IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0207110
(2014-03-12)
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등록번호 |
US-9845609
(2017-12-19)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Renaud, Benoit Joseph
- Hardy, David John
- Parcell, Jason Wayne
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
84 |
초록
▼
A fluid distribution system for an underwater pool cleaner comprises an inlet body having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a valve assembly body in fluid communication with the inlet of the inlet body and including a plurality of fluid outlets, a first one of the outlets provide
A fluid distribution system for an underwater pool cleaner comprises an inlet body having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a valve assembly body in fluid communication with the inlet of the inlet body and including a plurality of fluid outlets, a first one of the outlets provides fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a forward direction and a second one of the outlets provides fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a reverse direction, and a valve subassembly fluidicly driven by the supply of pressurized fluid and periodically switching the supply of pressurized fluid from the first one of the outlets to the second one of the outlets to periodically change direction of propulsion of the underwater pool cleaner.
대표청구항
▼
1. A fluid distribution system for an underwater pool cleaner, comprising: an inlet body having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid;a valve assembly body in fluid communication with said inlet of said inlet body and including a plurality of fluid outlets, a first one of said outlets
1. A fluid distribution system for an underwater pool cleaner, comprising: an inlet body having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid;a valve assembly body in fluid communication with said inlet of said inlet body and including a plurality of fluid outlets, a first one of said outlets for providing fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a forward direction and a second one of said outlets for providing fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a reverse direction; anda valve subassembly fluidicly driven by the supply of pressurized fluid and periodically switching the supply of pressurized fluid from said first one of said outlets to said second one of said outlets to periodically change direction of propulsion of the underwater pool cleaner, the valve subassembly comprising: (a) a turbine rotatably driven by the supply of pressurized fluid;(b) a cam plate including a cam track, the cam plate being operatively engaged with the turbine such that the cam plate is rotationally driven by the turbine, the cam track having a first section and a second section; and(c) a valve seal including a sealing member and a cam post, the valve seal being rotatably mounted adjacent the cam plate and the valve assembly body with the cam post being engageable with the cam track, and the valve seal being rotatable between a first position and a second position,wherein (i) when the cam post is engaged with the first section of the cam track the valve seal is placed in the first position where the valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through said second one of said outlets, and (ii) when the cam post is engaged with the second section of the cam track the valve seal is placed in the second position where the valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through said first one of said outlets. 2. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a gear reduction stack positioned between the turbine and the cam plate, the gear reduction stack being engaged with the turbine and the cam plate, wherein the gear reduction stack transfers a first number of rotations of the turbine into a second number of rotations of the cam plate. 3. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the inlet body includes an outlet that provides pressurized fluid to rotationally drive the turbine. 4. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein said first section of said cam track has a first length and said second section of said cam track has a second length, said first length being longer than said second length. 5. The fluid distribution system of claim 4, wherein the first section of said cam track is associated with a first operation of the underwater pool cleaner and the second section of said cam track is associated with a second operation of the underwater pool cleaner, the first length determining the amount of time that the first operation is to be operative and the second length determining the amount of time that the second operation is to be operative. 6. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the inlet of the inlet body is in fluidic communication with a pump external to the underwater pool cleaner, the supply of pressurized fluid being provided by the pump. 7. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein the fluid distribution system is connected with a water jet propulsion system of the underwater pool cleaner. 8. The fluid distribution system of claim 7, wherein said first one of said outlets is in fluidic communication with a forward thrust jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner in a first direction, and said second one of said outlets is in fluidic communication with a reverse thrust jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner in a second direction that is different than the first direction. 9. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, wherein said first one of said outlets is in fluidic communication with a suction system of the underwater pool cleaner. 10. The fluid distribution system of claim 1, further comprising: a second valve assembly body including an inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a second fluid outlet, and defining a valve chamber, wherein the inlet of said second valve body is positioned adjacent said first one of said outlets of said valve assembly body;a second valve seal including a sealing member, the second valve seal positioned within the valve chamber of the second valve assembly body and being rotatable between a first position wherein the second valve seal sealing member is adjacent the first fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body and a second position wherein the second valve seal sealing member is adjacent the second fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body; anda rotatable lever arm engaged with the second valve seal for rotating the second valve seal about a rotational axis,wherein (i) when the second valve seal is in the first position the second valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through the first fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body, and (ii) when the second valve seal is in the second position the second valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through the second fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body. 11. The fluid distribution system of claim 10, wherein the rotatable lever arm includes a user engageable tab. 12. The fluid distribution system of claim 10, wherein the fluid distribution system is connected with a water jet propulsion system of the underwater pool cleaner. 