For Aquarium Or Swimming Pool Patents (Class 210/416.2)
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Patent number: 11895991Abstract: An aquarium skimmer device can include a filter body that attaches to a water pump, filter, or power head, wherein the filter body is configured to hold a filter medium for filtering water that passes through the filter body. The skimmer device can also include a funnel holder that attaches to a top of the filter body, and a funnel assembly comprising a funnel. The funnel assembly can be received by the funnel holder and configured to float up and down with respect to the funnel holder with changes in water level, and a wide opening of the funnel is positioned one inch or less below a surface of the water.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Inventor: Robert Douglas Schmidt
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Patent number: 10167651Abstract: A system and method for filtering pool water by removing algae from the water without the use of chemicals is presented. The system includes a pump, a hose, and a filter. The pump is configured to move a volume of water from the pool and push the water through the hose. A container is in communication with the hose to receive the water. The container includes an internal filter and a series of holes in the body of the container. The water passes through the filter and is discharged out through the holes. The water is recycled through the filter continuously. The location of the pump and the container relative to one another within the pool allows an operator to dictate the level of circulation and filtration of water through the pool.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Inventor: Clint Jackson
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Patent number: 8978188Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Inventors: Wing-kin Hui, Andrew Matthew Hui, Wing-tak Hui
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Patent number: 8943632Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning swimming pools comprises a self-propelled device comprising: movement means for moving the self-propelled device in a swimming pool; a water recirculation circuit; means for cleaning the surfaces of the swimming pool; and a power supply battery for supplying electric energy to one or more out of the movement means, the recirculation circuit and the cleaning means; the apparatus also comprises a recharging base for the power supply battery, the base having at least a first inductive element positioned in the swimming pool; the recharging base comprising a supporting unit having a first end integral with the swimming pool and a second end which is opposite to the first end and suspended in the swimming pool; the first inductive element hanging from the second end of the supporting unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Inventor: Fabrizio Bernini
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Patent number: 8741148Abstract: A water treatment system including a reverse osmosis module and a control valve controlling communication between a water source and the module. A feedwater biased storage tank stores permeate and its pressurization by feedwater is controlled by a feedwater control valve. Flow of signal pressure to a signal pressure chamber of the feedwater control valve is restricted to reduce the rate at which a fluid generated force is applied. A check valve in parallel with the restriction allows relatively unrestricted flow out of the signal chamber when signal pressure is terminated. A tank pressurization control valve controls the operation of the feedwater control valve and controls the pressurization of a feedwater biasing chamber in the storage tank. Per-meate is stored in an accumulator for flushing the reverse osmosis module when the storage tank reaches a predetermined limit. Cleaning substances or additives can be introduced into the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Kinetico IncorporatedInventors: Stuart Park, Stephen Goff, Steven Hoopes, Peter Halemba
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Patent number: 8728307Abstract: A whirlpool skimming device removes surface debris from a pool by creating a whirlpool having an upper bound at the surface of the pool. The uppermost portion of the whirlpool is free standing and is not bounded by the device. The device includes an outer cup-shaped portion and an inner cup-shaped portion coaxially disposed therein. An opening is disposed in the bottom of the inner cup-shaped portion which communicates with a source of suction which is preferably a Venturi tube feeding the outlet water to a filter bag. There is a first nozzle supplying water at an upper, inner edge of the inner cup-shaped portion at a slightly downward angle in a first direction, and there is a second nozzle supplying water at a lower, outer edge of the inner cup-shaped portion and mounted on an opposite side of the inner cup-shaped portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Inventor: Joseph Iacovacci
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Patent number: 8709243Abstract: An improved pool cleaning vehicle with the ability to clean and sanitize pool water includes a housing having an interior. The vehicle includes a chemical dispenser member connected to the housing. The chemical dispenser member has a hollow interior suitable for storing chemicals for sanitizing pool water. The chemical dispenser member includes an inlet for allowing pool water to contact the chemical dispenser member. The chemical dispenser member includes a dissolvable seal and upon continued contact with water, the seal dissolves. The chemical dispenser member also includes an outlet facilitating communication between the chemical dispenser member and the pool water.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Smartpool LLCInventor: Wing-kin Hui
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Patent number: 8702981Abstract: Disclosed herein are wedge-shaped filter cartridges having a maximized upstream surface area. The filter cartridges are modular and may be stacked in a filter cartridge system.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Central Garden & Pet CompanyInventors: Thomas Robert Lutz, Phillip C. Bartoszek, Marco Pierobon, Luca Bezzegato, Fabio Bellia
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Patent number: 8689369Abstract: A swimming pool skimmer formed to include an integral disinfectant dispenser. The disinfectant dispenser is adapted to enable infinite adjustment to the level of disinfectant dispensed into the normal flow of the pool water. The skimmer includes a valve that is used to adjust the flow of water distributed to the disinfectant dispenser. The flow rate of water entering the dispensing chamber is controlled by the valve, which controls the water level within the dispensing chamber. The amount of water exiting the dispensing chamber is controlled by a vertically extending elongated flow slit. The higher the water level in the dispensing chamber causes more exposure to the chlorine tablets, increasing the chlorine level in the dispensing water. Chlorinated water exits the flow slit and enters the skimmer main chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: P.I. Inc.Inventor: Laurence A. Nelson
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Patent number: 8679330Abstract: Disclosed are filter assemblies for an aquarium tank. The disclosed assemblies include a filter basket assembly in which one or more filter baskets are connected, either directly or indirectly, to a filter pump basket. The filter pump basket typically is located upstream of the one or more filter baskets and pumps water upwards through the filter basket assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Central Garden and Pet CompanyInventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Andrew S. Hudson, Thomas Robert Lutz
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Patent number: 8560119Abstract: A robot cleaner that travels straight through alignment of drive wheels to move the robot cleaner and a method of controlling travel of the same. Information related to a movement angle of the robot cleaner is detected from angle information of a caster wheel rotating depending upon a state of a floor, such as a carpet in a state in which texture of the carpet occurs in one direction, and, when the movement angle of the robot cleaner deviates due to slippages of the drive wheels, rates of rotation of the drive wheels are adjusted to correct the slippages of the drive wheels such that the robot cleaner easily travels straight.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Hwa Lee, Jae Man Joo, Dong Won Kim, Jun Pyo Hong, Woo Ram Chung, Jae Young Jung, Kyung Hwan Yoo, Hwi Chan Jang, Jang Youn Ko, Jeong Gon Song, Sam Jong Jeung
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Patent number: 8475657Abstract: The method and device for filtering liquid in an aquarium, the filtration device made by the liquid filtration method comprises a box-shaped casing, the filtration bodies and filtration materials are set inside the casing, wherein the casing includes a water inlet set around the casing and grid panels set inside both sides of the casing; the filtration bodies include an inner filtration body set inside the grid panels and an outer filtration body set outside the grid panels; the filtration materials are filled inside the casing, between the inner filtration body and grid panels; in this way, the liquid to be filtered enters into the casing through the water inlet and flows out from the grid panels, and proceeds further from the casing via the inner filtration body, filtration materials and outer filtration body treatment.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Shenzhen Xingrisheng Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Wang Wu
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Patent number: 8453605Abstract: An aquarium system for aquatic organisms easily performs maintenance of a purifying device and a circulation pump and downsizes a purifying zone. The system includes an aquarium, a partition wall dividing the aquarium into a nurturing zone and a purifying zone, a circulation pump for circulating water between the nurturing zone and the purifying zone, and a purifying device selected from a filter for filtering water by making the water pass through a filtering material, a protein skimmer for removing proteins contained in the water by making the proteins adhere to air bubbles, and an ultraviolet light irradiator for sterilizing the water by irradiating ultraviolet light to the water. The circulation pump and the purifying device are mounted on a mounting frame and are accommodated in the purifying zone in a removably inserted manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tominaga Jyushi KogyoshoInventors: Kazutoshi Tominaga, Ryuzo Arita
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Patent number: 8393030Abstract: Detailed is 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 and a liquid outlet, a hydraulic circuit for flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet through a filtering device, wherein the filtering device includes an opening which is in communication with the liquid inlet and, for filtering and recovering debris, a space which is delimited by filtering walls and which extends towards the liquid outlet, the space having a regular cross-section which decreases from the opening towards the liquid outlet in order to form a convergent chamber for tangential filtration of the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care EuropeInventors: Philippe Pichon, Emmanuel Mastio
