Adjustable Flow Pulsating Pool Sweep Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool cleaners lack the ability to adjust their sweeping capacity to match the specific size requirements of different pools, leading to inefficiencies and energy wastage, and their internal valves are prone to fatigue and short lifespan due to high cyclic action.
Innovation Solution
A submersible pulsating pool sweep with an integrated valve featuring dual adjustment modes and robust stainless steel reed valve plates with torsion springs, allowing for precise flow control and durability to withstand high cyclic movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pool cleaners use fixed flow valves, then the valve structure is simple, but the cleaner cannot adapt to different pool sizes and wastes energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the valve structure adjustable rather than fixed. The flow control valve includes multiple adjustable openings that can be configured to different positions, allowing the valve to adapt its flow characteristics dynamically to match different pool sizes and cleaning requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by providing a valve with multiple adjustable flow control openings. By changing the configuration and position of these openings, the flow rate and pressure characteristics can be adjusted to optimize performance for different pool sizes, eliminating energy waste while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Productivity
If pool cleaners use high cyclic action valves for pulsating effect, then the pulsating propulsion is effective, but the valve components suffer fatigue and have short lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the valve into multiple independent components: a body with multiple separate flow control openings, adjustable restrictions, and pulsating mechanism elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the openings can be sized and positioned to maintain effective pulsating flow while distributing mechanical stress across multiple elements, reducing fatigue on any single component and extending overall valve lifespan.
3Loss of energy
If pool cleaners use fixed flow rates, then the valve design is simple, but energy is wasted when sweeping smaller pools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by providing a valve with multiple flow control openings where only the necessary number and size of openings need to be activated for each specific pool size. This allows the system to use partial flow capacity rather than full flow, matching the cleaning requirement exactly and avoiding energy waste on smaller pools while keeping the overall valve structure relatively simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient sweeping across various pool sizes by allowing manual adjustment of flow rates and uses durable components to extend the lifespan of the valve, ensuring reliable operation and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of opposed rigid stainless steel reed valve plates are disposed on the valve body inlet end with each plate engaging a fulcrum point and rotating inwardly on the fulcrum point until the ends touch when urged by negative fluid pressure applied to the pool sweep through the valve body. A pair of stainless steel torsion springs surround the restricting boundaries interfacing with each valve plate returning them to a parallel position when fluid pressure is relived creating a pulsating effect.
Implementation Method 2
The relief valve has a valve body which includes an flange disposed inside the upper pool sweep body. A recessed register is formed in the relief valve adjacent to the flange, and a recessed sealing seat is formed on an upstream inside portion, of the relief valve spaced away from the flange. A relief valve cap is disposed into the recessed register and is sized to slide over the valve body outlet end with a relief valve floating gasket sized to slip over the valve body outlet end and mate on a first side with the relief valve cap and with the recessed sealing seat on a second side, floating therebetween when the relief valve opens and closes. A stainless steel compression spring interfaces with an appropriate spring retaining groove for preliminary pre-selected flow adjustment compressed onto the relief valve on a second end such that when negative fluid pressure is applied by the pool pump, the ends of the valve plates engage restricting fluid flow, at which point the relief valve opens and releases negative pressure allowing the torsion springs to disengage the valve plates creating a pulsating effect enabling the pool sweep to be propelled linearly around a swimming pool on a bottom and sides reacting to liquid flow kinetic energy transferring force to the sweep by fluid inertia.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable pulsating submersible (10) is taught consisting of, a lower pool sweep body (20) with a resilient skirt (22) attached underneath. An integrated valve (50) is positioned within the lower pool sweep body and is used to accomplish a preliminary pre-selected flow adjustment. An upper pool sweep body (88) is placed over the integrated valve and is attached to the lower pool sweep body with threads in no more than one quarter turn. A flow adjuster (102) is slid tightly into upper pool sweep body and includes a number of first flow openings (104). A flow gate (106) is slid onto the flow adjuster and may rotate within limits with the flow adjuster. The flow gate incorporates a number of second flow openings (108) aligned with the first flow openings, when the flow adjuster is manually rotated the second flow openings misalign with the first flow openings providing precise adjustable flow operation.