Abstract: A cleaning robot may be provided and may include a housing comprising at least one inlet and an outlet; a filtering unit for filtering fluid; a bypass mechanism for bypassing the filtering unit; and a fluid suction unit that is arranged to direct towards the outlet fluid that (a) passes through the at least one inlet and (b) passes through at least one out of the filtering unit and the bypass mechanism.

Abstract: A robotic pool cleaner includes a housing, a propulsion mechanism configured to propel the robotic pool cleaner along an interior surface of a pool, and a suction mechanism for drawing liquid from the pool into the housing. A transceiver is configured to receive a signal that is indicative of a relative location of another robotic pool cleaner. A controller is configured to control the propulsion mechanism in accordance with the indicated location of the other robotic pool cleaner.

Abstract: A pool cleaner for cleaning a swimming pool has a vacuum head having an intake nozzle drawing in fluid. A body chamber is coupled to the intake nozzle and has an intake end and a discharge end. A pump is housed within the body chamber drawing fluid from the intake end and expelling the fluid through the discharge end. A filter is placed within the body chamber filtering out particulates from the fluid drawn into the body chamber. A battery pack is located remote from the pool cleaner and wearable by a user of the pool cleaner. A power cord couples the battery pack to the pump. The power cord being electrically connected to the pump by a waterproof connector.

Abstract: Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved method for cleaning recreational throwing discs. One embodiment of my tool is roughly in the shape of a half circular pocket. The tool comprises of a spine 102 with a scrubbing material, and or absorbent material along the bottom longitudinal surface of the spine 108. Two body sections, one front 202F and one back 202R, both having an arched top edge 204. The two body sections have a scrubbing material, and or absorbent material attached to their interior faces 208. The spine is contiguous along its front edge 104F and back edge 104R to both arched top edges of both body sections 204. The resulting tool is configured so all scrubbing and or absorbent materials are located within the interior of the tool.

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: Robot for cleaning swimming pools, including a debris-collection body, a propulsion and suction system able to move the robot in alternation in two substantially opposite directions D1 and D2, and an electrical supply device, the body includes two compartments separated by a partition and each provided with a water inlet. Depending on the direction of movement of the robot, the suction is effected in one compartment and blocked in the other. The suction can be alternated by means of a pivoting suction orifice rotated by a turret.

Abstract: A drive module for submersible autonomous vehicles is disclosed. The drive module includes a propulsion element configured to engage and rotate against a surface, a motor configured to drive the propulsion element, and a controller configured to cause the motor to drive the propulsion element. The drive module also includes a housing configured to be removably, releasably coupled to the exterior of a submersible autonomous vehicle. The motor and the controller are disposed within the housing.

Abstract: A filter door for an autonomous, submersible vehicle is disclosed. The filter door includes a living hinge that biases the panel to a closed position. The living hinge may be provided by mesh that extends beyond the periphery of a panel to create a living hinge. The mesh may also prevent dirt and debris from entering or escaping around a pivot edge of the panel. This increases the life span of the filter door and the cleaning efficiency of the autonomous, submersible vehicle.

Abstract: A pool cleaner that may include a drive mechanism for moving the pool cleaner; a housing that has a first fluid opening and a second fluid opening; a filtering unit that comprises a filter enclosure and a filtering element; a fluid flow mechanism for inducing a flow of fluid through the filtering element in a first direction during a filtering process and for inducing a flow of the fluid through the filtering element at a substantially opposite direction during a backwash process; and a debris trap that is configured to receive debris from the filtering element during the backwash process and to substantially prevent the debris from exiting the debris trap during the filtering process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

Abstract: A pool cleaner for cleaning a pool, the pool cleaner may include a filtering element for filtering fluid; at least one sensor for sensing an actual yaw of the pool cleaner and an actual orientation of the pool cleaner; at least one steering element that is configured to move the pool cleaner along a cleaning path, during a cleaning process of a certain region of a sidewall of the pool; wherein the cleaning path comprises a cleaning path segment that has a cleaning path segment yaw that is a non-vertical yaw; wherein the certain region is fully submerged; and a controller that is configured to control the at least one steering element, based on the actual yaw of the pool cleaner.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.

