Concealed automatic pool vacuum systems

• US 20060169322A1
• Filed: 01/03/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John E. Torkelson
• Original Assignee: John E. Torkelson
• Inventors: Torkelson, John E.
• Application Number:
  US11/324,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20060169322A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/355.200
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/33 Hollow or hose-like material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/36 without essentially involving the use of a core or former internal to a stored package of material, e.g. with stored material housed within casing or container, or intermittently engaging a plurality of supports as in sinuous or serpentine fashion
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4402 Guiding arrangements to control paying-out and re-storing of the material guides per se B65H57/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4489 Fluid motors
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1681 Cleaning whips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6932 With retrieval means

Abstract

A vacuum pool-cleaning storage system that is housed in the side of a swimming pool substantially below the waterline. The pool vacuum cleaner automatically deploys to clean the pool when the central pool vacuum pump is activated, and automatically retracts to a stored position when the central pool vacuum pump is turned off. The system is adapted to store the vacuum hose in a substantially linear tube located substantially underground. A reel-type hose storage embodiment is also disclosed. The system is preferably powered by vacuum pressure generated by a water circulation pump of the pool plumbing system.

Claims

1. ) A system related to the uncoiled storage of at least one vacuum hose of at least one automatic pool cleaner within at least one pool of water, the at least one vacuum hose comprising at least one first hose end and at least one second hose end, the at least one pool of water comprising at least one low-pressure fluid source, said system comprising:

a) at least one tubular sleeve adapted to removably store at least one substantial portion of the at least one vacuum hose;

b) wherein said at least one tubular sleeve comprises at least one first open end in fluid communication with the at least one pool of water; and

c) wherein said at least one tubular sleeve comprises an aggregate bend of less than three-hundred and sixty degrees.

2. ) The system according to claim 1 wherein:

a) said at least one tubular sleeve comprises an aggregate bend of less than one hundred and eighty degrees; and

b) said at least one tubular sleeve comprises no more than two ninety-degree bends.

3. ) The system according to claim 2 wherein:

a) said at least one tubular sleeve comprises at least one second open end;

b) said at least one second open end is positioned substantially above at least one waterline of such at least one pool of water; and

c) said at least one second open end comprises at least one removable cover adapted to removably cover said at least one second open end.

4. ) The system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one tubular sleeve comprises at least one plurality of interconnectable segments adapted to provide segmented assembly of said at least one tubular sleeve.

5. ) The system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one tubular sleeve is adapted to maintain the at least one substantial portion of the at least one vacuum hose submerged within the water from such at least one pool of water.

6. ) The system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one fluid coupler adapted to couple the at least one second hose end of the at least one vacuum hose to the at least one low-pressure fluid source.

7. ) The system according to claim 6 wherein said at least one fluid coupler comprises:

a) at least one vacuum hose end fitting adapted to removably engage the at least one second hose end of the at least one vacuum hose; and

b) at least one docking receiver adapted to removably receive said at least one vacuum hose-end fitting;

c) wherein said at least one at least one docking receiver comprises at least one interior chamber adapted to receive interiorly at least one portion of said at least one vacuum hose end fitting and pass exteriorly the at least one vacuum hose;

d) wherein said at least one vacuum hose end fitting comprises at least one vacuum transfer port adapted to transfer fluid between the at least one vacuum hose and said at least one interior chamber;

e) wherein said at least one interior chamber comprises at least one coupling to the at least one low-pressure fluid source;

f) wherein said at least one interior chamber comprises at least one pressure seal adapted to form at least one pressure seal with said at least one vacuum transfer port; and

g) wherein said at least one pressure seal is adapted to form at least one pressure coupling to couple operationally the at least one vacuum hose with the at least one low-pressure fluid source.

8. ) The system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a) at least one hose deployer adapted to deploy the at least one first end of the at least one vacuum hose into such at least one pool of water;

b) at least one fluid coupler adapted to couple the at least one second end of the at least one vacuum hose to the at least one low-pressure fluid source; and

c) at least one hose retractor adapted to retract the at least one vacuum hose onto said at least one tubular sleeve;

d) wherein said at least one tubular sleeve is adapted to maintain the at least one substantial portion of the at least one vacuum hose submerged within the water of such at least one pool of water.

9. ) The system according to claim 8 wherein:

a) said at least one hose deployer comprises at least one hydraulic motor adapted to power the deploying of the at least one first hose end of the at least one vacuum hose by said at least one hose deployer;

b) said at least one hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with the at least one low-pressure fluid source; and

c) said at least one hydraulic motor is adapted to operate by directing at least one movement of the water of the at least one pool of water toward the at least one low-pressure fluid source.

