U.S. patent application number 10/274539 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for suction-type cleaning device for submerged surfaces.
This patent application is currently assigned to H-Tech, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bavoso, John H..
Application Number | 20040074024 10/274539 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32093065 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040074024 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bavoso, John H. |
April 22, 2004 |
Suction-type cleaning device for submerged surfaces
Abstract
An improved suction-type cleaning device for cleaning submerged
surfaces has a turbine rotatably mounted within a turbine chamber
for moving the device. The device also includes an inlet nozzle and
an outlet port, which are in communication with the turbine chamber
and allow fluid and debris to flow along a fluid flow path
therebetween, through the turbine chamber, which rotates the
turbine. Baffles are arranged within the turbine chamber and
cooperate with endplates of the turbine to restrict the flow of
fluid through the fluid flow path. Additionally, the turbine
includes a body with vanes, each having tips, and the endplates are
sized and shaped such that their peripheral edges extend beyond the
tips. The outlet end of the inlet nozzle is positioned proximate to
the tips of the vanes and between the peripheral edges of the
endplates, without interfering with the rotation of the turbine,
thereby directing the flow of fluid more directly to the turbine.
The outlet end of the inlet nozzle has a notched portion and an
unnotched portion and is positioned proximate to the tips of the
vanes such that the tips move past the unnotched portion first,
whereby the turbine rotates more efficiently.
Inventors: |
Bavoso, John H.; (Hamilton
Square, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SELITTO, BEHR & KIM
203 MAIN STREET
METUCHEN
NJ
08840-2727
US
|
Assignee: |
H-Tech, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
32093065 |
Appl. No.: |
10/274539 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/1.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/1654
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/001.7 |
International
Class: |
E04H 004/16 |
Claims
I claim:
1. In a suction-type cleaning device for cleaning submerged
surfaces including a housing having a fluid inlet nozzle, a fluid
outlet port, and a turbine chamber within said housing, said fluid
inlet nozzle and said fluid outlet port each being in communication
with said turbine chamber such that a fluid flow pathway is created
for the flow of fluid through said turbine chamber from said fluid
inlet nozzle to said fluid outlet port; and a turbine having a
first endplate and a second endplate, each with a peripheral
arcuate edge, and a body with a plurality of vanes and being
mounted between said first and second endplates, each of said vanes
having a tip, and said turbine being positioned within said turbine
chamber such that the flow of fluid along said fluid flow pathway
impacts said plurality of vanes thereby causing said turbine to
rotate; the improvement comprising: at least one baffle positioned
within said turbine chamber proximate to said turbine, said at
least one baffle being sized and shaped so as to restrict the flow
of fluid along said fluid flow pathway and direct it toward said
vanes of said turbine, whereby a majority of the flow of fluid is
utilized to rotate said turbine.
2. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 1, wherein
said at least one baffle includes a plurality of baffles.
3. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 2, wherein
each of said baffles includes a free arcuate edge which complements
at least a portion of said peripheral edge of a corresponding one
of said first and second endplates of said turbine, said plurality
of baffles cooperating with said first and second endplates to
restrict the flow of fluid along said fluid flow pathway and direct
it toward said vanes of said turbine.
4. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 1, wherein
said inlet nozzle includes an outlet end having a notched portion
and an unnotched portion, and said inlet nozzle is positioned such
that, when said turbine is rotating, each of said tips of said
vanes moves past said notched potion of said outlet end prior to
moving past said unnotched portion of said outlet end, whereby more
efficient rotation of said turbine is achieved.
5 The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 4, wherein
said at least one baffle includes a plurality of baffles and each
of said baffles includes a free arcuate edge which complements at
least a portion of said peripheral edge of a corresponding one of
said first and second endplates of said turbine, said plurality of
baffles cooperating with said first and second endplates to
restrict the flow of fluid along said fluid flow pathway and direct
it toward said vanes of said turbine.
6. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 1, wherein
each of said first and second endplates is sized and shaped such
that said peripheral arcuate edge thereof extends beyond said tips
of said vanes, and said fluid inlet nozzle includes an outlet end
which is positioned proximate to said tips of said vanes of said
turbine and between said peripheral edges of said first and second
endplates.
7. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 6, wherein
said at least one baffle includes a plurality of baffles and each
of said baffles includes a free arcuate edge which complements at
least a portion of said peripheral edge of a corresponding one of
said first and second endplates of said turbine, said plurality of
baffles cooperating with said first and second endplates to
restrict the flow of fluid along said fluid flow pathway and direct
it toward said vanes of said turbine.
8. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 6, wherein
said outlet end of said inlet nozzle includes a notched portion and
an unnotched portion, and said inlet nozzle is positioned such
that, when said turbine is rotating, each of said tips of said
vanes moves past said notched potion of said outlet end prior to
moving past said unnotched portion of said outlet end, whereby more
efficient rotation of said turbine is achieved.
9. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 8, wherein
said at least one baffle includes a plurality of baffles and each
of said baffles includes a free arcuate edge which complements at
least a portion of said peripheral edge of a corresponding one of
said first and second endplates of said turbine, said plurality of
baffles cooperating with said first and second endplates to
restrict the flow of fluid along said fluid flow pathway and direct
it toward said vanes of said turbine.
10. In a suction-type cleaning device for cleaning submerged
surfaces including a housing having a fluid inlet nozzle, a fluid
outlet port, and a turbine chamber within said housing, said fluid
inlet nozzle and said fluid outlet port each being in communication
with said turbine chamber such that a fluid flow pathway is created
for the flow of fluid through said turbine chamber from said fluid
inlet nozzle to said fluid outlet port; and a turbine having a
first endplate and a second endplate, each with a peripheral
arcuate edge, and a body with a plurality of vanes mounted between
said first and second endplates, each of said vanes having a tip,
and said turbine being positioned within said turbine chamber such
that the flow of fluid along said fluid flow pathway impacts said
plurality of vanes thereby causing said turbine to rotate; the
improvement wherein: each of said first and second endplates is
sized and shaped such that said peripheral arcuate edge thereof
extends beyond said tips of said vanes.
11. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 10, wherein
said fluid inlet nozzle includes an outlet end which is positioned
proximate to said tips of said vanes of said turbine and between
said peripheral edges of said first and second endplates without
interfering with rotation of said turbine.
12. In an inlet nozzle for a suction-type cleaning device for
cleaning submerged surfaces, said cleaning device including a
turbine chamber and a turbine rotatably mounted therein, said
turbine including a body with a plurality of vanes each having a
tip and said inlet nozzle being in communication with said turbine
chamber and being positioned such that an outlet end thereof is
proximate to the tips of the vanes, the improvement wherein: said
outlet end of said inlet nozzle includes a notched portion and an
unnotched portion, and said inlet nozzle is positioned such that,
when said turbine is rotating, each of said tips of said vanes
moves past said notched portion of said outlet end prior to moving
past said unnotched portion of said outlet end, whereby more
efficient rotation of said turbine is achieved.
13. In a suction-type cleaning device for cleaning submerged
surfaces including a housing having a fluid inlet nozzle, a fluid
outlet port, and a turbine chamber within said housing, said fluid
inlet nozzle and said fluid outlet port each being in communication
with said turbine chamber such that a fluid flow pathway is created
for the flow of fluid through said turbine chamber from said fluid
inlet nozzle to said fluid outlet port; and a turbine having a
first endplate and a second endplate, each with a peripheral
arcuate edge, and a body with a plurality of vanes mounted between
said first and second endplates, each of said vanes having a tip,
and said turbine being positioned within said turbine chamber such
that the flow of fluid along said fluid flow pathway impacts said
plurality of vanes thereby causing said turbine to rotate; the
improvement comprising: a least one baffle positioned within said
turbine chamber proximate to said turbine, said at least one baffle
being sized and shaped so as to restrict the flow of fluid along
said fluid flow pathway and direct it toward said vanes of said
turbine, whereby a majority of the flow of fluid is utilized to
rotate said turbine, each of said first and second endplates being
sized and shaped such that said peripheral arcuate edge thereof
extends beyond said tips of said vanes, said outlet end of said
inlet nozzle including a notched portion and an unnotched portion,
and said inlet nozzle being positioned such that, when said turbine
is rotating, each of said tips of said vanes moves past said
notched potion of said outlet end prior to moving past said
unnotched portion of said outlet end, whereby more efficient
rotation of said turbine is achieved.
14. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 13, wherein
said fluid inlet nozzle includes an outlet end which is positioned
proximate to said tips of said vanes of said turbine and between
said peripheral edges of said first and second endplates.
15. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 13, wherein
said at least one baffle includes a plurality of baffles.
16. The improved suction-type cleaning device of claim 15, wherein
each of said baffles includes a free arcuate edge which complements
at least a portion of said peripheral edge of a corresponding one
of said first and second endplates of said turbine, said plurality
of baffles cooperating with said first and second endplates to
restrict the flow of fluid along said fluid flow pathway and direct
it toward said vanes of said turbine.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a suction-type cleaning
device for cleaning submerged surfaces, and more particularly, to
such a cleaning device having a rotatable turbine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various kinds of suction-type cleaning devices have been
developed for cleaning submerged surfaces, such as the bottom and
side surfaces of swimming pools. Such cleaning devices generally
include a housing with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A suction
hose is connected to the fluid outlet for causing fluid containing
unwanted debris, such as pool water, to flow into the inlet,
through the interior of the housing, and out of the outlet, thereby
removing the debris from the swimming pool.
[0003] The structure and operation of one kind of suction-type
cleaning device are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,521,933,
4,536,908 and 5,105,496, each of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference. In addition, a similar suction-type cleaning
device is sold by Hayward Pool Products, Inc. under the trademark
"NAVIGATOR".
[0004] The suction-type cleaning devices described in the aforesaid
patents are equipped with mechanisms for randomly moving the device
along the submerged surface to be cleaned. For instance, within the
housing of such a cleaning device, a primary turbine is mounted on
pivotable supports in between the primary fluid inlet and the
primary fluid outlet such that the flow of fluid from the inlet to
the outlet causes rotation of the primary turbine. In addition, the
primary turbine is mounted eccentrically such that rotation of the
primary turbine causes the supports to rock back and forth within
the housing. The rocking of the supports, in turn, causes movement
of the entire cleaning device along the surface to be cleaned.
[0005] The cleaning devices described in the foregoing U.S. patents
also have a steering mechanism, including a secondary inlet, a
secondary outlet and a secondary turbine mounted between the
secondary inlet and outlet. The secondary turbine functions to
"steer", or change the direction of movement of, the cleaning
device that is being moved by the rotation of the primary
turbine.
[0006] Although self-mobilizing cleaning devices such as those
described hereinabove have been commercially successful, it has
been found that there is a tendency for the debris in the
surrounding fluid (e.g., swimming pool water) to become lodged in
the primary fluid inlet, which clogs the inlet and prevents the
cleaning device from functioning properly. In addition, since the
primary fluid flow pathway between the primary inlet and the
primary outlet is unrestricted, debris passing through the primary
turbine chamber can become lodged among moving components within
the cleaning device and interfere with the operation of the
cleaning device by preventing such moving components from moving as
intended.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and
shortcomings discussed above by providing an improved suction-type
cleaning device. More particularly, the improved suction-type
cleaning device of the present invention includes a housing with a
fluid inlet nozzle and a fluid outlet port, both of which are in
communication with a turbine chamber positioned within the housing.
A fluid flow pathway exists for the flow of fluid through from the
fluid inlet nozzle, through the turbine chamber and to the fluid
outlet port. A turbine, having a body mounted between two
endplates, is positioned within the turbine chamber such that the
flow of fluid along said fluid flow pathway causes the turbine to
rotate. The vanes of the turbine each have a tip and the endplates
each have a peripheral arcuate edge.
[0008] The improved suction-type cleaning device of the present
invention also includes one or more baffles that are positioned
within the turbine chamber, proximate to the turbine. The baffles
are sized and shaped so as to restrict the flow of fluid along the
fluid flow pathway and direct it toward the vanes of the turbine,
whereby a majority of the flow of fluid is utilized to rotate the
turbine. The baffles each have a free arcuate edge that complements
the peripheral arcuate edge of a corresponding endplate of the
turbine such that the baffles cooperate with the endplates to
restrict the flow of fluid along the fluid flow pathway and direct
it toward the vanes of the turbine. This arrangement permits the
inner diameter of the inlet nozzle to be widened, up to
approximately 1.0 inch, without losing a significant amount of the
fluid flow force required to rotate the turbine.
[0009] The inlet nozzle has an outlet end positioned proximate to
the turbine and which has a notched portion and an unnotched
portion. Furthermore, the inlet nozzle is positioned such that,
when the turbine is rotating, the tips of the vanes each move past
the notched potion of the outlet end prior to moving past the
unnotched portion, whereby more efficient rotation of the turbine
is achieved.
