Hydraulic Pool Cleaner On-Board Electricity Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic pool cleaners, especially suction-side water-interruption types, lack a reliable method to generate electricity on-board without disrupting primary water flow, leading to potential clogging and mechanical integrity issues with existing solutions.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a magnet oscillating within a coil outside the primary flow path, utilizing the existing water movement to generate electricity, which powers on-board devices without affecting the operational integrity of the cleaner's valves or requiring additional mechanical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If turbines, propellers or water wheels are used to generate electricity in hydraulic cleaners, then electrical energy can be generated, but the mechanical integrity of the cleaner is compromised and clogging risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical energy generationVSAvoidmechanical integrity and clogging resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electricity generation function from the primary water flow path by placing a magnet and coil assembly in a separate chamber that receives water through a port from the main flow path. This allows electricity generation without introducing turbines or propellers into the primary flow path, thereby maintaining mechanical integrity and preventing clogging while still enabling electrical energy generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Speed

If water flow is interrupted to move the cleaner, then the cleaner can move within the pool, but debris may clog the valves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaner movementVSAvoidvalve clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the water flow system into a primary flow path for cleaner movement and a secondary flow path through a port to a separate chamber for electricity generation. This segmentation allows the electricity generation function to operate without disrupting the primary water flow that moves the cleaner, reducing the risk of valve clogging while maintaining cleaner mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution allows for on-board electricity generation in hydraulic pool cleaners without disrupting water flow or increasing the risk of clogging, enabling the use of electronic processors and devices while maintaining the mechanical efficiency of the cleaners.

Implementation Method 1

electricity is generated via oscillation of a magnet within a coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

utilize water flow caused by operation of the pumps to effect their movement within a pool or spa

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2971406B1Hydraulic swimming pool cleaners with electricity generators

Publication Date: 2018.09.26 ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC

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AI summary

Generation of electricity on-board, principally, certain hydraulic pool cleaners is described. Magnets may be caused to move within coils by (normal) cooperative actions of diaphragm-type valves and external pumps, thus generating electricity without changing the operational principles of the cleaners. The generated electricity may be used to power electrical devices either on-board the cleaners or elsewhere.