Abstract: A robotic pool cleaner for cleaning surfaces of a pool including a housing having an upper portion disposed over a base to define an interior chamber. The base includes a water inlet and the upper portion has at least one water discharge port for discharging filtered water. Rotatably-mounted supports support and guide the cleaner along a pool surface. A filter assembly filters water drawn through the water inlet. An electric motor mounted in the interior chamber is configured to move the cleaner on a pool surface. The electric motor receives power from a remote power source via a two-wire power cable. An electrical circuit having at least one orientation sensor is provided on-board the cleaner. The circuit is configured to provide an electrical signal to the remote power supply over the two-wire cable when the cleaner changes its orientation by a predetermined amount with respect to the pool surface.

Abstract: Detailed are valve assemblies principally for use as part of in-floor cleaning systems for swimming pools. The assemblies may use mechanisms for converting continuous rotation into discontinuous rotation, changing the timing of water distribution to different outlet of the assemblies. One such mechanism includes both an impeller, whose blades are rotated continuously by impingement of pressurized water, and a Geneva drive, whose driven wheel is rotated discontinuously by one or more associated drive wheels.

Abstract: A pool cleaning robot that may include a filtering unit for filtering water that passes through the pool cleaning robot; and a sensor for sensing a cleanliness of the filtering unit while the pool cleaning robot is submerged in water; wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of fluid within the pool cleaning robot or an image sensor for imaging the filtering unit.

Abstract: A gear change and gear change biasing mechanism for use in an automatic swimming pool cleaner.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for indicating loading of filters are described. The apparatus and techniques are especially (although not necessarily exclusively) useful in connection with automatic pool cleaners with on-board filters and pumps. Indicators identifying clogging of the filters may be included in or on the cleaners or transmitted as information to users for further action.

Abstract: A pool cleaning robot that includes a ballast tank for controlling a buoyancy of the submarine pool cleaner; at least one cleaning element for cleaning debris from an underwater surface of a pool while the pool cleaning robot hovers over the underwater surface; a propulsion module that is configured to propel the submersible pool cleaner; and a steering module that comprises a rudder and diving planes.

Abstract: A skimmer apparatus has a handle, a net-bottom-rod at a right angle to the handle, offset from the axis of the handle and joined rigidly to an extension of the handle, a movable frame rotatable about an axis at a right angle to the axis of the handle, a slider translatable on the handle, a linkage mechanism joined to the movable frame and to the slider rotating the movable frame about the axis at a right angle to the axis of the handle, and net material joined to the movable frame and to the net-bottom-rod. Moving the slider away from the net employs the linkage mechanism to rotate the movable frame past the net-bottom-rod, such that the net is turned inside out, facilitating divesting material captured in the net.

Abstract: A pool cleaner includes a pool cleaner body and at least two wheels mounted to the pool cleaner body so as to be rotatable about a common wheel axis. An access cover selectively closing an access opening defined in the body. A handle closure is mounted to the body so as to be rotatable about the common wheel axis independently of the at least two wheels. The handle closure is rotatable relative to the body so as to be movable between a closed position, in which the handle closure secures the access cover over the access opening, and an open position. An inner cover can selectively cover a turbine and gears of the pool cleaner within the body, and is held in place via engagement with the access over. Wheel well sidewalls can be substantially solid to help further enclose an inner volume of the body.

Abstract: An integrated process and system for the cleaning of any body of water in need of periodic cleaning, including but not limited to a swimming pool or spa. A submersible water filtration apparatus comprises a housing unit, an impeller driven by an electric motor powered by batteries, an inlet where fluid, such as water, is drawn inwards into the submersible water filtration apparatus, an outlet for returning filtered water into the body of water, and at least one filter zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pool cleaner. Rotation from a turbine is transmitted to a first wheel that is forwardly driven. A second wheel is switched between corresponding forward rotation and rearward rotation. An axle of the first wheel rotatably supports a sleeve that carries the second wheel. The reverse transmission is effected by a double-sided dog clutch member slidably supported between a pair of clutch gears freely rotatable on a rotating lay shaft. A first clutch gear is connected for reverse rotation and a second clutch gear for forward rotation of the sleeve. A switching mechanism includes a movably mounted lever arm engaging the double-sided clutch member with a cam follower engaging a cam formation carried on an independently supported control gear connected to the turbine and in mesh with a worm gear on the lay shaft.

