Abstract: A niche for a pool or spa light includes a back wall having an aperture for a power cable, a side wall, a plurality of mounting ribs, and means for receiving a locking mechanism of a pool or a spa light for locking the pool or spa light in position with respect to the niche. In another embodiment, a niche for a pool or spa light includes a body and a rotatable hub with a plurality of mounting ribs for attaching a pool or spa light to the hub. The body includes a back wall having a power cable aperture and a threaded aperture for receiving a screw, and a side wall. The hub includes a back wall having an aperture for receiving the screw and a plurality of mounting ribs, the hub being rotatable about the screw.

Abstract: An underwater light having a replaceable light-emitting diode (LED) module and cord assembly is provided. The underwater light includes a lens, a bezel, a screw, a cable attachment assembly, a mounting flange, a rear housing, a fastening assembly, an internal lens, a printed circuit board (PCB) including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted thereon, a heat sink, and an electronics assembly. The assembly of the underwater light provides for the dissipation of heat away from the PCB thereby cooling the LEDs and electronic components mounted thereon. The electrically non-conductive nature of the exterior components of the underwater light permit the underwater light to be installed in any location in a pool or spa. Since the exterior of the underwater light is electrically non-conductive, no specific bonding or grounding of the underwater light is necessary.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling water temperature in a body of water. The temperature control system includes a processor, a user interface for receiving a desired temperature and a desired time for reaching the desired temperature, a sensor interface for receiving sensor information from one or more sensors, and an actuator interface for controlling a plurality of heat sources. The processor determines one or more optimal heat sources for heating the body of water to the desired temperature by the desired time. The processor controls the one or more optimal heat sources through the actuator interface and periodically polls the sensor interface to determine whether changes in the operating environment require additional or alternate heat sources to be activated to ensure that the body of water is heated to the desired temperature by the desired time.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.

Abstract: An inlet mixer system for a gas heater includes a housing in fluid communication with an inlet of a combustion blower, and first and second mixer inserts, each removably positionable within the housing. Each mixer insert includes a body defining a mixing chamber, an air intake, and a plurality of orifices disposed radially about the body and extending through the body, which provide respective volumetric flow rates of a fuel gas. When the first mixer insert is positioned within the housing, the inlet mixer system is configured for use with a first fuel gas, and when the second mixer insert is positioned within the housing, the inlet mixer system is configured for use with a second fuel gas.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to modular wiring interface boards for an actuator, the interface boards including a body, electrical terminals configured to receive a signal from a field control device, electrical contacts configured to be placed in electrical communication with a backplane electrically communicating with an actuator, switching mechanisms, and a processor. Each of the switching mechanisms is positionable in a first position and a second position. The processor reconfigures a wiring configuration of the plurality of electrical terminals to accommodate different field control devices based on the positions of the plurality of switching mechanisms. Modular wiring systems for an actuator and methods of operating an actuator are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating cable twists for underwater cleaners are provided. Cable twist mitigation logic is stored in a memory associated with a pool or spa cleaner, and controls operation of the cleaner in order to mitigate cable twists. A sequence of cleaner orientations is retrieved from memory and compared to one or more pre-defined sequences known to contribute to cable twist. If the sequence of cleaner orientations matches the one or more pre-defined sequences, a twist angle accumulator is incremented by a pre-defined twist angle corresponding to the one or more pre-defined sequences. The system determines whether the cleaner is turning on a surface of a pool or spa, and if so, controls turning of the cleaner using an accumulated angle stored in the twist angle accumulator, in order to mitigate cable twists. A user-definable bias value could also be applied by the system, in order to further mitigate cable twists.

Abstract: Swimming pool or spa gas heaters, cabinets, water header manifolds, and heat exchangers include: gas heaters having an air gap between a cabinet and combustion chamber to reduce heat transfer to sides of the cabinet; gas heaters having a user interface that is repositionable on a top panel; gas heater cabinets including a removable top panel that can be hung on a side panel; gas heaters having a built-in dual junction box; gas heaters having a top-accessible igniter and burner that are interlocked to maintain positioning thereof; adaptable water manifolds including connectable inlet and outlet fittings that adjust effective inlet and outlet positions; heat exchangers having a plurality of tube-and-fin subassemblies arranged in a semi-circular configuration; and water manifolds including internal cartridges that divide the water manifold into a plurality of chambers for improved circulation through a heat exchanger are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for an accent lighting system is provided. The system includes a plurality of underwater luminaires each having a plurality of light emitting diodes, and a junction box controller housing a plurality of electrical components for generating electrical signals for controlling the plurality of underwater luminaries. The junction box controller can be mounted to an electrical conduit and a plurality of cables can connect the plurality of underwater luminaires with the junction box controller. An underwater luminaire can include a heat sink and a flexible circuit board having a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the heat sink. The flexible circuit board transfers heat from the light emitting diodes to the heat sink. The underwater luminaire can also include a wiring harness for connecting the underwater luminaire to a cable.

