Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-- 1 --
This invention relates to a swimming pool
cleaner of the type wherein an interruption of the
flow of water through the cleaner is utilized to
provide a propulsive force to cause the cleaner to
move automatically across the surface to be clean-
ed.
There are different types of pool clean-
ers known which operate on different principles to
give the cleaner automatic movement over the sur-
face to be cleaned. This invention is concerned
with the type of cleaner which operates on the
reduced pressure caused by a pump used to induce
flow of water from a swimming pool through the
conventional filtration equipment and thence back
to the pool. The principle of operation is effect-
ed by intermittently interrupting the flow through
the cleaner to the pump and using a special valve
assembly for effecting this cycle interruption.
The principle has been effected through oscillatory
movement of a valve to interrupt flow through a
cleaner and in an alternative arrangement by the
use of a valve carried in rotational movement by a
wheel which is driven by flow of liquid through the
cleaner.
.C
12541(35
According to the invention there is pro-
vided a swimming pool cleaner of the type wherein
an interruption of the flow of water through the
cleaner i5 utilized to provide a propulsive force
5to cause the cleaner to move automatically across
the surface to be cleaned characterized in that the
flow path through the cleaner includes an automatic
valve assembly comprising a body having a fluid
inlet and a fluid outlet, a flow passage between
10the inlet and the outlet at least partly defined by
a tubular member,,which is transversely contractable
and expansible over at least a part of its length
to cause the interruption of the flow of water
through the cleaner in use.
15The part of the tubular member which is
contractable and expansible may be circumferential-
ly collapsible and expansible and be of an elasto-
meric material, such as rubber or a synthetic plas-
tics material. Alternatively, it may be of a flex-
20ible material or contain a flexible insert which is
capable of being moved between a contracted posi-
tion and an expanded position.
The assembly may be such that the tubular
member is completely closed to fluid flow when in
25the contracted condition or contracted only to a
degree which will enable substantial interruption
of the flow through the passages to be effected.
12S~ 5
The chamber may be sealed or it may have
a fluid path externally of the tubular member to
the fluid outlet. The fluid path in the latter
instance may include an inlet into the chamber from
5the outside with inlet for alternately opening and
closing this inlet responsive to the contraction or
expansion of the tubular member.
Where the tubular member is made from
elastomeric material it may be made to have a do~7n-
10stream portion less elastic than the remainder and
the length of the less elastic part of the tubular
member may vary circumferentially adjacent the more
elastic portion and the tubular member may be rein-
forced with fabric or other stranded material.
15The body may also be of elastomeric
material or have a portion of its outer wall of
elastomeric material but of appreciably less elas-
ticity than the tubular member.
The invention also provides a swimming
20pooI cleaner for cleaning the submerged surfaces of
the pool comprising a head having an open mouth
adapted to be disposed proximate the surface to be
1'~54i~5
-- 4
cleaned, having an outlet adapted to be coupled
with a flexible hose and having a passage defined
between the mouth and the outlet to permit water to
be drawn therethrough by suction applied to the
outlet, a wall of the passage being defined at
least in part by a flexible member adapted to auto-
matically deflect to restrict the passage upon
application of suction to the outlet to create an
interruption of water flow in the passage and
thereby impart motive force to the head and move
the head along the submerged surface in use.
The invention further provides a valve
for a swimming pool cleaner of the type wherein an
interruption of the flow of water through the
cleaner provides a force to move the cleaner across
a submerged surface to be cleaned and that includes
a head having an inlet port coupled to an open
mouth to be disposed proximate the surface to be
cleaned and an outlet port adapted to be coupled
with a flexible hose through which a suction is
applied in use to cause a flow of water into the
mouth, comprising:
a flexible tubular member adapted to be
disposed within the head and fixed between the
inlet port and the outlet port for defining a pass-
age therebetween for water flow, the tubular member
being automatically contractable and expansible in
lZS41(~5
- _ 5 _
response to pressure variations internally and ex-ternally
of the tubular member, to alternatively and repeatedly
restrict and open the passage to water flow, thereby
producing interruption of the flow of water through the
cleaner.