[0010] In addition, the endplates are each sized and shaped such
that their peripheral arcuate edges extend beyond the tips of the
vanes of the turbine. The outlet end of the inlet nozzle is
positioned proximate to the tips of the vanes of the turbine and
between the peripheral edges of the endplates, without interfering
with rotation of the turbine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description of an
exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a base portion of
a cleaning device constructed in accordance with the present
invention and equipped with a combined access cover and inlet
nozzle component, a lower body, a mid-body and a baffle;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembly of the combined
access cover and inlet nozzle and the lower body shown in FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the base portion
of the cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an inverted perspective view of a cover of the
cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the assembled base portion of
the cleaning device shown in FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the
cleaning device in accordance with the present invention, including
a cross-section of the assembled base portion shown in FIG. 5 taken
along line A-A and looking in the direction of the arrows, but
showing the combined access cover and inlet nozzle intact;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of a
conventional cleaning device;
[0019] FIG. 8 is perspective view of the combined access cover and
inlet nozzle component of the cleaning device shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the combined access
cover and inlet nozzle component shown in FIG. 8; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view of the combined
access cover and inlet nozzle component shown in FIG. 8, a turbine
of the cleaning device being shown in phantom.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0022] While the improvements of the present invention can be used
with many different kinds of cleaning devices, they are especially
suitable for use with suction-type cleaning devices that are
designed for cleaning submerged surfaces and which have movement
mechanisms that utilize one or more rotatable turbines. Such
suction-type cleaning devices are, for example, described in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,521,933, 4,536,908 and 5,105,496. Accordingly, the
following description provides a discussion of the present
invention as applied to a suction-type cleaning device having a
basic construction and operation that is similar to those of the
devices disclosed in the foregoing U.S. patents, it being
understood that the present invention may also be used with other
types of cleaning devices. Furthermore, it is noted that the
cleaning devices disclosed in the foregoing U.S. patents typically
have a motion mechanism, including a primary turbine mounted in a
primary fluid flow path, as well as a steering mechanism which
includes a secondary turbine mounted in a secondary fluid flow
path. The present invention is suitable for use in connection with
either the motion mechanism or the steering mechanism, or both.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a suction-type
cleaning device 10 constructed in accordance with the present
invention. More particularly, the cleaning device 10, which is
adapted to remove debris and particulates (e.g., dirt, leaves,
twigs, acorns, etc.) from a submerged surface such as the bottom of
a swimming pool, includes a lower body 12, a mid-body 14 (see FIGS.
1-3, 5 and 6) and an upper body 16 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). The lower
body 12, the mid-body 14 and the upper body 16 are assembled
together to form a housing 17 (see FIG. 6 for a cross-sectional
view of the aforesaid housing 17).
[0024] As shown most clearly in FIG. 1, the mid-body 14 has a
cutout opening 18 therethrough and a rectangular wall 20 extending
from the interior surface thereof and which surrounds the cutout
opening 18. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper body 16 has a rectangular
wall 22 that extends from the interior surface thereof and which
defines an enclosed area 24 therein. The rectangular walls 20, 22
are sized and shaped such that, when the mid-body 14 and the upper
body 16 are assembled together (see FIG. 6), the rectangular walls
20, 22 cooperate with one another to form a turbine chamber 26
therebetween (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 6).
[0025] With reference in particular to FIGS. 4 and 6, the upper
body 16 also has two planar baffles 28, 30 extending from the
interior surface of the upper body 16 within the enclosed area 24
defined by the rectangular wall 22. The planar baffles 28, 30 have
free arcuate edges 32, 34, respectively, for purposes to be
described hereinafter. An outlet port 36 is also provided in the
upper body 16. The outlet port 36 is positioned between the planar
baffles 28, 30 and communicates with the turbine chamber 26 (see
FIG. 6). A vacuum source such as a flexible hose connected at one
end to a pump (not shown) can be connected to the outlet port 36 to
provide suction to the cleaning device 10.
