Field of invention

This invention relates to a filtration, device, primarily for a swimming pool/spa.

Background Art

The following description of the prior art is not intended to be, nor should ii be interpreted as, an indication of the common general knowledge pertaining to the invention, but rather to assist the person skilled in the art in understanding the developmental process which led to the invention.

Methods to move water for the purpose of filtration, sanitizing, heating or operation of water features, in particular, for use in swimming pools and spas have been disclosed. However, there is a need for a device or system that performs these functions more efficiently, more quietly, more safely and/or more economically.

Typical swimming pool & spa miration & maintenance systems comprise many elements as discussed below. Λ lank is required to hold water. Suction lilling(s) and/or skimmer dcvicc(s) may be attached to effectively and safely allow a remote pump to draw the water from the tank. The pump generally includes a motor that drives an impeller located in the wet end and has a strainer attached to the wet end of the pump to prevent debris blocking the impeller. These pumps ure generally self priming and are required to lift water above (he level of the pool water to prime and then pump the water through the filtration system receptacles and back to the pool. These filter systems are generally located away from the pool to hide them from sight as they arc considered not to be aesthetically pleasing. The other reason for locating them away in a property corner is because of pump noise. Water is pumped through piping, from the pool and through the nitration devices. It travels back through a return pipe to the pool or is diverted to other facilities such 85 heating devices or water features. Because of the distance between and sometimes the height difference the pool and the filtration system, these pool pumps are required to overcome the frictional losses and head losses that are often present in a typical swimming pool installation. It is these friclional and head losses that it is desirable to substantially reduce and can result in the achievement of dramatic energy savings and equipment costs. It is further desirable to substantially reduce pump noise proximal to the pool or spa and this has been achieved by housing the filter remote from the pool or spa, and/or in a cabinet to dampen motor noise.

A useful device in most swimming pools and/or spas is the skimmer box. The skimmer box is located at the side of the pool or spa wall. It has an opening which protrudes through the pool or spu wall to the inside of the pool wall. The opening is generally- positioned so that the pool water level is three quarters of the way up the opening. Inside the opening is a weir door which usefully aids the skimming action of the opening when suction is applied lo the base of the box. The weir door prevents debris from re-entering the pool when the suction to the skimmer box ceases. After water skims in through the opening it flows through a coarse strainer basket to capture large debris like leaves and twigs. Generally, a pipe is plumbed from the base of the skimmer box to a remote pump. The use of a cartridge filter element inside the skimmer box below (he strainer basket has been described. These devices require the application of plumbing from the base of the skimmer box to a remote pump to draw water through the skimmer box cartridge element and back to the pool. Traditional pool pumps should be designed to allow for long plumbing lengths, potential water lift and the friction losses that occur through plumbing elbows and fittings. These Iradilionul pool pumps arc designed to operate at between 6 meters and 20 meters of head, or more particularly, approximately 8 to 12 meters of head, or yet .still more particularly, about 9 meters of head. Therefore, a traditional pool system operates typically at nine meters of head or 88 kilopascals.

The length of time between the requirement to clean filter elements or media varies. The size of the filter, its surface area and micron rating all play a part in determining how quickly it is likely to require cleaning. The size and mass of debris contained in the water being filtered also varies the length of time a filler will provide effective filtration and flow rales through it. A filter wilt always impose resistance Ιυ the water flow even when it is clean. As the filter collects debris, it increases the load on the pump and a pressure increase will occur between the pump and filler if it is a pressure system. If the pump is creating a vacuum at the filter chamber to draw the water through the cartridge, as the lilter begins to block, the vacuum will increase. The amount of pressure or vacuum increase that a filter and pump can effectively operate will vary greatly and depends on the filter and pump construction. It is. however, a requirement that after a period of filtration time, the resistance the filter will impose will approach the operating maximum and require cleaning. Traditional swimming pool cartridge lllters require removal of the cartridge clement from the containment chamber for cleaning. They arc then manually hosed down or placed in a cleaning chamber and or soaked in cleaning solution before returning them into the filter chamber.

Where mcdiu, such as sand, crushed glass or zeolite, is utilised, a reversal of water flow is initiated which lifts the debris out from the media and is piped to a waste line for disposal. This procedure is known widely as backwashing and is often followed by the rinse cycle. The rinse cycle, normally initialed by movement of a valve, directs the flow of water through the media in the same direction as when it is in filter mode. The difference is that, unlike when the system is in the filter mode, the water passing through the media during the rinse cycle is directed to a waste line for disposal or treatment. This cycle disposes of the remaining loose debris in the filter and prevents it from returning to the pool.

It is preferable to perform either of these cleaning functions as close to the pool and waste water disposal site as possible to minimise power requirements. Tl is also preferable to perform the cartridge elements cleaning process within the filler's own containment vessel to minimise effort in terms of dismantling, removal, cleaning by spraying with water and reinstalling. The typical process of removing a cartridge clement from its chamber, cleaning and reinstallation, can be a messy process depending on the location of Ihe vessel.

As the water is supplied to Ihe turbine and cleaning spray assembly, it creates vacuum viu a venture which is able to draw a cleaning solution from a cleaning solution reservoir. The cleaning solution can be of any constitution, acidic or alkaline depending on the application and simply aids in the cleaning process of the cartridge. In a spa situation, an alkaline solution may be desired for body fat removal, where for pools, an acidic solution may be preferable. The cleaning solution reservoir may be contained within or external of the filler chamber. The reservoir cap is removed to 1111 the reservoir with cleaning solution. The cap or the reservoir chamber contains a one way check valve to allow the solution to be removed by the venturi.

It is desirable to provide an external pump thai substantially overcomes the variable friction and head losses of the typical pool installation described above.

Accordingly, there is a need to overcome one or more of the disadvantages encountered in traditional pool and spa filtration systems and to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

Statement of Invention

In one aspect of the invention, there may be provided a method of cleaning a cartridge clement without its removal from its container, such as the outlet chamber. The cleaning method may be a manual, semi-automatic οτ fully automatic method of cleaning a cartridge element. The filter media may be situated in a skimmer box υτ vessel, below water level.

