Abstract: A water sensing system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) may include one or more water sensing probes on or proximate to the APC. In some embodiments, the at least one water sensing probe may be inside the APC, outside the APC, and/or proximate to but spaced apart from the APC, such as but not limited to on cabling of the APC.

Abstract: Debris filters for automatic swimming pool cleaners may be formed of metal, carbon fibers, or composites more rigid than soft nylon bags. In at least one version, the filter may be made of, or include, steel or stainless steel. Non-uniform sizes, densities, and/or shapes of openings in the filtration material may be created to provide different levels of filtration in a single device.

Abstract: A charging system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) includes one or more electrical contacts and a protection system that selectively prevents access to and/or or allows contact with the one or more electrical contacts. In some cases, the protection system may selectively clean the one or more electrical contacts. In certain cases, the protection system may prevent access to and/or allow contact with the one or more electrical contacts based on a position of the APC.

Abstract: A pool system includes a visual communication system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC). The visual communication system includes a reflective surface for conveying visual information. The reflective surface is on at least one of the APC, a trolley for the APC, or a docking station for the APC. In some cases, the visual communication system includes an indicator, and the reflective surface conveys optical information from the indicator to a separate location.

Abstract: Charging systems and devices for automatic swimming pool cleaners may include one or more electrical contacts with corrosion mitigation features. Such electrical contacts may be on the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or the charging system. The corrosion mitigation features may include a material of the electrical contacts and/or a surface treatment of the electrical contacts. Charging or recharging of the automatic swimming pool cleaner using the charging systems may be controlled based on a detection of water on the one or more electrical contacts.

Abstract: A guiding system for a swimming pool provides external stimuli defining a path that is detectable by an automatic swimming pool cleaner. The path extends both vertically and horizontally in the swimming pool or spa. In some cases, the external stimuli define a transit path for the APC in a swimming pool or spa.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) for swimming pools and spas may skim a waterline of a swimming pool or spa while the APC is on a surface of the swimming pool or spa. The APC may include two inlets—a first inlet may receive or collect water during a surface-cleaning operation of the APC, and a second inlet may receive or collect water during a skimming operation of the APC. Optionally, at least one of the two inlets is adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: Concepts relating to automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. Some concepts may involve communication with APCs either in or out of the water of swimming pools or spas, while other concepts may concern battery charging or management or other operational aspects of cleaner usage in a pool or spa, among others. Many of the concepts may be applicable to avoid need for a robotic APC to be wired to an external control device.

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: 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: 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: Techniques and methods for wirelessly communicating with equipment such as, but not necessarily limited to, automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. An accelerometer or other sensor on-board an APC may recognize such communications. In some cases, varying operation of a motor or other feedback generator of the APC may provide sonic or other feedback in response to the communications.

Abstract: Debris filters for automatic swimming pool cleaners may be formed of metal, carbon fibers, or composites more rigid than soft nylon bags. In at least one version, the filter may be made of, or include, steel or stainless steel. Non-uniform sizes, densities, and/or shapes of openings in the filtration material may be created to provide different levels of filtration in a single device.

Abstract: Debris filters for automatic swimming pool cleaners may be formed of metal, carbon fibers, or composites more rigid than soft nylon bags. In at least one version, the filter may be made of, or include, steel or stainless steel. Non-uniform sizes, densities, and/or shapes of openings in the filtration material may be created to provide different levels of filtration in a single device.