Submerged Cleaners With Ambient Flow Guides Patents (Class 15/1.7)
  • Patent number: 9670687
    Abstract: Automatic pool cleaners (APCs) and components thereof are detailed. The APCs may turn feet, rather than entire bodies, to change direction and may provide water-flow paths through the bodies that are oriented vertically. Thus, unlike existing disc-based cleaners, the APCs may reduce influence of connected hoses on their movements within pools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Michael Edward Moore, Bruce David Harbottle
  • Patent number: 9657488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool cleaning apparatus comprising: at least one hydraulic liquid circulation circuit between at least one liquid inlet (3) and at least one liquid outlet (4), and through a removable filtration device of the cleaning apparatus. The filtration device comprises at least one filtration chamber (8) comprising: a cover (2), a filtration basket (17), the hydraulic fluid circulation circuit comprising a liquid discharge tube (20) emerging from the apparatus through an opening (4) formed in the cover (2) of the filtration device, the filtration basket (17) comprising a central filtering wall (9) surrounding the liquid discharge tube (20) over at least a part of its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Philippe Pichon, Rémi Deloche, Philippe Blanc-Tailleur
  • Patent number: 9615716
    Abstract: An automatic cleaning device includes a main body and an operating unit. The operating unit is disposed on the lower side of the main body and includes several wheels. At least one of these wheels tilts downward with respect to the main body and the wheels may cause the automatic cleaning device to move around. In addition, with the aid of a piece of fabric, brush or dust removal paper attached to each wheel, the automatic cleaning device of the present invention can freely move around and clean up all corners of a flat floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Jason Yan
  • Patent number: 9562366
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning system for removing stains and deposits on the bottom and walls of a swimming pool. The cleaning system includes a cleaning tool having an elongated handle pivotally secured to a tool head, wherein the tool head dispenses a cleaning solution for removing stains and deposits. The tool head may also include an absorbent or sponge-like material thereon and one or more scrapers to help remove deposits. The tool head is in fluid communication with a container in which a cleaning solution can be stored. The container includes a pump thereon for allowing the user to selectively deliver the cleaning solution to the cleaning tool. Thus, the cleaning system allows a user to more easily remove stains and deposits from the walls and bottom of a pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Munsey
  • Patent number: 9546493
    Abstract: The present portable pool cleaner is provided with an improved annular impeller, which facilitates the possible use of a fore receptacle without a filter bag, operating as an eddy trap for large debris, and also facilitates having an aft receptacle incorporating a filter bag or direct connection to in pool filtration systems. The annual impeller is able to effectively limit object size passing to the next stage, within impeding or striking objections passing through the inside gap in the annular impeller. The impeller duct/annular shape, with internal spiral blades, forms a through hole for the light sewage to more easily pass, while heavier particles in the sewage are trapped. The optional fore and aft receptacles may be detachable to facilitate cleaning, replacement and access to the impeller for cleaning or replacement. The handheld design facilitates underwater use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: POOLSTAR CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Frédéric Abraham
  • Patent number: 9506263
    Abstract: A pool cleaner for cleaning a pool surface includes a wing having an inner edge, a lower outer edge, and an underside extending between the inner edge and lower outer edge. The inner edge and lower outer edge depend from the underside. Engagement holes formed through the inner edge are configured to and capable of non-rigidly engaging the wing to a pool cleaner. Projections are carried on the underside of the wing, and the projections extend beyond both the inner edge and the lower outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas V. Lopez
  • Patent number: 9487926
    Abstract: An on-board re-inflatable containment boom for a waterborne vessel that lies substantially flat and capable of being spooled when deflated and floats in the proper orientation when inflated, that has re-inflatable float sections which are sequentially inflated during deployment and sequentially deflated during recovery, that can be repeatedly deployed and recovered for the purposes of training and testing, and that can be deployed immediately upon occurrence of an oil spill from a waterborne vessel because of its on-board location and its rapid deployment, and a control system for proper inflation and deflation of re-inflatable containment boom during deployment and recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventors: Michael T. Miller, Terry Hall
  • Patent number: 9488154
    Abstract: Generation of electricity on-board, principally, certain hydraulic pool cleaners is described. Magnets may be caused to move within coils by (normal) cooperative actions of diaphragm-type valves and external pumps, thus generating electricity without changing the operational principles of the cleaners. The generated electricity may be used to power electrical devices either on-board the cleaners or elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden
  • Patent number: 9487963
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automobile apparatus (1) for cleaning surfaces submerged in a basin (2) comprising a driving mechanism, a programmed controlling device for the driving mechanism, a man-machine interface consisting of an input device, and a filter chamber, characterized in that, on activation of a return command button (12), a return setpoint is emitted to the programmed controlling device, which is adapted to inhibit a cleaning program and control the driving mechanism such that it drives the apparatus up to the surface of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventor: Thierry Michelon
  • Patent number: 9476216
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a pool cleaner including a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel, a turbine paddle, and a steering system. The turbine paddle is configured to rotate based on water movement through the pool cleaner. The steering system is engaged with the first drive wheel, the second drive wheel, and the turbine paddle and is driven by rotation of the turbine paddle. The steering system includes a cam with a first cam profile and a second cam profile different from the first cam profile. The steering system is configured to drive the pool cleaner in forward, reverse, and turn movements by rotating the first drive wheel based on the first cam profile and rotating the second drive wheel based on the second cam profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Satheesh Kumar, Om Prakash Maurya, Narender Sanwal
  • Patent number: 9453355
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a pool vacuum having a wheeled vacuum head having an internal rotating impeller driven by water pressure from a hose connected to the water return inlet of the pool wherein the internal impeller shares a common shaft with a propeller extending into the vacuum head so that the impeller turns the propeller which in turn creates a powerful, upward water flow which will lift leaves, debris and trash from the bottom of the pool upwardly through a housing and into a filter mounted on the upper end portion of the pool vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Robert E. Rasp
  • Patent number: 9435132
    Abstract: A pool sweeper for removing debris from underwater. The pool sweeper has a pump housing and a pump shaft movably mounted in the pump housing. The pool sweeper has a plunger attached to the pump shaft. The pool sweeper has a bag extension attached to a connection port of the pump housing. The pool sweeper has a first collection one-way valve which opens during pulling of the pump shaft. The pool sweeper has a collection port connected to the bag extension between the first collection one-way valve and a second end of the bag extension. The pool sweeper has a second collection one-way valve which opens during pushing of the pump shaft. The pool sweeper has a container connected to the exit of the collection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Rickey Lee Wagner
  • Patent number: 9421581
    Abstract: An innovative cleaning device (1) is described, more particularly for the cleaning of swimming pools and ornamental pools having a casing, a casing base (13), with at least one suction opening (14, 15) arranged on the casing base, a pump (20, 21) connected to the suction opening and conveying fluid to be cleaned into the casing, an actuator for moving and at least one nozzle (27) which is connected to a high-pressure water pump. Also provided is a rotor (25) with at least one arm (26) arranged in a rotatable manner in the casing, the end area of which has the nozzle (27) directed at the bottom of the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: MARINER 3S AG
    Inventor: Roland Winkler
  • Patent number: 9410338
    Abstract: A cleaning robot that includes a drive motor; a housing that encloses the drive motor; a brushing element; and a transmission coupled between the brushing element and the drive motor, the transmission is arranged to convert a rotary movement induced by the drive motor to a combination of (a) a rotary movement of the brushing element about a brushing element axis, and (b) a reciprocal movement of the brushing element in parallel to the brushing element axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MAYTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Boaz Ben Dov, Yohanan Maggeni
  • Patent number: 9399877
    Abstract: Robotic apparatus cleans swimming pools and has road and pulley wheels with belts thereon, on opposite sides and drive motors that rotate a wheel on each side to move the frame along a pool surface. Pairs of outside wheels have friction surfaces to engage pool surfaces to also moving the frame. Forward and rearward brush assemblies are driven to brush the pool surface. Oppositely facing and angled duck bill valves allow water into free volumes in the frame and are covered by a filter bag for filtering out debris under the action of a dual pump assembly that pumps water out through a pair of outlet opening in a top of the frame. A computer processor controls the drive motors and pump assembly to move the frame along programmed paths and rechargeable batteries power the drive motors, pump assembly and computer processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: WATER TECH, LLC
    Inventors: Guy Erlich, John Many, Jon Emaleh, James Kosmyna, Curtis Elliott, Thomas Lorys, Daniel Camisi
