Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed herein. The APCs may include features designed to avoid, or reduce adverse effects of, clogging by debris. They also may include easily-removable fluid-powered motors should clogging nevertheless occur. The APCs may also include improved motive assemblies that help the APCs move about the swimming pool or other body of water without interruption.
Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners and components thereof are described. The cleaners may provide dual filtration of debris suspended in water of pools as well as a fluid path allowing some water to by-pass one of the two filters. They also may include any of all components such as multi-section inlet tubes, Venturi jets, nozzles exhausting water onto rotatable vanes, brushes, downforce turbines, and mechanisms for adjusting water flow through thrust jets or sweep tails.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 18, 2020
Publication date:
October 8, 2020
Applicant:
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
Inventors:
Dustin Borg, Fletcher Ewing, Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Michael Edward Moore
Abstract: Debris filters for automatic swimming pool cleaners may be formed of metal, carbon fibers, or composites more rigid than soft nylon bags. In at least one version, the filter may be made of, or include, steel or stainless steel. Non-uniform sizes, densities, and/or shapes of openings in the filtration material may be created to provide different levels of filtration in a single device.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 2, 2020
Publication date:
October 1, 2020
Applicant:
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
Inventors:
E. Keith McQueen, Remi Deloche, Louis Favie
Abstract: A bonding lug assembly includes a bonding lug and a set screw. The bonding lug includes a body that defines a first channel and a second channel. The first channel defines a first conductor path extending in a first direction, and the second channel defines a second conductor path extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The set screw is configured to selectively engage the bonding lug and retain a bonding conductor within at least one of the first channel or the second channel.
Abstract: Autonomous, mobile cleaners for water-containing vessels such as swimming pools and spas are detailed. The cleaners are especially useful for cleaning spas, although they may function adequately in connection with certain other vessels as well. They may be designed and constructed in particular to avoid high centering so as not to become stuck when encountering obstacles within the spas or other vessels.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 18, 2020
Publication date:
August 13, 2020
Applicant:
ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
Inventors:
Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Phillip Newman
Abstract: Assemblies designed to facilitate detection of water flow in low water flow situations. In some embodiments, the assembly includes a channel that narrows from an inlet end of the assembly to an outlet end of the assembly to increase the velocity of water flowing through the channel. In some embodiments, the assembly may also include a water delivery mechanism that delivers water flowing through the channel to a flow sensor and enables the detection of water flow, even in low flow situations.
Abstract: Detailed are valve assemblies principally for use as part of in-floor cleaning systems for swimming pools. The assemblies may use mechanisms for converting continuous rotation into discontinuous rotation, changing the timing of water distribution to different outlet of the assemblies. One such mechanism includes both an impeller, whose blades are rotated continuously by impingement of pressurized water, and a Geneva drive, whose driven wheel is rotated discontinuously by one or more associated drive wheels.
Abstract: Described is a lighting system that includes a lighting device and a switching device. The switching device controls application of lighting power to the lighting device. Further, the lighting system includes an automation system that includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon. The instructions are executable by a processing device to receive a lighting profile selection. Additionally, the instructions are executable to cycle the switching device to transmit a binary signal to the lighting device. The binary signal identifies the lighting profile selection and instructs the lighting device to emit a lighting profile identified by the binary signal.
Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners and components thereof are described. The cleaners may provide dual filtration of debris suspended in water of pools as well as a fluid path allowing some water to by-pass one of the two filters. They also may include any of all components such as multi-section inlet tubes, Venturi jets, nozzles exhausting water onto rotatable vanes, brushes, downforce turbines, and mechanisms for adjusting water flow through thrust jets or sweep tails.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 19, 2018
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2020
Assignee:
ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
Inventors:
Dustin Borg, Fletcher Ewing, Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Michael Edward Moore
Abstract: Communications capabilities are supplied to components of pool water recirculation systems, even if the components lack electrical power or supply wires. Capabilities may be furnished by wireless RF devices that connect to existing fittings or ports of the components, for example. The devices are configured to obtain desired information relating to the components (or the water within them) and transmit the information remotely for processing or consideration.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 4, 2020
Publication date:
June 25, 2020
Applicant:
ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
Inventors:
Mark J. Bauckman, Eugene Keith McQueen, Tawny Jean Cothran
Abstract: Systems and methods of (remotely) controlling aspects of pools and spas and of modifying water contained therein are detailed. Internet-enabled access to pool and spa controllers may happen without any need for users to create firewall ports or utilize static internet protocol addresses. Certain networking devices may be configured using a USB connection or SD card, avoiding any requirement for an Ethernet cable or supplying separate power to the devices during configuration. Time-varying data may be obtained in respect of one or more installations and analyzed for various information.