Accordingly, in one aspect, there is provided:

a pump device for a pool or spa having a water reservoir having a water level, the pump device comprising:

a. an outlet adapted to be located within or in close association with a wall of the water reservoir, the outlet having a chamber extending below the water level: b. a motoriscd pump operable to draw water from the water reservoir through the outlet chamber and then to return it to the water reservoir, the pump being in lluid communication with the outlet chamber such that the fluid

communication is not by pipes or lubes; and

c. a filtration device having filtration media adapted to filter material from water passing through the chamber.

The pump device preferably further includes:

d. a cleaning device permanently located in the chumber for periodically

delivering pressurized clean water to Ihc nitration mediu lo clean the filtration media in situ.

The outlet may be located within οτ in close association with a wall of the reservoir. Preferably, line oullel device further includes a waier treatment device. Preferably the water treatment device is located in the outlet chamber. Alternatively, the water treatment device is located in close association with the outlet chamber. The water treatment device may be in fluid communication with the outlet chamber and Ihe fluid

communication between the outlet chamber and me fluid treatment device is not by pipes or lubes.

Preferably, the outlet device is a skimmer and may comprise a skimmer box. However, the outlet may be an outlet box adapted lo perform any one or combination of a number of functions, such as filtering, chemical treatment, heating or the like.

i hc outlet device may comprise a skinimer box with a skimmer moulh and an inner chamber that houses a water treatment device. The pump may be adequate to pump water from the reservoir to the water treatment device and then back to the pool without the interposition of pipes or lubes between the pump and the water treatment device. The outlet device may include one or more water treatment devices within the outlet chamber. Consequently, the pump system and water treatment device may be housed in the oullel chamber whereby to minimize required pump capacity or head due to the efficiencies gained in housing the pool/spa system components in the outlet device or in close association thereto whereby fluid communication by hose or pipe is not required. Previously such arrangements have been problematic due to the danger of dangerous gas buildups, or due to the injury or discomfort lo pool/spa users as a result of high head suction.

The water treatment device is preferably a filtration system. The filtration system may include a coarse nitration device, such as a large gauge mesh basket to colled large debris. The filtration system may include a fine filtration system using a variety of fine filtering media such as sand, filter cartridges, filter bags and/or screens.

The water treatment device may include heating mams such as a solar, gas or electrical heating system. The water treatment device may include a chemical treatment device such as a chlorinator or acid balance treatment device.

The outlet device may be Installed in the wall of a pool or spa or may be a stand alow device that may be adapted to float in the water reservoir or to hang over the pool or spa wall edge and to sit in the water.

In another aspect, there is provided:

a pump arrangement for a pool or spa filtration system having a water reservoir and an outlet in the form of a skimmer box located within or across a wall of the water reservoir, the pump arrangement having a pump lo draw water from the water reservoir and to transfer the water to a filtration system, wherein the pump is in close fluid communication with the skimmer box and the fluid communication is not by pipes or lubes.

The fluid communication may involve the pump sharing a common chamber with the skimmer box. Or the pump may be located adjacent the skimmer box. Prcicrably, the pump is located in the skimmer box. The inventive arrangement may be more efficient than traditional pool filtration systems, notwithstanding that it preferably includes most of die typical receptacles or traditional components required for pool filtration and treatment. Because the pump may be included within the skimmer box, or at least in close association thereto, variable, unknown friction or head losses do not need to be allowed Ιοτ. Not only may there be no need for variable losses to be allowed for, but they may be substantially reduced by the nature and position oi ^' lhe pump.

In another aspect, there is provided a pump arrangement for a pool or spa filtration system having a water reservoir and an outlet in the lorm of a skimmer box located within or across a wall of the water reservoir, the pump arrangemenl having:

a first pump to draw water from the water reservoir and to transfer the water to a filtration device,

the first pump being in close fluid communication with the skimmer box; and a second pump located within or in close fluid communication with a filtration device, wherein the fluid communication is not by pipes or tubes. At least one of the one or more pumps may be .submersible. At least one of the one or more pumps may be adapted to be subterranean. Installing Ihe at least one pump below ground surface may assist to reduce operating noise and submerging the pump may assist in both reducing noise and in thermal regulation.

The inventive arrangement therefore may utilize one or more submersible pumps, the lirst pump being located at the pool and a second pump being located in close associalion with or inside the filter or filtration chamber to overcome the typical requirement for the pump to provide the head capability of a traditional pool pump. This configuration may allow the pump to effectively service the pump requirements for nitration of the pool at heads between 0. 1 metres to 4.0 metres, preferably 1.5 to 2.5 metres, or more specifically about 2.0 metres.

Where the system or arrangement includes other receptacles, such us pool heaters that may be remotely located, or pool suction cleaners, that add additional friction losses, the capacity of the pump will need to be sized to allow for the increased head requirement. In all these cases, however, the head requirement for the pump arrangement according to the present invention will always be less than for a traditional pool pump because of its location close to the piol and the inherent efficiency gains in having the pump associated closely with the nitration chamber or device.

Another advantage with the pump arrangement made according to this invention is that, unlike a traditional pool pump that may be installed above water level, the first pump in this invention cannot run dry and be damaged as a result, provided it is installed below the water level in the skimmer box. it is a relatively common occurrence for traditional pool pumps to run dry when prime is lost. Because the first pump in this invention when installed is preferably submerged at all times, it cannot run dry. The pump's position relative to the pool water level is between 200 mm to 2 metres below the surface of the water, more preferably 50 mm to 1.5 m, and more preferably about 1.0 meter below the surface of the water.

Some of Ihe olher non-limiting advantages of various embodiments of the invention arc mentioned below:

I . The, pool outlet chamber, such as a skimmer box, incorporates an internal pump or a pump in close association to the pool outlet without Jluid communication via pipes or tubes, t raditional pump devices were connected to such outlets via pipe work.

