pattern of parallel paths between the pair of end walls. A microprocessor, or programmable electronic controller, responds to signal-generating sensors that are activated at the pool's sidewalls, and to a program that also repositions the cleaner should it become blocked by a corner or other obstacle.

Abstract: A cleaning brush for a power-driven robotic pool cleaner is formed from a plurality of cylindrical sections of water-expandable compressed cellulose sponge material that are preferably die-cut from a sheet or web, each section having a central opening corresponding in both size and shape to the cross section of the rotatable shaft on which the cylindrical sections are mounted in spaced relation. When wet with water, the compressed cellulose sponge material expands many times its original compressed thickness to provide a cleaning brush having continuous coverage over the entire length of the shaft.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner is equipped with an electrically-powered light source that is securely mounted on, or above the exterior of the housing of the pool cleaner so that the light source illuminates a generally spherical space above and 360° around the pool cleaner. The light source is contained in a transparent hollow receptacle fabricated from an impact-resistant, rigid, light transmitting material. In a pool cleaner with a detachable handle, the handle's horizonal gripping member is constructed from a transparent annular tube in which the light source is axially mounted, the ends of the tube being provided with a waterproof seal where they are joined to the handle brackets. The light source can be one or more lamps or bulbs, preferably of a tubular configuration, such as an array of fluorescent tubes of the folded type that have a socket at one end, the free end being held by a resilient supporting member.

Abstract: A submersible self-propelled pool or tank cleaner that includes a pair of moving driven endless belts or drive tracks is provided with moving side-projecting elements that extend from either the moving drive track or the drive wheels, or both, in order to contact the side wall of the pool and other projecting structural elements in the pool, to thereby prevent the stationary structural elements of the pool cleaner from being damaged by scraping the side of the pool and to prevent the hard plastic of the cleaner housing from damaging light-weight swimming pool liners. The drive track or belt is provided with raised transverse rib members that terminate in a tip that projects beyond the edge of the belt and extends beyond the projected line of structural elements along the side of the pool cleaner.