Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for removing undesired twists and loops in a power supply cable attached to a robotic swimming pool cleaner during the cleaner's pre-programmed movement over the bottom and/or side walls of the pool. An on-board electronic compass determines an initial reference directional heading of the pool cleaner and the subsequent true or actual directional heading of the pool cleaner is determined intermittently or continuously as the pool cleaner moves through the program cycle. The subsequent directional headings of the moving pool cleaner are compared to the reference directional heading to provide a cumulative positive or negative value. When the cumulative value indicates that one or more complete 360° turns have been made from the reference directional heading, a correction signal is generated for immediate or delayed transmission to the directional control means to turn the pool cleaner in a direction to remove any twists or loops that have formed in the power cable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for removing undesired twists and loops in a power supply cable attached to a robotic swimming pool cleaner during the cleaner's pre-programmed movement over the bottom and/or side walls of the pool. An on-board electronic compass determines an initial reference directional heading of the pool cleaner and the subsequent true or actual directional heading of the pool cleaner is determined intermittently or continuously as the pool cleaner moves through the program cycle. The subsequent directional headings of the moving pool cleaner are compared to the reference directional heading to provide a cumulative positive or negative value. When the cumulative value indicates that one or more complete 360° turns have been made from the reference directional heading, a correction signal is generated for immediate or delayed transmission to the directional control means to turn the pool cleaner in a direction to remove any twists or loops that have formed in the power cable.