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.
Claims19
A bypass mechanism for regulating operation of an automatic pool cleaner, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured such that after lapse of a cycle corresponding to a predetermined period of time:
- (1) the bypass mechanism prevents a pump of a swimming pool or spa from operating the automatic pool cleaner even if the pump remains energized;
- and
- (2) the bypass mechanism resets when the pump is de-energized to begin a new cycle corresponding to the predetermined period of time.
A bypass mechanism comprising:
- an inlet and an outlet fluidly connected to and positioned between a pump of a swimming pool or spa and an automatic pool cleaner, with the inlet positioned to receive incoming water;
- a flap movable between (1) a closed position in which water received from the inlet flows through a drive rotor and the outlet and (2) an open position in which water moved by the pump is inhibited from flowing through the drive rotor and the automatic pool cleaner;
- and
- a cam assembly driven by the drive rotor,
- wherein the flap remains in the closed position until acted on by the cam assembly and wherein, after a predetermined period of time, the cam assembly moves the flap from the closed position to the open position.
A method comprising:
- receiving water at an inlet of a bypass mechanism, the bypass mechanism fluidly connected with a pump of a swimming pool or spa;
- flowing water to or from the pump through the inlet of the bypass mechanism and through an outlet of the bypass mechanism to or from an automatic pool cleaner;
- and
- diverting water to or from the pump away from the automatic pool cleaner using a flap of the bypass mechanism after a predetermined period of time has lapsed, ceasing operation of the automatic pool cleaner even if the pump remains on.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.