Patents by Inventor Simon Duffaut

Simon Duffaut has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12287632
    Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) may include a sensor for detecting adjacency of a pool wall or other object. Following such detection, the APC may reorient itself so as to re-approach the wall (or other object) in a manner better suited for cleaning the area. The reorientation may occur through, for example, changing speeds of motors on-board the APC, directions of travel of the cleaner, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Arnaud Besnier, Florent Dallet, Simon Duffaut, E. Keith McQueen
  • Publication number: 20250052084
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Arnaud Lancry, Simon Duffaut, Louis Favie, Mehdi Chafik, Remi Deloche, Arnaud Besnier
  • Publication number: 20250027329
    Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) for swimming pools and spas may be used to monitor and/or determine a waterline level of the swimming pool or spa. Optionally, the determined waterline level may be provided on a user interface of an external device such as but not limited to a control box or a user device. An alert may be provided to a pool owner or other user based on the waterline level relative to a threshold waterline level. Optionally, at least one piece of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa may be controlled based on the determined waterline level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventor: Simon Duffaut
  • Patent number: 12139931
    Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) for swimming pools and spas may be used to monitor and/or determine a waterline level of the swimming pool or spa. Optionally, the determined waterline level may be provided on a user interface of an external device such as but not limited to a control box or a user device. An alert may be provided to a pool owner or other user based on the waterline level relative to a threshold waterline level. Optionally, at least one piece of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa may be controlled based on the determined waterline level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventor: Simon Duffaut
  • Publication number: 20240317094
    Abstract: A docking station for a pool cleaner includes at least one inductive element for charging the pool cleaner. A docking station for a pool cleaner may include means for guiding the pool cleaner to the docking station using light-based communication. In certain embodiments, the docking station for a pool cleaner may include means for engaging and/or supporting the pool cleaner at a waterline of a swimming pool or spa. A docking station for a pool cleaner a may enclose a pool cleaner within a receiving area in certain embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Simon Duffaut, Mehdi Chafik, Arnaud Besnier, Louis Favie
  • Patent number: 12084884
    Abstract: A device for extraction of a swimming pool cleaning robot from water or for putting the swimming pool cleaning robot into water includes a support frame and a plate. The plate can be deployed relative to the support frame beyond the support frame and below the support frame. Deployment of the plate relative to the support frame may be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Philippe Pichon, Simon Duffaut, Philippe Blanc-Tailleur
  • Publication number: 20240279953
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for counteracting, e.g., drift of automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. In particular, a drifting cleaner may recover its movement by altering traction speed of the motive element(s) on one side of its body. Such alteration may occur when the cleaner is travelling along a generally horizontally-oriented pool bottom, climbing up or down a wall, or otherwise moving within a pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Florent Dallet, Simon Duffaut
  • Publication number: 20240271445
    Abstract: A cleaning system includes a remotely operated vehicle configured as an automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or as a supplement to an automatic swimming pool cleaner. The remotely operated vehicle may be capable of moving through an entire volume of a swimming pool or sup with up to six degrees of freedom. The remotely operated vehicle may support and/or perform a variety of functions or purposes related to or associated with the automatic swimming pool cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Simon Duffaut, Mehdi Chafik, Arnaud Besnier, Louis Favie, Quentin Lutrand
  • Publication number: 20240271449
    Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a time of flight (“ToF”) sensor system underwater and in connection with the use of robotic automatic swimming pool cleaners. The systems and methods described herein may take a plurality of measurements around the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or in a plurality of directions relative to the automatic swimming pool cleaner. The systems and methods may allow for the automatic swimming pool cleaner to map the pool or spa, determine a cleaner path for the automatic swimming pool cleaner, determine if there are occupants in the pool, avoid obstacles within the pool or spa, and/or drive the automatic swimming pool cleaner to specific areas of the pool or spa, among other actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Simon Duffaut, Mehdi Chafik, Olivier Cam
  • Publication number: 20240271450
    Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner for a swimming pool or spa may include a housing and a plurality of battery packs supported on and/or within the housing. The automatic swimming pool cleaner may be operable with a single battery pack or with plurality of battery packs. The onboard power supply of the automatic swimming pool cleaner may be controlled without the automatic swimming pool cleaner needing recharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventor: Simon Duffaut
