Abstract: A pool cycling valve system with a pool cycling valve, a plurality of water zones, an interface, and a microcontroller. The pool cycling valve has a valve body with an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. Each of the plurality of water zones is configured to fluidly couple with a respective outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports. The interface is configured to receive input from a user for a user-selected sequence for activating each water zone, a user-selected duration of activate time per water zone, and a number of water pressure cycles for a particular water zone to receive prior to activation of a subsequent water zone. The interface is configured to communicate the input to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to intelligently and selectively discharge water to each of the plurality of water zones based on the input received from the interface.

Abstract: A pool cycling valve with a valve body, a ratchet assembly, and a bottom plate. The valve body has an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The ratchet assembly is rotatably coupled to the valve body and has a ratchet arm extending away from the ratchet assembly. When in a closed position, the ratchet assembly is configured to interfere with a stream of water. When in a open position, the ratchet assembly is rotated from the closed position by a predetermined angle. The bottom plate has an outlet port aperture aligned with one of the outlet ports and a ratchet tooth operably aligned with the ratchet arm. When the ratchet assembly rotates from the open position to the closed position, the ratchet assembly aligns the outlet port aperture with a different outlet port.

Abstract: A method for operating a pool cycling valve includes receiving a stream of water into a valve body through an inlet port to a ratchet assembly in a closed position configured to interfere with the stream of water flowing through the inlet port. Rotating the ratchet assembly from the closed position to an open position, directing the stream of water to a bottom plate outlet port aperture aligned with an outlet port of the valve body. Discharging the stream of water through the outlet port aperture and the outlet port. Rotating the ratchet assembly from the open position to the closed position. Aligning the outlet port aperture with a different outlet port in response to a water pressure change, such as a combination of an increase and a decrease in water pressure, within the valve body.

Abstract: A backwash filtration system comprising a backwash discharge port, a sedimentation collection and separation system, and a final filtration chamber. The backwash discharge port is coupled with a pool filter system and is configured to pass backwashed water from the pool filter system to the sedimentation collection and separation system. The sedimentation collection and separation system has a plurality of sedimentation chambers that are vertically stacked and a plurality of baffles configured to reduce the migration of sediment within the sedimentation chambers. A path for water flow passes down sequentially through each of the sedimentation chambers. The final filtration chamber receives the backwashed water from the sedimentation collection and separation system, filters the backwashed water through a final filtration medium, and passes the filtered water to a water return line of the pool filter system or to a pool of water.

Abstract: Pumping and water distribution systems for pools/spas, and methods for control thereof are provided. A system includes a pump including a variable speed motor, a controller configured to control the speed of the motor, a plurality of pool/spa components, a plumbing subsystem placing the components in fluidic communication with the pump, and a plurality of control valves switchable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the control valves is associated with one of the components, positioned in the plumbing subsystem between the associated component and the pump to control the flow of fluid to the associated component, and is configured to provide a specific flow rate of fluid to the associated component based on a set system pressure when in the open position. The controller adjusts the speed of the motor to adjust the fluid pressure within the plumbing subsystem to match the set system pressure value.

Abstract: A method for simultaneous filtration and non-discharge backwash operation of a pool filter. Water is received from a pool of water and passed to a control valve having a backwash nozzle aligned with a first filtration chamber. The water is forced down through all of the filtration chambers except the first filtration chamber and forced up through the first filtration chamber. The backwash nozzle is aligned with a second filtration chamber. The water is forced down through all of the filtration chambers except the second filtration chamber and forced up through the second filtration chamber. The water is passed through the backwash nozzle and an internal backwash valve to a sedimentation collection and separation system, where sediment is settled out of the water and the water is filtered through a final filtration media within the final filtration chamber. The water is returned to the pool of water.

Abstract: A pool filter system comprising a plurality of filtration chambers configured to filter pool water, a water supply inlet, a water return line, and a control valve. The water supply inlet is configured to receive unfiltered water from a pool of water. The water return line is configured to return filtered water to the pool of water. The control valve receives water from the water supply inlet. The control valve has a backwash nozzle configured to rotate and sequentially align with each of the plurality of filtration chambers. The backwash nozzle has a first position aligned with a first filtration chamber and a second position aligned with a second filtration chamber. The control valve is configured to backwash water through the first filtration chamber when the backwash nozzle is in the first position and through the second filtration chamber when the backwash nozzle is in the second position.

Abstract: A pool return fitting assembly with a pool return body, a pool return cover with an opening aligned with the pool return body's opening. The outer surface of the pool return cover may include an uneven surface bordering the opening with barriers projecting out from the pool return cover away from the pool return body, the barriers separated by channels in fluid communication with the opening through the pool return cover. A fin is positioned within the opening of the pool return cover and tapers towards the interior surface of the pool return body as the fin extends farther away from the pool return cover.

Abstract: Swimming pool in-floor cleaning heads may be used to variably clean a swimming pool floor by raising a nozzle head positioned on a step of the swimming pool under water and having at least first and second nozzle openings directed in different directions toward surfaces of the step, and simultaneously ejecting first and second streams of water from the first and second nozzle openings toward, respective, first and second portions of the step, variably rotating the nozzle head in a first rotational direction, retracting the nozzle head flush with an inner surface of the swimming pool, and in some cases incrementally rotating the nozzle head in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A pool return fitting assembly with a pool return body, a pool return cover with an opening aligned with the pool return body's opening. The outer surface of the pool return cover may include an uneven surface bordering the opening with barriers projecting out from the pool return cover away from the pool return body, the barriers separated by channels in fluid communication with the opening through the pool return cover. A fin is positioned within the opening of the pool return cover and tapers towards the interior surface of the pool return body as the fin extends farther away from the pool return cover.

