For Aquarium Or Swimming Pool Patents (Class 210/416.2)
  • Patent number: 11895991
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Douglas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10167651
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Clint Jackson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8943632
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Fabrizio Bernini
  • Patent number: 8741148
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Kinetico Incorporated
    Inventors: Stuart Park, Stephen Goff, Steven Hoopes, Peter Halemba
  • Patent number: 8728307
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph Iacovacci
  • Patent number: 8709243
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Smartpool LLC
    Inventor: Wing-kin Hui
  • Patent number: 8702981
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Central Garden & Pet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Lutz, Phillip C. Bartoszek, Marco Pierobon, Luca Bezzegato, Fabio Bellia
  • Patent number: 8689369
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: P.I. Inc.
    Inventor: Laurence A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8679330
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Central Garden and Pet Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Andrew S. Hudson, Thomas Robert Lutz
  • Patent number: 8560119
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8475657
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen Xingrisheng Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wang Wu
  • Patent number: 8453605
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tominaga Jyushi Kogyosho
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Tominaga, Ryuzo Arita
  • Patent number: 8393030
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care Europe
    Inventors: Philippe Pichon, Emmanuel Mastio
  • Patent number: 8394266
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care Europe
    Inventors: Philippe Pichon, Emmanuel Mastio
  • Patent number: 8343339
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jirawat Sumonthee
  • Patent number: 8273254
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Michael McCague
  • Patent number: 8252176
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Wing-kin Hui
  • Patent number: 8245852
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: JoAnne B. Sloan, Rajaiah Chinthanippula, Douglas L. Stout, Dick Edwards
  • Patent number: 8197681
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: K&H Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: James Donald Koskey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8186517
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Brent Bowman, Dwayne Emory Clark, Ronald H. Griffin, Fred Hazlehurst
  • Patent number: 8187465
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Gelanus B.V.
    Inventor: Arno Pieter Nierich
  • Patent number: 8173011
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Nibler, Emily R. Colomes, Peter M. Owenson
  • Patent number: 8141191
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Techno Spa Limited
    Inventor: Wing-kin Hui
  • Patent number: 8128813
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hydropool Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Robert Wyatt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8025157
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: EBARA Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Takita, Masao Shinoda, Takashi Yamanaka, Akira Goto, Hideki Kanno
  • Patent number: 8017007
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l.
    Inventor: Elio Marioni
  • Patent number: 7993515
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Allan Davies, Paul Maarten Degroot
  • Patent number: 7951293
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Nibler, Emily R. Colomes, Peter W. Owenson
  • Patent number: 7918995
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tominaga Jyushi Kogyosho
    Inventors: Ryuzo Arita, Kazutoshi Tominaga
  • Patent number: 7897042
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Yoshikawa, Naoki Abe, Kazuichi Isaka
  • Patent number: 7883622
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald L. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7867389
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Pool Technology
    Inventor: Wing-kin Hui
  • Patent number: 7862712
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Man Fui Tak
  • Patent number: 7815797
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Zone Filtration, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny A. Keith
  • Patent number: 7815795
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Parks, Garasich John
  • Patent number: 7807053
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Dean Smith
  • Patent number: 7805792
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Max Roumagnac
  • Patent number: 7794590
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Yoshikawa, Naoki Abe, Kazuichi Isaka
  • Patent number: 7794591
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Nibler, Randy Tan, Steve E. Gutai
  • Patent number: 7771592
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Newa Tecno Industria s.r.l.
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Christopher L. Hawker, David R. Troop, II, Lonnie Austin Ready, Giacomo Guoli, Fabio Bellia
  • Patent number: 7736496
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: George DeGiacomo
  • Patent number: 7736523
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: King Technology Inc
    Inventor: Joseph A. King
  • Patent number: 7727387
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher M. Goggin
  • Patent number: 7699983
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Gatech
    Inventor: Gerard Andrei
  • Patent number: 7682504
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Aqua Manna, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Bradley, Jeremy L. Bradley
  • Patent number: 7682503
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Joe Norris
  • Patent number: 7658842
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Barry Huehn, Joseph Roark, Jeffrey Warden
  • Patent number: 7651610
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: Hsueh Lee Tsai
  • Patent number: 7636975
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Hydrodynamic Industrial Company Limited
    Inventors: Pat Y. Mah, Alexander Joseph Kalogroulis, Matthew Edward White