2. A chlorinalor cell may lie incoiporated inside the pool outlet chamber, such as a skimmer box. Traditionally, the outlet was connected to a standard pump and then pumped to various auxiliary devices such as heaters and chlorinators. Humping to various devices can allow gas to accumulate in pipe work and is a hazardous problem. Preferably, the cell chamber is put under pressure and returns dangerous gases back u> the reservoir so that they cannot enter other devices, or accumulate in pockets of pipes or tubes in the nitration or chlorinator pool system.

3. Pine filter means may be provided in addition to basket filtering which is purely for. large debris, l iven if a basket has a fine low micron material over it, it will not have enough surface area to provide for filtration lor any substantial length of time. In not forming part ofa traditional stand-alone and remote filtration unit, the tiller cartridge as used in a preferred ibrm of the invention typically has a large surface area, tor example from as low as 10 square metres up to 300 square metres. Preferably, there are multiple cartridge elements that provide over 500, and more preferably 1000 square metres of fi Itratioa media area,

4. Pipe sizes to and from the outlet device may be increased in size relative to traditional pipelines due to the reduction in head to maximise efficiency. Indeed, according to preferred embodiments, it is possible to eliminate pipes altogether in instances where the primary pump is housed in the outlet chamber or an adjacent pump chamber in direct communication with the outlet chamber.

5. Power savings are made relative to traditional designs by providing more efficient pump means for the filtration means. Traditional pool pumps are large users of electricity and typically require about 1000watt motors.

6. A lower chamber in the outlet device may be provided to accommodate/house water distribution and treatment devices.

7. A bypass may be provided to assist if coarse filter, such as the basket, is blocked. 8. in corporation of a pump means in or close to an outlet is possible. Traditional systems required lo operate a solar heating system, for example, require the head or pump pressure to be similar to a standard solar pool pump which renders incorporation of such pump means in an outlet to be in breach of safely regulations (a danger lo small children, etc.).

9. incorporation of a filter in an outlet is made possible because the inveetnor(s) has/have overcome the traditional large head requirement, which was an obstacle, by developing the inventive configuration to suit various pool hydraulic designs whilst mmimizing head requirements. For example, although the inventive primary pump, filter, and skirnnicr may not be adequate to pump water to a solar system on a house roof, the invention may provide a lower chamber design that permits a secondary pump lo be inslalled in one of the lower ports or in a separate solar pumping assembly to provide the head required to pump water to a solar collector, such as on a roof, and back to the pool.

10. The bulk of power is used during filtering which means that Ihe energy requirements axe minimised by using the primary pump, filter and skimmer box configuration rather than the traditional remote filter pump configuration. Where higher head applications arc required, olher devices may be utilised by addition to the inventive arrangement.

1 1. The filler cartridge of a preferred embodiment of the invention may be cleaned in situ without removing it from the outlet chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The systems and arrangements made according to the invention may involve design variations as described below. The preferred embodiments of the invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description, in which:

higure 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a skimmer box according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a skimmer box according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic side sectional view of a skimmer box according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic side sectional view of an outlet chamber according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic side sectional view of skim device according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic side sectional view of a skimmer box according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig\irc 7 is a schematic side sectional view of a skimmer box and supplementary pump combination according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic lop plan view of a skimmer box without a deck lid according to another embodiment o I- the invention;

figure 9 is a schematic side sectional view oi ^' a skimmer box according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a schematic side sectional view of an outlet chamber accoaling to another embodiment of the invention;

figure 11 a is a schematic side sectional view of a pool and spa combination;

Figure 1 1 b is schematic top plan view of a skimmer box and spa combination according to another embodiment of the invention;

FigitTe 12 is schematic side .sectional view of a skimmer box according to another embodiment of the invention;

I ^' igure 13 is a schematic side sectional view of a filter chamber according to another aspect of the invention;

Figure 14 is a schematic side sectional view of a filter chamber according to another embodiment of the invention:

Figure 15 is a schematic side sectional view of a filler chamber according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 16 is a schematic side sectional view of a filler chamber according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 17 is a schematic side sectional view of a filter chamber according to another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 18 is a schematic side sectional view of part of a filter chamber according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

A skimmer box 10, similar in appearance to those previously described, is shown in Fig. I . The skimmer box 10 forms Ihc central housing for the components of a nitration system 20. A weir door .12 is present at an opening 14 to a body of water 2 in a pool 4 and a strainer basket 10 is positioned to pmvide the primary coarse straining of the water as it enters a main chamber 32. Below the strainer basket 16 is a cartridge filter element 22 which is positioned such that the water must pass through the nitration medium in the form of the cartridge filler element 22 to a central chamber 34 of the cartridge filter element 22, before passing through outlets 36a-c. The filtration medium is not limited to, but preferably is in the form of, a pleated cartridge element 22. The use of sand, filter bags and/or screens as the filtration media in the filtration system 20 may also be utilised. The driving force for this water movement is a pump 50 positioned below the filter medium 22, The pump 50 preferably forms an integral part of the lower part 24 of the skimmor box chamber (generally referred to by reference numeral 30) and draws water through the strainer basket 16 and filter 20 under vacuum. As water passes through the pump 50, the lowest portion of the skimincr box 24 is under positive pressure.

Minimizing this pressure is another important aspect of maximizing the efficiency of the system. The pressure is minimized by way of the one or more outlets 36a-c positioned in the base 24 of the skimmer box 10 returning to the pool 4, The number of outlets 36a-c, their diameter and the short distances the water is required to travel from the filter 20 before re-entering the pool, minimizes the pressure and friction losses compared to a traditional arrangement having a remote filtration device positioned some distance from the pool 4.

The strainer basket comprises a lid in the form of a vacuum plate 35 that serves to separate the upper chamber 32 from the central chamber 34. Adjacent the basket 16 is a suction port 33 formed in the wall of the central chamber 34 and adapted to draw pool water 2 in optionally under the control of a valve.

