Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140310894 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANERS - Automatic pool cleaners (APCs) and components thereof are detailed. The APCs may turn feet, rather than entire bodies, to change direction and may provide water-flow paths through the bodies that are oriented vertically. Thus, unlike existing disc-based cleaners, the APCs may reduce influence of connected hoses on their movements within pools. | 10-23-2014 |
20140303810 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WIRELESSLY COMMUNICATING WITH AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANERS - Systems and methods for communicating wirelessly with automatic pool cleaners are addressed. Hydraulic cleaners, in particular, may be provided with on-board electricity-generating capabilities, processors, sensors, and transceivers for purposes of communication. Control of the cleaners may be accomplished using “smart” devices capable of downloading software via, for example, the Internet. | 10-09-2014 |
20140266788 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES TO EQUIPMENT OF SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS - Communications capabilities are supplied to components of pool water recirculation systems, even if the components lack electrical power or supply wires. Capabilities may be furnished by wireless RF devices that connect to existing fittings or ports of the components, for example. The devices are configured to obtain desired information relating to the components (or the water within them) and transmit the information remotely for processing or consideration. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261837 | HOSE JOINT INCORPORATING TWO OR MORE SWIVELS - A hose joint for a pool cleaner or other apparatus that includes at least two swivels. The first swivel is configured to rotate about a first axis and the second swivel is configured to rotate about a second axis that is different from the first axis. In some embodiments, one of the swivels is configured to rotate approximately 360 degrees about its axis of rotation. In this way, the hose joint has at least two directions of freedom in at least two different planes that help the cleaner move independently from a hose attached to the hose joint. | 09-18-2014 |
20140259612 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES TO EQUIPMENT OF SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS - Communications capabilities are supplied to components of pool water recirculation systems, even if the components lack electrical power or supply wires. Capabilities may be furnished by wireless RF devices that connect to existing fittings or ports of the components, for example. The devices are configured to obtain desired information relating to the components (or the water within them) and transmit the information remotely for processing or consideration. | 09-18-2014 |
20140259465 | HYDRAULIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANERS WITH ELECTRICITY GENERATORS - Generation of electricity on-board, principally, certain hydraulic pool cleaners is described. Magnets may be caused to move within coils by (normal) cooperative actions of diaphragm-type valves and external pumps, thus generating electricity without changing the operational principles of the cleaners. The generated electricity may be used to power electrical devices either on-board the cleaners or elsewhere. | 09-18-2014 |
20140083531 | VALVES - Valves, and particularly check valves, are detailed. The valves may isolate a spring or other biasing member from flowing fluid so as to reduce the possibility of damage to the spring caused, for example, by chemicals contained in the fluid. In some versions of the valves, the spring may be positioned within a cavity of a cover sealed from the fluid. | 03-27-2014 |
20140076444 | SYSTEMS, ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS OF REDUCING HEAD LOSS IN HEATING DEVICES - Low head loss systems are detailed. The systems may include chambers having low impedance to water flow therethrough and repositionable gates or other valves within the chambers. The valves may direct water as a function of whether an associated heating device is active. At least some gates may incorporate poppet valves or other high-flow by-passes. | 03-20-2014 |
20140060671 | FLOW CONTROL AND INDICATOR ASSEMBLIES - Flow control and indicator assemblies are detailed. The assemblies are especially (although not necessarily exclusively) useful in allowing fluid to bypass automatic pool cleaners (APCs) and may serve as adaptors between APCs and adjacent hoses. The assemblies additionally may provide information about flow rates relative to a desired threshold, for example. | 03-06-2014 |
20140060656 | MULTI-POSITION VALVE ACTUATORS - Detailed are actuators especially useful in connection with valves forming parts of water-recirculation systems of pools or spas. Transit times of components of the actuators may be measured or otherwise determined and signals sent to the actuators to cease movement of the components between boundary positions. Consequently, dynamic adjustment of the valving capabilities of the systems may be achieved. | 03-06-2014 |
