AU757544B2

AU757544B2 - Programmed pool cleaning system

Info

Publication number: AU757544B2
Application number: AU93443/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lester Mathews
Original assignee: Caretaker Systems Inc
Current assignee: Polaris Pool Systems Inc
Priority date: 2001-05-17
Filing date: 2001-11-27
Publication date: 2003-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-27
Also published as: AU9344301A; US20030056284A1; FR2824859A1; FR2824859B1

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: Caretaker Systems, Inc.

Actual Inventor(s): Lester Mathews Address for Service: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: PROGRAMMED POOL CLEANING SYSTEM Our Ref 656661 POF Code: 1067/53914 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): -1- BO6q 1 PROGRAMMED POOL CLEANING SYSTEM RELATED APPLICATION: This application is related to U.S. co-pending application serial No.

09/452,350 filed December 1, 1999.

BACKGROUND

Many modern swimming pools are constructed with in-floor automatic cleaning systems. These systems substantially reduce, if not eliminate, the time which must be spent by pool owners or pool maintenance companies in cleaning the pools. Such cleaning systems typically include a plurality of spaced retractable cleaning heads located at various positions in the bottom, walls and steps of the pool to effect indexed sweeping of the floor, walls and steps of the pool with jets of water adjacent to and parallel to the pool surface surrounding the cleaning heads. This action moves dirt and debris which has settled onto the surface adjacent the heads away from the region being cleaned. Hopefully, the dirt ultimately moves toward the floor drain, where it then is removed by the suction inlet of a recirculating pump system for removal by filtration from the ooooo S•water of the pool, prior to returning the water to the cleaning heads. The outlet .ooooi side of the recirculating pump system supplies the water back to the cleaning .ooo heads after passing it through a filter.

While such in-floor pool cleaning systems are a substantial improvement over pools without such systems, ultimate cleaning still does not occur. When the cleaning heads are placed around the perimeter of the pool, these heads activate currents which blow debris up the wall and/or the corners of the pool, holding the debris suspended in the currents, and then actually depositing the debris on the other side of the cleaning head. As a consequence, when the head indexes around and points to the interior of the pool, the water currents push the debris toward the center of the pool, eventually directing it to the deep end of the pool, where the suction drain typically is located.

Theoretically, this is good, until a second row or bank of cleaning heads intermediate the first ones and the drain operates. All of the cleaning heads in conventional in-floor pool cleaning systems have a 360 indexed circle of rotation. As a consequence, the second or intermediate row of heads has a tendency to blow the debris and dirt back behind the first row of heads to start the sequence all over again. Thus, dirt in such conventional in-floor pool cleaning systems is simply transferred back and forth, from one set of heads to the other, into the "just cleaned" zones.

SIt would be desirable to provide a pool cleaning system for efficiently transferring dirt and debris from all pans of the pool toward the suction drains located in the bottom of the pool, with minimal back-and-forth transfer of the debris from one bank of cleaning heads to another.

The above discussion of background art is included to explain the context of the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission or suggestion that any of the documents or other material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in Australia at the priority date of any of the claims of this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and system for cleaning a swimming pool and, in particular, an improved in-floor cleaning system and method for a swimming pool.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a method for cleaning a swimming pool having a drain located intermediate first and second ends thereof, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing an in-floor cleaning head operating in a 3600 circle to place debris adjacent at least one end of the pool in suspension; and providing water returns in the pool in the form of at least one in-floor cleaning head 3 operating in a 180' arc directed toward the drain and located intermediate the drain and the at least one end of the pool to move debris placed in suspension toward the drain.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method for cleaning swimming pools incorporating cleaning heads in the bottom of the swimming pool where a suction return is also located in the swimming pool, the method comprising the steps of: cleaning a first portion of the bottom of the swimming pool in a 3600 circle; cleaning a second portion of the bottom of the swimming pool between the first pool and the suction return for sweeping debris substantially in a 1800 are directed toward the suction return of the pool.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning system for swimming pools including in combination: a recirculating pump system having a suction water inlet and a water outlet; a pool having first and second ends and a floor; a suction return in the pool; with a connection between the suction return and the suction inlet of the recirculating pump system; a first rotatable cleaning head in the floor of the pool for cleaning in a 3600 circle; and a second rotatable cleaning head in the floor of the pool between the first cleaning head and the suction return for cleaning in substantially a 1800 are directed substantially toward the suction return; and 20apparatus connected between the water outlet of the recirculating pump system and the .i first cleaning head and the second cleaning head for alternately delivering water from the outlet of the recirculating pump system to the first cleaning head and the second cleaning head.