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Patent number: 8394266Abstract: The invention relates to a rolling cleaner apparatus for a submerged surface, comprising rolling drive members, at least one motor (20a, 20b) for driving at least one rolling drive member, a filtration chamber formed in the hollow body and having a liquid inlet into the hollow body, a liquid outlet from the hollow body, a hydraulic circuit for circulating liquid between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet through a filtering device, a motorized pumping device (12) designed to generate a flow of liquid between each liquid inlet and each liquid outlet, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (90) designed to modulate the flow of liquid circulating between each liquid inlet and each liquid outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care EuropeInventors: Philippe Pichon, Emmanuel Mastio
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Patent number: 8343339Abstract: Advantageous apparatus, are provided for facilitating maintenance of a automated pool cleaning device. More particularly, an improved automated pool cleaning device is provided, according to the present disclosure. The device, generally, includes a facially accessible quick-release roller assembly, a bucket-type filter assembly, and a windowed top access lid assembly. The improved roller assembly and filter assembly are easily accessible for maintenance purposes. Furthermore, the windowed lid assembly provides visual feedback as to when the filter assembly needs to be cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventor: Jirawat Sumonthee
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Patent number: 8273254Abstract: A method of sanitizing water contained in a spa is provided which comprises installing a chlorine generating cell including a diamond electrode in a filter compartment of the spa, employing a resin-filled calcium remover bag to reduce the hardness of the water, adding salt to the water; and operating the chlorine generating cell to generate chlorine and other sanitizing agents for sanitizing the water.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing CorporationInventor: Michael McCague
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Patent number: 8252176Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pool cleaning an electric pool cleaning vehicle having a drive assembly and including an advanced system for draining water from the vehicle as the vehicle is removed from a pool of water. The vehicle includes a housing defining a body shell and the body shell having an interior cavity and an electrical power cord to supply power to the vehicle having a connection point on the vehicle. A filtering system is located within the body cavity. The vehicle includes a drain door assembly and the drain door assembly has an inlet connected to the filtering system. A handle is located adjacent the electrical cord connection point, sized and shaped to easily lift the vehicle filled with water out of a pool and the drain door assembly being on an opposed portion of the vehicle from the handle.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Inventor: Wing-kin Hui
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Patent number: 8245852Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pre-filter assembly for use with a pump. The assembly includes a housing having an intake channel and an outlet channel. The intake channel includes an intake flange around a first circumference and a ribbed surface to facilitate sealing. The outlet channel includes a bottom portion and an outlet flange around a second circumference. The intake flange and the outlet flange are on opposite sides of the housing. The assembly also includes a basket positioned in the housing. The basket has a bottom side and is positioned above the bottom portion of the outlet channel to form a chamber. The basket is positioned in closer proximity to the intake channel than to the outlet channel. In addition, the assembly includes a securing device with a lid having ridges and a clear top to permit the user to view the contents of the basket. The securing device also includes a locking ring with slots and openings to permit the user to view the contents of the basket.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.Inventors: JoAnne B. Sloan, Rajaiah Chinthanippula, Douglas L. Stout, Dick Edwards
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Patent number: 8197681Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter system for ornamental ponds and stock tanks that has a housing defining an internal chamber. A number of feet are located on a lower flat surface of the housing, which hold the housing off of the bottom of the pond. A filter slot in the lower surface holds a filter. A pump is inside the internal chamber of the housing and has an inlet inside the internal chamber and an outlet outside the internal chamber of the housing. When the filter system is submerged, the pump draws water in along the bottom of the body of water through the filter. As a result, the debris on the bottom of the body of water is drawn into the filter. Once the debris is drawn into the filter, microbes in the filter are able to break down the debris.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: K&H Manufacturing, LLCInventor: James Donald Koskey, Jr.