13. The fluid distribution system of claim 12, wherein the first fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body is in fluidic communication with a forward thrust jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner in a first direction underwater, the second fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body is in fluidic communication with a top mode jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner along a pool water surface, and said second one of said fluid outlets of the first valve assembly body is in fluidic communication with a reverse thrust jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner in a second direction that is different than the first direction. 14. The fluid distribution system of claim 10, wherein the first outlet of the second valve assembly body is in fluidic communication with a suction system of the underwater pool cleaner. 15. A fluid distribution system for an underwater pool cleaner, comprising: an inlet body having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid;a valve assembly body in fluid communication with said inlet of said inlet body and including a plurality of fluid outlets, a first one of said outlets for providing fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a forward direction and a second one of said outlets for providing fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a reverse direction; anda valve subassembly fluidicly driven by the supply of pressurized fluid and periodically switching the supply of pressurized fluid from said first one of said outlets to said second one of said outlets to periodically change direction of propulsion of the underwater pool cleaner, the valve subassembly comprising: (a) a turbine rotatably driven by the supply of pressurized fluid;(b) a Geneva gear post rotationally mounted offset from a rotational axis of the Geneva gear post, the Geneva gear post being operatively engaged with the turbine such that the Geneva gear post is rotationally driven by the turbine;(c) a Geneva gear cog rotationally mounted adjacent the Geneva gear post and having a plurality of slots; and(d) a valve disk including a sealing member, the valve disk being rotatably engaged with the Geneva gear cog such that rotation of the Geneva gear cog causes rotation of the valve disk, the valve disk being rotatable between a plurality of positions,wherein (i) the Geneva gear post is configured to enter one of the plurality of slots and engage the Geneva gear cog for a portion of each rotation and rotationally drive the Geneva gear cog and the valve disk between the plurality of positions,wherein (i) when the valve disk is in a first one of the plurality of positions the valve disk prevents fluid from flowing through said second one of said outlets, and (ii) when the valve disk is in a second one of the plurality of positions the valve disk prevents fluid from flowing through said first one of said outlets. 16. The fluid distribution system of claim 15, further comprising a gear reduction stack positioned between the turbine and the Geneva gear post, the gear reduction stack being engaged with the turbine and the Geneva gear post, wherein the gear reduction stack transfers a first number of rotations of the turbine into a second number of rotations of the Geneva gear post. 17. The fluid distribution system of claim 15, wherein the inlet body includes an outlet that provides pressurized fluid to rotationally drive the turbine. 18. The fluid distribution system of claim 15, wherein the inlet of the inlet body is in fluidic communication with a pump external to the underwater pool cleaner, the supply of pressurized fluid being provided by the pump. 19. The fluid distribution system of claim 15, wherein said first one of said outlets is in fluidic communication with a forward thrust jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner in a first direction, and said second one of said outlets is in fluidic communication with a reverse thrust jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner in a second direction that is different than the first direction. 20. The fluid distribution system of claim 15, further comprising: a second valve assembly body including an inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a second fluid outlet, and defining a valve chamber, wherein the inlet of said second valve body is positioned adjacent said first one of said outlets of said valve assembly body;a valve seal including a sealing member, the valve seal positioned within the valve chamber of the second valve assembly body and being rotatable between a first position wherein the valve seal sealing member is adjacent the first fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body and a second position wherein the valve seal sealing member is adjacent the second fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body; anda rotatable lever arm engaged with the valve seal for rotating the valve seal about a rotational axis,wherein (i) when the second valve seal is in the first position the valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through the first fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body, and (ii) when the valve seal is in the second position the valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through the second fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body. 21. The fluid distribution system of claim 20, wherein the rotatable lever arm includes a user engageable tab. 22. The fluid distribution system of claim 20, wherein the fluid distribution system is connected with a water jet propulsion system of the underwater pool cleaner. 23. The fluid distribution system of claim 22, wherein the first fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body is in fluidic communication with a forward thrust jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner in a first direction underwater, the second fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body is in fluidic communication with a top mode jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner along a pool water surface, and said second one of said fluid outlets of the first valve assembly body is in fluidic communication with a reverse thrust jet nozzle of the underwater pool cleaner to propel the underwater pool cleaner in a second direction that is different than the first direction. 