FR2888268A1 - FILTRATION AND MAINTENANCE GROUP FOR SWIMMING POOL - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit has a housing with parts (16, 18) connected by an intermediate part (20) with a connection device. The housing delimits a volume connected to swimming pool water and another volume connected to the former volume via a filtering cartridge (40). A contaminant particle retaining basket is placed in a passage between an inlet opening (24) and the cartridge. The part (16) has a conduit (44) connecting the cartridge`s lower part to the outside of a lower part of the part (16), so that the cartridge`s inside receives water from a surface and the pool water at a level lower than the surface. An independent claim is also included for a retaining basket for a filtering and maintenance unit for swimming pool.

Description

2888268 1

  The present invention relates to a pool filtration and maintenance group.

  WO 04/109 042 discloses a flow multiplier device, and filtration groups, fixed or mobile, comprising such a flow multiplier device. Such a flow multiplier device comprises an ejector which projects a flow of water under pressure in a convergent followed by a conduit. This device has the advantage of giving, at the outlet of the conduit, a much higher flow rate than that which feeds the ejector. For example, when the ejector receives water at a pressure between 0.5 and 3 bar, the flow multiplier obtained is much greater than 5 and often reaches 10.

  The aforementioned document describes in particular pool filtration and maintenance groups that are mobile, that is to say that can be removed from the pool, for example in winter or for use in other pools. These groups have various features and improvements that can also be used in the filtration and maintenance group of the invention and are therefore not described in detail herein.

  In the context of the invention, it was realized that the supply of water mobile groups filtration and pool maintenance posed a problem. Indeed, when the entire group is inside the perimeter of the pool, it is necessary to ensure the power supply of the drive motor of the pump, by an electric cable which is in contact with the pool water.

  Although there are safety devices for the transmission of electric current, these devices are expensive and fragile in the case of mobile devices that may have a short circuit with water.

  It is therefore desirable that the drive motor of the pump is not disposed in the group itself, but outside. In this case, the pool is provided with a device for connecting water circulation ducts 2888268 2 between the mobile unit and the suction and discharge ducts respectively. Such a connection must be made permanently, that is to say in the very structure of the walls of the pool and must either be planned from the start, or be installed by expensive work, or it must have flexible ducts that pose problems of safety and aging.

  The invention allows the solution of the aforementioned problem by providing a pool filtration and maintenance group which has two distinct parts, one intended to be immersed in the pool water and the other intended to be placed outside the perimeter of the pool, the two parts being connected by a connecting device. Since the only essential function of this connecting device is the passage of ducts between the pump placed in the outer part and the flow multiplier device placed in the part inside the pool, and since the flow rate in these ducts is low thanks to the use of the flow multiplier, the ducts may have a small diameter and the connecting device may have a low height and can be housed directly in the rim that normally has a pool, without thereby constituting a significant obstacle.

  More specifically, the invention relates to a pool filtration and maintenance group, of the type which comprises a water circulation assembly and a filter assembly carried by a support between at least one water inlet and at least one water inlet. least one water outlet, the circulation device comprising a flow multiplier device which includes an ejector for projecting a stream of pressurized water into a convergent, and the filtration device comprising at least one cartridge, the ejector of the circulating device being powered by a pump driven by a motor; according to the invention, the support of the filtration and maintenance group comprises two parts connected by a connection device, a first part being intended to be partially immersed in a swimming pool and supporting the circulation device and the filtering device 2888268 3 , and a second part being intended to be arranged, in plan view, outside the perimeter of the pool and to transmit water under pressure to the first part, the connecting device comprising suction ducts, water and discharge of water under pressure.

  Preferably, the second part supports the pump and its motor.

  The group advantageously comprises an envelope which surrounds it and which comprises a first envelope part corresponding to the first part of the group, a second part of envelope corresponding to the second part of the group, and an intermediate part of envelope corresponding to the connecting device.

  In one embodiment, the first envelope portion and the second envelope portion are separable. Preferably, the separation between the second envelope portion and the first envelope portion is at a location which is at the connection of the intermediate envelope portion containing the connecting device with one of the first and second shell portions or between these fittings.