Abstract: Assemblies designed to facilitate detection of water flow in low water flow situations. In some embodiments, the assembly includes a channel that narrows from an inlet end of the assembly to an outlet end of the assembly to increase the velocity of water flowing through the channel. In some embodiments, the assembly may also include a water delivery mechanism that delivers water flowing through the channel to a flow sensor and enables the detection of water flow, even in low flow situations.
Abstract: Lighting assemblies principally for swimming pools and/or spas are disclosed herein, as well as related methods. The assemblies may be used to retrofit incandescent luminaires with light emitting diodes (LEDs). No need exists to move (or remove) elongated power cords associated with the luminaires, nor to replace any Edison-style plugs of the luminaires.
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: Control boxes with segregated low- and high-voltage components are described. Service technicians (or others) requiring access to one set of components may do so without necessarily accessing the other set. Dual user interfaces may be utilized, further, with one interface being present at the control box and the other being remote therefrom.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 10, 2019
Publication date:
May 7, 2020
Applicant:
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
Inventors:
Dindo Uy, Mark Bauckman, Hwa Heng, Krishna Desai, David Goldman
Abstract: Systems and methods of (remotely) controlling aspects of pools and spas and of modifying water contained therein are detailed. Internet-enabled access to pool and spa controllers may happen without any need for users to create firewall ports or utilize static internet protocol addresses. Certain networking devices may be configured using a USB connection or SD card, avoiding any requirement for an Ethernet cable or supplying separate power to the devices during configuration. Other devices may be configured wirelessly, without need of any USB connection or SD card. Time-varying data may be obtained in respect of one or more installations and analyzed for various information.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 2, 2020
Publication date:
April 30, 2020
Applicant:
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
Inventors:
E. Keith McQueen, David Nibler, Dindo Uy, David Goldman
Abstract: Systems and methods of (remotely) controlling aspects of pools and spas and of modifying water contained therein are detailed. Internet-enabled access to pool and spa controllers may happen without any need for users to create firewall ports or utilize static internet protocol addresses. Certain networking devices may be configured using a USB connection or SD card, avoiding any requirement for an Ethernet cable or supplying separate power to the devices during configuration. Time-varying data may be obtained in respect of one or more installations and analyzed for various information.
Abstract: Communications capabilities are supplied to components of pool water recirculation systems, even if the components lack electrical power or supply wires. Capabilities may be furnished by wireless RF devices that connect to existing fittings or ports of the components, for example. The devices are configured to obtain desired information relating to the components (or the water within them) and transmit the information remotely for processing or consideration.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 1, 2017
Date of Patent:
April 14, 2020
Assignee:
ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC
Inventors:
Mark J. Bauckman, Eugene Keith McQueen, Tawny Jean Cothran
Abstract: Systems and methods of (remotely) controlling aspects of pools and spas and of modifying water contained therein are detailed. Internet-enabled access to pool and spa controllers may happen without any need for users to create firewall ports or utilize static internet protocol addresses. Certain networking devices may be configured using a USB connection or SD card, avoiding any requirement for an Ethernet cable or supplying separate power to the devices during configuration. Other devices may be configured wirelessly, without need of any USB connection or SD card. Time-varying data may be obtained in respect of one or more installations and analyzed for various information.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 13, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 11, 2020
Assignee:
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
Inventors:
E. Keith McQueen, David Nibler, Dindo Uy, David Goldman
Abstract: Multi-position valve actuators principally for water-circulation systems of pools and spas are detailed. At least some actuators may indicate position of an associated valve in a non-electronic manner, as by using a handle visible externally of the actuator and directly or indirectly mechanically coupled to the valve so as to move therewith. Hence, even if power to an actuator is disrupted, positioning of the valve may be determined by viewing the handle.