This invention is therefore able to provide an improved in-floor cleaning system and method for a swimming pool, which utilizes banks of programmed cleaning heads to direct debris toward the suction return or drain of the swimming pool.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a cleaning system and method for a swimming pool is operated in conjunction with a recirculating pump system which has a suction water inlet and a water outlet. A suction return of the swimming pool is connected to the suction water inlet of the recirculating pump system. The water outlet of the recirculating pump system is connected to at least a first rotatable cleaning head in the floor of the pool, located near an end of the pool for cleaning in a 3600 circle. At least a second rotatable cleaning head is located in the floor of the pool between the first cleaning head and the suction return for cleaning in substantially a 1800 arc directed toward the suction return of the poo. The water outlet of the recirculating pump system is connected to the first and second cleaning heads for alternately supplying water from the outlet of the recirculating pump system to these cleaning heads.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Figure 1 is a top diagrammatic view of a swimming pool cleaning system incorporating a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a swimming pool cleaning system incorporating the preferred embodiment of the invention; ee. ~Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a recirculating pump system employed in conjunction with the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a top diagrammatic view of the same pool shown in Figure 1 illustrating the manner of operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION: Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference 2. numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same or similar components. Initially, reference should be made to Figures 1 and 2, which show a diagrammatic top view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a typical swimming pool in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is employed.

The swimming pool 10 generally has at least one shallow end, or is shallow at both ends with a deeper portion in which a suction return in the form of a drain 12 (or pair of drains, as shown in Figure 1) is located. The pool typically is filled with water to a water level near the top edge of the pool. In a pool which utilizes an automatic in-floor cleaning system using pop-up indexing cleaning heads, the cleaning heads are located at various positions in the bottom and/or steps of the pool, as indicated in Figure 1. The locations of different cleaning heads are designated by the circled designations 1 through 8, carrying the reference numbers 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 for different groups or banks of cleaning heads. In the simplified illustration of Figures 1 and 2, only one cleaning head is shown for each of the "banks"; although it should be understood that two or three, or perhaps even more, cleaning heads could be utilized for each 10 of the different "bank" designations 1 through 8, if desired. The number of o. l cleaning heads on each bank or in each group, for any given pool system, depends upon the size of the recirculating pump used in the system, as well as characteristics of the water distribution valve used to alternately supply water to •"the different banks of cleaning heads in a pre-programmed sequence.

A typical swimming pool of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 also generally includes another suction return in the form of a skimmer 14 (or water oo oi trap for a vanishing edge pool), which also is connected to the suction inlet of the water distribution system, along with the connection of the drain 12 in the bottom of the pool. In the operation of a pool of the type shown in Figure 1, a recirculating water supply is utilized. A preferred arrangement of such a water supply is shown in Figure 3. This recirculating water supply includes a pump 36, the vacuum side of which is connected to lines (not shown) to the skimmer 14 and the floor drains 12. This is the water which is pulled into the suction inlet of the pump 36 to remove the water from the pool for filtration and recirculation. The outlet side of the pump 36 is connected to a filter 38, which may be of any one of a number of standard pool filter configurations.

Water flowing from the output of the filter 38 then either may pass directly through an open valve 42, or, if the valve 42 is closed, through a chlorinator for chemically treating the water passing out of the filter 38. Two other valves 44 and 46 determine the path which will be taken by the water coming from the 10 outlet side of the pump 44 and the filter 46, and/or the chlorinator 40. If the valve 46 is closed and the valve 44 is open, all of the water is returned to a single (or a ••plurality) of pool return inlets into the pool, typically bypassing the in-floor cleaning system described above in conjunction with Figures 1 and 2. If the valve 44 is closed and the valve 46 is open, all of the water passing out of the filter 38, whether directly through the valve 42 or through the chlorinator 40, is supplied to t a water distribution valve 48, shown as having eight different outlet pipes or banks, numbered 1 through 8, in circles in the bottom of Figure 3.

:°olo• The water distribution valve 48 ideally is of the type described in the above mentioned co-pending application; although the valve 48 could be any one of a number of water distribution valves currently used in conjunction with automatic in-floor swimming pool cleaning systems. The basic operation of such valves, including the valve 48, is that the water supplied to the inlet of the valve, such as through the valve 46, is directed through the outlet ports 1 through 8, one at a time. Consequently, the outlet ports 1 through 8 individually receive the full output of the recirculating pump 36 at any given time when the recirculation system is in operation.