[0026] With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8-10, the cleaning
device 10 also includes an inlet nozzle 38 mounted on an access
cover 40. An access opening 42 is provided on the underside of the
lower body 12 and communicates with the turbine chamber 26 (see
FIG. 1). The access cover 40 is removably mounted onto the
underside of the lower body 12 such that it substantially covers
the access opening 42 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Because the access cover
40 is removably mounted to the lower body 12, it facilitates access
to the interior of the housing 17 of the cleaning device 10,
through the access opening 42, for the removal of debris which may
lodge and accumulate among moving components within the housing 17.
When the access cover 40 is mounted onto the lower body 12, the
inlet nozzle 38 is positioned such that it is in communication with
the turbine chamber 26 (see FIG. 6), whereby fluid surrounding the
cleaning device 10 may enter and pass through the turbine chamber
26 to the outlet port 36. Preferably, the inner diameter of the
inlet nozzle 38 is approximately 1.0 inch. Alternatively, the inlet
nozzle 38 can be provided having an inner diameter of another
suitable dimension.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the inlet nozzle 38 has a notch
cutout 44 at its upper edge 46 that has been found to produce
surprising and/or unexpected results, as described in further
detail hereinafter. The height of the notch cutout 44 is preferably
approximately 0.25 inches and its width is preferably approximately
0.5 inches. Furthermore, two partial planar baffles 48, 50 are
affixed to the access cover 40 such that the partial baffle 48 is
positioned on one side of the inlet nozzle 38 and the partial
baffle 50 is positioned on the other side of the inlet nozzle 38
(see FIGS. 8-10). The partial planar baffles 48, 50 have free
arcuate edges 52, 54, respectively, for purposes to be described
hereinafter.
[0028] The cleaning device 10 also includes a turbine 56, shown in
FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, which is positioned within the turbine chamber
26, as will be explained hereinafter. The turbine 56 has a body 58
equipped with a plurality of arcuate vanes 60, the tips 62 of which
determine the outer diameter of the body 58. The body 58 is mounted
between a pair of circular endplates 64, 66 which are each sized
and shaped such that their outer diameters are slightly larger than
the outer diameter of the body 58. More particularly, as can be
seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, the peripheral edge 68, 70 of each of the
circular endplates 64, 66 extends slightly beyond the tips 62 of
the vanes 60 (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 6) for purposes and benefits to be
clarified hereinafter. Preferably, the peripheral edge 68, 70 of
each of the circular endplates 64, 66 extends beyond the tips 62 of
the vanes 60 by approximately 0.15 inches.
[0029] The turbine 56 also has a turbine shaft 72 that extends
centrally through the body 58 and the circular endplates 64, 66,
thereby defining the axis of rotation of the turbine 56. In
addition, an eccentric 74, 76 is provided at each end of the
turbine shaft 72, for a purpose which will also become clear
hereinafter.
[0030] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, two inverted A-shaped
supports 78, 80 are pivotably attached to the lower body 12 (see
FIG. 6) by the ends of a shaft 82 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The inverted
A-shaped supports 78, 80 are spaced apart from one another.
Furthermore, the inverted A-shaped supports 78, 80 have a pair of
fork-like extensions 84, 86 and a pair of fork-like extensions 88,
90, respectively, that extend through the cutout opening 18 of the
mid-body 14 when the lower body 12 and mid-body 14 are assembled
with one another (see FIG. 3). Support disks 92, 94, 96, 98 are
attached to the remote ends of the fork-like extensions 84, 86, 88,
90, respectively.
[0031] With reference now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the turbine 56 is
mounted within the turbine chamber 26 in between the inlet nozzle
38 and the outlet port 36 (see FIG. 6), as follows. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3, the turbine 56 is journalled to oppositely
positioned wall segments 20a, 20b of the mid-body 14 and to
oppositely positioned wall segments 22a, 22b of the upper body 16,
respectively, by bearings 100, 102, respectively, provided on the
remote ends of the turbine shaft 72. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
3, the eccentrics 74, 76 on the turbine shaft 72 of the turbine 56
are received and supported between the disks 92, 94 and the disks
96, 98, respectively, of the fork-like extensions 84, 86 and the
fork-like extensions 88, 90, respectively.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two partial planar baffles 104,
106 extend from the lower body 12 between the inverted A-shaped
supports 78, 80. These partial planar baffles 104, 106 have free
arcuate edges 108, 110, respectively. When the access cover 40 is
mounted to the underside of the lower body 12 (see FIG. 2), the
partial planar baffle 48 of the access cover 40 aligns with the
partial planar baffle 104 such that a single, substantially
continuous planar baffle is formed. The free arcuate edges 52, 108
of these partial baffles 48, 104, respectively, are sized and
shaped to conform to the arcuate peripheral edge 68 of the circular
endplate 64 of the turbine 56. Similarly, the partial planar baffle
50 on the access cover 40 aligns with the partial planar baffle 106
of the lower body 12 such that a single, substantially continuous
planar baffle is formed. Furthermore, the free arcuate edges 54,
110 of these partial baffles 50, 106, respectively, are sized and
shaped to conform to the arcuate peripheral edge 70 of the circular
endplate 66 of the turbine 56. It is noted that the free arcuate
edges 32, 34 of the planar baffles 28, 30, respectively, of the
upper body 16 are sized and shaped to conform to the arcuate
peripheral edges 68, 70, respectively, of the circular endplates
64, 66, respectively, of the turbine 56.
