Method and appartus for operation of pool cleaner with integral chlorine generator

#This invention relates to robotic, self-propelled pool cleaners having an integral on-board electrochemical chlorine generator. More particularly, this invention relates to an on-board electrochemical chlorine generator apparatus and method of operation that provides simultaneous biocidial sanitation and mechanical filtration to clean swimming pool water.

#Automated pool cleaners for mechanical cleaning of swimming pool water have been known for many years. Some of the early patents include U.S. Pat. No. 3,278,949 issued to Whitaker on Oct. 18, 1966; U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,237 issued to Gelinas on Mar. 18, 1969; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,525 issued to Howard on May 30, 1972.

#U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,512 issued to Denkewicz et al. discloses an automatic pool cleaner comprising a removable chemical dispenser which carries solid chemicals such as silver-containing particles or other sanitizing solid pellets. The pool cleaner mechanically cleans the pool water while dispensing water-sanitizing chemical(s) by dissolving solid sanitizing chemical particles or pellets contained in the chemical dispenser inside the pool cleaner. The Denkewicz apparatus is mechanically complex as compared to the conventional pool cleaner thereby making it more expensive to manufacture, and likely to require maintenance and eventual repairs by technically trained personnel adding to the overall operating costs. Furthermore, the cost of operation includes the purchase of the dry chemicals which are consumed and must be replaced. A significant disadvantage of the Denkewicz apparatus is the safety hazard created when the machine is removed from the pool and highly concentrated chlorine-containing water drips onto the pool deck where it can be contacted by barefoot bathers.

#The invention will be further described below and with reference to the attached drawings where the same or similar elements are identified by the same numerals, and in which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one preferred embodiment of the invention in a pool cleaner having an external power supply;

#FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a floating analytical probe for use with the pool cleaner and ancillary power supply of FIG. 1.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the invention will be described in conjunction with a conventional robotic pool cleaner 10 that is electrically connected via cable 40 to remote poolside power supply 50. The principal elements illustrated are the pool cleaner body cover or housing 12, a pair of drive means 14 and a cleaning brush 16, the drive means being powered by drive motor 20. Also mounted in the housing is a conventional pump motor 24 with attached impeller 25 that draws water through a filter element (not shown) and discharges the filtered water through outlet 13 in the housing 12.

#In accordance with the invention, also mounted on the interior of the housing is electrochemical chlorine generator 30 having inlets 32 through which salt water passes and, as a result of the electrolysis, generates biocidal chlorine that is dissolved in the water that is discharged through outlets 34. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the flow of water through this otherwise conventional pool cleaner housing is through intake openings at the lower portion of the housing and/or base plate and upwardly through a filter where debris is removed and entrained; the water is then discharged through housing outlet 13.

#In the preferred embodiment illustrated, an electronic processor/controller in the form of an integrated circuit device 26 is connected by a plurality of conductors 28 to the floating power cable 40 and also to the drive motor 20, pump motor 24 and electrochemical chlorine generator 30.