Hydraulic swimming pool cleaners with electricity generators

{
  "publication_number": "US9488154B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Hydraulic swimming pool cleaners with electricity generators",
  "abstract": "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.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of generating electricity by an automatic swimming pool cleaner having a body including (i) an inlet for receiving water and (ii) an outlet, the method comprising: a. placing the cleaner in fluid communication with a pump external to the cleaner; and b. operating the pump so as to cause water to flow through a valve positioned in a first water flow path between the inlet and the outlet of the body, cooperation of the valve and pump resulting in oscillatory movement of a magnet positioned in a second water flow path of the body to generate electricity in a coil that is stationary relative to the body.",
    "2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising causing the generated electricity to be conveyed to an electric device for operation thereof.",
    "3. A method according to claim 2 in which the electric device is on-board the cleaner.",
    "4. A method according to claim 3 in which the electric device affects movement or steering of the cleaner within a swimming pool containing debris-laden water.",
    "5. A method according to claim 2 in which the electric device is remote from the cleaner.",
    "6. A method according to claim 5 in which the electric device affects movement or steering of the cleaner within a swimming pool containing debris-laden water.",
    "7. A method according to claim 1 in which the cleaner is placed in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump and debris-laden water is drawn through the valve when the pump is operated.",
    "8. An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising: a. a body (i) comprising a water inlet and a water outlet and (ii) defining (A) primary and secondary flow paths therethrough and (B) upper and lower sections; b. a valve forming part of the primary flow path, at least a portion of the upper section being upstream of the valve; c. a connector (i) allowing fluid communication between the upper and lower sections and (ii) defining at least part of the secondary flow path; and d. means, comprising (i) a magnet positioned in the connector and configured for oscillatory movement in the secondary flow path and (ii) a coil (A) stationary relative to the body and (B) cooperating with the magnet, for generating electricity upon oscillatory movement of the magnet in the secondary flow path.",
    "9. A cleaner according to claim 8 in which the valve has an interior forming part of the primary flow path.",
    "10. A cleaner according to claim 9 in which the valve has a wall configured to flex in use so as periodically to restrict passage of water through the primary flow path.",
    "11. A cleaner according to claim 8 in which the valve (a) has an interior and (b) connects to the lower section so as to isolate the secondary flow path from the inlet except indirectly via the interior of the valve.",
    "12. An automatic swimming pool cleaner comprising: a. a body (i) comprising (A) a water inlet and (B) a water outlet and (ii) defining (A) primary and secondary flow paths therethrough, (B) an upper section, and (C) a lower section; b. a valve (i) having an interior forming part of the primary flow path, (ii) having a wall configured to flex in use so as periodically to restrict passage of water through the primary flow path, and (iii) connected to the lower section so as to isolate the secondary flow path from the inlet except indirectly via the interior of the valve; c. a connector (i) allowing fluid communication between the upper and lower sections and (ii) defining at least part of the secondary flow path; d. a magnet (i) positioned within the connector and (ii) configured for oscillatory movement in the secondary flow path; and e. a coil (i) positioned outside the connector and stationary relative to the body and (ii) configured to cooperate with the magnet so as to generate electricity when the magnet moves in the secondary flow path.",
    "13. A method according to claim 1 in which the magnet is disconnected from the valve."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to generating electricity and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to automatic hydraulic cleaners for swimming pools and spas in which electricity is generated via oscillation of a magnet within a coil.\n\nConventionally, an automatic pool cleaner (“APC”) may be considered either “hydraulic” or “electric” depending on the source of energy employed to effect its movement within a pool, spa, or other water-containing vessel. “Electric” cleaners, sometimes also called “robots,” typically use electricity to power motors used to drive wheels or treads to allow the cleaners to move throughout the vessel. Although on-board batteries are sometimes considered to supply electricity to the robots, more likely electricity from mains outside the vessels is conveyed via electrical cords to the robots within the vessels.\n\n“Hydraulic” cleaners, by contrast, connect to external pumps and utilize water flow caused by operation of the pumps to effect their movement within a pool or spa. Some hydraulic cleaners connect to pump outlets; these devices are called “pressure-side” APCs, as pressurized water from pump outlets typically drives the cleaners. Alternatively, hydraulic cleaners may connect to inlets of pumps. These “suction-side” cleaners often include valves and supporting structure designed periodically to interrupt water flow through their bodies to the pumps. Periodic flow interruption creates a “water-hammer” effect, with the resulting energy used to move the APCs within pools.",
  "cpc": [
    "F03B 13/10",
    "E04H 4/16",
    "E04H 4/1663",
    "Y02E 10/20"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E04H 4/16",
    "F03B 13/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Zodiac Pool Systems LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-03-12",
  "publication_date": "2016-11-08",
  "grant_date": "2016-11-08",
  "priority_date": "2013-03-13",
  "application_number": "US-201414205408-A",
  "family_id": "50686119",
  "cited_by_count": 31,
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}