Abstract: A docking system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner includes a dock and an underwater-facing camera. The underwater-facing camera ay be provided to monitor the automatic swimming pool cleaner underwater. A method of controlling an automatic swimming pool cleaner may include using information obtained from a camera on a dock of a docking system to control the automatic swimming pool cleaner.

Abstract: A docking system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner includes a dock and a sensor. The sensor may obtain information about the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or for controlling the APC or other equipment for a swimming pool or spa. A method includes controlling an automatic swimming pool cleaner based on information obtained by a sensor on a dock of a docking system. A pool system may include a light source on a pool light and/or a user device, and the automatic swimming pool cleaner may be controlled based on a light-based signal from the pool light and/or the user device.

Abstract: Pool equipment for a swimming pool or spa may include a sealable cavity, and the sealable cavity may allow a flow of water through the cavity and maintain the cavity with water when the flow of water is disrupted or halted. Optionally, a probe and/or a water treatment feature may be within the cavity. The cavity may be within a body cavity defined by a body of the pool equipment or outside of the body cavity.

Abstract: A water sensing system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) may include one or more water sensing probes on or proximate to the APC. In some embodiments, the at least one water sensing probe may be inside the APC, outside the APC, and/or proximate to but spaced apart from the APC, such as but not limited to on cabling of the APC.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pool cleaning apparatus including: a cleaning unit (100), at least one hydraulic system for circulating a liquid between at least one liquid inlet (103) and at least one liquid outlet (104) and through a filtration device of the cleaning unit (100), a pump suitable for forcing the circulation of water between the liquid inlet (103) and the liquid outlet (104) and through the filtration device, drive and guide means for moving the cleaning unit, and means for controlling said drive and guide means. The pool cleaning apparatus includes at least one debris detection means placed in the hydraulic system of the cleaning unit (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to a pool cleaning apparatus including: a cleaning unit (100), at least one hydraulic system for circulating a liquid between at least one liquid inlet (103) and at least one liquid outlet (104) and through a filtration device of the cleaning unit (100), a pump suitable for forcing the circulation of water between the liquid inlet (103) and the liquid outlet (104) and through the filtration device, drive and guide means for moving the cleaning unit, and means for controlling said drive and guide means. The pool cleaning apparatus includes at least one debris detection means placed in the hydraulic system of the cleaning unit (100).

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) includes a body having a fluid outlet and a nozzle assembly for controlling an orientation of fluid flow exiting the fluid outlet. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle with a plurality of blades that are rotatable relative to the outlet. The nozzle assembly may also include an actuator and a transmitter for automatically rotating the blades and for automatically controlling the orientation of the fluid flow exiting the fluid outlet.

Abstract: Swimming pool cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning unit intended to be immersed in a swimming pool and at least one liquid filter circuit between at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet via a filter chamber removable from the body of the cleaning unit. The filter chamber may include a cover and a filter basket. The cover may include components for fastening the filter basket and locking the filter chamber to the body of the cleaning unit. The locking component may be releasable and, when released, may cause an extraction handle to be deployed from the filter chamber and urged toward a predetermined position.

Abstract: A charging system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) includes one or more electrical contacts and a protection system that selectively prevents access to and/or or allows contact with the one or more electrical contacts. In some cases, the protection system may selectively clean the one or more electrical contacts. In certain cases, the protection system may prevent access to and/or allow contact with the one or more electrical contacts based on a position of the APC.

Abstract: Brushes for robotic or other automatic swimming pool cleaners may include circumferentially-spaced blades extending radially from cylindrical cores. The blades beneficially are not longitudinally continuous, however. Instead, some or all of the blades are discontinuous along the lengths of the cores, creating fluid-flow paths tending to reduce the pump blade effect when the cleaners are operating.

Abstract: A pool system includes a visual communication system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC). The visual communication system includes a reflective surface for conveying visual information. The reflective surface is on at least one of the APC, a trolley for the APC, or a docking station for the APC. In some cases, the visual communication system includes an indicator, and the reflective surface conveys optical information from the indicator to a separate location.

Abstract: Charging systems and devices for automatic swimming pool cleaners may include one or more electrical contacts with corrosion mitigation features. Such electrical contacts may be on the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or the charging system. The corrosion mitigation features may include a material of the electrical contacts and/or a surface treatment of the electrical contacts. Charging or recharging of the automatic swimming pool cleaner using the charging systems may be controlled based on a detection of water on the one or more electrical contacts.

Abstract: A guiding system for a swimming pool provides external stimuli defining a path that is detectable by an automatic swimming pool cleaner. The path extends both vertically and horizontally in the swimming pool or spa. In some cases, the external stimuli define a transit path for the APC in a swimming pool or spa.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool cleaning system comprising a cleaning apparatus to be immersed in the pool, the system further comprising at least one moving image acquisition means secured to a float via a flexible tie.

Abstract: A cleaning system for swimming pools and spas may include an automatic swimming pool cleaner and an anti-theft system for the automatic swimming pool cleaner. In some cases, the anti-theft system may be an active system generating an active response based on a safety situation. Additionally or alternatively, the anti-theft system may provide increased prevention and/or deterrence to theft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool cleaning system comprising a cleaning apparatus to be immersed in the pool, the system further comprising at least one moving image acquisition means secured to a float via a flexible tie.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner system includes an automatic swimming pool cleaner and optionally a control box. The automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or the control box may display a temperature measurement of a swimming pool determined by the automatic swimming pool cleaner within the swimming pool on the control box associated with the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or on the automatic swimming pool cleaner. A method includes displaying on an automatic swimming pool cleaner or on the control box associated with the automatic swimming pool cleaner a temperature measurement of a swimming pool determined by the automatic swimming pool cleaner within the swimming pool.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) for swimming pools and spas may skim a waterline of a swimming pool or spa while the APC is on a surface of the swimming pool or spa. The APC may include two inlets—a first inlet may receive or collect water during a surface-cleaning operation of the APC, and a second inlet may receive or collect water during a skimming operation of the APC. Optionally, at least one of the two inlets is adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

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: Apparatus and methods for counteracting, e.g., drift of automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. In particular, a drifting cleaner may recover its movement by altering traction speed of the motive element(s) on one side of its body. Such alteration may occur when the cleaner is travelling along a generally horizontally-oriented pool bottom, climbing up or down a wall, or otherwise moving within a pool.