  Preferably, the dimensions of the intermediate portion of the envelope are such that, in the working position of the group, the intermediate portion of envelope is substantially housed in the volume normally occupied by the edge of the pool edge. Thus, the height dimension of the intermediate portion of the envelope, in the working position of the group, is advantageously less than 12 cm and preferably of the order of 5 cm.

  It is also advantageous that the longitudinal dimension of the intermediate portion of the envelope, between the first and the second envelope portion, is substantially equal to the thickness of the wall forming the periphery of the swimming pool, and that the lateral dimension of the device linkage is less than or equal to the length of a prefabricated element of coping.

  In one embodiment, the second envelope portion is intended to be housed in a housing attached to the outside of the perimeter of the pool. In this case, a cover is advantageously intended to close the housing when it does not contain the second envelope part, the cover can also occupy the space normally occupied by the intermediate portion of the envelope.

  The first part of the group comprises at least one filter cartridge, and, preferably, the filter cartridge has an elongate section, comprising two rounded end portions and two substantially rectilinear intermediate portions.

  Preferably, the cartridge is provided with a perforated carrier for preventing its deformation upon water filtration, and the perforated carrier is placed outside the cartridge. Preferably, the length of the section of the cartridge is greater than or equal to twice its width measured between its rectilinear parts.

  Preferably, the shell has a water inlet opening disposed at the top of the first shell portion, and the at least one water inlet opening is a device known in the art as of "skimmer" and is disposed both below and above the water level provided in the pool.

  In an advantageous embodiment, the envelope delimits, in its first part, a first volume directly connected to the pool water and a second volume, the second volume being connected to the first volume only through the filtration cartridge, and being externally connected through the flow multiplier, the pressure in the second volume, when the group is in operation, being less than the pressure in the first volume at the same height. Preferably, the first part then comprises a duct which connects the lower part of the cartridge to the outside of the lower part of the first casing part, so that the inside of the cartridge receives on the one hand the water coming from the surface and secondly the water from the pool 2888268 5 at a level much lower than the surface. The section of the duct connecting the lower part of the cartridge directly to the pool may be such that the flow rate in the duct is of the order of one fourth of the overall flow rate filtered by the cartridge.

  Preferably, in this latter embodiment, the group further comprises an indicator device of a magnitude representative of the pressure difference between the first and second volumes of the first envelope portion. The indicator device may comprise an observation part making it possible to see simultaneously the level of the water in the first volume and the level of the water in the second volume during the operation of the group, the difference between the two levels indicating the difference pressure between the two volumes.

  Preferably, the ejector supply duct portion disposed in the first casing portion includes a shunt joining the outside of the casing and a valve that can be controlled from the outside of the casing to at least a portion of the delivery rate of the pump can flow into the branch for supplying an accessory.

  In addition, it may be advantageous for the first envelope portion to have at least one electrical lighting device, and for the at least one power supply cable of the at least one lighting device to join the second envelope portion. passing in the middle part of envelope.

  Thus, by the combination of the separation of the elements of the group into two parts, and their connection by a thin element, the invention allows an increase in the safety and possibilities of integration of the group to the pools, with a reduction apparent clutter.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the following description of embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a swimming pool wall equipped with a coping and a filtration and maintenance group according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the filtration unit shown in Figure 1 but viewed from the other side; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the portion shown in Figure 1 but viewed from outside the pool and after removal of the filter and maintenance unit; Figure 4 is a diagram of a pool filtration and maintenance group according to the invention, for the description of its principle of operation; Fig. 5 is a perspective view with torn parts showing the relative disposition of the main elements of a double-type group; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a flow multiplier shown in Fig. 5; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a filter cartridge and associated basket; and FIG. 8 is a perspective view from above of the basket of FIG. 7.

  Figures 1 to 3 show a pool filtration and maintenance group in one embodiment of the invention.

  A wall 10 delimits the perimeter of a swimming pool and its upper part is surmounted by a coping, represented in the form of a lip with safety nozzle. The whole of the group bears the reference 14 and comprises an envelope which comprises a first envelope portion 16 containing a first portion of the group and intended to be immersed for the greater part, and a second envelope portion 18 which contains a second part of the filtration group. The two envelope parts are connected by an intermediate envelope portion 20 which contains a connecting device.

