Abstract: An encapsulated bulkhead for use as a void filler to secure and protect cargo loads during transportation, such as in rail cars or trucks, is described. The encapsulated bulkhead includes a bulkhead member and an encapsulation or coating. In one embodiment, the bulkhead member includes two planar parallel deck sheets, a planar peripheral side member, and a honeycomb cell core, which may be made of corrugated paper or other paper. In another embodiment, the bulkhead member is a uniform expanded polystyrene foam. The coating is a water-resistant material which may be an elastomer, such as a polyurea, polyurethane, or polyurethane/polyurea hybrid. A method for encapsulating a bulkhead member is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a bulkhead member, spraying the bulkhead member with the components of an elastomer to coat or encapsulate the bulkhead, and allowing the components to cure for a period of time sufficient to form the water-resistant elastomer.

Abstract: Flexible valves principally (although not necessarily exclusively) for automatic swimming pool cleaners are addressed. The valves have generally parabolic closure regions and do not present linear transverse cross-sections to water flowing through them. The closure regions may extend substantially below the transverse center lines of the valves, which additionally may include teeth at or near hinges of the closure regions. Including the hinges reduces likelihood of undesired wear at or near the outlets of the valves.

Abstract: Automatic pool cleaners (APCs) and components thereof are detailed. The APCs may include tracks for movement, with the tracks having teethed internal surfaces. The APCs additionally may supply shift mechanisms for purposes of changing direction of their movement and incorporate bladed scrubbers and easily-opening bodies.

Abstract: Devices for cleaning vessels, especially swimming pools, are discussed. The devices may include repositionable in-line valves, with the valves typically moving laterally (from side to side) and changing the initial direction of the main fluid-flow path through the valves and corresponding cleaner bodies. Asymmetric feet may be utilized as part of the devices, whose bottom bearing surfaces may include elongated strips of material placed parallel to the normally-forward direction of travel of the devices. Discs of non-uniform flexibility also may be employed, and blocking tabs or gripping material may be used to inhibit undesired backward movement of a cleaner when its operation commences.

Abstract: Separate covers for protruding portions of discs of automatic swimming pool cleaners are addressed. The covers may be placed onto protrusions, such as fins, and removed from the fins as needed. Version of the covers are made of material more rigid and having lower coefficient of friction than the fins to discourage lateral bending of the fins and decrease frictional contact of the fins with pool surfaces.

Abstract: Devices for cleaning vessels, especially swimming pools, are discussed. The devices may include repositionable in-line valves, with the valves typically moving laterally (from side to side) and changing the initial direction of the main fluid-flow path through the valves and corresponding cleaner bodies. Asymmetric feet may be utilized as part of the devices, whose bottom bearing surfaces may include elongated strips of material placed parallel to the normally-forward direction of travel of the devices. Discs of non-uniform flexibility also may be employed, and blocking tabs or gripping material may be used to inhibit undesired backward movement of a cleaner when its operation commences.

Abstract: Fluid-powered devices are detailed. The devices may be utilized as motors or pumps, for example, and are capable to switching dynamically between these functions. They additionally may use surface-area, rather than solely pressure, differentials to produce rotary motion.

Abstract: Devices for cleaning vessels, especially swimming pools, are discussed. The devices may include a non-linear flow path in a gap surrounding an in-line valve. This non-linearity permits lengths of concentric pipes forming the gap to be decreased without sacrificing operational performance of the devices. Valves forming parts of the cleaning devices may be diaphragms but shaped, sized, reinforced, or configured differently than existing valves and may have collapsible segments whose interior shape resembles an ellipse in transverse cross-section. Co-molding of diaphragms and pipes may occur, and inner and outer cups may be used to fix relative positions of various components of the devices.

Abstract: A pressure type pool cleaner includes a head propelled forwardly over a surface. Water pumped to the head drives wheels turbine fashion; inducts debris into a cleaner system; and is ejected via a thrust nozzle onto a guide and thence along a thrust line to thrust the head along the line. A pivoted director mounts the guide and includes a surface member exposed to the water. During forward movement, water pressure on the member counteracts jet stream pressure on the guide and maintains the guide's orientation for the thrust line to pass closely above a wheel rotation axis. When an obstacle stops forward motion, pressure on the member and its counteracting stop, the guide is reoriented and redirects the thrust to well below the axis to pivot the head about the axis to assist the wheels to scale the obstacle.

Abstract: Some embodiments of pool cleaner hoses and methods for making the same may include a flexible hose section associated with a pool cleaner that is flexible, but also able to resist substantial compression along its longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the flexible hose section may be formed from a number of segments.

Abstract: Separate covers for protruding portions of discs of automatic swimming pool cleaners are addressed. The covers may be placed onto protrusions, such as fins, and removed from the fins as needed. Version of the covers are made of material more rigid and having lower coefficient of friction than the fins to discourage lateral bending of the fins and decrease frictional contact of the fins with pool surfaces.

Abstract: Discs having recessed areas, or pockets, in their undersides are detailed. The pockets allow provision of increased suction in localized regions, especially useful when the body of an associated cleaner pivots from side to side. Downwardly-extending wear surfaces may be present as well within the pockets.

Abstract: Flexible valves principally (although not necessarily exclusively) for automatic swimming pool cleaners are addressed. The valves have generally parabolic closure regions and do not present linear transverse cross-sections to water flowing through them. The closure regions may extend substantially below the transverse center lines of the valves, which additionally may include teeth at or near hinges of the closure regions. Including the hinges reduces likelihood of undesired wear at or near the outlets of the valves.