20120283853 | Residential Environmental Management Control System with Automatic Adjustment - Automatic adjustment of the control and operation of residential environmental management systems is made based upon a time of year, a geographic location, or both. A controller receives input of the time of year or the geographic location of the residential environmental management system, or both. The controller then automatically adjusts one or more functions of the residential environmental management system based upon operational information associated with the time of year and/or geographic location. A user interface connected with the controller may be also used to select a mode of operation, input time or geographic location information, and/or adjust various parameters affecting the automatic seasonal or geographic adjustment of the residential environmental management system. | 11-08-2012 |
20120255579 | FLUID FLOW DEFLECTOR ASSEMBLIES PRINCIPALLY FOR CONNECTION TO SWEEP TAIL HOSES OF AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANERS - Detailed are fluid flow deflectors principally for use with sweep tail hoses of automatic swimming pool cleaners. The deflectors do not function principally on gravitational forces and need not necessarily employ flexible components or attachments for purposes of effecting deflection. Instead, the deflectors may be rigid and continually position a fixed obstacle in a central portion of a fluid stream. Perforations in a rigid wall, moreover, draw fluid into the deflectors, creating a greater volume of exiting stream when an associated pool cleaner is underwater. | 10-11-2012 |
20120211995 | HOSES PRINCIPALLY FOR AUTOMATIC SWIMMING POOL CLEANERS - Creating and utilizing electricity and radiation via actions of hoses is detailed. Likewise described is using electricity to heat the hoses and radiation to sanitize fluid such as water of a pool or spa. Electricity may be generated by pulsation of the hoses when employed together with a water-interruption type of automatic pool cleaner, for example. Hoses alternatively or additionally may include chemicals or materials reactive to light or other radiation. | 08-23-2012 |
20120097589 | DEBRIS FILTER - Filters and methods of filtering debris from fluid are detailed. A vortex of debris-laden fluid may be created within a filter, causing certain debris (including, for example, leaves) to settle therein. Some versions of the filters may include two stages, one having a perforated tube and a second having a generally frustoconically-shaped tube, which may or may not be perforated. | 04-26-2012 |
20120042445 | FLOW CONTROL AND IMPROVED HEAT RISE CONTROL DEVICE FOR WATER HEATERS - Disclosed are systems and devices for controlling the amount of water passing through a heat exchanger and the amount of water that by-passes the heater without passing through the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the system includes a by-pass valve assembly having means for sensing a time-varying characteristic of fluid adjacent the inlet, means for sensing a time-varying characteristic of fluid adjacent the outlet, and a valve that alters the amount of fluid by-passing the fluid heater in response to differences in the time-varying characteristic of fluid adjacent the inlet and fluid adjacent the outlet. | 02-23-2012 |
20120042444 | BACK-FLOW PREVENTION WITHIN A HEATER - Disclosed is a heater including a back-flow preventing device located at or adjacent an outlet of the heater. In some embodiments, the back-flow preventing device has an open position and a closed position. When the back-flow preventing device is in the open position, water is able to flow freely through the heater. When back-flow preventing device is in the closed position, water is prevented from flowing or migrating back into the heater. | 02-23-2012 |
20120037235 | Surface Disruptor for Laminar Jet Fountain - A fluid handling device, for example, a laminar jet fountain, includes a jet emanating a first stream of substantially laminar fluid. The jet fountain also includes a surface disruptor that includes a body, a water inlet, a valve, a fluid outlet, and a trajectory adjuster emanating a second stream of fluid from the fluid outlet. The second stream of fluid may be positioned to intersect the first stream of fluid and perturb its laminarity. By adjusting a valve controlling the force and volume of flow of the second stream and/or by adjusting the trajectory adjuster, the intersection of the first and second streams may be modified and, therefore, the laminarity of the first stream may be modified. By disrupting the laminar surface of the first stream, light introduced into the first stream may be caused to refract outward from the first stream and thus enhance illumination of the first stream. | 02-16-2012 |
20120006223 | ANTIFOULING SURFACES AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF - Surfaces that are in contact with a body of water or that are periodically exposed to water can be susceptible to fouling. Described herein are antifouling surfaces that contain a matrix material and an antifouling effective amount of a metal additive in the matrix material. The matrix material can define a surface that is in contact with a body of water or that is periodically exposed to water, where the matrix material does not substantially degrade in the presence of water. Methods for inhibiting fouling of a surface are also described herein. | 01-12-2012 |
20110226682 | Methods and Apparatus for a Pool Treatment and Water System - A pool/spa water treatment system may include a pump and a pool filter. The pump may include a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump inlet and outlet may be aligned on a first axis or within a first vertical plane. The pool filter may be offset a select transverse distance from the pump. The pool filter may include a pool filter inlet in fluid communication with the pump outlet. The pool filter inlet and the pump outlet may be aligned on a second axis or within a second vertical plane that is transverse to the first axis or plane. The pool/spa water treatment system may further include a heater. The heater may include a heater inlet in fluid communication with the pool filter outlet. The heater inlet may be aligned with the pool filter outlet within the second plane. | 09-22-2011 |