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Patent number: 8186517Abstract: A pump for use with a fluid circulation system for a recreational water body is disclosed. The pump includes a strainer housing, an impeller housing integrally formed with respect to the strainer housing, and an impeller cover mounted with respect to the impeller housing. The strainer housing includes a top portion having an outer surface adapted to engage with a strainer housing cover for mounting the strainer housing cover with respect to the strainer housing. A plurality of cams are formed circumferentially with respect to the outer surface of the top portion of the strainer housing. The cams are configured and dimensioned to cooperate with corresponding cam members formed with respect to an inner surface of the strainer housing cover. A positioning tab is formed with respect to the top portion of the strainer housing for appropriate alignment of the strainer housing cover. A positioning notch is formed with respect to the inner surface of the strainer housing cover.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.Inventors: Joel Brent Bowman, Dwayne Emory Clark, Ronald H. Griffin, Fred Hazlehurst
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Patent number: 8187465Abstract: A blood filtering device for the recuperation of blood from wound drained blood, in particular for an autologous blood transfusion system, has a first filter arranged upstream of a second filter. The first filter is adapted for removing emboli and/or large particulate matter from the blood and for allowing red blood cells to pass. The second filter is adapted for retaining red blood cells. An exit port is arranged downstream of the first filter and upstream of the second filter. The device is characterised in that the second filter has a pore size of more than about 0.5 ?m. A method of recuperating blood from wound drained blood is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Gelanus B.V.Inventor: Arno Pieter Nierich
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Patent number: 8173011Abstract: A pool/spa water treatment system may include a pump and a pool filter. The pump may include a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump inlet and outlet may be aligned on a first axis or within a first vertical plane. The pool filter may be offset a select transverse distance from the pump. The pool filter may include a pool filter inlet in fluid communication with the pump outlet. The pool filter inlet and the pump outlet may be aligned on a second axis or within a second vertical plane that is transverse to the first axis or plane. The pool/spa water treatment system may further include a heater. The heater may include a heater inlet in fluid communication with the pool filter outlet. The heater inlet may be aligned with the pool filter outlet within the second plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.Inventors: David B. Nibler, Emily R. Colomes, Peter M. Owenson
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Patent number: 8141191Abstract: Disclosed herein is using a combination of pump and drive motor activation and deactivation the vehicle can be turned and programmed to avoid vertical and other obstacles.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Techno Spa LimitedInventor: Wing-kin Hui
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Patent number: 8128813Abstract: A self cleaning system for a swim spa and a hot tub including a container for holding water having a weight bearing floor and sides. A basin may be positioned in the floor of the container and is integral with the container. A perforated cover may be set into the basin. A suctioning means can be positioned in the basin under the perforated cover to allow for the suctioning of water and debris through the perforated cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Hydropool Industries Inc.Inventor: Douglas Robert Wyatt, Jr.
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Patent number: 8025157Abstract: A power recovery system is used for reducing the total energy consumption in a process such as an industrial treating process or a fluid refining process including the delivery of a fluid under a high pressure. The power recovery system includes a high-pressure pump for pressuring raw water, a reverse osmosis membrane cartridge for treating high-pressure water discharged from the high-pressure pump with a reverse osmosis membrane to produce treated water, a positive-displacement piston pump for pressuring raw water under the pressure of concentrated water which is discharged from the reverse osmosis membrane cartridge without being treated by the reverse osmosis membrane, and a power recovery pump turbine for boosting the pressurized raw water discharged from the positive-displacement piston pump and adding the boosted water to the high-pressure water discharged from the high-pressure pump. The power recovery pump turbine is actuated by pressurized water generated in the power recovery system.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: EBARA CorporationInventors: Shigeo Takita, Masao Shinoda, Takashi Yamanaka, Akira Goto, Hideki Kanno
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Patent number: 8017007Abstract: A filtering unit (1) for an aquarium is described, said filtering unit (1) comprising a closed casing (2), which is to be immersed in a liquid, inlet means (3), a liquid path (4) passing through filters (8), outlet means (5, 15-18), an electric pump assembly (6) for forcing liquid to circulate along said liquid path (4). The outlet means (5, 15-18) comprise a multiple outlet selector (18) which may allow selection of outlets (15-17), in particular in a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l.Inventor: Elio Marioni
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Patent number: 7993515Abstract: A pool skimming device comprising an outer body with an outlet to the pool pump line, a hollow mating member which floats within the outer body so that its top rim is at the surface of the pool and a litter basket which fits within the floating member. The device has an inlet to attach a pool suction device and the outer body has a backing plate which fits over the opening of the pool skimmer box which provides access to the pool pump line.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Inventors: Mark Allan Davies, Paul Maarten Degroot