  • Patent number: 9388596
    Abstract: A self directed pool cleaning vehicle comprising a body carrying water inlet and outlet ports with the inlet port being located on the bottom of the body with the body containing a filter is described. A drive mechanism propels the vehicle in two generally opposed directions. Two axles which each carry two wheels support the body and control its direction of movement. One axle is mounted to the body via slots that extend in the directions of motion such that this axle can move toward either end of the slots. A steering structure is provided with a portion that moves to close a portion of one of the slots and can be locked in a position that prevents one end of an axle from traversing its slot. Thus when this axle is the trialing axle it is held at other than a right angle to the two generally opposed directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Aqua Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Hanan, Kameshwar Durvasula, William Londono Correa, Aleksandr Klebanov, Jason Zerweck, Tony Gatta
  • Patent number: 9366049
    Abstract: A pool cleaner having two tilted pumps pointing in opposite directions, which propel the pool cleaner. In an embodiment, the pumps are turned on alternatively to alternate the direction of travel of the pool cleaner. In an embodiment, each pump has a discharge opening facing upwards at an angle, covered by an adjustable flap. The flap can be adjusted to open to different degrees to change the speed of the pool cleaner. The flap is attached to a ring that rotates and thereby rotates the angle of the orientation of the flap. Adjusting the angle of orientation of the flap of the pool cleaner changes the extent to which the pool cleaner moves sideways while moving forwards or the extent to which the pool cleaner turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ZHIBAO POOLS COMPANY
    Inventors: Wing-Tak Hui, Andrew Matthew Hui, Wing-Kin Hui
  • Patent number: 9353542
    Abstract: A method, for cleaning a pool with N vertical walls using a robot, comprising adjusting the robot against the vertical wall of rank n=1. The robot advances along the vertical wall of rank n until the vertical wall of rank n+1 is detected. The robot retracts over a release distance in order to be released from the vertical wall of rank n+1. The robot makes a rotation on itself in order to be adjusted against the vertical wall of rank n+1. Checking whether n is equal to N, in the negative case, the cleaning method continues with an incrementation step where “n” is incremented by “1”, and—then looping onto the advancement step. In the positive case, the cleaning method continues with a finishing step where the robot advances along the vertical wall of rank “1” until the vertical wall of rank “2” is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: HEXAGONE MANUFACTURE SAS
    Inventors: Yoann Chouraqui, Damien Dumontier
  • Patent number: 9347192
    Abstract: The Feces Remover with Quick-Release Head provides a tool to retrieve feces and directly deposit the feces into a disposable bag without the need to simultaneously handle the Feces Remover and disposable bag. The Feces Remover includes a handle formed with a storage compartment having a quick-release head receiver with an attached quick-release head at one end and a cap used to enclose the storage compartment at the opposite end. A plunger placed at the bottom of the storage compartment is attached to the cap. As the cap is removed from the handle, the plunger is pulled up along the storage compartment and brings all the items held within towards the uncapped end of the storage container. To remove feces a disposable bag is directly attached to the quick-release head receiver and quick-release head where the opening of the quick-release head allows feces to be directly deposited into the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Smith
  • Patent number: 9328525
    Abstract: A pool cleaning apparatus that may include a filter; a entrapment cell; a first impeller; a first pump motor arranged to rotate the first impeller; a driving unit arranged to move the pool cleaning robot; a structural element; and an external housing that comprises a first inlet and a first outlet; wherein the filter and the structural element define a first space that has a spiral portion; wherein the first impeller is arranged to rotate along a first rotational direction; wherein rotation of the first impeller along a first rotational direction causes fluid be drawn through the first inlet and to follow a spiral path within the first space during which a first portion of the fluid is filtered by the filter to provide filtered fluid that exits through the first outlet of the housing; and a second portion of the fluid follows the spiral path until entering the entrapment cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: MAYTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Idan Shlomi-Shlomi, Igor Grubman
  • Patent number: 9326651
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a flexible head portion and combined suction and blowing mechanism to agitate debris. An external pressured air source is used to provide a source of pressured air for the blowing mechanism. The head portion has blowing and suction nozzles arranged such that the suction nozzles surround the blowing nozzles or vice versa. The blowing and suction nozzles may be in parallel rows and may have almost perpendicular trajectories. The blowing mechanism may be operated according to an alternating pulsing pattern corresponding to different blowing nozzle groups to create a repeating and bidirectional agitation effect onto stubborn debris in the area between the nozzle groups. The flexible head portion is formed by a grid of head portion units attached to each other by a joining mechanism. The flexible head portion has a concave shape in its relaxed state and can at least partially conform to irregular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Mohammed Jarallah Alshehri