20110226361 | IDLER MECHANISMS FOR HYDRAULIC DEVICES - Devices and methods for inhibiting movement of automatic pool cleaners (APCs) are described. Versions of the devices may cause pool water to bypass flowing through bodies of APCs. Alternatively, they may cause water flowing though bodies of APCs to bypass the associated motive force creators. The devices thus may constitute idler mechanisms, as they effectively prevent movement without requiring operation of the ultimate driver (i.e. the pump) to cease. | 09-22-2011 |
20110186494 | Multi-Port Chlorine Generator - A chlorine treatment apparatus includes a housing with a cavity containing a chlorine generator for chlorinating a liquid such as water and at least three openings to the cavity. The chlorine generator may be an electrolytic cell. Some embodiments may include one or more plugs for closing the openings. The plugs may be keyed to operate with only certain of the openings. Yet other embodiments may include sensors for monitoring various aspects of the liquid such as temperature, salinity, flow rate, and chlorine concentration. | 08-04-2011 |
20110173799 | Multi-Port Chlorine Generator - A chlorine treatment apparatus includes a housing with a cavity containing a chlorine generator for chlorinating a liquid such as water and at least three openings to the cavity. The chlorine generator may be an electrolytic cell. Some embodiments may include one or more plugs for closing the openings. The plugs may be keyed to operate with only certain of the openings. Yet other embodiments may include sensors for monitoring various aspects of the liquid such as temperature, salinity, flow rate, and chlorine concentration. | 07-21-2011 |
20110114572 | WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHODS - Fluid-treatment apparatus and methods are detailed. The apparatus may be plumbed in-line and have inlets and outlets near their tops rather than near their bases. They additionally may provide one or more channels through which fluid may flow so as to induce fluid flow through a central region. A platform for raising the (effective) bottom of a chamber of an apparatus above a base thereof further may be included. | 05-19-2011 |
20110089357 | Diverter Valve - A diverter valve may include a body portion and a lid portion. The lid and body portions may define a fluid chamber. The lid portion may include a first stop and a second stop. A closure member may at least partially be received within the fluid chamber. A movable member, such as a handle, may be operatively associated with closure member. The movable member may be selectively movable relative to the lid portion between the first and second stops. A stop member may be selectively positioned on the lid portion. When positioned between the first and second stops, the stop member may limit movement of the movable member to between the stop member and one of the first and second stops. The first stop, the second stop, or both, may also comprise a stop member. | 04-21-2011 |
20110089094 | Pool Filter - A pool filter for use in pool piping or other fluid conveyance system. The pool filter may include a housing defining a fluid chamber for receiving one or more filters. Multiple openings may be defined in the housing for receiving and removing fluid from the fluid chamber. The openings may be approximately the same size and may be located on the housing at similar elevations and/or radial sectors. One or more footings may be joined to the housing. Each footing may include a base portion for receiving anchor members to anchor the housing to a support surface. The footings may be designed to transfer to the support surface predetermined lateral or other forces imposed upon the pool filter by events such as earthquakes and hurricanes. The footings may be separate components joined to the housing by tabs and/or mechanical fasteners. | 04-21-2011 |
20110062068 | Pool Filter - A pool filter for use in pool piping or other fluid conveyance system. The pool filter may include a housing defining a fluid chamber for receiving one or more filters. Multiple openings may be defined in the housing for receiving and removing fluid from the fluid chamber. The openings may be approximately the same size and may be located on the housing at similar elevations and/or radial sectors. One or more footings may be joined to the housing. Each footing may include a base portion for receiving anchor members to anchor the housing to a support surface. The footings may be designed to transfer to the support surface predetermined lateral or other forces imposed upon the pool filter by events such as earthquakes and hurricanes. The footings may be separate components joined to the housing by tabs and/or mechanical fasteners. | 03-17-2011 |
20100278587 | Retainer Band for Use in Fluid-Handling Vessels - A connecting mechanism for joining the ends of the retainer band that does not damage the band ends may help prevent separation of the ends as the band is compressed, and corrosion of the band when it is exposed to a chemically-charged environment. A retainer structure for use in a fluid-holding tank comprises a main band body having a first end portion and a second end portion and a connecting member for receiving the first and second end portions so that the main band body forms a loop shape. The connecting member is configured to directly secure the received first and second end portions without deforming the first and second end portions. | 11-04-2010 |