Abstract: A self-propelled robotic pool cleaner includes a housing with a lower portion having an inlet and an upper portion having an outlet, the lower and upper portions define an internal chamber therebetween. A filter and a water pump are mounted in the internal chamber for suctioning pool water into the inlet and discharging filtered water through said outlet. Rotationally-mounted elements are mounted to the housing for supporting and guiding said cleaner on a surface of the pool. An arm assembly extends outward from said housing, and a rotary brush assembly is mounted at a distal end of the arm assembly. An electric motor is coupled to at least one of said water pump, the rotationally-mounted elements and the rotary brush. The pool cleaner is configured to continue climbing upward on a pool wall and tell the rotary brush assembly is above the water level and climbs over the pool coping edge propelling said pool cleaner onto the pool deck.

Abstract: A modular pole includes a first tube having a first end and a second end, the second end defining a first through-hole oriented perpendicular to an axis of the first tube. The modular pole further includes a second tube having a first end and a second end, the first end defining a second through-hole oriented perpendicular to an axis of the second tube, and the second end including a device connector for connecting the second tube to the pool device. The modular pole further includes a first tube connector designed to be positioned within the first tube and the second tube and having a first retractable protrusion designed to extend through the first through-hole when the first tube connector is positioned within the first tube and a second retractable protrusion designed to extend through the second through-hole when the first tube connector is positioned within the second tube.

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 swimming pool cleaner is driven along a submerged surface by water and debris flowing past a turbine positioned between an inlet and outlet of the cleaner. Retractable elements carried proximate the inlet form a plenum for water to enhance adherence of the pool cleaner to the submerged pool surface being cleaner. A drive train independently drives each of two wheels for maneuvering the pool cleaner in forward and reverse directions along the submerged surface. A hose connector operable with an outlet port is angled toward the forward direction of movement of the pool cleaner such that a suction hose will be placed slightly ahead of the pool cleaner when climbing a side wall surface to provide a weight for keeping the cleaner below the water surface and thus prevent an undesirable sucking of air at the inlet.

Abstract: A self-propelled robotic cleaning apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a pool or tank includes a housing defining an interior chamber containing a filter assembly for filtering water flowing through at least one water inlet formed in the base plate. A filter backwash assembly is positioned within the interior chamber and has at least one fluid discharge outlet for providing a pressurized flow of a fluid towards the exterior surface of the filter assembly as a backwash to rinse and dislodge the debris therefrom.

Abstract: A robotic pool cleaner includes a housing having an inlet and a discharge port, and an interior chamber with a filter therein. Rotatably-mounted supports guide the cleaner along a pool surface. A water pump includes a drive shaft having a first end coupled to a propeller. The water pump draws water and debris from beneath the cleaner through the inlet, such that debris is retained by the filter and filtered water exits through the discharge port. A power-wash assembly includes a transmission for transferring rotational movement from the pump drive shaft to a drive shaft of a centrifugal pump. The centrifugal pump has an inlet in fluid communication with filtered water from the interior chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a nozzle positioned beneath the housing to discharge filtered water in a water jet to dislodge and lift debris from the surface of the pool.

Abstract: A pool cleaner includes a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a propulsion system, and a suction system including a motorized pump for drawing liquid through the inlet and expelling it through the outlet. A filter located between the inlet and the pump is configured to trap debris. A sanitization chamber that includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet is integrated into the housing such that the chamber inlet is located downstream of the pump and is configured to divert a fraction of the liquid that is outflowing from the pump into the chamber inlet, the remaining outflowing liquid flowing out through the liquid outlet. The sanitization chamber is configured to sanitize the liquid that is flowing through the sanitization chamber and to retard a flow rate of the liquid that is flowing through the sanitization chamber relative to a flow rate of the remaining outflow liquid.

Abstract: A solar panel cleaning robot is provided and has a robot body. The robot body can move on at least one solar panel. A cleaning device, a power system, a control system and an electric power system are disposed on an internal or an external of the robot body.

