Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner may include a modular battery block attachable to a component of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. The modular battery block may include at least one battery or other source of electrical power that is accessible from externally of the chassis. A venting system or arrangement may be included for venting the modular battery block, such as venting gas produced by at least one battery. Supplying electrical power to an automatic swimming pool cleaner having a chassis and an motor may include (i) attaching a modular battery block to the chassis so as to form an integrated device, and (ii) causing an electrical connection within the integrated device between the motor and at least one battery of the modular battery block.

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: A swimming pool cleaner may include motive elements intentionally driven in an unbalanced manner. This unbalanced driving may allow a cleaner to maintain contact with (“hug”) walls of a pool, allowing the cleaner to, e.g., obtain information allowing mapping of the pool perimeter.

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.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electrically disconnecting a battery of battery-powered swimming pool cleaners or other swimming pool equipment based on water sensing are described. An example system may include a sensing circuit to detect the presence of water, a power circuit to direct power to an electrical load, and a disabling circuit. The disabling circuit may be configured to receive a signal from the sensing circuit, and, in response, disable the power circuit from powering the electrical load.

Abstract: A fuel tank with a venting system includes a flap for closing and opening a vent made in the tank. The flap is coupled to a float. The flap includes a valve coupled to a second float mounted in a hinged manner in the tank so that the valve adopts a closed position, being pushed by the second float when the level of fuel in the tank reaches a certain threshold, and an open venting position in order to prevent overpressure within the tank, being driven by the second float when the level of fuel is below the threshold and the force exerted by the internal pressure on the valve is less than the sum of the forces exerted on the valve by the atmospheric pressure and by the weight of the second float.

Abstract: A floating platform dimensioned and configured to receive and transport an automated pool cleaner on the surface of the water is disclosed. For convenience, the floating platform is referred to as a pontoon. The pontoon is also configured to control the retrieval of the pool cleaner. The pontoon includes a buoyant housing having a first end and a second end. An inclined platform ramp is positioned in the pontoon housing at an angle from the first end towards the second end. The pontoon includes a winch for winding and unwinding a cable connected to the pool cleaner to thereby selectively release and retrieve the cleaner.

Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) may include separate chassis and bodies. Such constructions may facilitate assembly and disassembly of certain components of the APCs, with or without using tools. APCs with separate chassis and bodies may enable quick and easy access to motor assemblies of the APC, and bodies of the APCs may be readily interchanged on a common chassis.

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 system is provided for improving functionality and performance of ABR framework, so as to preemptively compensate for additional latencies arising as result of having an additional control channel associated with ABR Control Engine which runs as a standalone entity separated physically or logically from ABR Media Player running on a Consumer device. The system comprises a set of software and/or hardware-based components implementing ABR Fetch-Processor or functionally similar design, wherein the ABR Fetch-Processor provided as the software or hardware component is plugged in between Media Pipeline of the Consumer Device and distributed embodiment of the ABR framework.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool cleaning system comprising a cleaning apparatus (10) to be immersed in the pool, the system further comprising at least one moving image acquisition means (30) secured to a float (31) via a flexible tie (32).

Abstract: Bypass mechanisms especially useful for automatic swimming pool cleaners are described. Such a mechanism may facilitate climbing of generally vertical walls by the cleaners. When a cleaner is to be extracted from a swimming pool, the mechanism additionally may assist in draining water from within the body of the cleaner to facilitate extraction.

Abstract: Swimming pool cleaners may operate autonomously within pools and spas. The cleaners need not include any external hoses or cords, and their bodies may be oriented at pool waterlines so as to make their on-board filters readily accessible for removal. The cleaners may dock at docking stations for various purposes, including (but not limited to) for charging any on-board battery and communicating electronically with the docking station or other external equipment.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein provide control of a lighting system, such as a pool lighting system. The pool lighting system includes an integrated control device that includes both a transformer and a controller. Lighting devices are powered by power from the transformer using power lines and controlled using power line communication (PLC) signals sent over the same power lines.

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.

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: 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: 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: Low head loss systems are detailed. The systems may include chambers having low impedance to water flow therethrough and repositionable gates or other valves within the chambers. The valves may direct water as a function of whether an associated heating device is active. At least some gates may incorporate poppet valves or other high-flow by-passes.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved locking mechanisms for vessels, including both pressure and vacuum/suction vessels, used in swimming pool and spa equipment. These improved locking mechanisms provide a more robust, reliable seal between the lid and the body of the vessel, and include features that make moving the vessel between its sealed and unsealed positions easier. More specifically, the locking mechanisms include features that allow the lid to move into its sealed position when the locking ring is rotated relative to the vessel in a first direction, and that allow the lid to release from its sealed position and lift off the body when the locking ring is rotated relative to the vessel in a second direction opposite the first direction.