20100155498 | SURFACE DISRUPTOR FOR LAMINAR JET FOUNTAIN - A fluid handling device, for example, a laminar jet fountain, includes a jet emanating a first stream of substantially laminar fluid. The jet fountain also includes a surface disrupter that includes a body, a water inlet, a valve, a fluid outlet, and a trajectory adjuster emanating a second stream of fluid from the fluid outlet. The second stream of fluid may be positioned to intersect the first stream of fluid and perturb its laminarity. By adjusting a valve controlling the force and volume of flow of the second stream and/or by adjusting the trajectory adjuster, the intersection of the first and second streams may be modified and, therefore, the laminarity of the first stream may be modified. By disrupting the laminar surface of the first stream, light introduced into the first stream may be caused to refract outward from the first stream and thus enhance illumination of the first stream. | 06-24-2010 |
20100155497 | Laminar Deck Jet - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for fluid handling devices with enhanced functionality. In some embodiments, the fluid handling device may include a plurality of filters coupled to the fluid handling device, where passing a first stream of fluid through the plurality of filters may improve the laminarity of the first stream of fluid, an orifice situated about the fluid handling device, where the first stream of fluid may exit the fluid handling device through the orifice in a substantially laminar state, and a surface disruptor coupled to the fluid handling device, where the surface disruptor may provide a second stream of fluid and where the disruptor may be positioned such that the second stream of fluid interferes with the first stream of fluid exiting the fluid handling device. | 06-24-2010 |
20100138786 | User Interface Device with Display Screen and Memory for Pool/Spa Control System - Systems, devices and methods related to a user interface device for use in a pool/spa control system are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a user interface device for a pool/spa control system that includes a processor and a memory for storing application programs that are performed by the processor. The user interface device also includes a connection port for interfacing with an external storage medium having one or more digital images and a display interface. The user interface device is configured to display the one or more digital images from the external storage medium in the display interface when the user interface device is otherwise idle with respect to sending instructions to the pool/spa control system. | 06-03-2010 |
20100019121 | Pump mount base - A pump mount base for a filter/pump assembly in a pool or spa fluid handling system allows a user to adjust the height of the filter/pump assembly and thus its fluid inlets and fluid outlets. This adjustability allows the user to choose from a variety of replacement assemblies rather than being forced to select the same filter/pump assembly previously or originally used in the system. The height of the filter/pump assembly may be further altered by the engagement of shims, which may be positioned by pins in the bottom surface of the shim that engage corresponding apertures formed in an upper support surface of the pump mount base. The shims may be formed integrally with the pump mount base in the molding process by which the base is formed, and/or the shims may be provided separately. | 01-28-2010 |
20090218772 | MULTI-LOBED SEAL MEMBER - A seal member for creating an adequate sealing engagement between two bodies. The seal member may have a closed loop shape, a plurality of engagement surfaces and a plurality of lobes formed on the engagement surfaces. The lobes may contact a sealing surface on a body to aid in creating an adequate seal between two bodies. | 09-03-2009 |
20090143917 | Residential Environmental Management Control System Interlink - Various ways of expanding the capability, practicality and/or convenience of residential environmental management systems are contemplated. In one embodiment, a residential environmental management system may include a first master control, a second master control and an interlink operably connected to the first and second master controls. The system may further include a user interface that is operably connected to the interlink. | 06-04-2009 |
20090138131 | Residential Environmental Management control System with Sprinkler Control Module - A residential environmental management control system may include a master control and a sprinkler module. The system may include a user interface and/or a power supply. The system may include a housing for the master control and the sprinkler module. | 05-28-2009 |
20090126915 | Header for Heat Exchanger - A header for a heat exchanger orients the position of an inlet port at an angle offset from the position of the outlet port on the header body in order to simplify the plumbing of the header within a system. In one implementation of a header for a heat exchanger, the header forms a header cavity defined by an external wall and which is separated into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber by a dividing wall. An inlet port is defined within the external wall and is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. Similarly, an outlet port is defined within the external wall and is in fluid communication with the outlet chamber. The inlet port is oriented on the external wall at an offset angle with respect to a position of the outlet port. | 05-21-2009 |