In the system shown in Figure 3, a control circuit 50 controls the dwell time of the water distribution valve 48 according to the above mentioned copending application; so that the time at which water is supplied under pressure to each of the outlet ports 1 through 8 may be varied in accordance with the use of, 10 and location of, those ports. For example, port No. 1 of the valve 48 is illustrated "in Figures 1 and 2 as being connected to the cleaning head (or bank of heads) 16 located in a shallower portion of the pool adjacent the right-hand end, as viewed Sin both Figures 1 and 2. The head 16 on port 1, as well as the head or heads 18 on port 2 and those on ports 5 and 6 designated with reference Nos. 24 and 26 in the drawing of Figures 1 and 2, are located adjacent respective ends of the pool. The •°heads or banks of heads connected to outlet ports 3, 4, 7 and 8 and numbered, =oooi respectively, 20, 22, 28 and 30 in Figure 1, are located in a deeper portion of the pool, closer to the location of the drains 12.

In the operation of the cleaning system, the dwell times of each of these different banks is adjustable by means of the control 50 to optimize the effective cleaning which is accomplished by each head or bank of heads in the system. The manner in which this is done is described in greater detail in the above mentioned co-pending application. It should be noted, however, that the system according to the present invention may be operated in conjunction with standard water distribution valves as well, in which the dwell time of each of the different ports is the same, that is, where the dwell time is not varied from one port to the other.

Reference now should be made to Figure 4 taken again in conjunction with the illustrations of Figures 1 and 2. In the system which is under consideration, the water distribution valve 48 sequentially supplies water under pressure to each of its outlet ports 1 through 8, which are connected to corresponding outlets 10 numbered 1 through 8 in the bottom of the pool, as described previously. In the *'system disclosed here, the outlet cleaning heads connected to the ports 1, 2, 5 and 6 are located with the cleaning heads 1 and 2 near the right-hand end of the pool, and the cleaning heads 5 and 6 located near the left-hand end of the pool as viewed in Figures 1, 2 and 4. These cleaning heads, numbered 16, 18, 24 and 26, are located sufficiently near the walls and ends of the pool to direct the indexed cleaning water, supplied to them when the corresponding port of the valve 48 is provided with water, to step in a 3600 circle to sweep the debris from the ends and walls of the pool located adjacent these heads. Such a 3600 cleaning is indicated by three concentric circles around each of these heads 16, 18, 24 and 26, as illustrated in Figure 4. The circles are shown as extending beyond the edges of the pool 10 to indicate the cleaning force is applied to the walls and sides of the pool where the walls and sides of the pool connect with the bottom to thoroughly sweep debris from all surfaces of the pool. In actuality, the sweep of the heads 16, 18, 24 and 26 cannot extend beyond the pool perimeter, as is obvious. The operation of the pool cleaning heads connected to the ports 1, 2, 5 and 6 and designated as 16, 18, 24 and 26 is standard, of the type currently employed with pop-up, in-floor cleaning heads manufactured by various companies.

The cleaning heads of banks 3, 4, 7 and 8, however, are designed to index 1800 and then return the opposite direction 1800 to sweep debris from these heads directly toward the drains 12, without rotating in full circle to blow debris back 10 toward the heads 16, 18, 24 and 26. The heads 20, 22, 28 and 30 are supplied :i with water under pressure from the distribution valve 48 in the same manner banks of heads located throughout the bottom of in-floor pool systems have been o*°a.

operated in the past. The difference, however, is that the heads 20, 22, 28 and do not do a full circle rotation; but they are pointed and programmed to sweep debris only from the point of the heads on down toward the drains 12.

°.As is evident from an examination of the diagram of Figure 4, all of the circles or semi-circles of cleaning of the different heads overlap one another. This is to ensure that the entire floor of the pool is swept by these heads.

In the operation of the system shown in Figures 3 and 4, the sequential operation is that the head 16 first is supplied with water under pressure from the distribution valve 48. Then, the head 18 is supplied with water under pressure.

Following this operation, the heads 20 and 22 connected to the ports 3 and 4, respectively, are operated to effect their indexed cleaning in the semi-circle or 1800 arcs, as shown. Following this operation, a similar set of operations takes place for the heads 24, 26, 28 and 30 on the opposite side of the pool. Over a period of time, the indexed cleaning of the heads 16, 18, 24 and 26 in a 3600 circle, and the heads 20, 22, 28 and 30 in 1800 arcs, tends to optimize the cleaning of the pool. This occurs because the heads 20, 22, 28 and 30 do not operate to blow debris back toward the heads 16, 18, 24 and 26. This improves the efficiency and cleaning action of the in-floor cleaning system employing a 10 combination of 3600 and 1800 heads oriented as shown in Figure 4.

