Floating Pool Skimmer with Water Ballast and Floating Weir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool skimmers are ineffective in cleaning the entire pool surface, as they require debris to move close to the skimmer for collection, and mobile skimmers are unstable and prone to tipping over, allowing debris to escape when the pump is off.
Innovation Solution
A floating pool skimmer that attaches to a fixed skimmer or automatic vacuum line, using an elongated hose and T-fitting for suction, and features a floating weir and apertures for ballast to remain upright, ensuring debris is trapped even when the pump is not operating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed skimmer is used, then debris can be trapped when close to the skimmer, but only a portion of the pool surface is cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the pool cleaning function into multiple components: a fixed skimmer for localized debris capture and a mobile floating skimmer that traverses the pool surface to clean areas remote from the fixed skimmer. This segmentation allows comprehensive surface coverage while maintaining the simplicity of a single fixed installation point.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile floating skimmer acts as an intermediary between the pool surface and the fixed skimmer system. It collects debris from across the pool surface and transports it to the fixed skimmer's collection basket, enabling extended cleaning coverage without requiring multiple fixed skimmers throughout the pool.
2Productivity
If a mobile floating skimmer is used, then entire pool surface can be cleaned, but the skimmer tips over when pump is not operating
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile floating skimmer incorporates a ballast compartment that fills with water when the pump is off to counteract the buoyant forces that cause tipping. This water ballast acts as a counterweight, lowering the center of gravity and stabilizing the skimmer in an upright position during non-operational periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The skimmer's stability system is dynamic rather than static - the ballast compartment automatically adjusts water intake based on pump operation status. When the pump runs, suction prevents water entry and the skimmer floats normally; when the pump stops, water enters the ballast compartment to provide stabilizing weight.
3Productivity
If a mobile floating skimmer is used, then entire pool surface can be cleaned, but debris floats back out when pump is off
Solution Approach 1:
The floating weir mechanism adds a vertical dimension to debris containment. When the pump is off, the weir rises vertically to seal the opening, preventing debris from floating back out. This vertical movement creates a dynamic barrier that adapts to pump operation status.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating weir and ballast system are self-regulating based on pump operation. The weir automatically rises or falls, and the ballast compartment automatically fills or empties, without requiring external control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the pump's suction pressure as the control signal.
4Ease of operation
If a fixed skimmer is used, then suction is provided to automatic vacuum device, but the skimmer does not clean the pool surface
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile floating skimmer is designed to perform multiple functions: it cleans the pool surface by collecting debris, and simultaneously serves as a floating adapter that connects to the fixed skimmer's vacuum line to power an automatic vacuum device. This multi-functionality allows a single system to address both surface cleaning and floor vacuuming needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the surface skimming function and the vacuum device power supply function into a single integrated mobile floating unit. The skimmer's housing and collection basket serve both debris collection and as a mounting platform for the vacuum device, combining multiple functions in one floating structure.
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
Ensures comprehensive pool surface cleaning and maintains stability to prevent debris from escaping, allowing continuous debris capture and upright positioning regardless of pump operation.
Implementation Method 1
a floating pool skimmer that floats on the surface of the water in a pool
Implementation Method 2
Apertures located on the main housing allow water into the main housing that then acts as a ballast to ensure the floating pool skimmer remains upright at all times
Implementation Method 3
Pool water is drawn from the pool via a rectangular aperture located in the pool wall. The housing may be accessed from the pool deck through a circular or rectangular lid. When a pool pump is operational water is drawn from the pool through the aperture in the pool wall over a weir.
Data Source
AI summary
A floating pool skimmer (1) that randomly travels across the surface of a pool to ensure that the entire surface of the water in the pool is cleaned. The floating pool skimmer has an elongated hose (3) that attaches to a conventional fixed pool skimmer, a vacuum inlet and/or a vacuum hose (6) connecting an automatic pool vacuum (2) to a pool pump and filter. A basket (26) held within a main housing (8) strains water and traps debris which is held in the basket by suction from the pool filter while the pool filter is operational. When the pool filter is not running a floating weir (17) and/or one or more weir doors (30) prevents debris from floating back out of the basket and into the pool. Apertures (14) located on the main housing allow water into the main housing that then acts as a ballast to ensure the floating pool skimmer remains upright at all times.