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: 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: 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: 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 (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: 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 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: 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.

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 swimming pool cleaning apparatus (10) may include a body (11), a hydraulic circuit for liquid circulation between a liquid inlet (13) and a liquid outlet (14) and through a filtration chamber (17), driving and guiding members (12) of the body on a submerged surface, and defining a guide plane (XY), and an adjustment mechanism (30) for the orientation of a liquid flow, disposed at the outlet of the liquid outlet. The adjustment mechanism is adapted to direct the flow of liquid that escapes from the liquid outlet in (at least) two predefined directions, one of which (33) corresponds to a first direction inclined with respect to the guide plane and the other of which (32) corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to the guide plane.

Abstract: Freeze-protection systems and techniques are identified, particularly for equipment of swimming pools and spas. Included within structures subject to receiving water subject to freezing are means for accommodating expanded volumes of the water as it freezes. In this manner, the expanded volumes are less likely to cause damage to the structures themselves.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) may be used as a primary or sole water-circulation system of a pool or spa. The pool or spa hence need not employ dedicated water-circulation equipment, unlike conventional such vessels. In some cases, the APC includes a water treatment system for dispensing one or more chemicals for sanitizing (or otherwise treating) pool water.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are described. The connectors may be positioned on, at, in, or near bodies of the APCs and configured to be submerged in water of swimming pools. They additionally may be designed to withstand mechanical pulling stresses when their associated electrical cables are pulled by users to remove APCs from the pools. If such a connector is separable, essentially the entirety of the electrical cable may be separated from the APC for purposes of untangling or storing the cable, as examples. The separation additionally may allow for insertion of one or more extension cables as needed or desired.

Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) may include debris filters accessible from externally of the swimming pools in which the APCs are operating. The APCs may be programmed to climb to waterlines of the pools and present their debris filters above the waterlines for removal by users positioned outside the pools. Sensors may determine whether the filters have been reinstalled within the APCs, thus allowing the APCs to return to cleaning service.