  As indicated in FIG. 1, the second part of the envelope of the group according to the invention, which is shown only in FIG. 2, is housed in a housing 22 disposed outside the perimeter of the pool. The first envelope portion 16 comprises, at its front part, a water inlet opening 24 intended to be partially immersed, two water outlets 26 and, as an accessory and purely possible accessory, two lighting devices. 28. Figure 2 also shows a pressurized water outlet 30 provided with a control device of an associated valve.

  After this description of the external appearance of the filtration unit, its operating principle is considered. Although FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the group, the same numerical references as in FIGS. 1 to 3 have been used to designate the first envelope portion 16 of the first portion of the group, the second envelope portion 18 and the intermediate shell portion 20 containing the connecting device, as well as the references 24, 26 and 30 to designate a water inlet, a water outlet and a pressurized water intake. The two dashed lines 32 and 34 conceptually indicate the boundary between the first part of the group and the connecting device on the one hand and between the connecting device and the second group part on the other hand.

  The first portion of the group disposed in the first envelope portion 16 is now considered in greater detail. This envelope portion 16 has at least one partially submerged opening 24, ie, the normal water level. 36 of the pool is between the top and bottom of the opening 24. The water can enter freely through the opening 24 and passes into a basket 38 and inside a cartridge 40. This is externally held by a perforated support 42. In addition, the lower portion of the cartridge is connected by a conduit 44, which opens at a lower orifice 46, with the pool water well below the surface.

  The relative dimensions of the opening 24, the car-key 30, the conduit 44 and the opening 46 are such that, preferably, a quarter of the overall flow entering the cartridge passes through the lower conduit 44, and This arrangement allows the basket 38 to retain all the floating contaminating parts, whereas only fine impurities penetrate through the lower conduit 44.

  A partition 48 delimits, inside the first casing portion 16 and in cooperation with the cartridge and the duct 44, a first volume to which the water of the swimming pool freely accesses, and a second volume placed at the outside the cartridge and inside the envelope portion 16 below the partition 48; this second volume communicates with the first volume only through the cartridge 40 and with the external volume that through the orifice 26 of water outlet of the flow multiplier.

  Between the first volume and the second volume, there is a pressure difference corresponding to the pressure drop in the cartridge 40. It may therefore be advantageous to connect a duct section 50 to the partition 48, this duct section being in communication by an orifice 52 with the second volume and opening above the water level 36 so that an observer can simultaneously see the water level 36 and the water level 54 in the conduit to thereby determine the pressure difference between the two volumes, and therefore the pressure drop in the cartridge. This very simple device makes it possible to control the degree of clogging of the cartridge 40 in a very simple manner.

  Of course, the difference in level can be transformed into a signal understandable by an observer. For example, the water of the conduit 50 may carry a float which, following the level 54, shows a color changing from green to yellow then red when the level goes down. This color may for example be applied directly to the wall of the conduit 50. Many other devices may give an analogous indication.

  The flow multiplier device itself comprises a suction inlet 56 of water disposed in the second volume, and connected by a conduit 58 to the pump 60. A discharge conduit 62 of the pump 60 returns to the first 2888268 9 part of the group for supplying the ejector 64 of the flow multiplier 66. In its part contained in the first casing part 16, the duct 62 comprises a valve 66 allowing, by its control 68 accessible from outside the envelope transmitting some or all of the flow of the pump 60 to an outlet 30; this water can be used for example to power a broom, a cleaning robot, etc. The flow multiplier 66 which is fed by the ejector 64 at the end of the conduit 62 transmits a high overpressure flow to the outlet 26, thereby forming a strong and constant brewing stream.

  In an exemplary embodiment, a pump 300 consuming 300 W gives a flow rate of about 2 m 3 / h at a pressure of 1.8 bar. The flow multiplier, receiving this flow rate of 2 m3 / h, discharges a flow of 16 m3 / h through the outlet 26. This flow corresponds to flows of 12 m3 / h through the upper opening 24 and 4 m3 / h by the lower opening 46. In this example, the portion 16 has a height of about 0.8 m, a width of about 0.4 m and a depth of less than 0.2 m. Since the ducts 58 and 62 transmit only a flow rate of 2 m 3 / h, their diameter may be only a few centimeters, so that the intermediate portion of the envelope which surrounds the connection device constituted by parts of the ducts 58 and 62, may have a height of only a few centimeters, as shown in Figure 1 on which it is noted that the connecting device has a thickness which is even less than that of the security tip of the coping shown.