Abstract: A pool skimmer including a skimmer housing and a venturi system is disclosed. The skimmer housing includes a pool throat opening, an angled pool throat extension. A pump inlet port into the skimmer housing includes an upper end and bayonet lugs, and an internally threaded surface between the bayonet lugs and the upper end of the pump inlet port. A nozzle comprises a nozzle housing with bayonets on an external surface of the nozzle housing, the bayonets releasably engaged with the bayonet lugs of the pump inlet port, wherein when the bayonets of the nozzle housing are in a fully tightened position in relation to the bayonet lugs of the pump inlet port, the at least a first nozzle is directed to spray toward the pool return port of the skimmer housing.

Abstract: A pool return fitting assembly with a pool return body, a pool return cover with an opening aligned with the pool return body's opening. The outer surface of the pool return cover may include an uneven surface bordering the opening with barriers projecting out from the pool return cover away from the pool return body, the barriers separated by channels in fluid communication with the opening through the pool return cover. A fin is positioned within the opening of the pool return cover and tapers towards the interior surface of the pool return body as the fin extends farther away from the pool return cover.

Abstract: Swimming pool in-floor cleaning heads may be used to variably clean a swimming pool floor by raising a nozzle head positioned on a step of the swimming pool under water and having at least first and second nozzle openings directed in different directions toward surfaces of the step, and simultaneously ejecting first and second streams of water from the first and second nozzle openings toward, respective, first and second portions of the step, variably rotating the nozzle head in a first rotational direction, retracting the nozzle head flush with an inner surface of the swimming pool, and in some cases incrementally rotating the nozzle head in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A pool skimmer basket includes a basket rim, a basket bottom opposite the basket rim, and a lower basket portion. The lower basket portion includes porous sidewalls positioned between the basket rim and the basket bottom. The pool skimmer basket also includes a fluid inlet above a first part of the basket rim, and within a perimeter of the basket rim. The pool skimmer basket also includes a fluid outlet below a second part of the basket rim, and above the basket bottom. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a swimming pool water circulation system. A method may include sensing the electrical current supplied to a variable speed pump to determine when the pump changes speeds and selectively supplying water to one or more ancillary equipment such that the ancillary equipment maintains sufficient water flow to operate. A system may include a multi-speed pump that generates water flow above a first rate, a controller configured to sense a reduction in power drawn by the multi-speed pump below a setpoint, and responsively communicate to the ancillary equipment to suspend operation of the ancillary equipment.

Abstract: A pool skimmer including a skimmer housing and a venturi system is disclosed. The skimmer housing includes a pool throat opening, a deck throat opening, a basket opening within the skimmer housing, a skimmer rim, a skimmer bottom distal the deck throat opening, one or more pump suction ports on the skimmer bottom, and a pool return port. The venturi system includes a pump inlet port extending through the skimmer bottom and a first venturi nozzle in fluid communication with the pump inlet port and directed towards the pool return port. The venturi system may include at least a second nozzle in fluid communication with the pump inlet port and directed to a lower portion of the pool return port, with the first nozzle being directed to a center of the pool return port. The pump suction ports and the pump inlet port may be offset from one another.

Abstract: A pool return fitting assembly with a pool return body, a pool return cover with an opening aligned with the pool return body's opening. The outer surface of the pool return cover may include an uneven surface bordering the opening with barriers projecting out from the pool return cover away from the pool return body, the barriers separated by channels in fluid communication with the opening through the pool return cover. A fin is positioned within the opening of the pool return cover and tapers towards the interior surface of the pool return body as the fin extends farther away from the pool return cover.

Abstract: A pool skimmer including a skimmer housing and a venturi system is disclosed. The skimmer housing includes a pool throat opening, an angled pool throat extension. A pump inlet port into the skimmer housing includes an upper end and bayonet lugs, and an internally threaded surface between the bayonet lugs and the upper end of the pump inlet port. A nozzle comprises a nozzle housing with bayonets on an external surface of the nozzle housing, the bayonets releasably engaged with the bayonet lugs of the pump inlet port, wherein when the bayonets of the nozzle housing are in a fully tightened position in relation to the bayonet lugs of the pump inlet port, the at least a first nozzle is directed to spray toward the pool return port of the skimmer housing.

Abstract: A pool skimmer including an upper skimmer housing, a lower skimmer housing, a channel, and a fluid path is disclosed. The upper skimmer housing includes a pool throat opening having an upper wall and a lower wall, a deck throat opening, and a skimmer rim. The channel extends from a channel lower end positioned between the skimmer rim and an outer wall of the upper skimmer housing to a channel upper end positioned at an elevation that is least halfway between the lower wall and the upper wall. The lower skimmer housing includes a pump inlet port, a pool return port, and one or more pump suction ports. The fluid path extends from the one or more suction ports to the channel to allow fluid communication between the one or more suction ports and the channel upper end when a basket is mounted to the skimmer rim.

Abstract: A pool skimmer basket includes a basket rim, a basket bottom opposite the basket rim, and a lower basket portion. The lower basket portion includes porous sidewalls positioned between the basket rim and the basket bottom. The pool skimmer basket also includes a fluid inlet above a first part of the basket rim, and within a perimeter of the basket rim. The pool skimmer basket also includes a fluid outlet below a second part of the basket rim, and above the basket bottom. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication.