Abstract: A pool automation system is connectable with one or more pieces of equipment associated with a swimming pool or spa. The pool automation system may receive a demand event with a requested load reduction, and the pool automation system may determine a demand response for the one or more pieces of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa based on the demand event and based on information gathered by the pool automation system about the at least one piece of equipment. The demand response may be based on a prioritization of the one or more pieces of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa. The pool automation system may implement control of the one or more pieces of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa responsive to the demand event.

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: Systems and methods of detecting when an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) has contacted a main drain cover or other object protruding from a surface of a swimming pool are described. An APC may include equipment for detecting a change in its pitch or yaw (or both its pitch and yaw). Changes in pitch and yaw may be determined as a function of time, identifying encounters of the APC with certain protruding objects.

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: Starting platform assemblies may be provided with swimming pools for competitive and/or recreational purposes. A starting platform assembly may include a frame supporting a starting platform. Starting platform assemblies may include various combinations of optional features such as but not limited to informational panels and displays, storage areas, side handles, backstroke bars, movable mounting steps, and/or wedge anchors.

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.

Abstract: Cleaning of a swimming pool may be facilitated by systems and methods for mapping a pool environment. Such mapping may occur in three dimensions when appropriate. At least some of the systems may include an apparatus for light detection and ranging (LIDAR) tethered to an automatic swimming pool cleaner.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner may operate within a pool during a cleaning cycle. The duration of the cleaning cycle may be tailored, or optimized, for the pool by determining a maximum length of time between, for example, a rotation of the cleaner and when it next detects a wall of the pool during a designated interval. As another example, deducing information relating to rotation speed of the cleaner also may be useful in determining the tailored cleaning cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming-pool cleaning apparatus which comprises: a body; at least one hydraulic circuit for circulating liquid between at least one liquid intake and at least one liquid outlet, and through a filtering device of the cleaning apparatus; a fluid-circulation pump installed in the hydraulic circuit downstream from the filtering device; means for adjusting the pressure inside the hydraulic circuit upstream from the circulation pump, in response to a detected variation of said pressure, said pressure-adjustment means comprising: at least one secondary liquid intake (21) connected to the hydraulic circuit, upstream from the circulation pump, said at least one secondary liquid intake (21) being provided with a valve (22) mounted rotatably movable about an axis of rotation, and with means for driving the valve from an open position to a closed position, said means for driving the valve comprising a float (26), the orientation and/or the force of which depend on the orientation of the cleani

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: Automatic swimming pool cleaners may include cable storage systems for storing an electrical cable on, in, or near a body of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. Some cable storage systems may include a cable storage device on the body of the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or on a cover for the body of the automatic swimming pool cleaner. Cable storage systems may additionally or alternatively include a cable storage device on the electrical cable. The automatic swimming pool cleaners may be configured and balanced to be supported by their rear portions essentially upright when stored.

Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners may include time-of-flight sensors. The sensors may operate underwater and transmit and receive light radiation. They may be useful especially in providing distance and angular information relating to location of a pool cleaner relative to a wall of, or object within, a pool.

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: 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: An oxygen generator outlet manifold assembly that includes an outlet manifold and an end cover. The outlet manifold includes a main body portion with inner and outer surfaces and at least a first hose connector that includes an outlet defined therein extending from the main body portion. The main body portion defines a main body portion interior that includes a connection opening defined in the inner surface, a ring chamber, a flow space and a distribution chamber. An annular ring is positioned in the main body portion chamber interior and separates the ring chamber from the distribution chamber. The end cover includes a generator outlet portion extending therefrom that is received in the connection opening. The generator outlet portion includes an outlet valve having an open and a closed state and includes an interior chamber that cooperates with the ring chamber to define an outlet chamber.

Abstract: A heat pump for a pool or spa may include a human-machine interface (HMI). The HMI of the heat pump may be movable relative to a housing or body of the heat pump such that regardless of the location and orientation of the installation of the body of the heat pump, the HMI may be positioned so that it is accessible to a user. A heat pump may additionally or alternatively include means for managing condensate created by operation of said heat pump.