Broadly stated, the invention relates to a
swimming pool cleaner of the type in which an inter-
ruption of the flow of water through the cleaner is
utilized to provide a propulsive force to cause the
cleaner to move automatically across a submerged surface
to be cleaned and which includes a head having an inlet
port coupled to an open mouth to be disposed proximate
the surface to be cleaned and an outlet port adapted
to be coupled with a flexible hose through which a
suction is applied, in use, to cause a flow of water
into the mouth and through the cleaner. The cleaner
comprises a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid
outlet, a flow passage for the flow of water through the
cleaner defined between the inlet and outlet at least
partly by a tubular member. The tubular member is
transversely contractable and expansible over at least
part o its length to ~ary the flow of water throu~h
the flow passaye, the body forming a chamber around
the tubular member, and means provided externally of the
flow passage for establishing a pressure differential
across the tubular member to cause expansion or con-
traction thereof. These means include a further
passage providing pressure communication between the
outlet and the chamber to communicate to the chamber
pressure variations which occur at the outlet from
changes in the flow of water through the flow passage
which occur as the tubular member expands or contracts.
The means being arranged such that the variations in
pressure differential across the tubular member cause
a pulsatile interruption of the flow of water through
the cleaner.
lZ541(?5
- 5a -
By way of example, preferred embodiments
of the invention will be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figs. 1 to 6 illustrate axial sectional
views of different embodiments of valve assembly,
Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate details of spe-
cific forms of tubular members,
Fig. 9 illustrates a valve assembly
wherein the body has a wall with a resilient panel
therein, and
Fig. 10 illustrates a valve assembly
included in an automatic pool cleaner.
S
- DETAILED DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWINGS
As shown in Fig 1, reference numeral 1
generally indicates a valve assembly comprising a
body 2 having a fluid inlet 3 and a fluid outlet 4.
The inlet 3 is formed by a rigid tube 5 and the
outlet 4 by a rigid tube 6. A tubular member or
diaphragm 7 of elastomeric material extends between
the tubes 5 and 6, defining a flow passage 8.
The body 2 is further provided with a
secondary inlet 9 into the substantially annular
chamber 10 which is defined in the body 2, externally
of and around the tubular member 7. Openings or
ports 11 are provided in the tube 6 downstream of the
tubular member 7 which connect the chamber 10 with a
flow passage 8 to permit automatic regulation of the
pressure in the flow passage 8 and the chamber 10.
The diaphragm 7 is provided with inner
circumferential ribs 12 and 12a extending along
substantially 180 of the surface of the diaphragm 7
and on opposite sides thereof, as shown. The ribs 12
and 12a assist in closing the diaphragm 7 to the flow
of fluid, as will be described in more detail below.
1~415~5
A substantially L-shaped control member 13
is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis 14 and
has a pair of control flaps 15 and 16 arranged for
co-operating with the inlets 3 and 9, respectively.
An annular seal 17 is provided around the inlet 9 to
assist in sealing off the inlet 9 by means of the
flap 16, as will be described in greater detail below.
The flaps 15 and 16 are arranged at an
angle with respect to each other which is somewhat
greater than 90 but also preferably not greater than
100 .
A bleed opening 18 is provided into the
tube 5 to allow leakage of fluid into the inlet 8
when this inlet is closed by means of the flap 15,
the purpose of which will be described below.
The valve assembly 1 operates as set out
below and is described in a situation when the valve
assembly 15 is submerged in a fluid si~ilar to that
which is to flow intermittantly through the passage
8.
In use, the inlets 3 and 9 are both in
communication with the fluid. The outlet 4 is in
12S41~5
-- 8
communication with a region of reduced pressure or
means for creating a reduced pressure, such as a
suction pump (not shown).
