Abstract: A control system for a swimming pool or spa may detect a water level of the swimming pool or spa. The water level may be detected based on information from an APC, information from an environmental sensor, and/or information from an optical sensor. In various embodiments, the control system may determine or estimate a cause of water displacement based on the received information from the APC, environmental sensors, and/or optical sensors.

Abstract: A pool cover for a swimming pool or spa may provide a changeable or adjustable visual indication. A method of controlling the pool cover may include controlling a visual indicator on the pool cover. A pool cover for a swimming pool or spa may include a surface water sensor for detecting at least one characteristic of water accumulated on the pool cover.

Abstract: Described are apparatus, systems, and methods of improving cleaning of, e.g., stairs of swimming pools. Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) capable of autonomous movement within water-containing vessels may be utilized to provide enhanced cleaning of sections of the vessels containing stairs or other angled surfaces.

Abstract: A debris control system for a swimming pool or spa may receive environmental data for the swimming pool or spa, predict debris conditions in the swimming pool or spa based on the received environmental data, and generate a control response based on the predicted debris conditions. A skimming system for a swimming pool or spa may include an actuated weir door. A method of creating a cleaning effect in a swimming pool or spa includes actuating a weir door.

Abstract: A pool vision system may include a camera and a controller. A method of controlling equipment of a swimming pool or spa using the pool vision system may include receiving visual data from the camera having a field of view including the equipment and identify the equipment in the visual data and determining an operational state of the equipment based on the visual data. The method incudes comparing the determined operational state of the equipment with an expected operational state of the equipment and generating a control response based on a difference between the determined operational state of the equipment and the expected operational state of the equipment.

Abstract: Pool equipment for swimming pools and spas may include pumps, heaters, filters, pool lights, sensors, automatic pool cleaners, and/or other pieces of equipment. Such pool equipment may include a near-field communication chip, and near-field communication may be used to send information to the pool equipment (including energizing the pool equipment) and/or to receive information from the pool equipment.

Abstract: A pool cleaning system for cleaning debris from a submerged surface of a swimming pool includes a self-propelled pool cleaner having rotatably-mounted supports for supporting and guiding the cleaner on the pool surface; an electric motor for enabling the rotation of the rotatably-mounted supports on the pool surface; at least one camera to capture imagery of the pool surface; a controller, in electronic communication with the at least one camera, to determine a cleanliness characteristic of the pool surface on which the cleaner has passed based on the camera imagery and generate a control signal to direct movement of the cleaner based on the cleanliness characteristic of the pool surface, and a portable electronic device configured to present a graphic on a display, the graphic depicting the submerged surface of the pool and those portions of the surface that remain uncleaned as the cleaner traverses the pool surface.

Abstract: A method for managing pool and spa connections is described. The method may involve maintaining a first set of permitted connections to the controller, the permitted connections including at least one pool or spa device connection and at least one pool or spa equipment connection. The method may further involve receiving a connection update instruction to adjust the first set of the permitted connections. The method may further involve updating the first set of permitted connections to define a second set of permitted connections.

Abstract: “Just in time” operational techniques allow equipment of swimming pools or spas to achieve identified water temperatures at specified times. A user may supply information such as a desired water temperature (i.e. a temperature set point) and a time at which the water is desired to be at the desired temperature. After receiving the user-supplied information, software may account as well for certain environmental conditions to devise a suitable schedule for controlling heating of the water of the swimming pool or spa. Adjustments may be made to the schedule based on then-current water temperatures or other changed conditions.

Abstract: Described are apparatus, systems, and methods of improving cleaning of, e.g., stairs of swimming pools. Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) capable of autonomous movement within water-containing vessels may be utilized to provide enhanced cleaning of sections of the vessels containing stairs or other angled surfaces.

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.

Abstract: A sensor system for swimming pools and spas is detailed herein. The sensor system can include one or more sensors positioned in a sensor housing located within a cavity of a pipe and in-line with an inlet and an outlet of the pipe. The sensor housing can divert a portion of water flowing through the cavity to an interior of the sensor housing and to an area around the sensors and maintain at least some of the diverted water in the area around the sensors even if the water is not flowing through or is drained from the pipe.

Abstract: A light controller for pool lighting systems is detailed herein. The light controller can include a switch mechanism for controlling light settings of a lighting device. Switch positions of the switch mechanism can each correspond to a different light program. When a switch is positioned at one of the switch positions, the light controller can display one or more corresponding light settings of the light program corresponding to the switch position. A user may select a light setting for the pool lighting systems based on the displayed light settings. In response to the light setting being selected, the lighting device can cause the pool lighting systems to output the selected light setting of the light program.

Abstract: “Just in time” operational techniques allow equipment of swimming pools or spas to achieve identified water temperatures at specified times. A user may supply information such as a desired water temperature (i.e. a temperature set point) and a time at which the water is desired to be at the desired temperature. After receiving the user-supplied information, software may account as well for certain environmental conditions to devise a suitable schedule for controlling heating of the water of the swimming pool or spa. Adjustments may be made to the schedule based on then-current water temperatures or other changed conditions.

Abstract: Skimming devices may use pressurized water from, for example, a return line of a swimming pool or spa. The devices may be adjustable vertically and levelled relative to an upper water surface (waterline) of a pool. They additionally may create “blades” of debris-laden pool water entering their floating heads so as to move debris smoothly and efficiently over wings or foils into associated filters.

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.

Abstract: Nicheless lighting assemblies principally for swimming pools and spa are detailed. The lighting assemblies include features configured to dissipate heat. The assemblies additionally are designed to reduce possibility of water intrusion. Some versions of the assemblies may include thermally-conductive plastic overmolded onto at least one of a lens or a heat spreader. Versions of the assemblies additionally or alternatively may include a generally annular heat sink to which a printed circuit board containing at least one light-emitting diode (LED) is attached. Versions of the assemblies may be divided into subassemblies, one subassembly fitting into another, or include protective covers.

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 lift and extraction system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner may facilitate removal from the of the automatic swimming pool cleaner from a swimming pool, deployment of the automatic swimming pool cleaner into a swimming pool, and/or storage of the automatic swimming pool cleaner outside of the swimming pool. The lift and extraction systems may include a frame, motive elements, and one or more engagement features for selectively engaging and positioning the automatic swimming pool cleaner relative to the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are pumps designed to make priming more efficient and therefore reduce priming time. The disclosed pumps include one or more deflection structures that prevent fluid moving through a diffuser of the pump from continuing in a circular path and instead divert the fluid in a different direction that leads directly to an outlet of the pump. This deflection reduces air bubble accumulation inside the pump while priming and makes it easier for air to escape through the pump outlet. Making it easier for air to escape the pump outlet ultimately allows air to escape the pump faster during priming, reducing back pressure caused by trapped air pockets inside the pump and improving priming performance.