  Figure 5 shows the main elements placed inside the envelope portion 16 shown in Figures 1 to 3; it corresponds to a double system, compared to the simple system that has just been described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of two flow multiplier devices 66 having outlets 26, on either side of two cartridges 40 juxtaposed in the central part of the envelope part 16.

  Figure 6 shows a flow multiplier device. The ejector 64 is held in the center of a convergent 72 by fins 70, and the outlet of the convergent 72 is connected to a pipe section 74 of constant diameter, then to a divergent 76 which transmits the current formed to an elbow pipe 78. This last evacuates the current formed by the exit 26.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the outlets 26 of the two flow multipliers 66 are turned towards the inside of the pool, and the water inlet openings 24 are turned towards the sides of the pool. 16. The arrangement may be the opposite. Thus, the outlets 26 can be placed on the sides and the openings can be arranged at the front, and can even be formed by a single opening. Although all the inlet 24 and outlet openings 26 can be formed on the same face, this characteristic is not advantageous because the currents coming from the outlets 26 on the one hand and going towards the openings 24 on the other hand have then opposite senses. A disadvantage is that some of the filtered water can come back immediately to be filtered again. It is therefore desirable that these currents be separated, that is to say, transmitted to orifices formed on different faces.

  Of course, the arrangement of the multiplier devices is only illustrative. The interior of the envelope portion 16 may be arranged differently, for example with flow multipliers arranged horizontally, for example at the bottom of the first envelope portion.

  Alternatively, it is also possible to use a filtration group of the type shown in Figure 16 of the aforementioned WO 04/109 042, placed in a first envelope portion 16, while the pump and the associated engine d The ejector supply is arranged in a second remote envelope portion according to the invention.

  FIG. 7 shows a cartridge 40 and its associated basket 38. The cartridge 40 is shown as flat, with two semi-circular ends and two straight intermediate parts. This flattened arrangement makes it possible, as shown in FIG. 5, to place two cartridges next to one another and to obtain a larger filtration area than that of a single cylindrical cartridge of circular section occupying the same volume.

  For example, the cartridge may be formed of a pleated nonwoven having pleats with a length of 21 mm. The cartridge may have a length of 60 cm, and its section may have a length of 21 cm and a width of 9 cm. It is thus possible to arrange two cartridges in the space that would be occupied by a single cylindrical cartridge of circular section having a diameter of 21 cm. Such a cartridge gives a filtration area of 3.6 m2, so that the two cartridges shown in Fig. 5 give a filtration area of 7.2 m2.

  The basket 38, shown in more detail in FIG. 8, has a body 84 which delimits side openings of the order of 1 to 5 mm: the contaminating materials are retained by the basket and only the fine particles reach the cartridge. Since the basket 38 must be cleaned when it has accumulated enough contamination, it can be extracted by a handle 86. There is also the presence of a lid 88 which closes the upper opening of the basket when the it is not being filtered. When the basket is placed on a cartridge and a stream of water circulates, the created depression opens the lid 88 so that water and contaminating materials can freely enter the body 84. On the other hand, as soon as the operation the filtration unit ceases, the cover 88 resumes its closed position and prevents contaminating materials from rising in the water placed above the cartridge, and then in the pool.

  An embodiment has been described in which the flow multiplier and the filtration device are placed in a first casing part, the pump and its motor are placed in a second casing part and the two casing parts are connected by an intermediate portion 2800268 12 containing a low-height connecting device, the three envelope parts being integral and forming a single envelope.

  However, it is possible to provide a separation, either between the first shell portion and the intermediate portion, or rather between the second shell portion and the intermediate portion, or even within the intermediate portion. Of course, in the separation plane, it is necessary to provide quick connectors allowing the continuity of conduits 58 and 62.

