# US 2015/0143643 A1 · Device for cleaning a submerged surface with a propelled water jet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0143643 A1 - Document ID: US20150143643A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/404,585 - Filed: 2013-05-28 - Published: 2015-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-28 - Assignees: Electronics & Pool Accessories Import - Applicants: Electronics & Pool Accessories Import - Inventors: Michel Cavagnol; Liang Chen; Vincent Lavabre; Maxime Puech - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150143643A1 ## CPC - E04H 4/1663: {the propulsion resulting from an intermittent interruption of the waterflow through the cleaner} - E04H 4/1654: {Self-propelled cleaners} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract The invention relates to a device for cleaning a submerged surface comprising water jet propulsion means (19) that generate a propelling water jet, and means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet that allow orienting said water jet in two opposing so-called longitudinal propulsion directions, capable of imparting to the cleaning device two opposing directions of movement along an axis of movement (y). In the invention, the means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet are suitable for orienting the water jet in at least one third, so-called lateral propulsion direction, in which the water jet is oriented in a bisecting direction relative to the axis of movement (y) suitable for exerting a force capable of causing the cleaning device to pivot by oversteering. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Device for cleaning a submerged surface (P), comprising water jet propulsion means (10, 11) that generate a propelling water jet, and means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet that allow orienting said water jet in two opposing propulsion directions, referred to as longitudinal, capable of imparting to the cleaning device two opposing directions of movement along an axis of movement (y), said cleaning device being characterized in that the means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet are suitable for orienting said propelling water jet in at least a third propulsion direction, referred to as lateral, in which said water jet is oriented in bisecting direction relative to the axis of movement (y), suitable for exerting a force capable of causing the cleaning device to pivot by oversteering. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet are suitable for orienting the water jet in two opposing lateral propulsion directions that are symmetrical to the axis of movement (y). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein it comprises means for controlling the means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet, to generate movement sequences comprising longitudinal displacements along axis (y), alternating in the two movement directions, and turns in at least one direction of rotation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet are adapted so that, in each lateral propulsion direction, the propelling water jet is ejected near one of the longitudinal ends of the cleaning device, with an orientation (x) at least substantially orthogonal to the axis of movement (y). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Cleaning device according to claim 4, comprising a body (1) supported by two rolling assemblies (3-8) rotatable about axes of rotation (x), wherein the propelling water jet is centered, in each lateral propulsion direction, on the axis of rotation (x) of one of the rolling assemblies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein that the means for orienting the propelling water jet comprise: a rotary distributor (19) rotating about an axis of rotation (z), comprising a propulsion duct (35) extending radially relative to said axis of rotation (z), drive means (36, 37) for rotating the rotary distributor (19), and means (45-53) for indexing the angular position of the propulsion duct about the axis of rotation (z). ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) Cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the means for orienting the propelling water jet comprise fixed propulsion outlets (20-23): arranged so as to lie in the extension of the propulsion duct (35) of the rotary distributor (19), each in one of the indexed angular positions of said propulsion duct, having longitudinal profiles adapted to define the orientation of the propelling water jet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) Cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the water jet propulsion means comprise a radial turbine (11) rotated about the axis of rotation (z) by motor means (10), characterized in that: the rotary distributor (19) comprises a suction chamber (33) arranged to accommodate the radial turbine (11), equipped with a passage providing communication with the propulsion duct (35), the drive means for rotating the rotary distributor (19) comprise members (36, 37) for deflecting the water jet generated by the rotation of the turbine (11). ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) Cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein: the suction chamber (33) of the rotary distributor (19) comprises a feed opening (34) in the upper area of said suction chamber, fluid passageways (13-16) incorporating filtration means (12) are adapted to allow water to travel between at least one suction port (14-15) arranged in the lower portion of the cleaning device and the feed opening (34) of the suction chamber (33). ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) Cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein it comprises a body (1) having the form of a frame defining a volume able to accommodate a removable filtration pan (13) containing the filtration means (12) and equipped with a lower wall (13a) in which each suction port (14, 15) is arranged. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) Cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein it comprises, on either side of each suction port (14, 15) along the longitudinal axis of movement (y), a lip (56, 57) extending along the edge of said suction port, of a height adapted to define, above the submerged surface (P), a suction passage of reduced cross-section. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) Cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein the body (1) has a shape adapted for placement on its side in a position allowing removal of the filtration pan (13). ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) Cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the rotary distributor (19) comprises water passage openings (42, 43) arranged opposite the feed opening (34) of the suction chamber (33) and adapted to be unblocked in each of the lateral propulsion positions, and to be blocked in the two longitudinal propulsion positions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) Cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein it comprises a shroud (17, 18) adapted to accommodate the rotary distributor (19), in which are arranged fixed propulsion outlets (20-23) and holes (29-32) adapted to be in correspondence with the water passage openings (42, 43) of the rotary distributor (19) in each of the two lateral propulsion positions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) Cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the indexing means comprise radial stop members (50-53) projecting from the periphery of the rotary distributor (19), and an abutment member (45) associated with actuating means (47, 48) able to move said abutment member between positions where it catches the stop members (50-53) and positions where it is retracted relative to said stop members. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) Cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein: the radial stop members (50-53) and the abutment member (45) are arranged so that said abutment member has a first position where it catches the stop members (50-53) defining the lateral propulsion positions of the rotary distributor (19), and a second position where it catches the stop members (50-53) defining the longitudinal propulsion positions of the rotary distributor (19), the actuating means (47, 48) comprise an active state of maintaining the abutment member (45) in one of its two catch positions and a passive state of maintaining said abutment member in its second catch position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) Cleaning device according to claim 16, wherein the actuating means (47, 48) are electrically powered and have an active state, obtained when power is being received, of maintaining the abutment member (45) in its position of catching the stop members (50-53) defining the lateral propulsion positions of the rotary distributor (19), and a passive state, obtained in the absence of power, of maintaining the abutment member (45) in its position of catching the stop members (50-53) defining the longitudinal propulsion positions of the rotary distributor (19). ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) Cleaning device according to claim 17, wherein: the stop members (52, 53) defining the lateral propulsion positions of the rotary distributor (19) are offset, along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation (z), relative to the stop members (50, 51) defining the longitudinal propulsion positions of said rotary distributor (19), the abutment member consists of a lever (45) hinged on a pivot axis (46) orthogonal to a radial axis relative to the axis of rotation (z), the actuating means comprise an electromagnet (47) adapted to pivot the abutment member (45) about its pivot axis (46). ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) Cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the means (19-23) for orienting the propelling water jet are adapted so that, in each lateral propulsion direction, the propelling water jet is ejected near one of the longitudinal ends of the cleaning device, with an orientation (x) at least substantially orthogonal to the axis of movement (y). ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) Cleaning device according to claim 13, wherein it comprises a shroud (17, 18) adapted to accommodate the rotary distributor (19), in which are arranged fixed propulsion outlets (20-23) and holes (29-32) adapted to be in correspondence with the water passage openings (42, 43) of the rotary distributor (19) in each of the two lateral propulsion positions.