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Patent number: 7951293Abstract: A pool/spa water treatment system may include a pump and a pool filter. The pump may include a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump inlet and outlet may be aligned on a first axis or within a first vertical plane. The pool filter may be offset a select transverse distance from the pump. The pool filter may include a pool filter inlet in fluid communication with the pump outlet. The pool filter inlet and the pump outlet may be aligned on a second axis or within a second vertical plane that is transverse to the first axis or plane. The pool/spa water treatment system may further include a heater. The heater may include a heater inlet in fluid communication with the pool filter outlet. The heater inlet may be aligned with the pool filter outlet within the second plane.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.Inventors: David B. Nibler, Emily R. Colomes, Peter W. Owenson
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Patent number: 7918995Abstract: A filtering device for an aquarium which can easily perform maintenance, inspection and repair of a pump is provided. The present invention is directed to a filtering device for an aquarium to be installed outside an aquarium 1. The device includes a casing 20 open to the atmosphere, a filtration zone Z2 formed in the casing for filtrating water W introduced from the aquarium 1, a discharge pump 35 for sending the water passed through the filtration zone Z2 to an outside of the casing and discharging it into the aquarium, a functional component zone Z1 formed in the casing and separated from the filtration zone Z2, and a functional component unit 3 having the discharge pump 25 and a unit frame 31 for supporting the discharge pump 35. The functional component unit 3 is insertably and detachably accommodated in the functional component zone Z1 of the casing 20.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tominaga Jyushi KogyoshoInventors: Ryuzo Arita, Kazutoshi Tominaga
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Patent number: 7897042Abstract: Entrapping immobilization pellets for purifying breeding water in an aquarium to breed aquatic animals, wherein the entrapping immobilization pellets have a phosphorus content of 0.05 mass % or less.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Yoshikawa, Naoki Abe, Kazuichi Isaka
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Patent number: 7883622Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficient implementation and control of water treatment bypass loops combining ozone and chlorine injection are disclosed. Combined use of ozone and chlorine exploits high oxidation potential of ozone while retaining longer lived residual effectiveness of chlorine for high efficacy against contaminants, particularly biological and organic. Embodiments including automated monitoring and control of chlorine concentrations in presence of high oxidation potentials from ozone are disclosed, as is an inexpensive circuit for using a signal from a redox sensor for controlling output from an electrolysis cell. Also disclosed is a multipurpose enclosure that may be used, with different inserts, to implement an electrolysis cell, an ultraviolet ozone generator, an advanced oxidation unit, or an erosion feeder for adding dissolved salt to water for use in an electrolysis cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Inventor: Ronald L. Barnes
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Patent number: 7867389Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pool cleaning an electric pool cleaning vehicle having a drive assembly and including an advanced system for draining water from the vehicle as the vehicle is removed from a pool of water. The vehicle includes a housing defining a body shell and the body shell having an interior cavity and an electrical power cord to supply power to the vehicle having a connection point on the vehicle. A filtering system is located within the body cavity. The vehicle includes a drain door assembly and the drain door assembly has an inlet connected to the filtering system. A handle is located adjacent the electrical cord connection point, sized and shaped to easily lift the vehicle filled with water out of a pool and the drain door assembly being on an opposed portion of the vehicle from the handle.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Pool TechnologyInventor: Wing-kin Hui
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Patent number: 7862712Abstract: A pool cleaning installation that circulates water of a pool filtering and cleaning the water, having a suction connection to a flexible hose of a suction type automated pool cleaner and a return to a Venturi (10) located in the weir (5) of the pool which has a return pipe (11) to the pool, so that the Venturi action draws water into the weir to skim debris off the pool surface to collect in a leaf basket. The operation of the automated pool cleaner on the pool bottom and walls is not affected should the surface debris clog the leaf basket in the weir.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Inventor: Man Fui Tak
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Patent number: 7815797Abstract: A pre-filter assembly is for use in a skimmer of a residential swimming pool. The pre-filter comprises a skimmer collar and a cleanable filter basket. The skimmer collar is for placement on a rim of a below water surface opening within the skimmer. The cleanable filter basket is made of a water porous material. The filter basket is permanently secured at an edge defining the open-top to the skimmer collar. The filter basket further has a chevron shape for ease of use. Swimming water debris is trapped in the filter basket as pool water is pulled through the filter basket on its way to a primary filter apparatus. The filter basket is easily cleaned as needed and replaced.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Zone Filtration, Inc.Inventor: Danny A. Keith