Abstract: A robotic pool cleaner including: a housing; a propulsion mechanism configured to propel the robotic pool cleaner along an interior surface of a pool and a suction mechanism to draw liquid from the pool into the housing. A cable extends outward from the housing and a pull sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of at least a direction in which the cable is pulled. A controller is configured to receive the signal and to operate the propulsion mechanism to propel the robot in accordance with the received signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning a submerged surface comprising water jet propulsion means (19) that generate a propelling water jet, and means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet that allow orienting said water jet in two opposing so-called longitudinal propulsion directions, capable of imparting to the cleaning device two opposing directions of movement along an axis of movement (y). In the invention, the means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet are suitable for orienting the water jet in at least one third, so-called lateral propulsion direction, in which the water jet is oriented in a bisecting direction relative to the axis of movement (y) suitable for exerting a force capable of causing the cleaning device to pivot by oversteering.

Abstract: A pool cleaner includes a housing with at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet, and a propulsion system for propelling the pool cleaner within a pool. A suction system includes a motorized pump and is configured to draw liquid containing debris from the pool through the fluid inlet, and to expel the liquid back into the pool through the fluid outlet. A first filter is located between the fluid inlet and the pump, and a second filter is located downstream of the pump. The first filter is configured to trap debris pieces that are larger than a predetermined size to prevent the debris pieces from flowing to the pump, and the second filter is configured to trap the debris that has passed through the first filter.

Abstract: An electrically powered pool cleaner may include a housing defining an axial passageway. A rotatable sleeve impeller may be supported by the housing within the axial passageway. The axial passageway may include an unobstructed central portion for passage of fluid and pool debris therethrough into a filter bag removably connected to the housing. A motor may be operatively connected to the sleeve impeller and a power supply operatively connected to the motor. Rotation of the sleeve impeller may accelerate fluid flow through the axial passageway for drawing debris in the pool into the filter bag.

Abstract: Components of automatic pool cleaners (APCs) are detailed. The components may include brushes configured to attach to blades of scrubbers of the APCs. The flexible brushes may rotate as their associated blades rotate and have fingers which flex so as to adduce contact between a to-be-cleaned pool or spa surface and bristles protruding outward from sides of the fingers.

Abstract: A pool cleaning robot that may include a filtering unit for filtering fluid that passes through the filtering unit; a calorimetric sensor for sensing a cleanliness related parameter of the filtering unit while the pool cleaning robot is submerged in the fluid; and a controller that is configured to at least assist in determining, based on the cleanliness related parameter of the filtering unit, a cleanliness of the filtering unit.

Abstract: A swimming pool or spa filtration system debris guard for preventing debris on the water surface from entering the opening of the filtration system. The debris guard having a screen for collection of debris, with and a flexible securing clip to secure the screen in front of a swimming pool skimmer opening.

Abstract: A pool cleaner including a turbine assembly, a timer assembly, and a scrubber assembly. The timer assembly is configured to rotate the turbine assembly in a first direction and a second direction. The scrubber assembly is configured to rotate in a forward direction when the turbine assembly rotates in the first direction, and to rotate in a rearward direction when the turbine assembly rotates in the second direction.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, configured for cleaning debris from water in a water container via a water cleaner that includes a handle, a collection net configured to collect debris resident in the water, and a frame configured to hold substantially open a primary inlet of the net.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner has a housing. The housing has an intake formed on a bottom section thereof. The intake runs along a width of the bottom section of the housing. A first rolling flap is proximate the intake. The first rolling flap is approximately equal in length to a length of the intake. The first rolling flap runs along the width of the bottom section and is hingly coupled to the bottom section of the housing along a front edge of the intake. The first rolling flap follows a contour of a surface of a swimming pool upon which the swimming pool cleaner is traveling upon to control a water flow into the intake.