  • Patent number: 9267300
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a surface which is immersed in a liquid, comprising a hollow body, guiding and driving members, a filtration chamber in the hollow body, at least one liquid inlet, at least one liquid outlet out of the hollow body, at least one axial pumping propeller, a single reversible electric motor whose drive shaft, in order to move it, is simultaneously mechanically connected to at least one motorized member and to each pumping propeller. In a first rotation direction of the drive shaft, each motorized member is driven in a forward direction, and each pumping propeller generates the flow of liquid in the normal direction ensuring the cleaning of the immersed surface. In a second rotation direction of the drive shaft, each motorized member is driven in a backward direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Emmanuel Mastio, Philippe Blanc-Tailleur, Philippe Pichon
  • Patent number: 9250626
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method of remotely controlling a motorized submerged surface cleaning apparatus (1) comprising a body and a drive device, said remote control device comprising a control terminal (15) having a housing, a device (16) for transmitting control signals for the drive device, characterized in that the housing comprises an orientation detector furnishing at least one orientation parameter of the housing, and in that said device comprises a unit for processing orientation parameters, producing a first command for the drive device for an orientation parameter that is within a first interval of values, and a second command for the drive device for an orientation parameter that is within a second predetermined interval of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventor: Thierry Michelon
  • Patent number: 9246290
    Abstract: A swivel cord-connector having a swivel head and a swivel tail connected via a swivel core. In an embodiment, a head assembly of the swivel core is enclosed in the swivel head and a tail assembly of the swivel core is enclosed in the swivel tail. In an embodiment, the swivel core includes at least a central conductor rod and one or more concentric conductor tubes, which may rotate along the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, the swivel head has an asymmetrical structure for providing counter torque forces. In an embodiment, the swivel is waterproof and/or can float on water surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: DONGGUAN SMARTPOOL PRODWCTS INCORPORATED CO LTD
    Inventors: Wing-tak Hui, Andrew Matthew Hui, Wing-kin Hui
  • Patent number: 9243414
    Abstract: The swimming pool cleaner of the invention is a suction device comprising a rectangular housing, at least four wheels enabling the device to be manually rolled along the swimming pool bottom with the long sides perpendicular to the direction of motion, and two cylindrical rotary brushes adjacent and parallel to opposing long sides of the housing and driven by rotation of the device wheels. Tree leaves and other debris are effectively captured due to a downward sweeping action produced by rotation of the cylindrical rotary brush on the leading edge as the cleaning device, connected to a suction means, is rolled back and forth over the swimming pool bottom by an operator pulling and pushing on a pole attached to the top of the housing. The performance of the device is enhanced via fenders that wrap around the tops of the rotary brushes, and inclusion of various housing bottom features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: David Dewing
  • Patent number: 9242260
    Abstract: A directed multiport jetting nozzle in an eductor having a focal point of the motive fluid inside the throat of a venturi-diffuser body of the present eductor provides an efficient pump and mixer providing substantial surface contact area between the motive flow and the bulk material for movement through the outlet of the eductor. The result of this design provides a homogeneous mixture of the motive fluid and the bulk material which may be hydrating or wetting, or the creation of a slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Stevenson, Daniel R. Whitcher
  • Patent number: 9217260
    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. Rollers are rotatably carried on the bottom of the cleaner and forward and aft the proximate an inlet port. The rollers in combination with lower side wall portions of the housing form a plenum for water and enhance adherence of the pool cleaner to the submerged pool surface being cleaner. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventors: Pavel Sebor, Robert Sebor
  • Patent number: 9212498
    Abstract: A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface including a hollow body, a guiding and driving device for guiding and moving the hollow body over the immersed surface, the hollow body having a base immediately facing immersed surface, at least one liquid inlet, at least one member protruding from the base of the hollow body towards the immersed surface, wherein it includes, immediately in front of a protruding member, in a movement direction of the hollow body, at least one member, called an anti-blocking member, which can rotate about a rotation axis which is fixed in relation to said protruding member, the anti-blocking member being provided in order to be able to roll over an obstacle of the immersed surface, and to drive the protruding member in movement so as to overcome the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Philippe Pichon, Philippe Blanc-Tailleur, Emmanuel Mastio
