Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods may be used for wirelessly communicating underwater (or through air) with equipment such as, but not necessarily limited to, automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs). Such communication avoids any need for conventional wired communication with the APCs. At least some of the devices may be hand-held and capable of having at least portions immersed in water in normal use. The devices preferably do not use radio frequency (RF) signal to communication with APCs, instead employing light-based or other signal types.

Abstract: A bypass mechanism for automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) is detailed herein. The bypass mechanism may be a valve or other mechanical device that limits operation of the APC by diverting water away from the APC or otherwise ceasing operation of the APC after a predetermined period of time (e.g., after the desired run-time for the APC has been reached). In this way, the bypass mechanism limits the time the APC operates, even if the pump that otherwise would drive the APC remains energized.

Abstract: A pool system may include a device of pool or spa equipment and a pool automation controller. The pool automation controller may include a multimode wireless radio configured to communicate with a wireless communication device of the device of equipment using a first internet protocol mode and a router in a second internet protocol mode. The pool automation controller may receive a first wireless signal when operating in the first internet protocol mode and send a second wireless signal when operating in the second internet protocol mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods of implementing multiple communication protocols for equipment of a pool or spa system using a bus are described herein. The systems and methods are further configured to coordinate messaging with the equipment using the multiple communication protocols. In an example, a system determines that a first device of equipment of the pool or spa system is associated with a first communication protocol. The system communicates with the first device via the first communication protocol. The system determines that a second device of the equipment of the pool or spa system is associated with a second communication protocol. The system communicates with the second device via the second communication protocol.

Abstract: A pool system may include a plurality of devices of equipment distributed among an area and a pool automation controller that includes a shortrange wireless communication device configured to communicate with a first wireless communication device of a first device of equipment and a second wireless communication device of a second device of equipment. The pool automation controller may determine locations within the area of the first device and the second device with respect to the pool automation controller based at least in part on a first set of characteristics of a first wireless signal and a second set of characteristics of a second wireless signal.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) may include a sensor for detecting adjacency of a pool wall or other object. Following such detection, the APC may reorient itself so as to re-approach the wall (or other object) in a manner better suited for cleaning the area. The reorientation may occur through, for example, changing speeds of motors on-board the APC, directions of travel of the cleaner, or both.

Abstract: A charging system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner may a corrosion-mitigating device for an electrical contact. Additionally, or alternatively, a charging system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner may include a charging pin. In some embodiments, the charging system includes a charging pin that is externally removable from the automatic swimming pool cleaner or from a charging station for the automatic swimming pool cleaner.

Abstract: A user interface may be communicatively coupled with a fluid-moving pump and may include at least two interactive regions for receiving user input to control the fluid-moving pump. The user interface may be attached to the fluid-moving pump using a mounting cover and an attachment bracket that can allow attachment or positioning of the user interface relative to the fluid-moving pump via a turn motion or other suitable methods. In other examples, the user interface can be mounted on a wall or other surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for power consumption measurement of pool or spa equipment using a pool automation controller are provided. An example pool automation controller includes inductance coils configured to measure a current induced by an alternating-current (“AC”) electrical input, control devices configured to control power directed to one or more pieces of pool or spa equipment electrically connected to the AC electrical input, and a computing device. The computing device instructs one or more processors to perform operations including identifying a piece of pool or spa equipment based on a status of a control device. The operations further include receiving information about one or more induced currents from the inductance coils. The operations further include determining a power consumption by the piece of pool or spa equipment based on the one or more induced currents. The operations further include outputting the power consumption.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning system includes a pool cleaning robot, a floating device, a control unit, and a camera. The floating device is separated from the pool cleaning robot and includes an onboard power source for providing power to the pool cleaning robot. The camera is separated from the pool cleaning robot and is adapted to provide video data and/or image data to the control unit. The control unit may identify a location in a pool based on the video data and/or image data from the camera and generate moving instructions for controlling movement of the pool cleaning robot based on the identified location.

Abstract: Concepts relating to automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. Some concepts may involve communication with APCs either in or out of the water of swimming pools or spas, while other concepts may concern battery charging or management or other operational aspects of cleaner usage in a pool or spa, among others. Many of the concepts may be applicable to avoid need for a robotic APC to be wired to an external control device.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) for swimming pools and spas may be used to monitor and/or determine a waterline level of the swimming pool or spa. Optionally, the determined waterline level may be provided on a user interface of an external device such as but not limited to a control box or a user device. An alert may be provided to a pool owner or other user based on the waterline level relative to a threshold waterline level. Optionally, at least one piece of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa may be controlled based on the determined waterline level.

Abstract: A pool or spa control system includes a sensor system with one or more sensors in contact with a main body of water. The sensor system measures water condition data of the body of water and is mounted on a wall submerged in the main body of water. The pool or spa control system also includes a modem that facilitates data communications between the sensor system and communication equipment positioned at a different location from the main body of water.

Abstract: Disclosed are filter systems and methods for swimming pools and spas for leaves and other larger debris. The disclosed filtering devices may be provided in-line with a pool cleaning or filtering system such that filtering devices pre-filter the larger debris before the pool cleaning or filtering system filters smaller debris. In some cases, the filtering devices provide an airtight seal that is easy for a user to open or close as desired. In some cases, the disclosed filtering devices include a filter between an inlet and an outlet that are parallel to and offset from a center axis of the filter. In some cases, the filtering devices are configured to generate horizontal cyclonic flow of water.

Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) may include separate chassis and bodies. Such constructions may facilitate assembly and disassembly of certain components of the APCs, with or without using tools. APCs with separate chassis and bodies may enable quick and easy access to motor assemblies of the APC, and bodies of the APCs may be readily interchanged on a common chassis.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner generally includes a body and one or more turbines. The one or more turbines may be positionable on a bottom portion of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. In certain aspects, each turbine of the one or more turbines includes a plurality of blades arranged around a center axis of the turbine. Each turbine of the one or more turbines may include a non-uniform height, and a maximum height of the plurality of blades is at the center axis.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) for swimming pools and spas may be used to monitor and/or determine a waterline level of the swimming pool or spa. Optionally, the determined waterline level may be provided on a user interface of an external device such as but not limited to a control box or a user device. An alert may be provided to a pool owner or other user based on the waterline level relative to a threshold waterline level. Optionally, at least one piece of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa may be controlled based on the determined waterline level.

Abstract: A pool or spa control system includes a sensor system with one or more sensors in contact with a main body of water. The sensor system measures water condition data of the body of water and is mounted on a wall submerged in the main body of water. The pool or spa control system also includes a modem that facilitates data communications between the sensor system and communication equipment positioned at a different location from the main body of water.

Abstract: A method of self-assigning an IP address to an item of pool or spa equipment can include randomly selecting, by the item of pool or spa equipment, an IP address from a predetermined IP address range. The method can also include transmitting, by the item of pool or spa equipment, the IP address and a serial number to a target parent node. Additionally, the method can include listening, by the item of pool or spa equipment, for a broadcast topology message from the target parent node. Further, the method can include determining, by the item of pool or spa equipment, that the IP address is valid based on the broadcast topology message and, upon determining that the IP address is valid, completing a startup process by the item of pool or spa equipment.

Abstract: A pool cleaner for a swimming pool or spa includes a pump with a flow outlet for directing a flow of water from the pump. The flow outlet includes a plurality of flow guides defining flow paths for the water, and, in some cases, the plurality of flow guides may guide the flow of water along a non-linear path. In certain cases, a height of the plurality of flow guides is less than a height of the flow outlet.