Interposed between the central chamber 34 and the lower chamber 38 is a pressure barrier 39. The pressure barrier 39 has a central cone or funnel 39a with a wide upper mouth 39b from which extends a flat annular flange 39c that rests on an annular ring 31 , the filtration system 20 in turn resting on the flange 39c. The cone 39a is adapted to house the pump 5Q and to direct the large volume of water moving through the basket 16 through the narrow lower opening in which propellers 52 are located to deliver water to the pressurized chamber 38.

Although small friction and head losses do occur in. the skimmer box 10 arrangement, they arc negligible compared with traditional pool systems. The bulk of the head loss on the pump 50 is a result of pumping water across the filler medium 22. The approximate losses are predictable, calculable and/or known even before the skimmer box device 10 is installed because these arc controlled by virtue of the standardized and repeatable manufacturing process of the skimmer box device 10.

Installation variables are limited with litis skimmer box device 10 because it is preferably installed at the pool wall 6 ^' , and at the same height in each installation. The return line friction loss can be minimized by use of larger diameter pipe limn used in the return line of a traditional pool filtration system. Traditional pool filtration systems have many friction and head loss variables because every installation differs. Because most of the friction and head loss elements are known and minimised in this novel apparatus 10, it can be tuned for maximum efficiency in the design stage.

As mentioned above, the pump 50 used to drive the skimmer box 10 system includes propellers 52. The pump 50 may include other pump types and the invention is not limited to arrangements with a propeller pump. The propeller pump 50 is preferably submersible to take advantage οΓ inherent thermal regulation and to enable it to be locatablc in-line in the eliamber 34 to minimize pump head capacity requirements. The pump 50 is preferably a propeller pump to maximize water flow in the low head conditions found in this device 10. The pump 50 includes a totally scaled, low voltage submersible DC or brushless DC motor driving the propeller 52 which is scaled against the ingress of water. Alternatively, and more preferably, (be pump 50 is magnetically coupled.

The submersible propeller pump 50 or a mixed flow design may be employed to ensure lhat the installation and servicing of the pump 50 is easily performed within the skimmer box 10 itself, thereby removing the necessity to remove the pump 50 for maintenance. The underwater location of the pump 50 substantially reduces motor and hydraulic noise normally associated with traditional pool pumps, -Die unique use of a low head propeller pump 50 and the other design aspects of this installation substantially improve the energy efficiency of the device 10 over traditional pool liltration systems.

The submersible pump 50 within the skimmer box mid-chamber 34 will hereinafter be referred to as the primary pump 50. Knergy savings using the inventive device 10 OVBT a typical traditional pool liltration system may vary between 100 to 1000%. Λ typical pool pump that consumes 1000 watts of electricity will generally pump no more than 2501 , of water per minute, testing has shown that the propeller or mixed llpw pump 50 configured as herein described may pump 250)., of water per minute and consume less than 100 watts of electricity. The primary pump 50 is connected via a suitable cable (not shown) to a waterproof j unction box (not shown) located in the skimmer box chamber 30, and preferably above water level 8. Power supply cable from a suitable location is also connected into the junction box. Power to the primary pump 50 is controlled by an electronic circuit (not shown) thai is able to adjust the rotations per minute (rpm) of the pump 50 and or the operating time of the pump 50. An electronic control system is provided that may provide the options to incorporate flow sensors (not shown) or switches (not shown) to aid the automation of chemical testing or feed sequences.

The device 10 may be coniigured to pump water to a water CeaLure, heating device, spa or other receptacle by utilizing a How direction plale 62 shown in Fig. 2 with respect to a second embodiment in the form of a skimmer box 10c. The plate 62 directs water lu a specific port or ports 36a-e, including allowing the return of water into the chamber below the plale. The water is then directed back to the pool 4 via the ports located in the skimmer base being a low pressure chamber 25.

In Figure 2, it is noted that the device lOc skims, filters and optionally chemically treats pool water 2 with one inbuilt submersible pump 50c. No traditional pump filter systems are required. The skimmer device 10c which has chemical feed tube connections 70 on the suction side 32c of a pump 50c. This provision allows fox chemical feed from chemical reservoirs via feed tubes and controlled by valves in a junction box 76c located immediately under a deck plate 66c.

deferring back to Fig. I , the ability of the device 10 to pump out of the skimmer box 10 and to be re-introduced to the skimmer box 10 tor distribution is important, as a final chemical treatment may need to be performed before it enters the pool 4. The water directed out of one or more ofthe ports 36a-e by the flow direction plate 62 may be delivered to a treatment receptacle (not shown) in situations where prior chemical treatment may not be advisable or may even be dangerous.

In situations where the flow to the treatment receptacle may be intermittent or not sufficient whilst using the primary pump 50, a secondary submersible pump 54 may be installed in the base 24 of (lie skimmer box 10 or in a pipe line (nol shown) in communication with one of the outlet ports 36a-e to increase the water How rate or pressure to the relevant return water line. The ports 36a-e located at the base 24 of a lowermost pumping chamber 38 may be configured such that secondaiy submersible propeller or mixed flow pumps 34 can be installed in specific outlet ports 36a-e to produce the desired flow in that line in proportion Co How rates required in zero or more of the other outlets 30a-e.

Another embodiment of the invention is where the provision tor skimming is not required. In this configuration, the water level skimming inlet is replaced with one or more suction ports built in to protruding pool wall portions that extend the pool wall 6 to the inside of the pool 4. These arc positioned below water level 8 and are suitably covered by a safety suction cover or flap (not shown).