10. ) The system according to claim 8 further comprising:

a) at least one first housing adapted to house said at least one hose deployer, said at least one fluid coupler, and said at least one hose retractor; and

b) at least one second housing comprising at least one hollow interior adapted to house said at least one first housing;

c) wherein said at least one first housing is removable from said at least one hollow interior of said at least one second housing; and

d) wherein said at least one second housing is prepositionally fixed relative to the at least one pool of water.

11. ) The system according to claim 10 wherein said at least one hollow interior comprises:

a) at least one first passage adapted to provide fluid communication between said at least one hollow interior and the at least one pool of water; and

b) at least one second passage adapted to provide fluid communication between said at least one hollow interior and said at least one tubular sleeve;

c) wherein said at least one first passage comprises at least one door adapted to provide at least one closable and openable barrier between said at least one first passage and the least one pool of water; and

d) wherein said at least one door is positioned substantially below at least one waterline of such at least one pool of water.

12. ) The system according to claim 9 wherein:

a) the at least one low-pressure fluid source comprises at least one fluid circulation pump adapted to circulate the water of such at least one pool of water;

b) said at least one hose deployer comprises at least one automatic hose deployer adapted to automatically deploy the at least one vacuum hose on activation of the at least one fluid circulation pump; and

c) said at least one hose retractor comprises at least one automatic hose retractor adapted to automatically retract the at least one vacuum hose on deactivation of the at least one fluid circulation pump.

13. ) The system according to claim 12 further comprising at least one automatic switch adapted to automatically switch the coupling of the at least one low-pressure fluid source between said at least one hydraulic motor and said at least one fluid coupler.

14. ) The system according to claim 12 wherein said at least one automatic hose retractor comprises at least one spring tensioner adapted to tension at least one retractor spring during deployment of the at least one vacuum hose by said at least one automatic hose deployer.

15. ) The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a) at least one hose deployment detector adapted to signal the detection of a completed deployment of the at least one vacuum hose into the at least one pool of water; and

b) at least one spring tension detector adapted to signal the detection of the completed tensioning of said at least one retractor spring by such deployment of the at least one vacuum hose by said at least one automatic hose deployer;

c) wherein said at least one automatic switch is adapted to maintain the coupling of the at least one low-pressure fluid source to said at least one hydraulic motor in the absence of such detection signals from either of said at least one hose deployment detector and said at least one spring tension detector; and

d) wherein said at least one automatic switch is adapted to switch the coupling of the at least one low-pressure fluid source from said at least one hydraulic motor to said at least one fluid coupler in the presence of both such detection signals from said at least one hose deployment detector and said at least one spring tension detector.

16. ) The system according to claim 15 wherein such detection signals comprise at least one change in fluid pressure.

17. ) The system according to claim 16 wherein said at least one automatic switch comprises at least one pressure operated actuator adapted to actuate at least one fluid controlling valve.

18. ) The system according to claim 17 wherein said at least one hose deployer comprises:

a) at least one drive assembly comprising at least one first hose-engaging wheel and at least one second hose-engaging wheel each one adapted to physically engage the at least one vacuum hose;

b) wherein, during such physical engagement, the at least one vacuum hose is movably deployed by rotation of said at least one first hose-engaging wheel and said at least one second hose-engaging wheel by said at least one hydraulic motor; and

c) wherein, during such physical engagement, the at least one vacuum hose is movably retracted by counter-rotation of said at least one first hose-engaging wheel and said at least one second hose-engaging wheel by said at least one spring tensioner.

19. ) The system according to claim 18 further comprising at least one limited-slip coupler adapted to provide limited-slip decoupling of at least one mechanical force transferred between said at least one hydraulic motor, said at least one spring tensioner, and said at least one drive assembly.

20. ) The system according to claim 18 further comprising such at least one vacuum hose.

21. ) The system according to claim 18 further comprising such at least one automatic pool cleaner.

22. ) The system according to claim 18 further comprising:

a) at least one water level detector adapted to detect at least one low water level condition within the at least one pool of water;

b) wherein said at least one water level detector comprises at least one automatic retraction initiator adapted to automatically initiate the retraction of the at least one vacuum hose on such detection of such at least one low water level condition within the at least one pool of water.

23. ) The system according to claim 22 wherein said at least one automatic retraction initiator comprises at least one manual actuator adapted to provide manual actuation of said at least one automatic retraction initiator.

24. ) A pool cleaning system, comprising the steps of:

a) coupling at least one submerged tubular sleeve to at least one body of water;

b) placing at least one portion of at least one vacuum hose onto such at least one submerged tubular sleeve;

c) deploying such at least one vacuum hose from such at least one submerged tubular sleeve into such at least one body of water; and

d) coupling such at least one vacuum hose to at least one vacuum source.