  The conduits 58 and 62 may be multiple. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, in which there are two flow multiplier devices, it is desirable for two delivery conduits 62 to leave the pump 60 so that, in the connection device placed in the intermediate portion of the envelope, the doubling of flow does not cause an increase in duct diameter, and therefore height of the intermediate portion, as in the case where there is only one duct. This remark also applies to the suction duct 58.

  Fig. 3 shows an outer casing 22; it appears that when the filtration unit has been removed, it is desirable that a lid closes the housing 22 to prevent the entry of foreign matter, this cover can also advantageously fill the space provided in the lip for the passage of the intermediate part of the envelope.

  In a variant of the invention, the housing 22 can simply be used for connecting the filtration and maintenance unit to a suction-discharge circuit, via the quick coupling, this circuit being able to be placed remote, and including a pump and a motor placed for example in a nearby garage. The second casing portion no longer contains a pump, but only suction and discharge connections. In this case, it is desirable for the filtration and maintenance unit to have a first set which includes the first part of the group and the intermediate part, while the second part of the group (pump and motor) is at a distance.

  It is further desirable to provide the group of handles (not shown) facilitating its handling, especially when leaving the pool. Although the entire empty group is light, especially when the envelope is formed of a polyolefin blow molded, it should be noted that when the group is removed from a pool, it is filled with water. It must be removed gradually so that water can escape. For this purpose, it is possible to add a valve to the lower part of the envelope. However, given the presence of the lower outlet port 46, the water can escape, either directly or through the cartridge in the opposite direction of its normal direction. In this case, it is desirable that the length of the conduit 44 be as small as possible.

Claims (10)

  A filtration and maintenance group for a swimming pool, of the type which comprises a set of water circulation and a filter assembly carried by a support between at least one water inlet and at least one outlet of water, the circulation device comprising a flow multiplier device (66) which includes an ejector (64) for projecting a stream of water under pressure into a convergent, the filter device including at least one cartridge (40), and the ejector (64) of the circulation device being fed by a pump (60) driven by a motor, characterized in that it comprises a casing which delimits, in a first part (16), a first volume directly connected to the water of the pool and a second volume, the second volume being connected to the first volume only through the filter cartridge (40), and being externally connected through the flow multiplier device (66), the pressure in the second volu me, when the group is in operation, being lower than the pressure in the first volume at the same height.   2. filtration and maintenance group according to claim 1, characterized in that the support of the filtration and maintenance group comprises two parts connected by a liiai-son device, a first portion being intended to be partially immersed in a swimming pool supporting the circulation device and the filtration device, a second part being intended to be arranged, in plan view, outside the perimeter of the pool and to transmit water under pressure to the first part, and the connecting device comprises water suction pipes (58) and pressurized water discharge (62).   2888268 15 3. Filtration and maintenance group according to claim 2, characterized in that the second part supports the pump (60) and its motor.   4. filtration and maintenance group according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the casing comprises a first casing part (16) corresponding to the first part of the group, a second casing part (18) corresponding to the second part of the group, and an intermediate portion of envelope (20) corresponding to the connecting device.   Filtration and maintenance unit according to Claim 4, characterized in that the first casing part (16) and the second casing part are separable.   6. Filtration and maintenance group according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the dimensions of the intermediate portion of envelope (20) are such that, in the working position of the group, the intermediate portion envelope (20) is substantially housed in the volume normally occupied by the edge (12) of the pool edge.   7. filtration and maintenance group according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the second housing portion (18) is intended to be housed in a housing (22) fixed outside the perimeter of the pool.   Filtration and maintenance unit according to one of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the first casing part (16) has a duct (44) connecting the lower part of the cartridge (40). outside the lower part of the first envelope part (16), so that the inside of the cartridge receives on the one hand water coming from the surface and on the other hand from the water from the pool to a level much lower than the surface.   9. filtration and maintenance group according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the group comprises a device (50) indicating a magnitude representative of the pressure difference between 2888268 16 the first and second volumes of the first envelope part (16).   Filtration and maintenance unit according to one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the ejector supply duct section (62) which is arranged in the first casing part (16) has a shunt joining the outside of the casing and a valve (67) which can be controlled from outside the casing so that at least a portion of the discharge flow of the pump can flow into the casing. derivation for the supply of an accessory.