Abstract: An underwater light including a programmable controller and a replaceable light-emitting diode (LED) printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is provided. The light includes a controller PCBA in communication with the LED PCBA, and a connector for connecting the controller PCBA to the LED PCBA. An optically-transparent potting compound encapsulates the LED PCBA, and the LED PCBA can be safely replaced by removing a rear housing of the underwater light.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to modular wiring interface boards for an actuator, the interface boards including a body, electrical terminals configured to receive a signal from a field control device, electrical contacts configured to be placed in electrical communication with a backplane electrically communicating with an actuator, switching mechanisms, and a processor. Each of the switching mechanisms is positionable in a first position and a second position. The processor reconfigures a wiring configuration of the plurality of electrical terminals to accommodate different field control devices based on the positions of the plurality of switching mechanisms. Modular wiring systems for an actuator and methods of operating an actuator are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling water temperature in a body of water. The temperature control system includes a processor, a user interface for receiving a desired temperature and a desired time for reaching the desired temperature, a sensor interface for receiving sensor information from one or more sensors, and an actuator interface for controlling a plurality of heat sources. The processor determines one or more optimal heat sources for heating the body of water to the desired temperature by the desired time. The processor controls the one or more optimal heat sources through the actuator interface and periodically polls the sensor interface to determine whether changes in the operating environment require additional or alternate heat sources to be activated to ensure that the body of water is heated to the desired temperature by the desired time.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.

Abstract: Improved flow control valve assemblies for fluid systems (e.g., pools or spas) are provided. Advantageous flow control valve assemblies for pool/spa cleaners (e.g., suction pool/spa cleaners) are provided. The present disclosure provides for flow control assemblies for suction pool/spa cleaners, with the cleaners utilized in conjunction with a variable speed pump. A manual valve set-up can be removed from the system, and an advantageous flow control valve assembly can be provided to automatically regulate the flow/suction to the cleaner. The improved flow control valve assembly thereby provides regulated flow to the cleaner, so that if the cleaner remains in the water at low pump speeds, when the pump is later operated at a higher speed the cleaner will function as designed. When there is flow/suction below the desired operating parameters of the cleaner, the pump will operate as desired, and the cleaner is stationary.

Abstract: Swimming pool or spa gas heaters, cabinets, water header manifolds, and heat exchangers include: gas heaters having an air gap between a cabinet and combustion chamber to reduce heat transfer to sides of the cabinet; gas heaters having a user interface that is repositionable on a top panel; gas heater cabinets including a removable top panel that can be hung on a side panel; gas heaters having a built-in dual junction box; gas heaters having a top-accessible igniter and burner that are interlocked to maintain positioning thereof; adaptable water manifolds including connectable inlet and outlet fittings that adjust effective inlet and outlet positions; heat exchangers having a plurality of tube-and-fin subassemblies arranged in a semi-circular configuration; and water manifolds including internal cartridges that divide the water manifold into a plurality of chambers for improved circulation through a heat exchanger are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved flow control assemblies for fluid systems (e.g., industrial and/or commercial systems) are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for advantageous ball valve assemblies for fluid systems. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for improved ball valve assemblies and related features, systems and methods of use. Exemplary ball valve assemblies of the present disclosure offer advantages over conventional assemblies including, without limitation, advantages in the sealing mechanisms of the ball valve assemblies, and advantages with the user interfaces of the ball valve assemblies (e.g., advantages with the lockout mechanisms). Improved, convenient and effective systems and methods for utilizing improved ball valve assemblies in fluid systems are provided.

Abstract: A laminar water feature is provided which includes a housing having a deck niche, a niche collar, a spacer ring, and a lid, a laminar vessel having an inlet, an annular pocket, a vertical baffle, a horizontal baffle, a light pipe, a plurality of screens, a cap having an outlet, and threading within an isolated light chamber for removably accepting a lighting source, and a pivot adjustment bracket having a handle with push button assembly, ridge, and detent configuration for fixedly rotatably adjusting the angle of the laminar vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing cable size and flexibility for a pool or spa installation is provided. The system includes an inductive power coupling having first and second power couplings. The inductive power coupling transforms a first voltage level provided by the cable to a second voltage level suitable for usage by the pool or spa component and compensates for a voltage loss associated with the cable allowing the cable to have a size and flexibility suitable for installation in a pipe or conduit. The first power coupling is in electrical communication with a power supply via a cable and the second power coupling is in electrical communication with a pool or spa component. The first power coupling inductively transmits received power from the power supply via the cable to the second power coupling. The second power coupling inductively transmits the received power to the pool or spa component.

Abstract: A system and method for an accent lighting system is provided. The system includes a plurality of underwater luminaires each having a plurality of light emitting diodes, and a junction box controller housing a plurality of electrical components for generating electrical signals for controlling the plurality of underwater luminaries. The junction box controller can be mounted to an electrical conduit and a plurality of cables can connect the plurality of underwater luminaires with the junction box controller. An underwater luminaire can include a heat sink and a flexible circuit board having a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the heat sink. The flexible circuit board transfers heat from the light emitting diodes to the heat sink. The underwater luminaire can also include a wiring harness for connecting the underwater luminaire to a cable. The underwater luminaire can also include a housing having a lens positioned at one end, an end cap mounted to an opposite end of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling chlorinators for pools and spas are provided. A controller communicates with a processor positioned within a replaceable cell cartridge of a chlorinator, to allow for remote control and diagnosis of the chlorinator and/or cell cartridge. The cell cartridge stores, in non-volatile memory on board the cartridge, one or more parameters associated with the cartridge. The controller can obtain this information from the processor of the cell cartridge, and can use same to configure operation of the chlorinator. Information relating to remaining cell life can be updated by the controller and stored in the non-volatile memory of the cell cartridge. Electrical and software-based mechanisms are provided for ensuring operation of only compatible cell cartridges with the chlorinator. A system for remotely diagnosing errors associated with the chlorinator is also provided.