The discharge port(s) 36a-c can be positioned in the base 24 of the device 10 where the water pressure is higher. These pori(s) 36a-e return water directly back to the pool 4 or elsewhere,

Of the safety aspects of this inventive device 10 and the other devices described herein and made according to this invention, an important satcty aspect relates to entrapment issues on suction ports. The use of the high flow, low head pump 50, substantially reduces the risk of entrapment on a suction port. The combination of low head and the proximity of the pump to (he water source reduce the momentum of the water and the suction impact on a hody on the suction port 33, 33c. Thus the suction port outlet (outlet of the pool ) 33, 33c, may contain a strainer basket 16 and/or a filter media or element 22 above a primary pump 50 for the purpose of fi!n-ation only. An opening at the top of the chamber 32 defining the inner walls of the outlet 33, 33c would protrude beyond the line of the pool deck and an access plate 66, 66c would ensure that the strainer 16, filler media, bag or element 22 is accessible for service or removal, This arrangement would provide a pressure vacuum at the top of the skimmer box chamber 32. This configuration in which there is a vacuum at the top of the chamber 32 and a higher pressure in the lower chamber 24, can be reversed by inverting the pump assembly 180 degrees. The devices 10, 10c may be used to pump water to a water feature or another device requiring water flow to operate.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4 where the skimmer box 10 of Fig. l is substituted with an outlet chamber 100 without a skimmer facility. The pumping or pressure chamber 34a is used lo speci fically provide water to a typical solar heating system (not shown) positioned, tor example, remotely on a roof (not shown), For heal Transfer efficiency, the colder water lower down in the water column is drawn Irom ihe lower region 24a of the chamber 34a. Two or more of the ports 361-h located in the lower portion 24a oflhe chamber 34a extend beyond the ρ<κ>1 wall 6 away from the pool 4 and function as suction ports and not return water ports to the pool 4. This is accommodated by inverting the pump's 50a position within the chamber 34a by 180 degrees. The lower portion 24a of the chamber 34a then becomes the vacuum side and the pressure side exists in the upper chamber 32a of the outlet chamber 100. To define the pressure side of ihe outlet chamber 100, a plate is located within the outlet chamber 100, above the discharge ports 361-h and below Ihe deck access plate 66a required for maintenance and service. Depending on requirements, a filler 20a may or may not be included in this configuration. Because the waler must potentially be pumped long distances and heights before returning to the pool 4, the capacity of the pump 50 in this instance would be specifically selected to accommodate the higher head required for such an installation. This configuration would not provide for the incorporation of a salt chlorinalor cell within the outlet chamber 100 lor safely reasons. Another configuration of this embodiment is to affix the pump 50a discharge directly into a discharge pump port 36i of the outlet chamber 100. ΊΊώ eliminates the need to contain and pressurize the chamber 34a. The submersible pump 50a is enclosed in a strainer 16a to prevent large debris entering the solar system through the pump port 36i. The pump 50a is powered by a water-scaled lead 29a connected to a water proof electrical junction box affixed io the internal wall of the ^' chamber 32a.

Still referring to Fig. 3, Ihc pump cha?nber 34a may be configured with one or more discharge ports 36i with optional submersible pumps 54a fitted within these ports 36Ϊ to provide pressurized water for spa jets (nol shown). The pump propeller design 52a may be substituted with or added to a mixed How design. The pori(s) 36f-h at the bottom 24a of the chamber 34a may he plumbed to the spa (not shown) and may provide the suction points in accordance with local pool or spa installation regulations.

Λ fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in relation to an outlet chamber 1 10 in Fig. 4 which is also applicable to the skimmer device 10 of Fig. I , the device 10c of Fig.2 or the non-skimmer arrangement 100 of Fig. 4. In that the outlet chamber 1 10 described can replace the lower portion of the devices 10» 10c, 100, as described with reference io Figures I -3, respectively. The device 1 10 of this embodiment provides for one or more chemical injection points 74 to be located in the base 24b of the device 1 10. The base 24b houses an electrolytic cell 80 powered tlirough a cable 82 extending along the internal wall of a lower chamber 34b of the device 1 10. The injection of common pool chemicals directly into the base 24b of the skimmer device 1 10 substantially reduces the risk of dangerous hydrogen or chlorine gas being produced. Because the device 1 10 has at least one port 36j open to the pool 4 at a position just above the base 24b in the lower portion of the lower chamber 34b, the injection site associated with injection port 36j is always under a Hooded waler condition so that appropriate dilution ofthc chemical solutes will occur.

The device 1 10 in Fig. 4 is shown to incorporate the salt chlorinator cell 80 in a cell chamber 84 in the base 24b of the outlet chamber device 1 10. Traditionally, the inclusion of a salt chlorinator cell in a skimmer box has nol been possible because of safety issues relating to hydrogen gas accumulation. When a salt chlorinator cell produces chlorine gas, it also produces hydrogen gas which can be explosive in large volumes. Traditional pool filtration systems include lengths of plumbing pipe from the skimmer box delivering water to a remote pump, to a remote filter or to other receptacles that may undesirably allow an accumulation of a large volume of hydrogen gas. These traditional pool filtration configurations arc therefore nol suitable where a chlorinalor cell is installed on the suction side of the pump 50b. The arrangement ofthc outlet chamber 1 10 shown in Fig. 4 eliminates the possibility of an accumulation of hydrogen gas and provides the option for automatic acid cleaning of the cell at programmed intervals. The cell 80 position may be varied within the outlet chamber 1 10, but setting the cell SO at the base 24b of the outlet chamber 1 10 in a cavity defined by the cell chamber 84 affords the advantages mentioned above regarding accumulation and periodic acid washing. The cavity of cell chamber 84 provides an underwater well 85 whereby acid of a prescribed dosage may be pumped inlo the well 85 of chamber 84 at intervals necessary to dissolve calcium deposits from the electrode bundle of the cell 80. The density of the acid (heavier than pool water 2) will ensure that it substantially remains in the well 85 and provides a cleaning solution.