  • Publication number: 20240272647
    Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaners for swimming pools and spas may automatically schedule, defined, and/or plan a future cleaning cycle for the automatic swimming pool cleaner. The automatic swimming pool cleaner itself may plan the future cleaning cycle without receiving a cleaning order from a user and/or may allow for the pool system to keep the pool or spa clean by itself without relying on an order from the user as traditionally required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventor: Simon Duffaut
  • Publication number: 20240271446
    Abstract: Systems and associated methods may monitor debris collected by an automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or water flowing through the automatic swimming pool cleaner. The systems and methods may utilize one or more sensors within the automatic swimming pool cleaner that characterize the debris collected by the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or characterize water flowing through the automatic swimming pool cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Simon Duffaut, Mehdi Chafik
  • Publication number: 20240271448
    Abstract: Cordless automatic swimming pool cleaners may include cable extensions and associated systems and methods. The cable extensions described herein may facilitate both electrical power transmission as well as data transmission to and from the automatic swimming pool cleaner. The cable extensions may be selectively connected to an electrical connector on the cordless automatic swimming pool cleaner such that the cable extensions may be connected to or detached from the cordless automatic swimming pool cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Jordane Lacombe, Simon Duffaut
  • Patent number: 12031351
    Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner having a body can be caused to travel laterally along a surface of a swimming pool by varying a characteristic of operation of at least one motive element. For example, a first motive element (such as a brush and/or wheel on one side of the body) can be driven at a different speed and/or in a different direction than a second motive (such as a brush and/or wheel on the opposite side of the body) element to cause the automatic pool cleaner to move laterally along the surface of the swimming pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: E. Keith McQueen, Simon Duffaut, Benoit Florimond
  • Patent number: 12000169
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for counteracting, e.g., drift of automatic swimming pool cleaners are detailed. In particular, a drifting cleaner may recover its movement by altering traction speed of the motive element(s) on one side of its body. Such alteration may occur when the cleaner is travelling along a generally horizontally-oriented pool bottom, climbing up or down a wall, or otherwise moving within a pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Florent Dallet, Simon Duffaut
  • Publication number: 20240093521
    Abstract: A docking system for an automatic swimming pool cleaner includes a dock and a sensor. The sensor may obtain information about the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or for controlling the APC or other equipment for a swimming pool or spa. A method includes controlling an automatic swimming pool cleaner based on information obtained by a sensor on a dock of a docking system. A pool system may include a light source on a pool light and/or a user device, and the automatic swimming pool cleaner may be controlled based on a light-based signal from the pool light and/or the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventor: Simon Duffaut
  • Publication number: 20230148817
    Abstract: A cleaning system for swimming pools and spas may include an automatic swimming pool cleaner and an anti-theft system for the automatic swimming pool cleaner. In some cases, the anti-theft system may be an active system generating an active response based on a safety situation. Additionally or alternatively, the anti-theft system may provide increased prevention and/or deterrence to theft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Zodiac Pool Care Europe
    Inventor: Simon Duffaut
  • Publication number: 20230107841
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Simon Duffaut, Louis Favie, Rémi Deloche
  • Publication number: 20230105447
    Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) for swimming pools and spas may be used to monitor and/or determine a waterline level of the swimming pool or spa. Optionally, the determined waterline level may be provided on a user interface of an external device such as but not limited to a control box or a user device. An alert may be provided to a pool owner or other user based on the waterline level relative to a threshold waterline level. Optionally, at least one piece of equipment associated with the swimming pool or spa may be controlled based on the determined waterline level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Zodiac Pool Care Europe
    Inventor: Simon Duffaut
  • Publication number: 20230108168
    Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaner system includes an automatic swimming pool cleaner and optionally a control box. The automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or the control box may display a temperature measurement of a swimming pool determined by the automatic swimming pool cleaner within the swimming pool on the control box associated with the automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or on the automatic swimming pool cleaner. A method includes displaying on an automatic swimming pool cleaner or on the control box associated with the automatic swimming pool cleaner a temperature measurement of a swimming pool determined by the automatic swimming pool cleaner within the swimming pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Florence Latierre, Thomas Rosin, Simon Duffaut