Pool Cleaner Light Module

• US 20130320858A1
• Filed: 06/04/2012
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Pentair Water Pool And Spa Incorporated (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Inventors: Richiuso, Leonard, Gopalan, Suresh, Deery, Brian, Lipski, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,259,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/129
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/30 Arrangement of illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/148 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/046 driven by hydropower, e.g. by water powered turbines

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a light module for a pool cleaner. The light module can include a housing, a paddle wheel, a generator, and at least one light emitting diode (LED). The housing can be removably coupled to the pool cleaner and can include a flow directing portion positioned in a fluid path of the pool cleaner. The paddle wheel can be located adjacent to the flow directing portion and can rotate in response to fluid flow through the fluid path. The generator can be coupled to the paddle wheel and can generate power through rotation of the paddle wheel. The LED can be coupled to the generator and can receive the generated power from the generator to illuminate an area adjacent to the pool cleaner.

Claims

1. A light module for a swimming pool cleaner, the light module comprising:

an outer housing capable of being removably coupled to the swimming pool cleaner and including a flow directing portion positioned in a fluid path of the swimming pool cleaner;

a paddle wheel located adjacent to the flow directing portion, the paddle wheel rotating in response to fluid flow through the fluid path;

a generator coupled to the paddle wheel that generates power through rotation of the paddle wheel; and

at least one light emitting diode coupled to the generator, the at least one light emitting diode receiving the generated power from the generator and illuminating an area adjacent to the swimming pool cleaner.

2. The light module of claim 1, wherein the outer housing is capable of being coupled between a supply mast of the swimming pool cleaner and a pool hose attachment adapter.

3. The light module of claim 2, wherein the outer housing is coupled to the supply mast by a snap fit connection and the outer housing is coupled to the pool hose attachment adapter by a press fit connection.

4. The light module of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting diode is positioned within a light emitting diode housing one of coupled to and integral with the outer housing.

5. The light module of claim 1, wherein the paddle wheel is positioned within the outer housing.

6. The light module of claim 1, wherein the paddle wheel and the generator are substantially separated by a seal cap and a rubber ring, wherein a shaft of the generator extends through the seal cap and the rubber ring and is coupled to the paddle wheel.

7. The light module of claim 6, wherein the outer housing includes a generator housing separate from the flow directing portion, the generator being substantially enclosed by the generator housing, the seal cap, and a lead cover.

8. The light module of claim 1, and further comprising at least one lead cable that connects the at least one LED to the generator.

9. The light module of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting diode includes control circuitry that controls at least one of illumination and color of the at least one light emitting diode.

10. The light module of claim 1, wherein the outer housing includes a mounting portion and is capable of being coupled to a chassis of the swimming pool cleaner.

11. The light module of claim 10, wherein the outer housing is capable of being positioned inside the pool cleaner so that the flow directing portion at least extends into one of a supply mast and a distributor manifold of the swimming pool cleaner.

12. The light module of claim 1, wherein the paddle wheel is positioned outside of the outer housing.

13. A pool cleaner receiving fluid flow from a pool hose, the pool cleaner comprising:

a supply mast; and

a light module including

a housing capable of being removably coupled to the supply mast and the pool hose, the housing directing fluid flow from the pool hose to the supply mast;

a generator positioned inside the housing;

a paddle wheel coupled to the generator, the paddle wheel and the generator generating electric power using the fluid flow directed through the housing; and

at least one light emitting diode coupled to the generator, the at least one light emitting diode receiving the generated power from the generator and illuminating an area adjacent to the pool cleaner.

15. The pool cleaner of claim 14, wherein the housing is coupled to the pool hose by a hose attachment adapter.

16. The pool cleaner of claim 14, wherein the at least one light emitting diode is positioned in the housing and directs light away from the housing to illuminate at least one of a swimming pool wall and a swimming pool floor.

17. The pool cleaner of claim 14 and further comprising light emitting diode control circuitry that controls the at least one light emitting diode to illuminate in one of a single-color mode, a multi-color mode, and a color changing mode.

18. A method of operating a pool cleaner, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving fluid flow through the pool cleaner;

generating electric power using a paddle wheel positioned to receive at least some of the fluid flow and a generator coupled to the paddle wheel;

determining a pressure of the fluid flow;

operating at least one light emitting diode using the generated electric power according to a first operation if the pressure is sufficient for normal operation of the pool cleaner; and

operating the at least one light emitting diode using the generated electric power according to a second operation if the pressure is insufficient for normal operation of the pool cleaner.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first operation includes operating the at least one light emitting diode to emit a first color and the second operation includes operating the at least one light emitting diode to emit a second color different than the first color.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first operation includes operating the at least one light emitting diode to emit a constantly visible light and the second operation includes operating the at least one light emitting diode to emit a flashing light.