  • Patent number: 9180934
    Abstract: A hull cleaning robot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, includes a robot body and a drive module within the robot body for maneuvering the robot about a hull. The drive module includes a drive element for holding the robot on the hull as the robot maneuvers about the hull. The drive element includes a cleaning function for cleaning the hull of a vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Fraser M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9179653
    Abstract: An automated fish tank cleaning assembly automatically cleans a fish tank. The assembly includes an upper housing and a processor coupled to and positioned in the upper housing. Support arms are extend from the upper housing supporting the upper housing on a fish tank. Each of a plurality of rollers is coupled an associated one of the support arms. Each of the rollers is operationally coupled to the processor wherein the rollers move the upper housing relative to the fish tank. A lower housing is coupled to the upper housing by a connection conduit extending between the upper housing and the lower housing. A plurality of cleaning arms is coupled to and extends from the lower housing. Each of a plurality of brushes is coupled to a distal end of an associated one of the cleaning arms relative to the lower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Kyle D. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9133639
    Abstract: A pool cleaning robot comprising: a housing; an impeller and a motor; at least one filter compartment configured for accommodating a filter unit therein; an impeller outlet formed in a housing top surface; at least one additional outlet other than the impeller outlet configured for being fluidly connected to an external suction and filtering system; at least one bottom inlet formed in said housing bottom configured for a first fluid communication with the impeller outlet via said filter unit, thereby defining a first fluid path; and at least one bottom inlet formed in said housing bottom configured for a second fluid communication with said additional outlet via a second fluid path at least partially different from the first fluid path, said second fluid path constituting a part of an external suction and filtering fluid path created when said additional outlet is fluidly connected to an external suction and filtering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: MAYTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Boaz Ben-Dov, Evgeny Blank
  • Patent number: 9121191
    Abstract: A pool cleaner has a float and close proximity counter weight that together improve the applied torque to steer the pool cleaner, a body 13 has slots 33 diametrically opposed on the body 13 and these receive tangs 66 and 67 which depend from a circular body 68. The body 68 carries a circular guide-way 69 with a guide 70 travelling between opposite ends of the guide-way. A float 26 is connected to the guide by two pivot arms 71 and 72 which have openings at their ends so that they slide into position and are retained in place by snap in retainers 73 and 74. The guide 70 has a circular shoulder 75 and at opposite ends of the guide has projections 76 and 77 such that the rail 78 of the guide-way is retained between the surface 75 and the inner surfaces 78 and 79 of the projections 76 and 77 with the rail against the surface 80. A corresponding structure is on the opposite side of the guide and this retains the rail 81 so that the guide slides around a circular path defined by the rails 78 and 81.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Pool Systems Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: James Edward Kellogg
  • Patent number: 9091092
    Abstract: A pool cleaner having a coarse filter and a fine filter. The coarse filter removes large pieces of debris. The fine filter removes fine particles from the water. In an embodiment, the fine filter is a filter bag made from a cloth material. In an embodiment, the coarse filter is a mesh grating with small holes. In an embodiment, the fine filter is supported by a rigid mesh placed downstream from the coarse filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: DONGGUAN SMARTPOOL PRODWCTS INCORPORATED CO LTD
    Inventors: Wing-kin Hui, Andrew Matthew Hui, Wing-tak Hui
  • Patent number: 9080342
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an efficient filtration process of water from a tank, where the filtration is performed over a small volume of water and not on the totality of the water from the tank; the process comprises the following steps: (a) emitting ultrasonic waves in the tank; (b) adding a flocculant agent to the water; (c) covering the tank bottom with a suctioning device which suctions a water flow with flocculated particles, discharging to a collecting effluent line; (d) filtering the effluent flow of the suctioning device from said collecting effluent line; and (e) returning the filtered flow to the tank. The present invention additionally comprises a suctioning device used in said efficient filtration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Crystal Lagoons (Curacao) B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Fischmann T.