~hen the pump is operated a reduced
pressure is applied to the outlet 4, with the control
member 13 in the position as shown in Fig 1, the
diaphragm 7 will remain in the open condition, due to
substantially equal fluid pressure being exerted on
both the inner and outer surfaces of the diaphragm
7. 1'he tendency of the diaphragm 7 is to retain its
normal open shape due to the pressures within and
outside it and its inherent physical
characteristics. The latter is predetermined by the
choice of elastomeric material to suit the particular
application to which the valve assembly is to be
put. The equalization of pressure is achieved by
means of the openings 11 in the tube 4 cGnnecting the
chamber 10 with the flow passage 8.
Fluid therefore flows freely through the
flow passage 8. However, this flow of fluid will
sweep the flap 15 against the tube 5 causing it to
close the inlet 3. Closing of the inlet 3 will cause
the flap 16 to open the inlet 9 by virtue of the
pivotal movement of the member 13 about the axis 14.
l;~S~iO5
g
This will in turn result in a flow of fluid into the
chamber 10 and exiting through the ports 11. This
creates a force contracting the diaphragm 7 due to
unequal pressure on the inside and the outside of the
diaphragm. The diaphragm 7 will therefore contract,
closing off the flow of fluid therethrough. This
action is assisted by the ribs 12 and 12a. This
results in the release of the flap 15 to again open
the inlet 3 to the flow of fluid. This is assisted
by the bleed opening 18. The control member 13 may
in addition be spring-loaded, to the position shown
in Fig 1, to facilitate opening of the inlet 3.
opening of the inlet 3, closes the inlet 9 and the
process is repeated so that the control member 13
continuously performs an oscillating movement about
the axis to alternately open and close inlets 3 and 9.
The diaphragm 7 may have any suitable
shape in cross-section and the ribs 12 and 12a may be
such that either total or partial interruption of
fluid flow through the diaphragm 7 is achieved. The
diaphragm 7 as shown may be cylindrical in cross-
section but it has been found that a substantially
oval-shaped or diamond-shaped cross-section can be
advantageous when a total fluid flow interruption is
to be achieved.
lZ~
-- 10 -
~ In place of the control member 13, other
means may be used to achieve either a synchronous or
independant opening and closing off the inlets 3 and
9.
As shown in Fig 2, the chamber 10 is
completely sealed and an elastic at a predetermined
pressure fluid is contained between the diaphragm 7
and the outer body 2. Thus fluid tends to compress
the diaphragm as fluid flowing through the passage 8
results in a reduced pressure therein. This flow
through the passage results in a contraction of the
diaphragm 7 and this allows the fluid in the body to
expand consequently reducing its pressure to a point
where the diaphragm 7 reacts to expand again. Fluid
lS may then again flow through the passage 8.
The mechanism enables a pulsating flow of
a liquid through the passage 8 to be obtained by the
alternating contracting and expansion of the
diaphragm. The material of the diaphragm and choice
of the compressible fluid and its pressure will
1254105
enable a stable rhythmic operation of the valve
assembly to be obtained.
Referrlng now to Fig. 3, a valve assembly 1
according to another embodiment of the invention is
shown. The assembly 1 is basically similar to the
other embodiments described above and like parts
are correspondingly referenced.
The main difference between the embodiments
of Figs. 1 to 3 is that, instead of the control member
13, the assembly has a secondary tubular diaphragm 19,
situated in a tube 20 at the inlet 9. The tube 20 is
provided with ports 21 for equalizing the pressure on
the inside and the outside of the diaphragm 19.
In use, under the same conditions as in
Fig. 1, fluid is admitted upstream in the tube 20 and
can flow in the inner passage of the diaphragm 19, as
shown at 22 in Fig. 3, as well as along the flow
passage 8 through the diaphragm 7. During such flow,
the diaphragm 7 is adapted to close first, due to its
large surface area and other design features, including
shape and material of the diaphragms. Closing of
the passage 8 will result in an increased flow through
the inner passage of the diaphragm 19, resulting in
- 12 _ 1~ ~ 4 1~ 5
~ contraction and closure thereof. This will cause the
diaphragm 7 to open again due to the reduction of
pressure in the chamber 10. ~hen the flow through
the diaphragm 7 is resumed, the diaphragm 19 will
open because the flow rate therethrough is reduced
and pressure increased so that it cannot maintain its
closed position. This will result in the diaphragm
contracting again and the cycle is repeated
automatically. This causes a substantially pulsating
fluid flow through the passage 8.
