Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. Wichmann
Jeffrey A. Wichmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8082617Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. The cleaners may employ filter bags with novel stiffeners to help retain their optimal debris-collection shapes in use. They additionally may include bags made of material having sanitizing properties or additives, allowing water sanitization to occur as water flows through the bags themselves. Cleaners described herein further may include discs having generally radial but non-linear slits to facilitate navigation in particular conditions and fix buoyant material within a collar by which a bag is attached to a body of the device.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2005Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wichmann, Richard A. Varga
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Publication number: 20100270337Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE, INC.Inventors: CHARLES T. GREEN, Jeffrey A. Wichmann
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Patent number: 7770815Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.Inventors: Charles T. Green, Jeffrey A. Wichmann
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Publication number: 20090100589Abstract: An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: David J. Peterson, JR., Hassan Hamza, Kenneth A. Peterson, Jeffrey A. Wichmann
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Publication number: 20070056124Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. The cleaners may employ filter bags with novel stiffeners to help retain their optimal debris-collection shapes in use. They additionally may include bags made of material having sanitizing properties or additives, allowing water sanitization to occur as water flows through the bags themselves. Cleaners described herein further may include discs having generally radial but non-linear slits to facilitate navigation in particular conditions and fix buoyant material within a collar by which a bag is attached to a body of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2005Publication date: March 15, 2007Inventors: Jeffrey Wichmann, Richard Varga
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Publication number: 20060177325Abstract: An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2006Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: David Peterson, Hassan Hamza, Kenneth Peterson, Jeffrey Wichmann
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Patent number: 7001159Abstract: An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.Inventors: David J. Peterson, Jr., Hassan Hamza, Kenneth A. Peterson, Jeffrey A. Wichmann
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Publication number: 20050158195Abstract: An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2005Publication date: July 21, 2005Inventors: David Peterson, Hassan Hamza, Kenneth Peterson, Jeffrey Wichmann
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Patent number: 6665900Abstract: An improved 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 a hydraulically contoured external housing having a stabilizer float integrated with a carrying handle at an elevated rearward location. The pool cleaner additionally incorporates modular components including a simplified mast unit and related water distribution manifold for delivery of water under pressure to a water turbine drive unit for rotatably driving cleaner wheels to travel over submerged pool surfaces, with a portion of the pressurized water inducing a vacuum action for collecting debris within a porous filter bag. The modular components are mounted on an internal frame which is quickly and easily accessible for service or maintenance by removal of the external housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Polaris Pool SystemsInventors: Jeffrey A. Wichmann, Gerhardus J. Stoltz, Arunabh Lath
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Publication number: 20030182742Abstract: An improved 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 a hydraulically contoured external housing having a stabilizer float integrated with a carrying handle at an elevated rearward location. The pool cleaner additionally incorporates modular components including a simplified mast unit and related water distribution manifold for delivery of water under pressure to a water turbine drive unit for rotatably driving cleaner wheels to travel over submerged pool surfaces, with a portion of the pressurized water inducing a vacuum action for collecting debris within a porous filter bag. The modular components are mounted on an internal frame which is quickly and easily accessible for service or maintenance by removal of the external housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wichmann, Gerhardus J. Stoltz, Arunabh Lath
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Publication number: 20020170129Abstract: A magnetic control valve is provided in a suction powered pool cleaner of the type for vacuuming dirt and debris from submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool. The pool cleaner comprises a head defining a suction inlet for vacuum inflow of water and debris into a plenum chamber, and further through a suction tube adapted for connection via a vacuum hose to a conventional pool water filtration system. The control valve includes an oscillatory valve member movable between open and substantially closed positions relative to an upstream end of the suction tube to produce pressure fluctuations causing the cleaner to advance in steps over submerged pool surfaces. Oscillatory driving of the valve head is assisted by permanent magnets mounted on the valve member and cleaner head to generate repulsion forces as the valve head respectively approaches the open and closed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Thomas E. Veloskey, Justin A. Forbes, Jeffrey A. Wichmann, Ronald J. Sargent
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Patent number: 6473928Abstract: A magnetic control valve is provided in a suction powered pool cleaner of the type for vacuuming dirt and debris from submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool. The pool cleaner comprises a head defining a suction inlet for vacuum inflow of water and debris into a plenum chamber, and further through a suction tube adapted for connection via a vacuum hose to a conventional pool water filtration system. The control valve includes an oscillatory valve member movable between open and substantially closed positions relative to an upstream end of the suction tube to produce pressure fluctuations causing the cleaner to advance in steps over submerged pool surfaces. Oscillatory driving of the valve head is assisted by permanent magnets mounted on the valve member and cleaner head to generate repulsion forces as the valve head respectively approaches the open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Veloskey, Justin A. Forbes, Jeffrey A. Wichmann, Ronald J. Sargent
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Patent number: 6397408Abstract: A ramped cap unit is provided for installation into a swimming pool in a position covering a main pool drain equipped with an upstanding antivortex safety drain cover plate, wherein the ramped cap unit has a smoothly contoured shape to permit a pool cleaner device to travel thereover without interrupting or obstructing cleaning operation. The cap unit comprises a generally inverted saucer defining a smoothly sloping and convex or ramped upwardly presented surface having a diametric size and shape to fit over the safety drain cover plate. An array of ribs formed on the underside of the cap unit engage an outer periphery of the upstanding cover plate to retain the cap unit in position thereon. A large plurality of vents are formed in the cap unit at spaced-apart locations to permit downward water flow therethrough substantially without disrupting the antivortex and safety functions of the underlying drain cover plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Veloskey, Jeffrey A. Wichmann
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Patent number: D469589Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wichmann, Gerhardus J. Stoltz, Arunabh Lath, Steven E. Smart, David A. Klimas, David J. Peterson, Jr.
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Patent number: D418640Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1998Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Veloskey, Jeffrey A. Wichmann, Charles S. Curbbun, Kevin D. Simmons