•While the suction returns connected to the suction inlet of the pump 36 have been described primarily in conjunction with a floor drain 12, it should be *•O4* noted that the system also may be used with pools which do not connect a floor drain to the suction inlet of the pump. The use of the term "suction return" is intended to cover such pool systems.

~The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention •Oooo should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting. Various changes will occur to those skilled in the art for performing substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to achieve substantially the same result, without departing from the true scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning system for swimming pools including in combination: a recirculating pump system having a suction water inlet and a water outlet; a pool having first and second ends and a floor; a suction return in the pool; with a connection between the suction return and the suction inlet of the recirculating pump system; a first rotatable cleaning head in the floor of the pool for cleaning in a 3600 circle; and a second rotatable cleaning head in the floor of the pool between i'"to0 the first cleaning head and the suction return for cleaning in substantially a 1800 arc directed substantially toward the suction return; and apparatus connected between the water outlet of the recirculating pump system and the first cleaning head and the second cleaning head for alternately delivering water from the outlet of the recirculating pump system to the first cleaning head and the second cleaning head. ooooI ooooo

2. The cleaning system according to Claim 1 wherein the recirculating oo.. pump system includes a water distribution valve for alternately supplying water to the first rotatable cleaning head and the second rotatable cleaning head. 12

3. The cleaning system according to Claim 2 wherein the recirculating pump system delivers water from the water outlet thereof to the first rotatable cleaning head for a first predetermined period of time and supplies water to the second cleaning head for a second predetermined period of time.

4. The cleaning system according to Claim 3 wherein a plurality of first rotatable cleaning heads are located in the floor of the pool for indexed cleaning in a 3600 circle.

The cleaning system according to Claim 4 further including a plurality •10 of second rotatable cleaning heads in the floor of the pool between the plurality of first cleaning head and the suction return for cleaning in substantially a 1800 arc directed toward the suction return. °°oob 0 a 1* .e• C S° S 13

6. The cleaning system according to Claim 1 wherein the suction return is a floor drain and further including at least one additional first rotatable cleaning head in the floor of the pool for cleaning in a 360' circle; and further including at least one additional second rotatable cleaning head in the floor of the pool between the additional first cleaning head and the drain for cleaning in substantially a 1800 arc directed substantially toward the drain; wherein the water outlet of the recirculating pump further is connected to the additional first and additional second cleaning heads for alternately delivering water from the outlet of the recirculating pump to the additional first cleaning head and the additional second cleaning head.

7. The cleaning system according to Claim 6 wherein the first rotatable *cleaning heads are located near first and second opposite ends of the pool and the second rotatable cleaning heads are located intermediate the first rotatable •cleaning heads and the drain of the pool.

8. The cleaning system according to Claim 1 wherein a plurality of first rotatable cleaning heads are located in the floor of the pool for indexed cleaning in a 3'il a 360 circle. 14

9. The cleaning system according to Claim 8 further including a plurality of second rotatable cleaning heads in the floor of the pool between the plurality of first cleaning head and the suction return in the pool for cleaning in substantially a 180° arc directed toward the suction return in the pool. A method for cleaning swimming pools incorporating cleaning heads in the bottom of the swimming pool where a suction return is also located in the swimming pool, the method comprising the steps of: cleaning a first portion of the bottom of the swimming pool in a 360° circle; S.

10 cleaning a second portion of the bottom of the swimming pool between the first portion and the suction return for sweeping debris substantially in a 180° arc directed toward the suction return of the pool.

•11. The method according to Claim 10 further including the step of cleaning the first and second cleaning portions of the pool in an alternating manner. o

12. A method for cleaning a swimming pool having a drain located intermediate first and second ends, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing an in-floor cleaning head operating in a 360° circle to place debris adjacent at least one end of the pool in suspension; and providing water returns in the pool in the form of at least one in-floor cleaning head operating in a 180° arc directed toward the drain and located intermediate the drain and the at least one end of the pool to move debris placed in suspension toward the drain.

13. A cleaning system for swimming pools substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method for cleaning swimming pools substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. *.ee Dated: 10 December, 2002 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: CARETAKER SYSTEMS INC. SSpeci\65666l.doc