Referring now to Fig 4, a valve assembly 1
according to a further embodiment of the invention is
shown. The valve assembly 1 is again basically
similar to that shown in Fig 1, except for the
mechanism used for opening and closing the inlet 9.
In this embodiment the valve assembly 1 is provided
with a secondary valve 23 having an oscillatable flow
direction control component 24 which is adapted
alternately to direct fluid flow through an inlet
opening 25 and an outlet tube 26, which is in
communication with the outlet of passage 8. (The
first mentioned position is shown by dotted lines in
Fig 4.)
The operation of the diaphragm 7 is the
lZS41C~5
- 13 -
same as that described above. The oscillatable
component 24 is biased, (conveniently by a suitable
spring not shown) to the position where inlet opening
25 is open. When the diaphragm 7 contracts to close
passaye 8 the resulting reduced pressure in outlet
tube 26 causes the component 24 of valve 23 to swing
to open the outlet 26 to the chamber 10. This
results in a reduction of pressure thereon and the
diaphragm 7 reopens. This in turn results in a
relative increase in pressure in outlet tube 26
enabling component 24 to revert to its original
position described.
The effect of the valve is to obtain a
rhythmic pulsation of fluid flow through the passage
8.
An alternative form of secondary valve is
shown in Fig 5. -In this form the secondary valve 27
is in the form of a cylinder 28 ln communication with
ambient fluid relief opening 29 and with the chamber
10. A piston 30 operable in cylinder 28 with
variation in pressure applied thereto is connected to
the diaphragm 7 by link illustrated at 31.
The piston 30 also has a biasing spring 32
connected to it which spring 32 is adhered to the end
~5~ S
- 14 -
of the cylinder 28 through a means shown at 33 for
varying the tension in the spring 32.
An outlet 34 from cylinder 28 leads
through tube 35 to the outlet 4 of the valve assembly
l. The outlet 34 is located to be closed and opened
by movement of the piston 30 in the cylinder 28.
In use contracting of the diaphragm 8 in
the manner described above draws the piston 30 along
the cylinder 28 to open outlets 34. This results in
the reduced pressure in outlet 4 being transferred to
the piston 30 and together with the effect of the
spring draws the piston in the cylinder to reclose
the outlet 34 while simultaneously assisting in
reopening the diaphragm 7.
This assembly also provides control to
result in rhythmic pulsation of fluid flow through
passage 8.
Fig. 6 illustrates a still further alternative
to the device shown in Fig's. l to 5. In this
embodiment the chamber lO i.s connected to the outlet
39 through tube 36. The tube 36 may be open to
conduct fluid through a valve 37 or may have a
lZS41C,'5
-- 15 --
variable constriction in the length thereof provided
by an adjustable screw 39 passing through the wall of
the tube 36. This enables the effective cross-
section of the tube 36 to be varied at this point by
inserting or withdrawing the screw 38 into or fromthe tube 36.
- The valve 37 serves to control an opening
39 into the tube 36. There is a flexible member 40 which
is drawn by reduced pressure in tube 36 to close the
opening 39 and the inherent resistance to the flexing
of member 40 to close opening 39 can be made variable.
In a simple form this can be effected by the construction
of member 40. By anchoring it, through a releasable
lock indicated at 41 at diferent positions along its
length, the opening 39 may be closed due to different
selected pressure reductions within tube 36.
Thus in use when diaphragm 7 closes the
reduction of pressure in chamber 10 due to flow induced
through tube 36.will cause the valve member 40 to
close tXus varying the effect of the reduced pressure
in the outlet 4 on the diaphragm 7.
lZS410S
- 16 ~
~oth control means illustrated in Fig. 6
enable the operation of the valve assembly 1 to be
controlled to suit particular operating conditions
for the assembly 1.
