Abstract: A method for cleaning the bottom of a pool uses an automated programmed pool cleaner capable of reversing movement and turning that is initially placed at an arbitrary location on the bottom of the pool and moved in a forward direction until it encounters an upright pool wall; the unit is reversed until it is a first predetermined distance from the wall, turned through a predetermined angle less than 180° and advanced until it again encounters an upright wall; these steps are repeated until the unit has encountered upright walls a predetermined number of times, after which the first predetermined distance is changed to one or more subsequent predetermined distances. All of the previous steps are repeated until all or substantially all of the pool has been cleaned. In a preferred embodiment, a rectangular pool is cleaned by setting the turning angle to 90° and the number of turns before changing the predetermined distance to seven.

Abstract: A portable battery-powered ozone generator, or ozonator, contained in a waterproof housing with an air intake and an ozone discharge conduit diffuses ozone directly into a body of water in a pool, pond or tank. The ozone generator and housing can be part of (1) a buoyant floating platform that is also equipped with solar power collector panels to provide a recharging current for the battery; (2) a robotic, self-propelled pool cleaner; or (3) a skimmer filter assembly that can include a solar panel under a solar transmissive cover that is flush mounted in the walk area alongside the pool.

Abstract: A submersible robotic pool cleaner is provided with an integral sealed rechargeable battery and an inductive charging assembly, a first portion of which is mounted in the pool cleaner housing and during the charging, receives a second separate portion that is connected by a cable to a conventional power source. The pump motor drive shaft is treated with a specialized anti-friction lubricant composition to minimize frictional energy losses where the shaft contacts the seal(s) and any shaft bearing(s), to maximize efficiency and minimize the power consumption of the pump motor assembly and permit the pool cleaner to completely traverse the surfaces to be cleaned within the fully-charged power capacity of the battery.

Abstract: An automated power-driven pool cleaning apparatus is provided with a motion translating member that contacts the surface being cleaned, an associated signal transmitter and a sensor that is connected to the pool cleaner's programmed electronic control device, or chip, so that when the cleaner is moving, the mtm moves the signal transmitter past the sensor thereby providing an intermittent signal. When the cleaner stops moving, no intermittent signal is received and after a predetermined period of time, the control device causes the cleaner's drive means to move the cleaner in a different direction.

Abstract: A stable, manually portable floating electronic platform for use in pools and spas is equipped with recesses for receiving beverage containers and is equipped with any of a variety of electronic audio/visual entertainment devices that are powered by an on-board battery, or a remote rechargeable battery or a conventional remote low-voltage power supply unit via a power cable. Solar power collector panels on the platform provide a recharging current to on-board or remote batteries via a power cable.

Abstract: A submersible robotic pool cleaner is provided with an integral sealed rechargeable battery and an inductive charging assembly, a first portion of which is mounted in the pool cleaner housing and during the charging, receives a second separate portion that is connected by a cable to a conventional power source. The pump motor drive shaft is treated with a specialized anti-friction lubricant composition to minimize frictional energy losses where the shaft contacts the seal(s) and any shaft bearing(s), to maximize efficiency and minimize the power consumption of the pump motor assembly and permit the pool cleaner to completely traverse the surfaces to be cleaned within the fully-charged power capacity of the battery.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the bottom of a pool uses an automated programmed pool cleaner capable of reversing movement and turning that is initially placed at an arbitrary location on the bottom of the pool and moved in a forward direction until it encounters an upright pool wall; the unit is reversed until it is a first predetermined distance from the wall, turned through a predetermined angle less than 180° and advanced until it again encounters an upright wall; these steps are repeated until the unit has encountered upright walls a predetermined number of times, after which the first predetermined distance is changed to one or more subsequent predetermined distances. All of the previous steps are repeated until all or substantially all of the pool has been cleaned. In a preferred embodiment, a rectangular pool is cleaned by setting the turning angle to 90° and the number of turns before changing the predetermined distance to seven.

Abstract: A cleaning brush for a power-driven pool cleaner having a rotatable shaft incorporates a flexible web having first and second opposing edges, the first edge having at least one first element extending in the direction of the first edge, and the second edge having at least one second element extending in the direction of the second edge. The web is deformable about the rotatable shaft to bring the first and second edges into contact, with the first element being in spaced relation to the second element such that the first element is aligned with the second element. Additionally, a positive locking structure is provided to hold the first and second elements together in a secure, locking fit.

Abstract: A cleaning brush for a power-driven pool cleaner having a rotatable shaft incorporates a flexible web having first and second opposing edges, the first edge having at least one first element extending in the direction of the first edge, and the second edge having at least one second element extending in the direction of the second edge. The web is deformable about the rotatable shaft to bring the first and second edges into contact, with the first element being in spaced relation to the second element such that the first element is aligned with the second element. Additionally, a positive locking structure is provided to hold the first and second elements together in a secure, locking fit.

Abstract: An automated power-driven pool cleaning apparatus is provided with a motion translating member that contacts the surface being cleaned, an associated signal transmitter and a sensor that is connected to the pool cleaner's programmed electronic control device, or chip, so that when the cleaner is moving, the mtm moves the signal transmitter past the sensor thereby providing an intermittent signal. When the cleaner stops moving, no intermittent signal is received and after a predetermined period of time, the control device causes the cleaner's drive means to move the cleaner in a different direction.

Abstract: A pool cleaner and method for its operation provides for the efficient and systematic cleaning of the bottom of a rectilinear pool or tank in a controlled geometric pattern of parallel paths transversed between a pair of opposing sidewalls by having the pool cleaner complete a 180° U-turn at each wall, and when an end wall is reached, to effect a 90° turn and commence a similar pattern of parallel paths between the pair of end walls. A microprocessor, or programmable electronic controller, responds to signal-generating sensors that are activated at the pool's sidewalls, and to a program that also repositions the cleaner should it become blocked by a corner or other obstacle.

Abstract: A cleaning brush for a power-driven robotic pool cleaner is formed from a plurality of cylindrical sections of water-expandable compressed cellulose sponge material that are preferably die-cut from a sheet or web, each section having a central opening corresponding in both size and shape to the cross section of the rotatable shaft on which the cylindrical sections are mounted in spaced relation. When wet with water, the compressed cellulose sponge material expands many times its original compressed thickness to provide a cleaning brush having continuous coverage over the entire length of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning the bottom and vertical side walls of a swimming pool, pond or tank employs a robotic, self-propelled cleaner having a protective housing of conventional design, the cleaner being operated at a primary cleaning speed as it traverses the surfaces to be cleaned and until the cleaner housing emerges from the water along a sidewall of the pool; thereafter the cleaner operates at a secondary drive speed that is relatively slower than the primary speed and the cleaner thereafter reverses direction and descends for a pre-determined period of time at the slower secondary speed in order to permit the air entrained under the housing to escape without destabilizing the cleaner during descent. After the predetermined period of time, the cleaner resumes operation at the more rapid primary speed until the cleaner housing once again emerges from the water's surface, after which the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A self-contained, manually propelled pool cleaner moves on wheels positioned inboard of the housing, the wheels being supported by axles that extend laterally across the entire width of the housing and are secured at their ends to the side walls and along their length to the lower periphery of the front and rear walls to provide structural integrity and rigidity to the housing. The base plate is provided with pivoting brushes extending diagonally across the direction of travel to move debris towards the intake ports for entrainment in a disposable filter bag. A pivoting off-set connector permits the operator to control the direction of movement by axially twisting the handle while pushing or pulling the cleaner. Electrical power to operate the water pump(s) is supplied from an airtight floating battery case that is tethered to the pool cleaner.