GB2156700A

GB2156700A - Skimmer

Info

Publication number: GB2156700A
Application number: GB08507208A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johann Nicolaas Raubenheimer
Original assignee: Aquanaut Inc
Current assignee: Aquanaut Inc
Priority date: 1984-04-04
Filing date: 1985-03-20
Publication date: 1985-10-16
Also published as: GB2156700B; FR2568925B1; GB8507208D0; ES541442A0; AU4076685A; FR2568925A1; DE3507659C2; ES8701280A1; DE3507659A1; AU573807B2

Abstract

To remove floating leaves from a swimming pool, the water from the purification circuit is fed into the pool through a jet 15, which acts in combination with a short open-ended pipe 16 to form an ejector pump, whose action draws the surface water over buoyant weir 11 and through sieve basket 14. In another embodiment the purified water is fed through a turbine which drives a pump to draw water over the weir and through the basket (Fig. 4 not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Skimming water surfaces BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION This invention relates to skimming water surfaces to remove leaves and debris floating on the water, e.g. in pools.

Currently the surfaces of swimming pools are being skimmed automatically in one of two ways. The first way is over a weir flap float leading to a suction well from which water is drawn by the pump. The second is a floating skimmer actuated by water flowing along a suction hose from a submerged cleaning device. When the first method is used, the suction hose cannot be in action. When the second method is used some of the suction power is used to operate the skimming device so that there may be a loss of cleaning power.

It is an object of the invention to provide a further alternative skimming device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention method of skimming the surface of a body of water into which a stream of water is flowing from a treatment plant by causing water on the surface of the body to flow over a floating weir and through a leaf trap, is characterised in that the stream of water is utilized to pump water from a space into which water can flow over the weir and through the leaf trap.

The stream may actuate a jet pump, or a turbine driving a rotary pump.

A skimmer according to the invention comprises a box, a floating weir forming the top edge of one side of the box, an inlet into the base of the box, an outlet from the base of the box, a jet leading from the inlet and a delivery pipe in the path of water emerging from the jet and connected to the outlet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a skimmer according to the invention, Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 in Fig.

1, Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 in Fig.

land Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3 a box 10 is fitted with a weir flap 11 and is mounted by brackets 1 2 by means of foam rubber mounting blocks 1 3. Inside the box 10 there is a leaf basket 1 4. Below the leaf basket 1 4 there are a jet 1 5 and a delivery pipe 1 6.

The box is mounted to the side of a pool as shown by means of the pads 1 3 and the jet 1 5 is connected to an inlet to a swimming pool by means of a flexible pipe 1 7. In the illustrated embodiment the jet size is adjustable.

Next to the pipe 1 6 there is a chlorine pill box 17.

In use water flowing through the jet 1 5 entrains water from the box 10 and ejects it through the pipe 16. The pipe 16 is fitted with an adjustable outlet 1 8 which is positioned to cause circular flow of water around a pool.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the jet and delivery pipe are replaced with a turbine 20 connected to the inlet to the pool and a centrifugal pump drawing water from the box 10.

1. A method of skimming the surface of a body of water into which a stream of water is flowing from a treatment plant by causing water on the surface of the body to flow over a floating weir and through a leaf trap, characterised in that the stream of water is utilized to pump water from a space into which water can flow over the weir and through the leaf trap.

2. The method claimed in claim 1 in which the stream actuates a jet pump.

3. The method claimed in claim 1 in which the stream actuates a turbine driving a rotary pump.

4. A skimmer comprising a box, a floating weir forming the top edge of one side of the box, an inlet into the base of the box, an outlet from the base of the box, a jet leading from the inlet and a delivery pipe in the path of water emerging from the jet and connected to the outlet.

5. A method of skimming the surface of a body of water substantially as described herein.

6. A skimmer substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Skimming water surfaces BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION This invention relates to skimming water surfaces to remove leaves and debris floating on the water, e.g. in pools. Currently the surfaces of swimming pools are being skimmed automatically in one of two ways. The first way is over a weir flap float leading to a suction well from which water is drawn by the pump. The second is a floating skimmer actuated by water flowing along a suction hose from a submerged cleaning device. When the first method is used, the suction hose cannot be in action. When the second method is used some of the suction power is used to operate the skimming device so that there may be a loss of cleaning power. It is an object of the invention to provide a further alternative skimming device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention method of skimming the surface of a body of water into which a stream of water is flowing from a treatment plant by causing water on the surface of the body to flow over a floating weir and through a leaf trap, is characterised in that the stream of water is utilized to pump water from a space into which water can flow over the weir and through the leaf trap. The stream may actuate a jet pump, or a turbine driving a rotary pump. A skimmer according to the invention comprises a box, a floating weir forming the top edge of one side of the box, an inlet into the base of the box, an outlet from the base of the box, a jet leading from the inlet and a delivery pipe in the path of water emerging from the jet and connected to the outlet. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a skimmer according to the invention, Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 in Fig. land Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of another embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3 a box 10 is fitted with a weir flap 11 and is mounted by brackets 1 2 by means of foam rubber mounting blocks 1 3. Inside the box 10 there is a leaf basket 1 4. Below the leaf basket 1 4 there are a jet 1 5 and a delivery pipe 1 6. The box is mounted to the side of a pool as shown by means of the pads 1 3 and the jet 1 5 is connected to an inlet to a swimming pool by means of a flexible pipe 1 7. In the illustrated embodiment the jet size is adjustable. Next to the pipe 1 6 there is a chlorine pill box 17. In use water flowing through the jet 1 5 entrains water from the box 10 and ejects it through the pipe 16. The pipe 16 is fitted with an adjustable outlet 1 8 which is positioned to cause circular flow of water around a pool. In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the jet and delivery pipe are replaced with a turbine 20 connected to the inlet to the pool and a centrifugal pump drawing water from the box 10. CLAIMS

2. The method claimed in claim 1 in which the stream actuates a jet pump.