Fig. 7 shows in cross-section a diaphragm
7 where the circumferential ribs 12 and 12a have been
replaced by longitudinal ribs 42. These ribs need
not extend down the full length of the diaphragm 7
but only along that part which contracts to the greatest
extent. The ribs enable the diaphragm 7 to contxact
to the particular patterns indicated by dotted lines
71 in Fig. 7.
Fig. 8 illustrates a further variation of the
diaphragm 7 which is made to an oval configuration~ The
stiffness of the diaphragm 7 at the outlet end is made,
by varying the thickness of the material in the wall
of the dia~hragm near this end, differen-t along the length
of the diaphragm. With such a construction there will
also be lines 43 of least stiffness down the length of
the diaphragm so that it can collapse to a flattened
condition and open into an oval cross-section. The
thickened parts of the diaphragm need not be co-
extensive along the length of the diaphragm. One side
44 may be thickened for a greater length than the
opposite side 45.
- 17 1~2S41~5
From the above it will be appreciated that
the diaphragm 7 can be made to many varied
configurations to allow it to work under different
circumstances and constructions of valve assembly 1.
Fig. 9 illustra.es two variations of the
valve~assembly 1 wherein an incompressible fluid
under predetermined pressure fills the chamber 10.
In the first variation the body 2 is constructed to
have a predetermined resilience such that it can
follow the collapse of the diaphragm 7 to maintain
the same volume in chamber 10 as when the diaphragm 7
is in its expanded condition. However, the stiffness
of the material of the body will be such that once
the contracted condition of the diaphragm 7 is
reached the stiffness of the body will act to
re-expand the diaphragm to open passage 8.
Also illustrated in Fig. 9 is a solid
outer body 2 with a flexible panel 46 in the wall
thereof. This panel 46 may be of resilient material
and acts as the resilient wall of the body 2
described above. However, also illustrated is a
tension spring assembly 47 mounted to the body 2 and
connected to the panel 46. This assembly 47 provides
the necessary force to pull the panel into position to
1(05
-- 18 -
erable the diaphragm to expand after having reached
its collapsed condition.
The valve assembly described above finds
particular applicalior, ir! ar cutomatic swimming pool
cleaner for cleaning submerged walls and floor of a
pool. The cleaner is of the type wherein an inter-
ruption of the flow of water through the cleaner is
utilized to provide a propulsive force to cause the
cleaner to move automatically across the surface to
be cleaned. The cleaner is located on a submerged
surface and connected through a flexible hose to the
pump inlet through the swimming pool skimmer unit or
through a separate suction line to the pump. The
interruption of the flow generates a force which,
lS together with the flexible hose and configuration of
cleaner, results in a stepwise movement of the cleaner
over the surface to be cleaned.
Such a cleaner is illustrated somewhat diagram-
matically in Fig. 10. This Figure is representative
of the type of pool cleaner described in United
States Patent No. 4,208,752.
12S411;15
-- 19 --
The cleaner is externally the same as that
set out in Patent ~o. 4,208,752 but the means for
interrupting the flow is substituted by a valve
assembly in accordance with this invention.
The cleaner 48 has an operating head 49
which has a bas~cally rectangular cross-section which
extends from an inlet opening 50 to an outlet opening
51. These openings are circular in shape with the
axis of the inlet offset from that of the outlet at
an angle which is preferably forty-five degrees.
The inlet 50 is made with a foot for the
cleaner which will contact the surface to be
cleaned. The lower part 52 of the foot has a stepped
face 53 so that there are spaced apertures between
the surface to be cleaned and the face 53 through
which water and dirt may pass when the machine is in
operation. Spaced above the lower part of the foot
52 is a peripheral flange 54 and the wall between the
flange 54 and part 52 is of reduced diameter around
which is fitted a flexible annular flexible disc 55
to be rotatable thereon. An opening 56 is provided
through the wall between the flange 54 and the part
52 through which water and dirt may pass and a
flexible apron 57 is secured around the head to extend
l~S41(;~$
- 2~ -
~ over the disc 55 in what is the normal forward
direction of the cleaner indicated by arrow "A".
