Abstract: Adjustable nozzles are disclosed. Nozzles of the present invention include an adjustable component for controlling the water flow through the nozzle. Instead of disassembling the nozzle, a tool may be used to adjust the adjustable component. For example, the adjustable component may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the axis of the nozzle or rotationally using the tool, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume, velocity and distance of the water stream exiting the nozzle.

Abstract: Adjustable nozzles are disclosed. Nozzles of the present invention include an adjustable component for controlling the water flow through the nozzle. Instead of disassembling the nozzle, a tool may be used to adjust the adjustable component. For example, the adjustable component may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the axis of the nozzle or rotationally using the tool, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume, velocity and distance of the water stream exiting the nozzle.

Abstract: An automatic pool cleaner is provided of the type for random travel over submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool or the like to dislodge and collect debris. The pool cleaner includes an electric-powered traction drive system for rotatably driving cleaner wheels, and an electric-powered water management system including a water supply pump and related manifold unit for venturi-vacuuming and collection of settled debris within a porous filter bag. A directional control system including an on-board compass monitors turning movements of the pool cleaner during normal random travel operation, and functions to regulate the traction drive system in a manner to prevent, e.g., excess twisting of a conduit such as a power cable tethered to the pool cleaner.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of pH in water where hydroxyl ions are being produced by adding to the water an amount of transition metal salt sufficient to bind with hydroxyl into a slightly soluble or insoluble reaction product, thereby removing sufficient hydroxyl ion from the water to lower the pH thereof. This technique is particularly suitable for pH control in pool or spa water that is sanitized using chemical or electrolytic chlorination, where the sanitation process causes the pH in the water to rise. The invention also relates to apparatus for dispensing water treatment materials to water, and to methods for controlling phosphate levels and algae in water.

Abstract: Overmolding of softer materials onto ends of rigid plastic pipes is detailed. The pipes typically are components of automatic swimming pool cleaners and connect to valves made of softer, flexible material. Because of the overmolding, flexing of the valves during operation of the cleaners does not cause significant wear of the valves in the regions where they connect to the pipes.

Abstract: A pressure type pool cleaner includes a head propelled forwardly over a surface. Water pumped to the head drives wheels turbine fashion; inducts debris into a cleaner system; and is ejected via a thrust nozzle onto a guide and thence along a thrust line to thrust the head along the line. A pivoted director mounts the guide and includes a surface member exposed to the water. During forward movement, water pressure on the member counteracts jet stream pressure on the guide and maintains the guide's orientation for the thrust line to pass closely above a wheel rotation axis. When an obstacle stops forward motion, pressure on the member and its counteracting stop, the guide is reoriented and redirects the thrust to well below the axis to pivot the head about the axis to assist the wheels to scale the obstacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.

Abstract: An improved hose clasp for supporting a filter bag in a generally upright orientation on a pool cleaner as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,863,425; 4,558,479; and 3,822,754. The hose clasp includes a generally cylindrical split collar having separable free ends including a pair of radially outwardly extending clasp arms. The clasp arms are springably separable to permit placement of the split collar onto a supply hose or the like coupled to the pool cleaner. The clasp arms are notched to accommodate movement to an interlocked cross-over position, with a boss on one of the clasp arms protruding through a lock port in the other clasp arm. A leash member such as a ported tab carried by the filter bag is fitted over the boss in a position interposed between the interlocked clasp arms to support the filter bag relative to the supply hose.

Abstract: Systems for controlling aspects of recreational or other environments are described. Such systems are especially, but not exclusively, useful for controlling either or both of pool or spa settings and operations and include equipment that may be connected, in any appropriate way, to personal or other computers or other components capable of accepting and processing input. Operations of the systems additionally are capable of being simulated through software.