Water jet reversing propulsion and directional controls for automated swimming pool cleaners
First Claim
1. A method for propelling a robotic pool cleaning apparatus over the bottom and side wall surfaces of a pool by means of a water jet, where the apparatus comprises a pump operatively attached to a pump motor for delivery of a stream of pressurized water to a pump outlet having a plurality of discharge conduits and a diverter interposed in said pump outlet between the discharge conduits and the pump, said method comprising:
- (a) discharging a jet of water received from the pump outlet in a first predetermined direction, wherein a first high pressure water stream passing through said pump outlet causes said diverter to be disposed in a first position to close a first one of said plurality of discharge conduits;
(b) continuing the discharge of the water jet in the first predetermined direction for a period of time;
(c) terminating the flow of the water jet in the first predetermined direction by interrupting power to the pump motor to effect a low pressure condition in said pump outlet that moves said diverter to a second position between said discharge conduits;
(d) discharging the water jet in a second predetermined direction by providing power to the pump motor to direct a second high pressure water stream that passes through said pump outlet to cause said diverter to be disposed in a third position to close a second one of said plurality of discharge conduits; and
(e) continuing the flow of the water jet in the second predetermined direction for a period of time, wherein the pool cleaning apparatus is propelled in directions which change in response to the changes in the direction of the discharged water jet.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pool or tank cleaner that is propelled by means of one or more water jets is directed in one or more predetermined systematic scanning patterns of either straight, curvilinear, or combinations of both, by an apparatus and method that controls and varies the directional discharge of one or more water jets that propel the cleaner in its translational movement. The direction of the discharge of the propelling water jet is changed by mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, or by interrupting the water pump. Further variations in the direction of translational movement of the cleaner are effected by activating at least one retractable depending member to periodically contact the pool surface below the moving cleaner, thereby causing the cleaner to pivot or otherwise change direction.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for propelling a robotic pool cleaning apparatus over the bottom and side wall surfaces of a pool by means of a water jet, where the apparatus comprises a pump operatively attached to a pump motor for delivery of a stream of pressurized water to a pump outlet having a plurality of discharge conduits and a diverter interposed in said pump outlet between the discharge conduits and the pump, said method comprising:
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(a) discharging a jet of water received from the pump outlet in a first predetermined direction, wherein a first high pressure water stream passing through said pump outlet causes said diverter to be disposed in a first position to close a first one of said plurality of discharge conduits; (b) continuing the discharge of the water jet in the first predetermined direction for a period of time; (c) terminating the flow of the water jet in the first predetermined direction by interrupting power to the pump motor to effect a low pressure condition in said pump outlet that moves said diverter to a second position between said discharge conduits; (d) discharging the water jet in a second predetermined direction by providing power to the pump motor to direct a second high pressure water stream that passes through said pump outlet to cause said diverter to be disposed in a third position to close a second one of said plurality of discharge conduits; and (e) continuing the flow of the water jet in the second predetermined direction for a period of time, wherein the pool cleaning apparatus is propelled in directions which change in response to the changes in the direction of the discharged water jet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification