Bypass mechanism for automatic pool cleaners
AssigneeZodiac Pool Systems LLC
InventorHendrikus Johannes van der Meijden
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bypass mechanism for automatic swimming pool cleaners (APCs) is detailed herein. The bypass mechanism may be a valve or other mechanical device that limits operation of the APC by diverting water away from the APC or otherwise ceasing operation of the APC after a predetermined period of time (e.g., after the desired run-time for the APC has been reached). In this way, the bypass mechanism limits the time the APC operates, even if the pump that otherwise would drive the APC remains energized.
Claims8
A bypass mechanism for regulating operation of an automatic pool cleaner, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured such that:
- (1) responsive to a lapse of a cycle corresponding to a predetermined period of time, and regardless of a state of a pump, the bypass mechanism prevents the pump of a swimming pool or spa from operating the automatic pool cleaner;
- and
- (2) responsive to the pump being de-energized after the lapse of the cycle, the bypass mechanism resets to allow the pump to operate the automatic pool cleaner to begin a new cycle corresponding to the predetermined period of time,
- wherein the bypass mechanism is configured such that when the pump is de-energized before the predetermined period of time has lapsed:
- a flap for an inlet remains in a closed position until the pump is re-energized;
- when the pump is re-energized, (1) the flap remains in the closed position until the predetermined period of time has lapsed, and (2) the flap moves to an open position once the predetermined period of time has lapsed;
- and
- the flap returns to the closed position when the pump is de-energized, which resets the bypass mechanism to begin the new cycle corresponding to the predetermined period of time.
A bypass mechanism for regulating operation of an automatic pool cleaner, the bypass mechanism comprising:
- an inlet configured to receive incoming water;
- an outlet;
- and
- a flap, wherein the flap is movable between (1) a closed position in which the incoming water from the inlet flows through to the outlet and (2) an open position in which the incoming water from the inlet is prevented from flowing to the outlet, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured such that:
- (1) responsive to a lapse of a cycle corresponding to a predetermined period of time, and regardless of a state of a pump, the bypass mechanism prevents the pump of a swimming pool or spa from operating the automatic pool cleaner;
- and
- (2) responsive to the pump being de-energized after the lapse of the cycle, the bypass mechanism resets to allow the pump to operate the automatic pool cleaner to begin a new cycle corresponding to the predetermined period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.