Abstract: A method and a pool cleaning robot that may include (i) a turbine that is at least partially disposed within a fluid path of the robot to extract energy from flow of fluid through the fluid path; (ii) an electrical generator for providing electrical power thereto and adapted to be driven by the turbine; (iii) a rechargeable power source arranged to be charged by the electrical generator, and (iv) a controller that is arranged to direct the pool cleaning robot to be positioned in a certain location in which a flow level of fluid that is circulated by a pool fluid circulation system is higher than a flow level of the fluid within a majority of the pool, wherein when positioned at the certain location the fluid that is circulated by the pool fluid circulation system passes through the fluid path.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a swimming pool cleaning device comprising: a body, means for driving and guiding the body comprising at least two pairs of wheels: front wheels and rear wheels, characterized in that the drive means of the device further include: an intermediate wheel turning about a rotation axis disposed between the front wheel and the rear wheel on at least one of the two sides of the device, the diameter and the position of the rotation axis of this intermediate wheel being such that said wheel does not touch the guide plane XrYr when the robot is resting on the latter, said guide plane XrYr being defined by the points of contact of the front and rear wheels with the ground.

Abstract: A cleaning robot may be provided and may include a housing comprising at least one inlet and an outlet; a filtering unit for filtering fluid; a bypass mechanism for bypassing the filtering unit; and a fluid suction unit that is arranged to direct towards the outlet fluid that (a) passes through the at least one inlet and (b) passes through at least one out of the filtering unit and the bypass mechanism.

Abstract: Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.

Abstract: A pool cleaning robot that has a water jet electrohydraulic motorized propulsion/pump unit and a waste-collecting body having a battery for powering said unit, the unit and the battery being contained inside a rotary and sealed turret, external to the body of the robot. The robot advantageously has an automatic direction reversing device having a vane secured to the turret with a first end stop and second end stops.

Abstract: A hand-held submersible aquarium power cleaner for cleaning debris from an aquarium, includes an elongated housing having an intake compartment and a filtering compartment therein. A nozzle is positioned at a front end of the housing and is in fluid communication with the intake compartment, wherein a selectively openable channel is provided between the intake compartment and the filter compartment. A filter is disposed in fluid communication with the filter compartment. A water pump assembly has an impeller rotatably connected to an electric motor, wherein the impeller is in fluid communication with the intake compartment. A power switch controls power to the electric motor so that rotation of the impeller draws aquarium water and debris through the nozzle and into the filtering compartment, where the debris is captured and retained by the filter and cleansed water is discharged into the aquarium.

Abstract: The invention relates to swimming pool cleaning robot (10) comprising: a body (11); at least one hydraulic circuit through which a liquid flows between at least one liquid inlet (13) and at least one liquid outlet (14), said hydraulic circuit including at least one means for separating debris suspended in the liquid; pumping means for driving the liquid through the hydraulic circuit; means for driving and guiding the cleaning robot on a surface; and means for controlling the operating parameters of the means for driving and guiding the cleaning robot (10). The control means comprise a pressure sensor (21) that can be used to determine the immersion depth of the cleaning robot in a swimming pool, and means for automatically controlling the measured pressure on the basis of a set value.

Abstract: A pool cleaner that may include a drive mechanism for moving the pool cleaner; a housing that has a first fluid opening and a second fluid opening; a filtering unit that comprises a filter enclosure, a cleaning element and a filtering element; and a rotating mechanism that is configured to introduce a relative rotation between the cleaning element and the filtering element thereby causing the cleaning element to clean the filtering element.

Abstract: A device for submersibly cleaning surfaces inside a nuclear reactor includes a pump and a nozzle connected to said pump. The nozzle is arranged to face surfaces to be cleaned. The device includes cleaning means capable of removing debris on surfaces to be cleaned. The device includes adjustable flotation means, capable of adjusting the flotation capability of the device depending on a type of cleaning application.

Abstract: A pool cleaner that may include a housing; a driving motor that is configured to assist in moving the pool cleaner; a filtering element that is at least partially surrounded by the housing; an intake aperture; a first fluid conduit; and a first grille that comprises two or more movable first panes; wherein the filtering element is configured to filter fluid from the intake aperture to provide filtered fluid; wherein the first fluid conduit is configured to direct the filtered fluid towards the first grille; and wherein the first grille is configured to output the filtered fluid at a first direction that is responsive to a position of the two or more movable panes.