Method and apparatus for improving the performance of suction powered pool cleaning systems

• US 20080250581A1
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Henkin-Laby, LLC
• Original Assignee: Henkin-Laby, LLC
• Inventors: Laby, Jordan M., Henkin, Melvyn L.
• Application Number:
  US12/009,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20080250581A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/1.7
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1645 Connections to the pool water circulation system
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1672 Connections to the pool water circulation system

Abstract

A pool cleaning system including means responsive to the magnitude of negative pressure at the suction inlet of a system pump for controlling pump water flow in order to prevent pump cavitation. Systems in accordance with the invention are configured to pump a high rated volume of water when operating in a filtering mode and to provide a high negative pressure to power a pool cleaner when operating in a cleaning mode.

Claims

1. A method of operating a pool cleaning system comprised of a water pump, suction side plumbing coupling a pool water inlet to a suction inlet of said pump, and pressure side plumbing coupling a pressure outlet of said pump through a filter to a pool water return outlet, said method comprising:

sensing the pressure at a site at the suction side of said pump; and

responding to said sensed pressure for controlling water flow from said pump outlet.

2. The method of claim 1 further including:

setting a setpoint for pressure at said site; and

responding to a sensed pressure more negative then said setpoint for reducing water flow from said pump outlet.

3. The method of claim 1 further including:

setting a setpoint for pressure at said site; and

responding to a sensed pressure more positive then said setpoint for increasing water flow from said pump outlet.

4. In a system for cleaning a water pool including:

a pump having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet;

pressure side plumbing including a filter coupling said pressure outlet to at least one pool return outlet;

means defining a pool water inlet;

a pool cleaner configured to be powered by suction for traveling through said water pool; and

suction side plumbing including a first flow path coupling said pump suction inlet to said pool water inlet and a second flow path coupling said pump suction inlet to said pool cleaner;

the improvement comprising;

a flow controller responsive to the pressure at the suction side of said pump for controlling output flow from said pump to prevent pump cavitation.

5. The system of claim 4 further including:

a pressure sensor for monitoring pressure at a site at the suction side of said pump; and

wherein

said flow controller is responsive to said monitored pressure being more negative than a setpoint for reducing the output flow from said pump.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said flow controller operates to reduce said output flow by increasing the flow resistance at the pressure side of said pump.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said flow controller operates to reduce said output flow by reducing the pumping capacity of said pump.

8. The system of claim 4 further including:

a pressure sensor for monitoring pressure at a site at the suction side of said pump; and

wherein

said flow controller is responsive to said monitored pressure being more positive than a setpoint for increasing the output flow from said pump.

9. Apparatus for cleaning a water pool comprising:

a pump having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet;

a skimmer/drain defining a pool water inlet and a pool water outlet coupled to said pump suction inlet;

a pool cleaner defining a pool water inlet and a pool water outlet coupled to said pump suction inlet; and

control means responsive to the pressure at the suction side of said pump for controlling water flow from said pressure outlet, said control means including;

a sensor for sensing the pressure at the suction side of said pump; and

a flow controller responsive to said sensed pressure for controlling water flow from said pump pressure outlet to maintain said sensed pressure at a predetermined level.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pump includes a motor and said control means includes a motor control circuit connected to said motor;

and wherein

said flow controller is coupled to said motor control circuit for controlling the pumping capacity of said pump.

11. In a system for cleaning a water pool contained by a wall including:

a pump having a suction inlet and a pressure outlet;

pressure side plumbing including a filter coupling said pressure outlet to at least one pool return outlet;

a skimmer/drain defining a pool water inlet;

a pool cleaner defining a pool water inlet and configured to be powered by suction for traveling through said water pool; and

suction side plumbing including a first flow path coupling said pump suction inlet to said skimmer/drain pool water inlet and a second flow path coupling said pump suction inlet to said pool cleaner, said second flow path including a conduit extending from said suction inlet to a port in said wall and a suction hose coupling said port to said cleaner;

the improvement comprising;

a pressure sensor for monitoring the pressure proximate to said wall port; and

a flow controller responsive to said monitored pressure for controlling water flow from said pump outlet for producing a substantially constant pressure more negative than −

12″

Hg at said wall port for powering said cleaner.

12. The system of claim 11 including means for adjustably establishing a pressure setpoint;

and wherein

said flow controller is responsive to said monitored pressure being more negative than said setpoint for reducing the output flow from said pump.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said flow controller operates to reduce said output flow by increasing the flow resistance at said pressure outlet.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said flow controller operates to reduce said output flow by reducing the pumping capacity of said pump.

15. The system of claim 11 including means for adjustably establishing a pressure setpoint;

and wherein

said flow controller is responsive to said monitored pressure being more positive than said setpoint for increasing the output flow from said pump.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said flow controller operates to increase said output flow by reducing the flow resistance at said pressure outlet.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said flow controller operates to increase said output flow by increasing the pumping capacity of said pump.