Polaris Pool Systems Inc.

Jeffrey A Wichmann

Thomas E Veloskey

Gerhardus J Stoltz

Arunabh Lath

David J Peterson, Jr

Charles S Curbbun

David A Klimas

Hassan Hamza

Steven E Smart

Kevin D Simmons

Ronald J Sargent

Justin A Forbes

Kenneth A Peterson

Richard A Varga

An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.

Motor-driven pump for pool or spa

An improved pool cleaner is provided of the type for random travel over submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool or the like to dislodge and collect debris. The pool cleaner includes a hydraulically contoured external housing having a stabilizer float integrated with a carrying handle at an elevated rearward location. The pool cleaner additionally incorporates modular components including a simplified mast unit and related water distribution manifold for delivery of water under pressure to a water turbine drive unit for rotatably driving cleaner wheels to travel over submerged pool surfaces, with a portion of the pressurized water inducing a vacuum action for collecting debris within a porous filter bag. The modular components are mounted on an internal frame which is quickly and easily accessible for service or maintenance by removal of the external housing.

Pool cleaner

A magnetic control valve is provided in a suction powered pool cleaner of the type for vacuuming dirt and debris from submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool. The pool cleaner comprises a head defining a suction inlet for vacuum inflow of water and debris into a plenum chamber, and further through a suction tube adapted for connection via a vacuum hose to a conventional pool water filtration system. The control valve includes an oscillatory valve member movable between open and substantially closed positions relative to an upstream end of the suction tube to produce pressure fluctuations causing the cleaner to advance in steps over submerged pool surfaces. Oscillatory driving of the valve head is assisted by permanent magnets mounted on the valve member and cleaner head to generate repulsion forces as the valve head respectively approaches the open and closed positions.

Magnetic control valve for a suction powered pool cleaner

A ramped cap unit is provided for installation into a swimming pool in a position covering a main pool drain equipped with an upstanding antivortex safety drain cover plate, wherein the ramped cap unit has a smoothly contoured shape to permit a pool cleaner device to travel thereover without interrupting or obstructing cleaning operation. The cap unit comprises a generally inverted saucer defining a smoothly sloping and convex or ramped upwardly presented surface having a diametric size and shape to fit over the safety drain cover plate. An array of ribs formed on the underside of the cap unit engage an outer periphery of the upstanding cover plate to retain the cap unit in position thereon. A large plurality of vents are formed in the cap unit at spaced-apart locations to permit downward water flow therethrough substantially without disrupting the antivortex and safety functions of the underlying drain cover plate. The ramped upper surface of the cap unit permits a pool cleaner device to climb directly over the cap unit in the course of pool cleaner travel over submerged pool surfaces to collect and dislodge particulate debris settled thereon.

Ramped cap unit for a main pool drain cover plate

Growing community of inventors

Cardiff, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey A Wichmann