25. ) The pool cleaning system, according to claim 24, wherein the step of deploying such at least one vacuum hose from such at least one submerged tubular sleeve into such at least one body of water further comprises the step of using at least one hydraulic motor to induce such deployment.

26. ) The pool cleaning system, according to claim 25 further comprising the step of retracting such at least one portion of such at least one vacuum hose from such at least one body of water into such at least one submerged tubular sleeve.

27. ) The cleaning system, according to claim 26, wherein such the step of retracting such at least one vacuum hose from such at least one body of water into such at least one submerged tubular sleeve further comprises the step of using at least one spring to induce such retraction.

28. ) The cleaning system, according to claim 27, further comprising the step of pulling at least one flow of water through such at least one vacuum hose.

29. ) A cleaning system, relating to the cleaning of at least one pool of water by at least one automatic vacuum, the at least one pool of water having at least one waterline, said system comprising:

a) at least one vacuum hose having at least one first end and at least one second end;

b) at least one vacuum pump, wherein said at least one vacuum pump is operationally coupled to said at least one second end of said at least one vacuum hose;

c) at least one hose reel adapted to reel said at least one vacuum hose;

d) at least one hose deployer adapted to deploy said at least one first end of said at least one vacuum hose into such at least one pool of water; and

e) at least one hose retractor adapted to retract said at least one vacuum hose onto said at least one hose reel;

f) wherein said at least one vacuum hose is adapted to remain continuously full of water when retracted onto said at least one hose reel;

g) wherein said at least one hose deployer comprises at least one hydraulic actuator; and

h) said at least one hydraulic actuator actuates by vacuum fluid pressure.

30. ) The cleaning system according to claim 29 further comprising:

a) at least one housing adapted to house said at least one vacuum hose, on said at least one hose reel, below such at least one waterline of such at least one pool of water;

b) wherein said at least one housing comprises at least one door adapted to provide at least one exit from said at least one housing into such at least one pool of water; and

c) wherein said at least one door is located substantially below such at least one waterline of such at least one pool of water.

31. ) The cleaning system according to claim 30 wherein:

a) said at least one vacuum hose further comprises at least one vacuum cleaner; and

b) said at least one vacuum cleaner is operationally coupled to said at least one first end of said at least one vacuum hose; and

c) said at least one vacuum hose and said at least one vacuum cleaner are positioned entirely within said at least one housing when said at least one vacuum hose is retracted for storage.

32. ) The cleaning system according to claim 29 wherein:

a) said at least one hose deployer comprises at least one automatic hose deployer adapted to automatically deploy said at least one vacuum hose when said at least one vacuum pump is activated; and

b) said at least one hose retractor comprises at least one automatic hose retractor adapted to automatically retract said at least one vacuum hose when said at least one vacuum pump is deactivated.

33. ) The cleaning system according to claim 29 wherein said at least one hose deployer is powered by said at least one vacuum pump.

35. ) The cleaning system according to claim 29 further comprising at least one hydraulic motor adapted to at least one rotational force from water moved by said at least one vacuum pump.

36. ) The cleaning system according to claim 35 wherein said at least one hose deployer is powered by said at least one hydraulic motor.

37. ) The cleaning system according to claim 29 wherein said at least one hose retractor comprises at least one spring adapted to wind said at least one hose reel.

38. ) The cleaning system according to claim 29 wherein said at least one hose deployer comprises at least one articulated carrier adapted to carry said at least one hose deployer from at least one retracted position to at least one deployed position and from at least one deployed position to at least one retracted position.

39. ) The cleaning system according to claim 38 further comprising at least one retraction detector adapted to detect the complete retraction of said at least one vacuum hose onto said at least one reel.

40. ) The cleaning system according to claim 29 further comprising at least one deployment detector adapted to detect the finished deployment of said at least one vacuum hose from said at least one reel.

41. ) The cleaning system according to claim 40 wherein said at least one hose deployer is powered by said at least one vacuum pump prior to said at least one deployment detector detecting the finished deployment of said at least one vacuum hose from said at least one reel.

42. ) The cleaning system according to claim 40 wherein said at least one vacuum pump pulls water through said at least one vacuum hose after said at least one deployment detector detects the finished deployment of said at least one vacuum hose from said at least one reel.

43. ) The cleaning system according to claim 40 further comprising at least one automatic switch adapted to automatically switch said at least one vacuum pump from powering said at least one hose deployer to pulling water through said at least one vacuum hose after said at least one deployment detector detects the finished deployment of said at least one vacuum hose from said at least one reel.

44. ) The cleaning system according to claim 43 wherein said at least one automatic switch comprises at least one hydraulic actuator.