  • Patent number: 9074386
    Abstract: A cleaning robot capable of cleaning a water tank in an unmanned manner and an underwater sediment cleaning apparatus and method are provided. The cleaning robot includes a body put into a water tank, a driver supporting the body and moving the body, a suction part arranged in front of the body and sucking contaminated water containing sediment in the water tank, and a tilting part supported by the body to support the suction part and rotating the suction part on an axis corresponding to the direction across the moving direction of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ROBOT & CONVERGENCE
    Inventors: Young Jin Hong, Mun Jik Lee, Jung Woo Lee, Jong Geol Kim, Jin Ho Suh
  • Patent number: 9062473
    Abstract: A robotic pool or tank cleaner is propelled by water jets, the direction of which is controlled by the direction of rotation of a horizontally mounted pump motor within the pool cleaner housing, having a propeller attached to either end of the motor drive shaft which projects from opposing ends of the motor body, each of the propellers being positioned in a water jet discharge conduit that terminates in discharge ports in opposing ends of the housing. Each discharge conduit has a pressure-sensitive flap valve downstream of the respective propellers. When the propellers rotate in one direction, the water is drawn through one or more openings in the base plate, passes through one or more filter assemblies associated with the pool cleaner and is discharged through one of the discharge ports as a water jet of sufficient force to propel the pool cleaner along the surface being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Aqua Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Giora Erlich
  • Publication number: 20150143643
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS & POOL ACCESSORIES IMPORT
    Inventors: Michel Cavagnol, Liang Chen, Vincent Lavabre, Maxime Puech
  • Publication number: 20150135450
    Abstract: A cleaning robot that includes a drive motor; a housing that encloses the drive motor; a brushing element; and a transmission coupled between the brushing element and the drive motor, the transmission is arranged to convert a rotary movement induced by the drive motor to a combination of (a) a rotary movement of the brushing element about a brushing element axis, and (b) a reciprocal movement of the brushing element in parallel to the brushing element axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Boaz Ben Dov, Yohanan Maggeni
  • Patent number: 9032575
    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. Rollers are rotatably carried on the bottom of the cleaner and forward and aft the proximate an inlet port. The rollers in combination with lower side wall portions of the housing form a plenum for water and enhance adherence of the pool cleaner to the submerged pool surface being cleaner. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Pavel Sebor
  • Publication number: 20150128361
    Abstract: An electric-powered submersible vacuum cleaner for filtering water in a pool includes a base with an inlet port extending therethrough. A plurality of wheels extends from the lower surface of the base to facilitate movement of the cleaner over a surface of the pool. An impeller coaxially aligned with the inlet draws water and debris from the pool surface. An electric-powered drive train is coupled to the cleaner and configured to rotate the impeller. A discharge conduit in fluid communication with the inlet extends substantially normal with respect to the upper surface of the base and circumscribes the impeller to direct the flow of water/debris drawn through the inlet by the impeller. A filter mounted over the discharge conduit filters the debris from the drawn water and passes filtered water into the pool. A rotatable handle is attached to and facilitates manual movement of the cleaner over the pool surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Water Tech LLC
    Inventors: Guy ERLICH, James KOSMYNA, John MANY, Jonathan ELMALEH, Curtis ELLIOTT
  • Publication number: 20150121636
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is cleaning structure attachable to a submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV). In one exemplary embodiment the PCV has an endless loop track and a chassis therefore. The cleaning structure attaches to the chassis and acts as a cap covering the drive wheels and track. The cleaning structure includes a base and bristles extending outwardly therefrom. The bristles define fingers. In one embodiment, the fingers are of a uniform length. In another embodiment, the fingers are of a graduated length. Others embodiments include the fingers being distributed on the base in a random pattern. In one embodiment, the cleaning structure defines a single insert. In another, the cleaning structure includes multiple inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Wing-kin HUI, Wing-tak Hui
  • Patent number: 9021645
    Abstract: A pool cleaning robot for cleaning a surface of a swimming pool, said robot comprising: a main housing; main wheels being configured for propelling the robot; an auxiliary brushwheel disposed between said main wheels and configured for being rotated by the robot about an axis of rotation; and at least one inlet being formed in a bottom panel of the housing between said main wheels and being configured for intake of water and debris, wherein said main wheels are configured for being rotated by the robot at a first angular velocity, and said auxiliary brushwheel is configured for being rotated by the robot at a second angular velocity which is greater than the first angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Maytronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Efraim Garti
  • Publication number: 20150101135
    Abstract: A pool cleaning robot for cleaning a pool, comprising: a housing; and a drive system that is arranged to move the pool cleaning robot in relation to an environment of the pool cleaning robot; wherein the environment comprises the pool and an exterior surface; wherein the drive system comprises: a drive motor system; a group of interfacing modules; a transmission system that is arranged to couple the drive motor system to the group of interfacing modules; and an interface manipulator; wherein interfacing modules of the group are arranged to interface between the pool cleaning robot and the environment; wherein the interface manipulator is arranged to change a spatial relationship between (a) the housing and (b) a selected interfacing module of the group, during an exit process during which the pool cleaning robot exits the pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Shay Witelson, Boaz Ben Dov
  • Patent number: 8997293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning an immersed surface including a body and members for driving the body over the immersed surface; a filtration chamber which is provided in the body and which has: a liquid inlet; a liquid outlet; a hydraulic circuit for the flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet through a filtering device, wherein the filtering device includes a filtering casing which is removably mounted in the filtration chamber and which can be inserted into and removed from the filtration chamber in one piece, and the filtering casing has at least a lower end which opens at the base of the body and which constitutes a liquid inlet into the body of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care Europe
    Inventors: Philippe Pichon, Emmanuel Mastio
  • Patent number: 8990990
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for operating a pressure-driven pool cleaner. The system includes a hydraulic timer assembly and a venturi vacuum assembly. The method includes directing water to the hydraulic timer assembly and the venturi vacuum assembly, driving the pressure-driven pool cleaner with the hydraulic timer assembly according to a timed movement cycle including a combination of backward movement and forward movement, and suctioning debris with the venturi vacuum assembly. The venturi vacuum assembly is independent of the hydraulic timer assembly so that suctioning occurs during the backward movement and the forward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalan, Nitin Aggarwal, Jayamurali Kaladharan, Brian King, Leonard Richiuso
  • Patent number: 8978188
    Abstract: A pool cleaner having a coarse filter and a fine filter. The coarse filter removes large pieces of debris. The fine filter removes fine particles from the water. In an embodiment, the fine filter is a filter bag made from a cloth material. In an embodiment, the coarse filter is a mesh grating with small holes. In an embodiment, the fine filter is supported by a rigid mesh placed downstream from the coarse filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Wing-kin Hui, Andrew Matthew Hui, Wing-tak Hui
  • Publication number: 20150067974
    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
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Boaz Ben Dov, Oded Golan
  • Publication number: 20150059106
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: POOLVERGNUEGEN
    Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
  • Patent number: 8968559
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a biodegradable, disposable debris bag for a pool cleaner. The debris bag includes biodegradable fabric filtration media stitched together to form an opening capable of being coupled to an outlet of the pool cleaner and a hollow interior portion to capture debris from the pool cleaner. The biodegradable fabric filtration media is folded over and stitched together to create the opening and the hollow interior portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Cherulassery Gopalan, Brian S. King
  • Patent number: RE45852
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning assembly that has at least one ultrasonic generator, a swimming pool cleaning machine including a support frame, a housing shell provided with a bottom wall and arranged around the support frame, a driver located in the housing shell, advancer supported by the frame and arranged to be place, in use, on a surface to be cleaned of a swimming pool and driven, at least one water suction opening provided in the bottom surface of the housing shell, which is designed to be put in fluid communication with water suction, driver being tightly sealed in the housing shell and electrically connectable to the supply, the ultrasonic generator being arranged at the bottom wall facing, in use, the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: MAYTRONICS, LTD.
    Inventor: Vittorio Pareti