The cell 80 cleaning sequence may be preprogrammed and may operate as per the following example. The submersible propeller pump 50b within the skimmer box device 110 may be programmed to switch o IT for a period every 1 hr to 12hrs, A suitable acid feed device such as a peristaltic pump feeds a prescribed dose of acid via a feed Ujbe 88 into the injection port 74. The acid Iced lube 88 may pass internally through the chamber 34b or may be external thereto as shown in l ig. 3. A suitable time delay allows the acidic cleaning solution to dissolve the calcium deposits in the cell 80 ensuring it operates at peak efficiency. The primary submersible propeller pump 50b in the preprogrammed cycle is restarted to flush the weak acidic solution into the pool. The incorporation of a hydrogen gas collection cowl, cover or hood 60b is present in the lower chamber 34b and above the cell 80. In the undesirable event that the primary puinp 50b tails to pump water passed the cell 80 and inlo the pool 4 and the cell 80 continues to operate, the chamber 80 will collect the hydrogen gas and deliveT it to the pool return line connected to inlet port 36j where it will safely bubble out into the water 2 and dissipate into the atmosphere. This embodiment shown in Fig. 4 also provides lor (he pump 50b and the chlorinator devices 80 to be powered by a solar electrical energy source. Because the pump 50, 50b, 50c typically used in this invention has a low power capacity, (it requires less than 250 walls, more preferably less than 200W, and most preferably, less than 100 watts), the use of solar panels to puweT the device(s) 10,10a,10b,1 10 is a realistic and economical option. Λ typical photo-voltaic solar panel of an approximate size of lm ^* (square meter) may provide 24V direct current (DC) at 175walts.

The filler 20a of the device 100 may use sand, Zeolite, glass or other filtration media 22a, similar lo those media 22 listed above. In this configuration, the media 22a will require periodic cleaning and this can be achieved by reversal of the motorized pump's 50, 50b, 50c direction. Reversing the water How will lift the entrapped debris from Ibv ravdiu 22« and deliver the debris lo Ihe surface of the water. An overflow to waste should be included in this, configuration and it prclcrably is able to be shut by way of a valve. The weir door 12a preferably provides a perfect seal so tlmt dirty water docs not How back into the pool. This arrangement, in which a loose media type filter medium 22a is used, will operate in the same manner as irudiliona! sand fillers in that underneath the sand bed is a set of plaslic laterals 27a in the form of bars, rods or other elongate, geneially parallel arranged members extending across the chamber 34a lo hold Ihe media 22a in place. Alternatively, a grid or mesh may be used in place of the laterals 27a. These plastic laterals 27a allow the water only, not the media 22a, to pass through, it is tlirough these laterals 27a that the pump 50a obtains its water or, when backwashing, delivers the water tlirough to the plastic laterals 27a. The embodiment shown in Fig, 5 relates to the use of one or more submersible propeller or mixed How pumps 50c in a reverse skimmer device 10c to pump water over a low friction board 13 located in the pool and shaped to incline downwardly towards a nozzle 14c being an inlet into the pool 2. The idea of pumping high volumes of water up an inclined ramp for the purposes of surfing of body boarding is not new, but becaase of the huge volumes of water involved, this is not practical in a domestic pool. This invention seeks to achieve the thrill of body boarding or skimming in the domestic pool 4. One or more submersible mixed flow or propeller pumps 5()e arc located al the pool wall 6 in a pump chamber 34e. The pump chamber 34c contains the pump(s) 50e and provides at least two water suction ports 36 k al its base. The nozzle 14c for the water discharge is located at, or above the pool water surface 8 to accommodate the fitting of a removable or permanent skimming platform 13. This platform 13 has preferably a low friction surface such as high density high molecular weight polyethylene (I I DPE ) or a flexible or spongy low friction surface. The platform is located such that the water 2 discharged from the nozzle 14e skims over the platform's 13 surface. The desired width of the nozzle I4e will depend on the volume & pressure of the water 2 pumped and so is limited only by this. Thu height or thickness of the sheet of water pumped out can be fixed or altered by adjusting the angle of a hinged detent flap 15c that is used to modify the size of the nozzle 14e, The speed of the sheet of water 2 pumped over the plot form 13 will be sufficient to provide the till required on the person riding a body board to enable the weightless skimming sensation. To remain in position on the board, the person may hold a rope attached to a fixed point such as tow post J 7c near or above the nozzle, The board used to skim on may be made from but not limited to wood, vencer, cellulosic materials, plastic, foam or a composite of such materials. Those materials that provide buoyancy would be most suited for this application. The total water volume required to enable a person to skim on a 1.0 meter wide platform is between SOOOIts per minute and 15,0001ts per minute. This will depend on the thickness of the water sheet used. As shown in the drawing, the platform 13 may be inclined towards the origin of water How in nozzle 1 4e, so that a rider will tend to slide towards the nozzle 14e under gravity, whilst forced away from the nozzle 14e by the water flow. However, the platform 13 may be planar and flat and Ihe rider may maintain position by holding onto a rope or attaching a cable to the board that is anchored to the pool wall 6 or another anchorage point.

In the following discussion, references to reference numerals will be taken to mean references to all reference numbers including that number clement as described in each of h ^' igs. 1 -5. I'Or example, reference to pump 50 includes reference to pumps SOa-e. The housing 30 may house multiple tiller cartridges 22 in series or parallel arrangements. The lower chamber 34 may include a manual or automatically operated valve 62 to select which ports 36 may be in communication to pump in and out of, The size of the both the internal submersible pump 50 and the cartridge filter 20 will vary depending on the application. The ability to vary the speed and therefore the flow of the pump 50 is provided by manual, automated, programmable and/or computer control. The pump 50 may operate 24hrs per day on low speed to pump and filler approximately I44,000 ⁽ is of water per day. This would suit a 5(),000lts pool and provide 2.9 turnovers of the pool volume which is greater than most standards require for a domestic pool. If the device 10, 1 10 is configured to be suitable to provide a manual or automatic cleaning function when connected lo a vacuum plate 35 or optional miction port 33, high speed operation of the pump 50 may be required to accommodate the extra friction losses.

It may be desirable where the pool 4 is large or a pool and spa combination is im/oh/cd, lo install multiple devices 10 as described above in a suitable configuration for the intended application.

