Turbine drive apparatus and method suited for suction powered swimming pool cleaner
US7162763B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE04H4/1636
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method and apparatus for enabling a pool cleaner (60) to travel through a water pool to collect dirt and other debris from the water and/or pool containment wall (88). The cleaner (60) defines a suction passageway having an inlet (74) open to pool water and an outlet (78) adapted to be coupled via a flexible hose (30) to the suction side of an electrically driven pump (26). A resulting suction flow, from the inlet (74) to the pump, functions to (1) carry dirt and other debris to a filter (41) and (2) to drive a turbine (80) for propelling the cleaner (60). In accordance with the invention, the suction passageway inlet (74) includes an orifice defining a physical flow area A1 and configured to create an “effective” flow area A2 smaller than A1, downstream from the orifice. The small effective flow area A2 creates a water flow of sufficient velocity to efficiently drive the turbine (80) whereas the larger physical flow area A1 permits debris to pass more readily.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.