[0033] When the lower body 12, the mid-body 14 and the upper body
16 are assembled, with the access cover 40 and turbine 56 mounted
as described hereinabove (see FIGS. 3 and 6), a fluid flow path is
defined within the turbine chamber 26 by the partial planar baffles
48, 50 of the access cover 40, the partial planar baffles 104, 106
of the lower body 12, the two circular endplates 64, 66 of the
turbine 56, and the two planar baffles 28, 30 of the upper body 16.
More specifically, the partial baffle 104 of the lower body 12, the
partial baffle 48 of the access cover 40, the circular endplate 64
of the turbine 56 and the baffle 28 of the upper body 16 cooperate
to form a first barrier to transverse fluid flow which is
positioned on one side of the turbine body 58. Similarly, the
partial baffle 106 of the lower body 12, the partial baffle 50 of
the access cover 40, the circular endplate 66 of the turbine 56 and
the baffle 30 of the upper body 16 cooperate to form a second
barrier to transverse fluid flow which is positioned on the
opposite side of the turbine body 58. The fluid flow path
(designated by arrow F in FIG. 6), thus, lies between the first and
second fluid flow barriers.
[0034] Furthermore, as is apparent from FIG. 6, when suction is
applied to the outlet port 36, fluid (such as pool water) moves
through the fluid flow path indicated by arrow F in FIG. 6. More
particularly, fluid is drawn into the inlet nozzle 38, along with
any debris carried in the fluid, and is directed through the fluid
flow path (F) formed by the six baffles 28, 30, 48, 50, 104, 106
and two circular endplates 64, 66 within the turbine chamber 26.
Furthermore, it is noted that the inlet nozzle 38 is sized and
shaped such that its upper edge 46 is arcuate and is interposed, or
positioned, between the peripheral edges 68, 70 of the circular
endplates 64, 66 of the turbine 56, without interfering with the
tips 62 of the vanes 60 as they move past the inlet nozzle 38 while
the turbine 56 rotates. The foregoing arrangement causes the fluid
to flow more directly against the vanes 60 of the turbine 56, which
results in more efficient use of the fluid flow force to rotate the
turbine 56. In addition, with the fluid flow being restricted as
described above, the inlet nozzle 38 may have a widened inner
diameter (e.g., approximately 1.0 inch) without significant loss of
fluid flow force. The fluid then flows out of the cleaning device
10 through the outlet port 36. As described in detail in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,521,933, 4,536,908 and 5,105,496, when the turbine 56
rotates, the arrangement of the eccentrics 74, 76, the turbine
shaft 72, and the inverted A-shaped supports 78, 80 causes the
inverted A-shaped supports 78, 80 to rock, which, in turn, causes
the cleaning device 10 to move in the direction indicated by the
arrow M in FIG. 6. As discussed in detail hereinafter, due to the
above-discussed structure, the cleaning device 10 of the present
invention operates more efficiently to retain and apply the fluid
flow force along the fluid flow path to rotate the turbine 56 than
the cleaning devices of the prior art.
