Liquid purification or separation – Automatic control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-21
2001-08-28
Drodge, Joseph W. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
Automatic control
C015S001700, C015S319000, C134S018000, C210S167150, C210S241000, C210S739000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280611
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus powered from the suction (i.e., negative pressure) side of a pump for cleaning a water pool; e.g., swimming pool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art is replete with different types of automatic swimming pool cleaners powered from either the positive pressure side or suction side of a pump, They include water surface cleaning devices which typically float at the water surface and skim floating debris therefrom. The prior art also shows pool wall surface cleaning devices which typically rest at the pool bottom and can be moved along the wall (which term should be understood to include bottom and side portions) for wall cleaning, as by vacuuming and/or sweeping. Some prior art assemblies include both water surface cleaning and wall surface cleaning components tethered together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus driven by water suction (i.e., negative pressure,) for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall and/or the upper surface of a water pool contained therein.
Preferred embodiments of the invention include (1) an essentially rigid unitary structure, i.e., a cleaner body, capable of being immersed in a water pool and (2) a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either (1) proximate to the surface of the water pool for water surface cleaning or (2) proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall for wall surface cleaning.
Embodiments of the invention preferably also include a propulsion subsystem for producing a nominally horizontal (relative to the body) force component for moving the body along (1) a path adjacent to the water surface when the body is in the water surface cleaning mode and (2) a path adjacent to the wall surface when the body is in the wall surface cleaning mode.
A preferred propulsion subsystem is operable in either a normal state to produce a force component for moving the body in a first direction, e.g., forward, or an alternative state to produce a force component for moving the body in a second non-forward direction. Water surface cleaning and wall surface cleaning preferably occur during the normal propulsion state. The alternative propulsion state assists the body in freeing itself from obstructions.
The propulsion subsystem is preferably controlled by a water driven controller subsystem controls. A motion sensor is preferably provided to sense when the body's forward motion diminishes below a certain threshold, as might occur when the body gets trapped by an obstruction. When this occurs, an action is initiated to switch the direction controller to the alternative state to enable the body to free itself of the obstruction.
Although five specific embodiments are described herein, it should be recognized that many alternative implementations can be configured in accordance with the invention to satisfy particular operational or cost objectives. For example only, selected features from two or more embodiments may be readily combined to configure a further embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3676884 (1972-07-01), Wulc
patent: 3676885 (1972-07-01), Wulc
patent: 4652366 (1987-03-01), Brooks
patent: 4835809 (1989-06-01), Roumagnac
patent: 4849024 (1989-07-01), Supra
patent: 5128031 (1992-07-01), Midkiff
patent: 5435031 (1995-07-01), Minami et al.
Henkin Melvyn L.
Laby Jordan M.
Drodge Joseph W.
Freilich Hornbaker & Rosen
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