A swivellable fitting 58 is provided at
the outlet opening 51 for a rigid extension pipe 59
about the same length as the head 49 and to which a
flexible suction hose 60 is attached for connection
to the inlet to the pump of conventional swimming
pool filtration plant (not shown).
Releasably sealed into the head 49 is a
valve assembly 1 of one of the types described
above. For simplicity the diaphragm 7 is illustrated
as a simple circular cylindrical shape of constant
wall thickness.
A hollow plug 61 is fitted into the body
adjacent the inlet opening 50. A peripheral
formation 62 projecting outwardly around the inlet
tube 4 of diaphragm 7 can be made to clip and seal
into a complementary recess 63 in the inner wall of
the plug 61. This latter assembly will preferably be
made a firm press fit and a retaining ring 64 will
preferably be located around the end of the diaphragm
7 and the tube 4 between the diaphragm and the inner
wall of the head 49.
.
- 21 ~ 12S~1~5
The outlet tube 5 of the valve assembly 1
can be similarly secured adjacent the outlet 51 from
the body with a circular rib 65 around the outlet end
of the diaphragm 7 engaged in a suitable recess in
the body 49.
With this assembly it will be apparent
that the chamber 10 of valve assembly 1 is formed
between the body 49 of the cleaner and the diaphragm
7. This valve assembly 1 has the chamber 10 sealed
as is described with reference to Fig. 2 above.
It will of course be appreciated that the
diaphragm 7 can be located in the body in any
convenient manner and also that the particular
embodiment of valve assembly 1 incorporated into the
cleaner 48 can be chosen and designed to meet any
particular application. For example, the embodiment
described and illustrated in Fig. 6 with regard to
the connection tube 36 extending between the chamber
10 and the outlet from the body 49 is indicated in
dotted lines in Fig. 10.
The material from which the diaphragm 7 is
to be made must be chosen to meet the particular
application of the valve assembly 1. In the case of
. . .
- 22 - 1ZS41~5
- a pool cleaner the material must be capable of
flexing very many times in an environment of
chlorinated water without deterioration over a
considerable period of time. In this application it
is anticipated that polyurethane or a polyurethane
mix will be suitable. Other materials are also
expected to be developed for this application.
As has been set out above the diaphragm 7
may take many forms and it is anticipated that the
material thereof may in appropriate circumstances be
reinforced. This reinforcement can be provided by
suitable fabric or other woven or non-woven strands
of material.
Also it will be understood that cleaner 49
will be fitted with the well known balancing and
ballast arrangement to maintain it stable and in
proper relation to the surface which it is to clean.
This is indicated by an outer body 66 around the
cleaner head 49 with weights 67 and 68 located
therein. The weight 67 is free to move in a housing
69 of vee-shape to assist in turning th cleaner away
from the surface of the pool in which it is to
operate.
12S4i(~5
- 23 -
A float 70 is included to ensure that the
cleaner will settle in the pool on the disc with the
head 46 upwards.
In use the cleaner is connected to the
filter pump in the manner set forth above. Operation
of the filter pump will cause water and dirt to be
drawn through the valve assembly 1 in head ~9 and
this will cause the diaphragm 7 to repeatedly and
alternately contract and expand as decribed above.
o This movement of the diaphragm 7 will result in
interruptions in flow of water to the pump and thus
generate intermittent propulsive forces in the
cleaner which cause the cleaner to move in stepwise
random fashion over the floor and walls of the pool
to be cleaned as disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
4,208,752.
The diaphragm being tubular and of
substantial diameter makes it possible for the
cleaner to collect debris of considerable size and
length from the surface to be cleaned and pass this
debris through the valve assembly to the filtration
plant.