With reference to 1'ig.l , one way check valves 56»% b arc provided (hut open only at predetermined vacuum levels suited and matched to the pump 50 performance. The valve 56b may be lilted between the suction port 33 mid the low to high pressure barrier 39 lo allow the pump 50 to bypass unacceptably high resistance or blockage and continue to pump water, even if the filter 20 is blocked. The valve 56a may also be filled to the port 33 at a level below the pool surface 8. Although the low head pump 50 will not have Ihe ability to create enough vacuum to damage the filter 20, this may be particularly important where the optional ehlorinalor cell 80 is installed. Where this is the case, the pump 50 will continue to circulate water efficiently to disperse the chlorine produced and effectively cool itself with fresh water, liven if the pump 50 did not pump water because the filter 20 was blocked and a bypass 56 did not exist, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the chlorinator 80 will slill produce chlorine and the nature oi the hydrogen gas containment cover 60b would cause the gas to bubble out through a pipe exit port 36 and through convection, take chlorinated water with it. The cover 60b is shaped like a hood or cowl that receives upwardly moving gas generated by the cell 80, its curved and concave hooded shape diverting the bubbles and associated water flow out through the port 36j. In the following discussion, references to reference numerals will be taken to mean references to only the specific reference numeral and corresponding feature indicated unless expressly stated. For example, reference to pump 50 does not include a reference to pump 50a.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a device 10Γ that has a floating configuration or may be installed as an over the wall 6 system as shown in Fig. 6. The submersible pump 50f may be powered via a water-scaled connection including a power and 2} ⁾ f from a power source located outside the pool area. The power source (not shown) may he a transformer which is powered from the mains supply or it may be powered by a solar panel or other alternative energy means. The submersible pump 50f may be powered via a solar panel positioned on the device iOf or floating adjacent in the pool 4. This aspect of the invention provides the same efficient system as provided for in previous embodiments where the pool 4 does not have the facility to incorporate the device in the wall 6 of the pool or to hang the device 1 Ofover the pool wall 6. The si*c of the pool 4 will dictate the size of the pump motor SOfand illlcr 20f that should be used to achieve water filtration as per local standa rds. Incorporation of a salt chlorinator 80f, copper ionizer or other chemical feed devices can also be included in this conligunuion as shown in Kig. 6 where the salt chlorinator cell 80f is provided in the base 24f of the device 101 ^' . The other advantage of this low head skimming, filtering and treatment system is it will ensure the safety of pool users and will not pose an entrapment or suction hazard in contrast to high head pump systems, fhe skimming weir I2f may include a circular arrangement that i.s of the correct buoyancy and matched to the pump 50f size to encourage a skimming action through the one or more water inlets 14f that extend through the flotation chamber 1 1 f. The skimming weir 12fis restricted in rotation by a lock-down bar 131" positioned there- above.

The base 24f of the device 10f is provided with a mesh 23 f safely cover to permit outflow of water inlo the pool 4 under pressure, but protect pool users from working components such as the cell 80f and pump 50f.

I'ig. 7 shows a device 1 Og where, according to local installation Codes or legislation, the provision of a submersible pump 50g inside the pool skimmer 10g may not be legal. The provision of an adjacent or remote pump chamber 33g may address this problem.

It should bo pointed out that this embodiment may include or not include the primary pump inside the skimmer housing 30g and tor production cost purposes the pump 50g may be fitted but not connected. It may also be desirable in some installations to have two pumps 50g., 54g as shown in Fig. 7. The device 10g may optionally include a salt chlorinator 80g. If the salt chlorinator 80g is installed in this device 10g, the secondary or remote pump 54g shown in Pig. 7 should be utilised.

The configuration shown in Fig, 7 utilises upper and lower pressure chambers 32g, 38g in a primary device 10g and a remote pump chamber 33 ^' g of a remote secondary device 200g. The ctilorinator cell 80g must ulways be in the lower chamber 38g. The lower chamber 38g directs water back to the pool 4 and not lo other receptacles (e.g. the secondary remote device 20( ⁾ g) that may accumulate hydrogen gas. The device I Og may also incorporate an electric heating element or heat exchanger 81g in the lower pressure chamber 38g.

Fig. 7 also shows a configuration adaptable to suit a situation where the filtration is performed using the primary pump 50g. Water exits through one or more ports 36g in the lower pressure chamber 38g back to the pool 4. Where another remote device is provided and water must be directed through it, but only temporarily or when desired, the remote pump chamber 33g with remote pump 54g can be utilised to provide the required additional head and flow tlirough the device 10g. Under normal primary pump 50g operating conditions, the water will make its way back to the pool 4 following the path of least resistance. Depending on the primary pump's 50g flow and pressure capacity (for example, 100-250W), it may or may not provide enough water flow tlirough the remote device 200g.

Notwithstanding the above, if local regulations permit, the secondary submersible pump 54g may be positioned within the remote pump chamber 33g οτ positioned within the lower pressure chamber 38g of the skimmer box of primary device 10g, such that the exit port 36g alone is further pressurised by the secondary pump 54g which may be switched on to provide water flow lo the remote device 200g, whereby ail pumping requirements are satisfied in the primary device 1 Og.

A gas, electric or solar pool heater 81 g may only be used periodically and may not receive water. Using the example in Fig. 1 where the optional direction plate 60 is filled in like manner to the gas diversion plate 60g in Fig. 7, to operate the heater 81g constantly would require a higher capacity head pump to be utilised at all times, thereby reducing the overall efficiency and cost savings afforded by the inventive arrangement. The pool lieater 81g is best provided in accordance with the embodiment shown in Fig. 7. The return water exiting through port 36g in this example is simply fed directly back to the pool 4 optionally via a plumbing pipe, but preferably directly to keep head requirements to a minimum.

Where a sail chlorinator 80g or chemical feed 70g is injected into Ihe primary skimmer box device lOg, the double pressure clianibcr conllguraiion (including devices 10g, 200g) the flow direction plate 60g fitted is the preferred option. Providing the flow direction plate 60g ensures that dangerous hydrogen gas is not pumped to the remote device 200g where a dangerous level of hydrogen gas could accumulate. Providing a sepamtc chamber 2U0g, also allows concentrated chemicals to dissipate in the chamber 32g, otherwise wheru corrosive chem icals could damage the remote device 200g.

