Idler mechanisms for hydraulic devices
AssigneeZodiac Pool Systems LLC
InventorsHENDRIKUS JOHANNES VAN DER MEIJDEN, BRUCE DAVID HARBOTTLE, DINDO UY, EUSEBIO BARENG, SCOTT YANKIE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods for inhibiting movement of automatic pool cleaners (APCs) are described. Versions of the devices may cause pool water to bypass flowing through bodies of APCs. Alternatively, they may cause water flowing though bodies of APCs to bypass the associated motive force creators. The devices thus may constitute idler mechanisms, as they effectively prevent movement without requiring operation of the ultimate driver (i.e. the pump) to cease.
Claims9
An idler mechanism for a hydraulic device configured to be deployed in water of a swimming pool or spa, which water circulates under influence of a pump, comprising:
- a. a first opening configured in use for fluid communication with the hydraulic device;
- b. a second opening configured in use for fluid communication with means for causing fluid to flow to or from the hydraulic device;
- c. a barrier configured in use to be in contact with water of the swimming pool or spa;
- and
- d. means, at least part of which operates without influence of the pump, for automatically opening and closing the barrier.
A hydraulic cleaning system for a swimming pool or spa, comprising:
- a. an automatic swimming pool cleaner configured for movement at least about a surface of the swimming pool or spa;
- b. a pump configured to cause water to flow to or from the automatic swimming pool cleaner;
- and
- c. an idler mechanism in fluid communication with the pump and the automatic swimming pool cleaner and comprising a barrier in communication with water of the swimming pool or spa and means, at least part of which operates without influence of pump, for automatically opening and closing the barrier.
A method of idling movement of an automatic swimming pool cleaner without disabling an associated pump, comprising:
- a. positioning an idler mechanism in fluid communication with the pump and the automatic swimming pool cleaner;
- b. operating the pump to cause water to flow to or from the automatic swimming pool cleaner so as to effect movement of the automatic swimming pool cleaner within a swimming pool or spa;
- and
- c. automatically reconfiguring the idler mechanism so as to impede the movement of the automatic swimming pool cleaner within the swimming pool or spa.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.