Abstract: Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.

Abstract: Improved valve assemblies (e.g., multi-position valve assemblies) are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for high efficiency multi-position rotary backwash valve assemblies. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for a four-position rotary high efficiency valve assembly for a swimming pool or spa filter. The present disclosure provides multi-position valve assemblies having infrequent maintenance and allowing for user-friendly service. The present disclosure provides for improved multi-position valve assemblies and related features, systems and methods of use. Improved, convenient and effective systems and methods for utilizing improved multi-position valve assemblies (e.g., high efficiency multi-position rotary backwash valve assemblies) are provided. The valve assembly can be utilized in fluid systems as a flow control assembly (e.g., as a backwash valve associated with a pool or spa filter).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

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: Systems and methods for sanitizing pool and spa water are provided. An electrolytic chlorinator is provided which includes a combined flow, temperature, and salt concentration sensor. The electrolytic chlorinator could include an acid tank for in-situ cleaning of the electrolytic chlorinator or acidification of pool/spa water where needed. A delayed polarity reversal technique is provided for de-scaling and managing passivation of the blades of an electrolytic chlorinator. The electrolytic chlorinator could include a sacrificial anode for protecting components of the chlorinator as well as other pool/spa components. The electrolytic chlorinator could include an integral, electrically-controlled acid generator, a brine tank for periodically superchlorinating and/or shocking pool/spa water, and/or a plurality of chemical tanks/feeds for periodically injecting chemicals into the chlorinator.

Abstract: A light includes a body, a front housing secured to a front end of the body, a translating retainer rotatably engaged with the front housing, a slip ring positioned around the front housing and between the translating member and the front end of the body, a compressible ring positioned around the front housing and between the slip ring and the front end of the body, a lens mounted to the front housing, an electronic assembly, and a light emitting element in electrical communication with the electronic assembly and positioned within the lens. Rotation of the translating retainer in a first direction causes the translating retainer to drive the slip ring toward the front end of the body, compressing the compressible ring and causing the compressible ring to bulge outward to contact, and removably engage, an inner wall of a pipe or conduit that the light is positioned in.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for an immersible pump. The apparatus can include a shaft for communicating with a motor. The shaft includes a first region having a first diameter, a second region having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and a tapering region between the two regions. A sleeve can be provided to receive the shaft. A sealing device includes a receiving area in which the tapering region is at least partially positionable to form a seal, and an abutment that is configured to form a seal with the sleeve and that is responsive to a force directed from the sleeve to enhance the seal with the tapering region. In some embodiments, the sealing device is provided with a circumferential outer wall for centering the sleeve about the shaft and/or for aligning the force with the abutment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

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: Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling pool/spa components. More particularly, disclosed is a system for controlling pool/spa components including a display screen and one or more processors presenting a control user interface for display on the display screen, wherein the control user interface includes a home screen comprising a first portion containing a first plurality of buttons and/or controls for controlling a first group of the plurality of pool/spa components associated with a first body of water, and a second portion containing a second plurality of buttons and/or controls for controlling a second group of the plurality of pool/spa components associated with a second body of water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

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 a groove formed in at least one of the plurality of mounting ribs 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. A groove is formed in at least one of the plurality of mounting ribs 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sanitizing pool/spa water are provided. An electrolytic chlorinator is provided which includes a combined flow, temperature, and salt concentration sensor. The electrolytic chlorinator could include an acid tank for in-situ cleaning of the electrolytic chlorinator or acidification of pool/spa water where needed. A delayed polarity reversal technique is provided for de-scaling and managing passivation of the blades of an electrolytic chlorinator. The electrolytic chlorinator could include a sacrificial anode for protecting components of the chlorinator as well as other pool/spa components. The electrolytic chlorinator could include an integral, electrically-controlled acid generator, a brine tank for periodically superchlorinating and/or shocking pool/spa water, and/or a plurality of chemical tanks/feeds for periodically injecting chemicals into the chlorinator.

Abstract: A swimming pool drain and sump assembly with a toroidal drain housing that includes a lower section with a drain outlet port extending through the lower section wall and a continuous annular channel that loops back upon itself, and an upper section supported upon the sump base only along the inner wall, cantilevered over the sump base from a lower edge of the sump cover to an upper edge of the sump cover. The lower section and the upper section form an annular, continuous, uninterrupted, single orifice drain entrance channel between a top edge of the outer wall and the upper edge of the top piece. Some embodiments include a continuous, one-piece blockage tray insert adjustably positioned within the drain entrance channel and an access port cover within an access port that is a continuous opening with the drain entrance channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture for use in connection with a swimming pool or spa. The lighting fixture includes a light source, and a detection device for detecting the presence of a bather in a pool or a spa. A microprocessor is in electrical communication with the detection device and the light source. The microprocessor adjusts an output of the light source when a bather is detected in the pool or the spa. The microprocessor could adjust the color of the light emitted by the light source when a bather is detected. Also provided is a bather condition/activity detection system which utilizes pool or spa devices to detect various bather conditions/activities such as bather ingress, egress, drowning, distress, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sanitizing pool/spa water are provided. An electrolytic chlorinator is provided which includes a combined flow, temperature, and salt concentration sensor. The electrolytic chlorinator could include an acid tank for in-situ cleaning of the electrolytic chlorinator or acidification of pool/spa water where needed. A delayed polarity reversal technique is provided for de-scaling and managing passivation of the blades of an electrolytic chlorinator. The electrolytic chlorinator could include a sacrificial anode for protecting components of the chlorinator as well as other pool/spa components. The electrolytic chlorinator could include an integral, electrically-controlled acid generator, a brine tank for periodically superchlorinating and/or shocking pool/spa water, and/or a plurality of chemical tanks/feeds for periodically injecting chemicals into the chlorinator.

Abstract: Improved valve assemblies (e.g., multi-position valve assemblies) are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for high efficiency multi-position rotary backwash valve assemblies. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for a four-position rotary high efficiency valve assembly for a swimming pool or spa filter. The present disclosure provides multi-position valve assemblies having infrequent maintenance and allowing for user-friendly service. The present disclosure provides for improved multi-position valve assemblies and related features, systems and methods of use. Improved, convenient and effective systems and methods for utilizing improved multi-position valve assemblies (e.g., high efficiency multi-position rotary backwash valve assemblies) are provided. The valve assembly can be utilized in fluid systems as a flow control assembly (e.g., as a backwash valve associated with a pool or spa filter).