Floating Pool Skimmer With Adjustable Louvres for Water-Level Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool skimming infrastructure is ineffective when water levels change, leading to reduced debris capture and increased chemical usage due to trapped debris, and is prone to failure during rainfall or low water levels.
Innovation Solution
A floating skimmer system with adjustable louvres and buoyant design that maintains contact with the water surface, enhancing debris capture and reducing chemical demand by trapping surface debris before it sinks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional stationary skimmer is used, then the structure is simple and easy to install, but the skimming effectiveness is lost when water levels change due to rainfall or evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The skimmer assembly is designed to float on the water surface rather than being stationary, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position according to water level changes. The floatation mechanism enables the skimmer to rise and fall with water level variations, maintaining effective skimming capability across different conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The skimmer's vertical position parameter changes automatically in response to water level changes. By utilizing buoyancy forces, the skimmer's height relative to the water surface adjusts itself, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex control systems while maintaining optimal skimming performance.
2Productivity
If the skimmer is submerged by rainfall, then the water level rises, but the skimming ability is lost and debris floats away uncaptured
Solution Approach 1:
During rainfall events, the floating skimmer dynamically responds by rising with the water level, maintaining its position at the surface where debris accumulation occurs. This dynamic adjustment ensures continuous debris capture capability even during and after rainfall events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of rainfall (water level rise that submerges conventional skimmers) into a beneficial situation by designing a skimmer that utilizes the floating characteristic to maintain surface contact. The rainfall-induced water level changes actually enhance the skimmer's ability to access debris at the water surface.
3Productivity
If the water level drops below the skimmer, then no water is skimmed, but the skimmer remains in place unable to adapt
Solution Approach 1:
When water levels drop, the floating skimmer dynamically adjusts by sinking slightly lower into the water column while maintaining contact with the surface. This dynamic response ensures continuous skimming operation across a wide range of water levels without requiring manual intervention or system reconfiguration.
4Loss of substance
If conventional skimming infrastructure is used, then the structure is simple, but chemical usage increases due to trapped debris that sinks to the bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect of trapped debris sinking to the bottom (which required chemical treatment) into a beneficial outcome by capturing debris at the surface before it sinks. The floating skimmer prevents debris from sinking in the first place, eliminating the need for chemical treatment and reducing chemical usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating skimmer performs preliminary debris capture at the water surface before debris has a chance to sink to the bottom. This preliminary action prevents the debris from becoming water-logged and sinking, thereby preventing the need for subsequent chemical treatment and manual removal.
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 system improves debris capture efficiency and reduces chemical usage by maintaining effective skimming across varying water levels and conditions, ensuring debris is trapped and removed efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
A floating skimmer system with adjustable louvres and buoyant design that maintains contact with the water surface
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for improving the capture-rate and efficacy of a pool skimming infrastructure is disclosed, having a basket, a floating skimmer contained therein, and a rim. The floating skimmer has two or more louvres located on an exterior thereof. The louvres on the floating skimmer correspond with a plurality of slots within the basket. During use, the basket will remain stationary, but the floating skimmer will float-travel along a vertical axis defined by the slots. The skimmer system thus enables effective skimming regardless of potential changes in level of the pool water.