JET PROPELLED POOL CLEANER

• US 20160145885A1
• Filed: 11/24/2014
• Published: 05/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZHIBAO POOLS COMPANY
• Original Assignee: Wing-Kin Hui, Wing-Tak Hui
• Inventors: Hui, Wing-Tak, Hui, Andrew Matthew, Hui, Wing-Kin
• Granted Patent: US 9,366,049 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1663 the propulsion resulting from an intermittent interruption of the waterflow through the cleaner

Abstract

A pool cleaner having two tilted pumps pointing in opposite directions, which propel the pool cleaner. In an embodiment, the pumps are turned on alternatively to alternate the direction of travel of the pool cleaner. In an embodiment, each pump has a discharge opening facing upwards at an angle, covered by an adjustable flap. The flap can be adjusted to open to different degrees to change the speed of the pool cleaner. The flap is attached to a ring that rotates and thereby rotates the angle of the orientation of the flap. Adjusting the angle of orientation of the flap of the pool cleaner changes the extent to which the pool cleaner moves sideways while moving forwards or the extent to which the pool cleaner turns.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps; and

a filter for filtering out debris in water;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water creating filtered water within the device, the filtered water from within the device exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting filtered water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the filtered water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting filtered water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, the first direction being different from the second direction;

wherein what direction the filtered water exits at least one of the first discharge opening and second discharge opening is adjustable;

wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the filtered water exits the device, wherein the direction the filtered water exits the device is partly upward with respect to a plane parallel to a surface that the device travels upon.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising

a pump chamber having two ends, each end being connected to a housing of one of the two pumps, the controller being located inside the pump chamber, and each pump includes a propeller that is located outside of the pump chamber, the two pumps facing different directions.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein

the pump chamber is water-tight preventing water from coming inside the pump chamber.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein

the controller being configured to turn each of the two pumps on for random periods of time.

27. The device of claim 1, wherein

the first discharge opening is associated with a first adjustable surface;

the direction of the filtered water exiting the first discharge opening being adjustable by adjusting the first adjustable surface, the first adjustable surface facing partly upward when pushed by the exiting water, and

the second discharge opening is associated with a second adjustable surface;

the direction of the filtered water exiting the second discharge opening being adjustable by adjusting the second adjustable surface, the second adjustable surface facing partly upward when pushed by the exiting water.

28. The device of claim 1, further comprising

at least two flaps that are pivotally connected to the discharge openings, the flaps having a spring mechanically biasing the flaps to stay closed to cover the discharge openings until being pushed open by water exiting the pumps of the device;

wherein the flaps open facing partly upward when pushed by the exiting water.

29. The device of claim 1, the filtered water exits the device at a first degree with respect to the plane parallel to the surface that the device travels upon, the first degree being adjustable, wherein the filtered water exits the device at a second degree with respect to a plane perpendicular to the surface that the device travels upon, the second degree being adjustable.

3. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps;

a filter for filtering out debris in water;

two discharge mounts being circular, the two pumps being attached to the two discharge mounts; and

the two pumps having at least two propellers, each pump having at least one of the two propellers, the two propellers of the two pumps being positioned facing outside of the housing, the two discharge mounts being mechanically coupled to the two pumps inside the body, the two propellers being positioned in the circular discharge mounts, the two discharge mounts being located in, and mechanically coupled to, the two discharge openings, the two pumps being connected to the two discharge mounts from inside of the housing;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device.

4. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps; and

a filter for filtering out debris in water;

at least two neck portions; and

at least two flaps that are pivotally connected to the two neck portions, the flaps having a spring mechanically biasing the flaps to stay closed to cover openings in the neck portions until being pushed open by water exiting the pumps of the device, the water exiting each pump pushing one of the at least two flaps open to no more than a maximum angle regardless of how fast the water exits;

wherein the maximum angle to which at least one of the at least two flaps is capable of opening is adjustable;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction;

wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device.

5. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps; and

a filter for filtering out debris in water; and

a movable stop that is movable to different positions, wherein the movable stop interferes with opening a flap, wherein moving the movable stop to different positions adjusts a maximum angle to which the flap opens when being pushed by water exiting the device;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device.

6. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps;

a filter for filtering out debris in water;

a movable stop that is movable to different positions, wherein the movable stop interferes with opening a flap, wherein moving the movable stop to different positions adjusts a maximum angle to which the flap opens when being pushed by water exiting the device; and

flap markings marking positions of the flap, the flap markings indicating, based on positions of the flap, angles to which the flap opens when pushed by water exiting the body;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device.

7. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps; and

a filter for filtering out debris in water;

at least two neck portions that are rotatable while fully assembled and connected to the housing, each of the at least two neck portions being associated with one of the at least two discharge openings; and

flaps connected to the neck portions, wherein the flaps rotate with the rotations of the neck portions;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device.

9. The device of claim 7, further comprising

covers fitted in the neck portions preventing objects from getting in contact with the pumps, each cover having a plurality of openings through which water passes.

8. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps;

a filter for filtering out debris in water;

neck portions that are rotatable, the neck portions being connected to the housing and associated with the discharge openings;

flaps connect to the neck portions that rotate with the rotations of the neck portions; and

rotation markings indicating an angle of a rotational angle at which the neck portions are set;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device.

11. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps;

a filter for filtering out debris in water; and

a pump chamber having two ends, each end being connected to a housing of one of the two pumps, the controller being located inside the pump chamber, and each pump includes a propeller that is located outside of the pump chamber, wherein the two ends of the pump chamber are tilted upwards at an angle;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device.

17. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps; and

a filter for filtering out debris in water;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the filtered water exits the device, wherein the direction the filtered water exits the device is partly upward with respect to a plane parallel to a surface that the device travels upon, wherein what direction the filtered water exits at least one of the first discharge opening and second discharge opening is adjustable;

wherein the device does not include a conduit for carrying a flow of water that is propelled by at least one of the two pumps.

2. The device of claim 17, wherein

the direction of travel of the filtered water, after the filtered water exits the device, being generally upward being at an acute angle, greater than zero, with respect to a plane parallel to a surface that the device travels upon.

13. The device of claim 17, further comprising

a timer circuit for controlling a time period that each of the two pumps is on.

15. The device of claim 17, wherein

an average density of the device is greater than or equal to the density of water.

16. The device of claim 17, wherein

the body includes a head and a base that are pivotally attached at one end, allowing the head to open without detaching from the base.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein

the water, without being carried in a conduit, exits the device at an acute angle, greater than zero away from the plane parallel to the surface that the device travels upon.

24. The device of claim 17, wherein each of the at least two discharge openings is covered by a flap, the flap being a one-way valve allowing water to exit the housing, wherein the flap opens facing partly upward when pushed by the exiting water.

25. The device of claim 17, wherein the device is cordless.

26. The device of claim 17, wherein

when the controller is on, the controller turns each of the two pumps on for random periods of time.

18. A method of operating a device;

the device including at least

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

the method comprising;

providing power to the two pumps from a power source;

automatically activating, by a controller, each of the two pumps;

the automatically activating including at least

turning on one of the two pumps;

causing, by the one of the two pumps, water to pass through a filter, filtering out debris in water;

causing, by the one of the two pumps, filtered water to exit the device in a vicinity of one of the two discharge openings associated with one of the two pumps;

creating propulsion, by the one of the two pumps, by the filtered water exiting the device in a first direction in which water exits, which causes the device to travel in a first direction of travel;

turning off the one of the pumps and turning on another of the pumps;

causing, by the other of the two pumps, water to pass through the filter, filtering out debris in water;

causing, by the other of the two pumps, filtered water to exit the device in a vicinity of the other of the two discharge openings associated with the other of the two pumps;

creating propulsion, by the other of the two pumps, by the filtered water exiting the device in a second direction in which water exits, which causes the device to travel in a second direction of travel,

and

wherein the first direction of travel and speed of the device while traveling in the first direction of travel is adjustable by adjusting what direction is the first direction in which water exits the device, wherein the direction the filtered water exits the device is partly upward with respect to a plane parallel to a surface that the device travels upon, wherein what direction the filtered water exits at least one of the first discharge opening and second discharge opening is adjustable.

19. A method for assembling a device, comprising

providing a housing of a body of the device, the housing being formed with at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a second side of the body;

affixing two pumps inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

connecting a power cable to the two pumps for providing power to the two pumps;

connecting a controller inside the body that automatically controls activating the two pumps; and

connecting a filter inside the body for removing debris from water;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter inside the body, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the water exiting the device being exiting filtered water, the exiting filtered water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter inside the body, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting filtered water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction,

wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device, wherein the direction the filtered water exits the device is partly upward with respect to a plane parallel to a surface that the device travels upon wherein what direction the filtered water exits at least one of the first discharge opening and second discharge opening is adjustable.

21. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps; and

a filter for filtering out debris in water;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction,

wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, and

wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device, wherein the direction the filtered water exits the device is not downward with respect to a plane parallel to a surface that the device travels upon, wherein what direction the filtered water exits at least one of the first discharge opening and second discharge opening is adjustable, wherein the device does not have any conduit inside the housing for carrying a flow of water that is propelled by at least one of the two pumps.

22. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body, the housing having only one intake opening, which is located at the bottom of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps; and

a filter for filtering out debris in water;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction,

wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, and

wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device, wherein the direction the filtered water exits the device is partly upward with respect to a plane parallel to a surface that the device travels upon, wherein what direction the filtered water exits at least one of the first discharge opening and second discharge opening is adjustable.

23. A device comprising:

a housing of a body, the housing including at least two discharge openings, a first discharge opening of the two discharge openings is on a first side of the body and a second discharge opening is on a second side of the body;

two pumps being affixed inside the body for drawing water from within the body and pushing the water out of the body through the two discharge openings, a first pump of the two pumps being associated with the first discharge opening and a second pump of the two pumps being associated with the second discharge opening;

a power source for providing power to the two pumps;

a controller that automatically controls activating the two pumps;

a filter for filtering out debris in water; and

at least two neck portions being two collars connected to the at least two pumps, each collar being located at one of the at least two discharge openings;

wherein when the first pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the first discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a first direction, wherein when the second pump is turned on, water passes through the filter, filtering the water, the water exiting the device in a vicinity of the second discharge opening, the exiting water creating propulsion, pushing the device in a second direction, wherein a direction and speed of the device are adjustable by adjusting what direction the water exits the device;

wherein the device does not include a conduit for carrying a flow of water that is propelled by at least one of the two pumps.