[0035] For reference, FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional view
(similar to that of FIG. 6 showing the cleaning device 10 of the
present invention) of a cleaning device 112 that is constructed in
accordance with the prior art, such as the cleaners disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,521,933, 4,536,908 and 5,105,496. It can be seen
from FIG. 7 that the cleaning device 112 has a turbine 114
rotatably mounted within a turbine chamber 116 and, furthermore,
that the fluid flow path (see arrow F' in FIG. 7) through the
turbine chamber 116 is unrestricted. The unrestricted flow of fluid
through the fluid flow path F' allows debris carried in the fluid
to migrate to, and lodge among, the interior parts of the prior art
cleaning device 112, which can hence interfere with the operation
and efficiency of the cleaning device 112.
[0036] The cleaning device 10 of the present invention, on the
other hand, includes baffles 28, 30, 48, 50, 104, 106, which, along
with the circular endplates 64, 66 of the turbine 56, form physical
barriers to fluid flow as described hereinabove. The result is that
fluid entering the inlet nozzle 38 of the cleaning device 10 of the
present invention is channeled more directly along the fluid flow
pathway (F), past the turbine 56 and out of the outlet port 36,
whereby more of the fluid flow force is retained along the fluid
flow path F and applied to the turbine 56 and the debris carried in
the fluid is inhibited from lodging among the interior parts of the
cleaning device 10. Furthermore, as mentioned previously, the
presence of the baffles 28, 30, 48, 50, 104, 106 and their
cooperation with the circular endplates 64, 66 of the turbine 56 to
restrict the flow of fluid through the fluid flow path (F) allows
the inner diameter of the fluid inlet nozzle 38 to be enlarged,
preferably to approximately 1.0 inch, so that debris in the flowing
fluid is less likely to clog the inlet while still allowing a
greater volume of fluid to enter the turbine chamber 26 and rotate
the turbine 56, without significant loss of fluid flow force.
[0037] In addition, as can be noted from a comparison of FIGS. 6
and 7, the inlet nozzle 38 of the cleaning device 10 of the present
invention is extended such that, its upper edge 46 is much closer
to the turbine 56 and the vanes 60. This configuration also serves
to deliver fluid flow that is exiting from the inlet nozzle 38 more
directly to the turbine 56 of the cleaning device 10 of the present
invention, such that a greater portion of the fluid flow force is
applied to the vanes 60, thereby more efficiently rotating the
turbine 56 than in the prior art cleaning device 112.
[0038] It is further noted that, as discussed hereinabove, in the
cleaning device 10 of the present invention, the peripheral edge
68,70 of each of the circular endplates 64, 66 of the turbine 56
extends slightly beyond the tips 62 of the vanes 60 (see FIGS. 1, 3
and 6), such that, as described hereinabove, the upper edge 46 of
the inlet nozzle 38 can be positioned in between the peripheral
edges 68, 70 of the circular endplates 64, 66 of the turbine 56,
without interfering with the passage of the tips 62 of the vanes 60
as the turbine 56 rotates. In addition, the arcuate shape of the
upper edge 46 of the inlet nozzle 38 permits the inlet nozzle 38 to
be placed very close to the vanes 60 of the turbine 56 without
impeding the movement of the tips 62 of the vanes 60 while the
turbine 56 rotates. Thus, the configuration of the vanes 60 and
endplates 64, 66 of the turbine 56 of the cleaning device 10 of the
present invention results in more efficient retention and
application of the fluid flow force directly to the vanes 60 to
rotate the turbine 56 than in the prior art cleaning device
112.
[0039] As noted previously, the notch cutout 44 of the inlet nozzle
38 of the present invention has produced surprising and unexpected
results. Without limiting the structure and function of the notch
cutout 44, it is believed that the notch cutout 44 functions as
follows to improve the rotation of the turbine 56, in comparison to
an unnotched inlet nozzle (not shown). Initially, it is believed
that positioning an inlet nozzle 38 without such a notch cutout 44
impedes rotation of the turbine 56 due to the presence of a film of
fluid that collects and is carried about the circumference of the
tips 62 of the vanes 60 of the turbine 56 while rotating. More
particularly, as the tips 62 of the vanes 60 approach and pass by
an inlet nozzle having an unnotched upper edge (not shown), the
film of fluid will contact the unnotched upper edge, thereby
creating a drag and slowing the rotation of the turbine 56. Thus,
the presence of the notch cutout 44 on the upper edge 46 of the
inlet nozzle 38 provides a passage through which the film of fluid
on the vanes 60 of the turbine 56 can pass without creating the
aforementioned drag.
[0040] It will be understood that the embodiment described herein
is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make
many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
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