초록 ▼

A method and apparatus powered from the suction side of a pump for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body and a level control subsystem for selectively moving the bod

A method and apparatus powered from the suction side of a pump for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body and a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool for water surface cleaning or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall for wall surface cleaning. The cleaner body can have a weight/buoyancy characteristic to cause it to normally rest either (1) proximate to the pool bottom adjacent to the wall surface (i.e., heavier-than-water) or (2) proximate to the water surface (i.e.. lighter-than-water).

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus configured to be driven by a source of negative pressure for cleaning the interior surface of a containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein, said apparatus comprising:a body configured for immersion in said water pool; means for coupling a negative pressure

1. Apparatus configured to be driven by a source of negative pressure for cleaning the interior surface of a containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein, said apparatus comprising:a body configured for immersion in said water pool; means for coupling a negative pressure source to said body; a level control subsystem responsive to said negative pressure source for producing a vertical force to selectively place said body either (1) in a first mode proximate to said water surface or (2) in a second mode proximate to said wall surface below said water surface; at least one pool water inlet in said body; and a propulsion control subsystem responsive to said negative pressure source for selectively moving said body either (1) along a path adjacent to said water surface for collecting pool water through said inlet from adjacent to said water surface or (2) along a path adjacent to said wall surface for collecting pool water through said inlet from adjacent to said wall surface; said propulsion control subsystem including a controller for selectively causing said body to move either in a forward direction or in a second direction different from said forward direction; said controller including (1) a periodic control device for alternately defining first and second conditions and (2) a motion responsive control device for defining a first condition when the rate of forward motion of said body is greater than a certain threshold and a second condition when the rate of forward motion of said body is less than a certain threshold; and wherein said controller causes said body to move in said second direction when said periodic control device and said motion responsive control device concurrently define said respective second conditions.