45. ) The cleaning system according to claim 40 wherein said at least one deployment detector comprises:

a) at least one spring-loaded lever adapted to provide at least one spring-loaded lever on the interior of said at least one hose reel

i) wherein said at least one spring-loaded lever is compressed when said at least one vacuum hose presses said at least one spring-loaded lever; and

ii) wherein said at least one spring-loaded lever is released when said at least one vacuum hose is removed from said at least one spring-loaded lever;

b) at least one spring-loaded bar adapted to provide at least one spring-loaded bar on the exterior of said at least one hose reel

i) wherein said at least one spring-loaded bar is pulled into at least one retracted position when said at least one spring-loaded lever is compressed; and

ii) wherein said at least one spring-loaded bar means is released into at least one extended position when said at least one spring-loaded lever is released;

c) at least one spring-loaded switch

i) wherein said at least one spring-loaded switch is open when said at least one spring-loaded bar is pulled into such at least one retracted position; and

ii) wherein said at least one spring-loaded switch is closed when said at least one spring-loaded bar is released into such at least one extended position and contacts said at least one spring-loaded switch.

46. ) The cleaning system according to claim 29 wherein said at least one hose deployer comprises:

a) at least one hydraulic motor;

b) wherein said at least one hydraulic motor is powered by said at least one vacuum pump;

c) at least one hose-guiding wheel adapted to guide said at least one vacuum hose;

d) at least one hose-moving wheel adapted to move said at least one vacuum hose;

e) at least one wheel compressor adapted to compress said at least one vacuum hose between said at least one hose-guiding wheel and said at least one hose-moving wheel;

f) wherein said at least one wheel compressor is actuated by said at least one vacuum pump; and

g) at least one drive adapted to drive said at least one hose-moving wheel off of said at least one hydraulic motor;

h) whereby, when said at least one vacuum pump is turned on, said at least one vacuum hose is laterally compressed and is rolled longitudinally between said at least one hose-guiding wheel and said at least one hose-moving wheel.

47. ) The cleaning system according to claim 46 wherein:

a) said at least one drive comprises at least one drive chain; and

b) at least one drive tensioner adapted to provide consistent tension to said at least one drive chain.

48. ) The cleaning system according to claim 46 wherein said at least one hose-guiding wheel comprises said at least one hose-moving wheel.

34. ) The cleaning system according to claim 34 further comprising at least one automatic switch adapted to automatically switch said at least one vacuum pump from powering said at least one hose deployer to pulling water through said at least one vacuum hose after said at least one hose deployer deploys said at least one vacuum hose.

49. ) A system, comprising:

a) at least one vacuum pump;

b) at least one hydraulic motor;

c) wherein said at least one hydraulic motor is powered by said at least one vacuum pump;

d) at least one hose-guiding wheel adapted to guide at least one hose;

e) at least one hose-moving wheel adapted to move such at least one hose;

f) at least one wheel tensioner adapted to tension such at least one hose between said at least one hose-guiding wheel and said at least one hose-moving wheel;

g) wherein said at least one wheel tensioner is tensioned by said at least one vacuum pump; and

h) at least one drive adapted to drive said at least one hose-moving wheel off of said at least one hydraulic motor;

i) whereby, when said at least one vacuum pump is turned on, such at least one hose is laterally compressed and is rolled longitudinally between said at least one hose-guiding wheel and said at least one hose-moving wheel.

50. ) A cleaning system, comprising the steps of:

a) storing at least one hose reel in at least one body of water;

b) reeling at least one hose onto such at least one hose reel in such at least one body of water;

c) storing such at least one hose reel having such at least one hose in such at least one body of water; and

d) unreeling such at least one hose off of such at least one hose reel in such at least one body of water;

e) wherein such at least one hose is kept constantly filled with water;

f) wherein the step of unreeling such at least one hose off of such at least one hose reel in such at least one body of water further comprises the step of using at least one hydraulic motor to unreel such at least one hose off of such at least one hose reel in such at least one body of water;

g) wherein the step of using at least one hydraulic motor to unreel such at least one hose off of such at least one hose reel in such at least one body of water further comprises the step of using at least one vacuum pump to pull water through such at least one hydraulic motor;

h) switching such at least one vacuum pump from pulling water through such at least one hydraulic motor to pulling water through such at least one vacuum hose after such at least one vacuum hose is unreeled from such at least one reel;

i) wherein such step of automatically switching further comprises the step of actuating at least one hydraulic actuator;

j) wherein such step of reeling such at least one hose on to such at least one hose reel in such at least one body of water further comprises the step of using at least one spring to reel such at least one hose on to such at least one hose reel in such at least one body of water; and

k) pulling at least one flow of water through such at least one hose.