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Patent number: 7815795Abstract: This invention describes a ring shaped adapter that is adapted to fit within a pool skimmer and have a pressure cap that will prevent debris from inadvertently being deposited within the pump system of the pool under construction. The ring shaped adapter and pressure cap will allow the pool to be drained using the pump system, without any additional equipment.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Inventors: Mark Parks, Garasich John
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Patent number: 7807053Abstract: A filtration system for an aquarium is provided. The filtration system includes a gate chamber with a gate conduit positioned therein that transports unprocessed water from the aquarium. The gate chamber includes filtering media. The filtration system also includes a siphon chamber that is fluidly coupled to the gate chamber. There is a siphon conduit having a siphon conduit inlet at a first elevation within the siphon chamber, a siphon conduit outlet at a second elevation below the first elevation, and a crest at a third elevation above the first and second elevations. The siphon conduit empties into a catch basin, where the processed water is transported back to the aquarium.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Inventor: Dean Smith
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Patent number: 7805792Abstract: The subject of the invention is a pool cleaning robot having a structure for suctioning debris from the bottom of the pool and a propulsion nozzle (5) adapted for directing a propulsive jet of water in a direction opposite to a direction (D1,D2) of movement of the robot, characterized in that the nozzle (5) is rotatably mounted on an axis (z,z?) perpendicular to a plane of movement of the robot, in that the robot has a structure (12,13) for stopping the rotation of the nozzle in at least two essentially opposite directions and structure for controlling (7,71,72) the structure for stopping, equipped so as to be operated by a hydrodynamic force crated by the movement of the robot.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Inventor: Max Roumagnac
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Patent number: 7794590Abstract: Entrapping immobilization pellets for purifying breeding water in an aquarium to breed aquatic animals, wherein microorganisms are entrapped and immobilized in an aqueous polymer gel and the entrapping immobilization pellets are colored.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Yoshikawa, Naoki Abe, Kazuichi Isaka
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Patent number: 7794591Abstract: A pool filter for use in pool piping or other fluid conveyance system. The pool filter may include a housing defining a fluid chamber for receiving one or more filters. Multiple openings may be defined in the housing for receiving and removing fluid from the fluid chamber. The openings may be approximately the same size and may be located on the housing at similar elevations and/or radial sectors. One or more footings may be joined to the housing. Each footing may include a base portion for receiving anchor members to anchor the housing to a support surface. The footings may be designed to transfer to the support surface predetermined lateral or other forces imposed upon the pool filter by events such as earthquakes and hurricanes. The footings may be separate components joined to the housing by tabs and/or mechanical fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.Inventors: David B. Nibler, Randy Tan, Steve E. Gutai
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Patent number: 7771592Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly is mounted to an aquarium tank and defines a water flow path therethrough from upstream to downstream from an inlet to an outlet. A replaceable filter element is mounted in a filter chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Newa Tecno Industria s.r.l.Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Christopher L. Hawker, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
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Patent number: 7736496Abstract: A dual pump water treatment system for automatically replenishing the water level within a tank of a marine reef aquarium by alternating between a calcium solution reservoir and an alkalinity solution reservoir. The calcium reservoir is in connection with a first pump, while the alkalinity reservoir is in connection with a second pump. The system includes a pair of water level sensors in communication with a solid state relay on a printed circuit board of a switch box. When the water level drops the sensor triggers the relay to turn on the calcium reservoir. When the water level is replenished the first pump is turned off. When the water level drops again, the sensor triggers the relay to turn on the alkalinity reservoir. When the water level is replenished the second pump is turned off. The cycle is repeated based on water level in the tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Inventor: George DeGiacomo
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Patent number: 7736523Abstract: A dispenser or dispensable material for external attachment to a mobile surface cleaning device, mobile surface cleaning device provides an aftermarket apparatus and method for both on-the-go cleaning and on-the-go delivery of dispensable materials into the body of water with the dispensable material mounted either on a downstream side of the mobile surface cleaning device or spaced from the flow path through the mobile surface cleaning device.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: King Technology IncInventor: Joseph A. King
