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: An underwater light, e.g., for a pool or spa, includes an ordinarily watertight housing, an outer compartment within the housing and floodable by water flowing therein in the event the housing is no longer watertight, a current shield within the outer compartment and at least partially defining an inner compartment within the outer compartment, a light emitter within the inner compartment, a passageway communicating between the inner and outer compartments such that outer compartment flood water can enter the inner compartment and contact the light emitter, and a conductor. The conductor is positioned so as to collect stray electrical current conducted from the inner compartment by water within the passageway, thereby reducing the risk of shock presented by such stray electrical current. The underwater light is installable within a wet niche, and includes a transformer housed in a separate compartment that extends into the wet niche for thorough cooling thereof.

Abstract: A filter element assembly includes an outer filter member and an inner filter member. The filter assembly is also provided with a support cap having an outer ring, which is connected to the outer filter member, and an inner ring, which is connected to the inner filter member. The support cap also includes a plurality of connecting members connecting the outer ring to the inner ring, which is positioned substantially within the outer ring. Each of the connecting members is sized and shaped so as to allow the outer ring and the inner ring to move relative to each other.

Abstract: An improved suction-type cleaning device for cleaning submerged surfaces has a turbine rotatably mounted within a turbine chamber for moving the device. The device also includes an inlet nozzle and an outlet port, which are in communication with the turbine chamber and allow fluid and debris to flow along a fluid flow path therebetween, through the turbine chamber, which rotates the turbine. Baffles are arranged within the turbine chamber and cooperate with endplates of the turbine to restrict the flow of fluid through the fluid flow path. Additionally, the turbine includes a body with vanes, each having tips, and the endplates are sized and shaped such that their peripheral edges extend beyond the tips. The outlet end of the inlet nozzle is positioned proximate to the tips of the vanes and between the peripheral edges of the endplates, without interfering with the rotation of the turbine, thereby directing the flow of fluid more directly to the turbine.

Abstract: A filter bag assembly includes an outer bag having an open end, a closed end opposite the open end, and a longitudinal axis. The open end of the outer bag is sized and shaped for receiving liquid to be filtered. A filter member is loosely mounted in the outer bag and has a pair of opposed open ends and a plurality of longitudinally extending pleats. Each of the pleats projects generally outwardly in a radial direction.

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 pressure vessel in accordance with the present invention comprises a cover, movable between an open position and a closed position, and a clamp for releasably clamping the cover in its closed position. The clamp includes a handle for manually operating the clamp. The handle is movable between a first position, in which the clamp releasably holds the cover in its closed position, and a second position, in which the cover is free to be moved to its open position. The pressure vessel further comprises locking means, including a latch pin for releasably locking the handle in its first position upon actuation of the latch pin, and actuating means, including a flexible diaphragm which is responsive to an increase in pressure within the pressure vessel, for actuating the latch pin when the pressure within the vessel has reached a predetermined level.

Abstract: A fin and tube heat exchanger includes fins shaped along dynamically, empirically determined isothermal lines. The fins preferably have deflectors along a trailing edge thereof to concentrate heat flux into a back row of tubes. The deflectors bridge adjacent fins to define baffles. The preferred fin shape may be obtained empirically by trimming fin areas exhibiting excessive temperatures during operation.

Abstract: A fluid sanitizer includes a substantially cylindrical cartridge for containing sanitizing media such as a silver bactericide. The sanitizer inserts into an existing filter in the normal filter flow path and permits filtering and backwashing. The cartridge is a full flow design and may either be packed bed or loosely packed to become fluidized under filtering conditions. Sand filters with either top-mounted or side-mounted valves may be retrofitted with the sanitizer with no or minimal modifications.

Abstract: A filter/sanitizer has a filter housing, provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter cartridge with a hollow interior, located within the filter housing, and a sanitizer cartridge, with a hollow core, positioned within the hollow interior of the filter cartridge. In a preferred embodiment, the sanitizer cartridge is constructed with an outer fluid-permeable member and an inner fluid-permeable member, the outer and inner members substantially enveloping a space therebetween, with the space containing a sanitizing media bed. In operation, as fluid enters the filter housing through the fluid inlet, substantially the full flow of fluid passes through the filter cartridge, through the sanitizer cartridge and around the sanitizing media contained within the bed, into the hollow core of the sanitizer cartridge, and out of the filter housing through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A filter bag assembly line first forms a tube from a filter media, the tube being cut to twice the length of a finished filter bag and being open on opposite ends. The tube is then vibration welded across its width, intermediate the ends, to form the bottoms of two filter bags in an end-to-end configuration. The adjoined filter bags are separated by a laser cutting machine and the separated bags then passed to an accumulation station. An operator removes a filter bag from the accumulation station and places the filter bag along with a corresponding bag ring into a welding station, which welds the filter bag and the ring together.