24. The fluid distribution system of claim 20, wherein the first outlet of the second valve assembly body is in fluidic communication with a suction system of the underwater pool cleaner. 25. An underwater pool cleaner comprising: a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening;an pressurized fluid inlet connected with a source of pressurized fluid;a bottom mode forward thrust jet nozzle;a reverse/spinout mode jet nozzle;a suction tube extending between the inlet opening and the outlet opening;a suction jet ring positioned within the suction tube and including one or more suction jet nozzles; andan automatic timing valve positioned in the housing and in fluidic communication with the bottom mode forward thrust jet nozzle, the top mode forward thrust jet nozzle, the reverse/spinout mode jet nozzle, and the suction jet ring, the automatic timing valve including: a) an inlet body having an inlet in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid;b) a valve assembly body in fluid communication with said inlet of said inlet body and including a plurality of fluid outlets, a first one of said outlets in fluid communication with the bottom mode forward thrust jet nozzle and the suction jet ring, said first one of said outlets for providing fluid for propelling the pool or spa cleaner in a forward direction, and a second one of said outlets in fluid communication with the reverse/spinout mode jet nozzle, said second one of said outlets for providing fluid for propelling the pool or spa cleaner in a reverse direction; andc) a valve subassembly fluidicly driven by the supply of pressurized fluid and periodically switching the supply of pressurized fluid from said first one of said outlets to said second one of said outlets to periodically change direction of propulsion of the underwater pool cleaner,wherein the valve subassembly comprises: (a) a turbine rotatably driven by the supply of pressurized fluid;(b) a cam plate including a cam track, the cam plate being operatively engaged with the turbine such that the cam plate is rotationally driven by the turbine, the cam track having a first section and a second section; and(c) a valve seal including a sealing member and a cam post, the valve seal being rotatably mounted adjacent the cam plate and the valve assembly body with the cam post being engageable with the cam track, and the valve seal being rotatable between a first position and a second position,wherein (i) when the cam post is engaged with the first section of the cam track the valve seal is placed in the first position where the valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through said second one of said outlets, and (ii) when the cam post is engaged with the second section of the cam track the valve seal is placed in the second position where the valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through said first one of said outlets. 26. The underwater pool cleaner of claim 25, further comprising: a top mode forward thrust jet nozzle;a second valve assembly body including an inlet, a first fluid outlet in fluidic communication with the bottom mode forward thrust jet nozzle and for providing fluid to propel the underwater pool cleaner in a forward direction along the bottom of a pool, and a second fluid outlet in fluidic communication with the top mod forward thrust jet nozzle for providing fluid to propel the underwater pool cleaner along a pool water surface, and defining a valve chamber, wherein the inlet of said second valve body is positioned adjacent said first one of said outlets of said valve assembly body;a second valve seal including a sealing member, the second valve seal positioned within the valve chamber of the second valve assembly body and being rotatable between a first position wherein the second valve seal sealing member is adjacent the first fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body and a second position wherein the second valve seal sealing member is adjacent the second fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body; anda rotatable lever arm engaged with the second valve seal for rotating the second valve seal about a rotational axis,wherein (i) when the second valve seal is in the first position the second valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through the first fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body, and (ii) when the second valve seal is in the second position the second valve seal prevents fluid from flowing through the second fluid outlet of the second valve assembly body. 27. The pool cleaner of claim 26, wherein the rotatable lever arm includes a user engageable tab positioned at the exterior of the pool cleaner. 28. The pool cleaner of claim 25, further comprising a gear reduction stack positioned between the turbine and the cam plate, the gear reduction stack being engaged with the turbine and the cam plate, wherein the gear reduction stack transfers a first number of rotations of the turbine into a second number of rotations of the cam plate. 29. The pool cleaner of claim 25, wherein the inlet body includes an outlet that provides pressurized fluid to rotationally drive the turbine. 30. The pool cleaner of claim 25, wherein said first section of said cam track has a first length and said second section of said cam track has a second length, said first length being longer than said second length. 31. The pool cleaner of claim 30, wherein the first section of said cam track is associated with a first operation of the pool cleaner and the second section of said cam track is associated with a second operation of the pool cleaner, the first length determining the amount of time that the pool cleaner is to be in the first operation and the second length determining the amount of time that the pool cleaner is to be in the second operation. 32. The pool cleaner of claim 25, further comprising a debris bag mounted to an exterior of the housing. 33. The pool cleaner of claim 25, further comprising one or more wheels mounted to the housing for facilitating locomotion of the pool cleaner along a pool bottom or pool wall. 34. The pool cleaner of claim 25, wherein the suction jet nozzles create a venturi effect in the suction tube to suction water and debris into the suction tube through the inlet opening. 35. The pool cleaner of claim 25, wherein the suction jet nozzles are at a convergence angle. 36. The pool cleaner of claim 25, wherein the suction jet nozzles are at a vortex angle. 37. The pool cleaner of claim 25, wherein the suction jet nozzles are at a convergence angle and a vortex angle.
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