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Patent number: 7727387Abstract: A pool skimmer to operate independently of a pool filter pump. A pool skimmer has a bucket assembly similar to pool skimmers that use the filter pump to create a suction to draw and hold surface floating debris inside the pool skimmer where the debris can be removed from the bucket assembly and emptied. However, instead of using the pool filter pump, a sealed electrical pump assembly uses a rotatable magnetic assembly inside the sealed pump body. A magnetic impeller fits within the pump body and rotates in response to rotation of the magnetic assembly inside the sealed pump body. This creates a water flow forcing water out of the bucket assembly in contrast to using a filter pump to suck water through the bucket assembly as in conventional technology. Because each pool skimmer operates independently of others and of the filter pump, they may be located without regard to filter pump efficiencies. Moreover, the suction created is not enough to create a health hazard for users, especially small children.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Inventor: Christopher M. Goggin
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Patent number: 7699983Abstract: A swimming pool skimmer which has two independent pieces, a first piece and a second piece, fixed to one another orientably. The first piece forms a first guide tunnel for water in the swimming pool and has a first axis of symmetry in its longitudinal direction. The second piece has a body with a cylindrical wall and has a second axis of symmetry in its longitudinal direction. The first and second pieces are suitable for being fixed to one another in several possible angular positions in which the inclination, between the first and second axes at the level of the first and second pieces, varies from 90° to 90°+? max when the first axis, at the level of the first piece, has an inclination varying from the horizontal to an angle ? max below the horizontal, the second axis being vertical.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: GatechInventor: Gerard Andrei
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Patent number: 7682504Abstract: A recirculated marine aquaculture system for growing crustaceans within a body of water includes a wholly submerged chamber situated in the body of water having a filtering wall connecting the chamber floor and ceiling permitting water to flow from the water body into the first chamber while excluding particulate materials. A second chamber is situated above the first chamber having a plurality of water outlets below the body of water upper surface, and a top having an air inlet above the body of water upper surface. A stand pipe has an open lower end opening into the first chamber and a plurality of laterally directed openings into the top of the second chamber. An impeller coupled to the stand pipe moves filtered water from the first chamber through the laterally directed openings into the second chamber adjacent to the air inlet, the water exiting the second chamber into the body of water through the plurality of water outlets after mixing with air drawn in through the air inlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Aqua Manna, LLCInventors: James E. Bradley, Jeremy L. Bradley
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Patent number: 7682503Abstract: An improved and more efficient design for an air driven algae filtration system is achieved because there are no moving parts other than an air pump, and the air is used twice. After using air to circulate water through a filtration unit, the air, still under pressure, is separated from the water. The air is then plumbed to other apparatuses or used for cooling. This allows the filter to be utilized using less electricity. The water is de-gassed before reaching the algae filter. Therefore, no splash guard is necessary to prevent water from splashing the lights. With no splash guard, lower wattage lights can be used to illuminate the algae. This also increases the efficiency of this system. This filter also lends itself to maintaining a reef aquarium.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Inventor: Joe Norris
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Patent number: 7658842Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly including a carrier and a filter element. The carrier including a water collection cup that collects water from the filter element when the filter cartridge assembly is held in an inverted orientation.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.Inventors: Donald Barry Huehn, Joseph Roark, Jeffrey Warden
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Patent number: 7651610Abstract: A water aerating and dirt collecting device for an aquarium includes a pumping device having a paddle device for pumping and circulating the water contained within the aquarium, a receptacle having an entrance coupled to the pumping device for receiving the water from the pumping device and for agitating the water and for generating an eddy current, and a casing having an inlet port coupled to the receptacle for receiving a filtered dirt from the receptacle and having a mouth coupled to the pumping device for allowing an air in the casing to be drawn into the pumping device. The receptacle includes a tubular member for collecting the filtered dirt.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Inventor: Hsueh Lee Tsai
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Patent number: 7636975Abstract: An improved pool vacuum includes a filter cone and poppet valve combination which enables quick drainage of water which has passed through and been cleaned by the cleaner's filter. A charging circuit is provided with isolation so that the pool vacuum can be used in an electrolytic environment without battery drainage. A combination charger and hang bracket enables the pool vacuum to be stored in a vertical position to both drain and charge simultaneously. An interstitial open exhaust gap between a rear body and nose-cone shaped front section provides a low pressure drop free exhaust area for an impeller. An optionally obstructed bottom gap portion helps to produce a net downward thrust to assist in using the vacuum in deep pools from a long pole structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Hydrodynamic Industrial Company LimitedInventors: Pat Y. Mah, Alexander Joseph Kalogroulis, Matthew Edward White