Debris Separating Pool Skimmer With Wet And Dry Chamber
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool skimmers struggle with debris accumulation, which can clog the skimmer/filter basket and restrict water flow, and pose a risk to animals caught in the suction, potentially leading to drowning and pump damage.
Innovation Solution
A debris separating pool skimmer with a wet and dry chamber design, featuring a powered conveyor belt that transports debris and animals from the wet chamber to the dry chamber, preventing blockages and ensuring animal safety without interfering with the recirculating water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional leaf skimmer basket is used to collect debris, then debris collection is achieved, but the basket becomes clogged and restricts water flow to the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The skimmer is divided into two separate chambers: a wet chamber for water circulation and a dry chamber for debris collection. The separator physically divides the flow path, allowing water to pass through the wet chamber outlet while debris is transported to and stored in the dry chamber. This segmentation prevents debris accumulation from blocking the water flow path to the pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (debris) is extracted from the water flow path by transporting it from the wet chamber to the dry chamber via the conveyor belt separator. Once in the dry chamber, debris is isolated and stored separately, eliminating its ability to clog the skimmer basket or restrict water flow to the pump.
2Productivity
If the recirculation pump draws water from the bottom of the skimmer, then water circulation is maintained, but animals get caught and drown
Solution Approach 1:
The separator divides the skimmer into wet and dry chambers, creating separate zones with different functions. The wet chamber maintains water circulation for pump operation, while the dry chamber serves as a safe zone where animals that enter the skimmer are deposited and protected from the suction force, preventing drowning.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt separator acts as an intermediary mechanism that transfers animals from the wet chamber (hazardous zone with suction) to the dry chamber (safe zone). This intermediary transport protects animals by removing them from the harmful suction environment while maintaining water circulation in the wet chamber.
3Ease of operation
If a separator is added to transport debris from wet to dry chamber, then debris removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt separator is designed to be self-powered by utilizing the existing recirculation pump's suction force. The pressure differential created by the pump automatically drives the conveyor mechanism without requiring an external power source or additional motor, eliminating the need for complex powered systems while achieving automated debris transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator leverages the hydraulic pressure differential generated by the recirculation pump to drive the conveyor belt mechanism. The water pressure differential between the wet and dry chambers provides the driving force for debris transport, eliminating the need for external power sources and reducing overall system complexity.
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
Facilitates easy removal of debris, prevents clogging of the skimmer basket, and ensures animal safety by storing debris in a dry chamber, maintaining uninterrupted water circulation and reducing the risk of pump damage.
Implementation Method 1
A debris separating pool skimmer with a wet and dry chamber design, featuring a powered conveyor belt that transports debris and animals from the wet chamber to the dry chamber
Implementation Method 2
Modern swimming pools all employ recirculating pump systems for withdrawing water from drains located at the bottom and from skimmers located at the water surface
Implementation Method 3
This water then passes through a filter which removes suspended particles from the water prior to returning the water to the pool after it has been filtered
Implementation Method 4
An upstanding wall extends from a bottom wall of the chamber to separate the wet and dry cavities and prevents water in the wet cavity from flowing into the substantially dry cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A debris separating pool skimmer having a chamber. The chamber includes wet and substantially dry cavities. The first wet cavity has an inlet in fluid communication with the pool and a water outlet disposed on a bottom. The second substantially dry cavity is disposed behind the wet cavity. An upstanding wall extends from a bottom wall of the chamber to separate the wet and dry cavities and prevents water in the wet cavity from flowing into the substantially dry cavity. A separator is disposed within the chamber that transports debris and/or animals from the wet cavity into the dry cavity such that debris and/or animals are stored in the dry cavity and are prevented from blocking the water outlet of the wet cavity.