In Fig. 8, a top view of the device 10 is shown with the deck lid 66 removed and showing the basket 16, basket handle 17, three filters 20i,ii,iii having cartridges, and the skimmer mouth 14,

Following on from the discussion with reference to the embodiment shown in rig. 7 where tlie second pump 54g can be located in the lower 38g chamber, reference is now made to such an embodiment in Fig. 9, A secondary submersible pump 54h is fitted into a port 36v located in the base portion 24h (or in a remote pump chamber 33g as in Fig. 7). The secondary pump 54h only liirther pressurizes the water discharge line extending IVom tlie port 36v, and not an upper pressure chamber 38i. In this configuration, water that lias been drawn directly from the pool 4 and through the strainer basket 16h and the filter 20h may be pumped 1o a remote device, such as a solar heater or water feature. This water may then be returned to one or more of the ports 3GHv in the lower chamber 38ii to be chlorinated or treated before exiling one or more of the lower pressure chamber ports 36i- iv to the pool 4. This arrangement provides safely features, including low head to avoid suction dangers.

Referring to Figs. 10, I l a and I lb, a pool and spa 7 combination is shown where the water between each is linked via an overflow from spa 7 to pool 4. The preferred arrangement includes a pool outlet box 10k having a pump chamber 38k (-but not an optional How direction plate such as plate 00 shown in Fig.l), which is provided in the pool wall 6 near a spa 7 wall.

In Fig. 10, the one or more suction ports 36l-n associated with the lop chamber 32k «f the device J.0k arc selected cither by a port selector 60k by turning a manual handle or by use of an electric valve actuator operated by scaled electric motor 63k and gearing mechanism 65k.

The base 61 k of the port selector 60k (and the lower support 67k for it) has large openings that allow the water to How freely to Ihe tiller 20k and pump 50k. The electrically turning valve port selector 60k is driven by the sealed motor 63k, with the gear 65k engaging a corresponding radial gear 68k on the port selector base 61 k.

Alternatively, a geared motor, which engages the central pin on the port selector 60k could also be used. The device 10k is therefore arranged to enable the pump 50k to draw water from cither Ihe pool 4 or the spa 7. I he configuration of the port selector 60k could also be such that the selector 60k is a substantially open cylinder. The cylinder may have handles on it so that it can be moved manually. Or the cylinder 60k can be moved by an electrical drive 63k as shown in Fig. 10. T he cylinder 60k is preferably designed such that a filter media in the form of a cartridge 22k and the pump 50k assembly can be quickly and easily removed for servicing. This enables the device 10k to draw water 2 from the pool 4, and to pump it into the spa 7 for set periods each day. The water 2 will fill the spa 7 and spill over the spill way 9 ensuring that the spa 7 water remains in the same condition as the pool water 2. If a check vulve 56i is installed on the spa 7 return line 36n from the device 1 Ok, the spa 7 will remain at the higher spill way level and will not siphon water back to the pool through pressure equalisation.

If the spa 7 and pool 4 are to be heated and the primary pump 50k does not provide adequate Jlow to operate a heater, a secondary submersible pump 54k positioned in one of the ports in the lower pressure chamber 3Xk or in a remote pump chamber 200k may be used. This secondary pump 54k will pressurise only the port 36k that it is situated in and together with pump 50k will pump the water to the heater 201 k (such as a root-borne solar healer pipe array or a gas or electric heater unit). The water will return to the spa 7 via a suitably sized pipe from the heater 201 k to minimise friction losses.

If the spa 7 only is to be heated, the port selector valve 60k is turned to simultaneously close the port 36n which is used to draw water 2 from the pool 4 and to open the port 361 which will draw water from the spa 7 only. The body of water in the spa 7 is now isolated from the body of water in the pool 2. The number of pons 361-n and 36i-k is not limited by the number shown in Fig. 10.

The suctions 36ni, 36nii, in Fig. 1 lb show where plumbing may be split to provide two suctions at the pool wall 6 to reduce the suction force present at each inlcl corresponding to the suctions 36ni, 36nii. This is currently a safety requirement.

With reference to Fig. 12, there is shown a skimmer device I Oi that includes weir door I 2i at an upper outlet or skimmer mouth 14i through which pod water 2 enters an upper skimmer box chamber 32i, coarse filtration means such as a basket 16i located immediately below the chamber 32i, fine filtration means 20i including a filter cartridge 22i located immediately below the basket 16i, a submersible pump 50i located immediately below and coaxial with the filter cartridge 22i and inlet 33 i and outJct ports 36x,y,7, wherein at least one of the ports 33Ί is not fitted below a base 23i of the cartridge filter 22i. The filter port 33i performs as a drain port whereby the filter port 33i is locatable above the pool water level 8 when drained down to obviate the requirement for valves 56i located in upper port 36u to shirt off the drain pott 33i.

l*referably, a drain pipe I7i extending upwardly iirom the drain port 33i is open to the atmosphere.

The device 1 Oi may include a vacuum plate 35i which provides a substantially 100% seal in its normal position over the basket 16i. To the vacuum plate 35i, a one way valve 57i may be attached, for example by being screwed in. The one way valve 57i prevents backllow of water once it enters the filtration zone defined by the basket 16i and liltralion means 20Ί. Λ stand pipe 19i may be provided which extends from above pool water level 8 down through the filtration zone 16i, 20i, to a revolving plate 25i. The top vent of the pipe 19i is above the water level 8 of the pool.

The water inside the central filter cartridge chamber 34i may be pumped through the filtration zone l oi, 20i and back to the pool utilising the primary submersible pump 50i. T he stand pipe 19i allows air in to the central li Iter chamber 34i and spring loaded uheck valve 56] prevents the air from leaving thereby effectively pressurising the water and increasing the pressure at this level approx 0.5m to 1.0m below the water level surface 8. A dedicated cartridge cleaning plate 35i may be provided with the check, valve 56i already filled. The plate 35i may be removed by an operator to allow access to the filtration zone 16i, 20i for cleaning or maintenance.

The pump 50i may simply keep pumping lo keep the water out of the central chamber 34i or may be slopped. The air in the filter chamber 34j may compress but only sl ightly, keeping Ihe chamber 34i water free. Waler may enter past the pump 50i, but will only till the drain pipe 17i up to the pool water level 8. The cartridge 22i may therefore be now in the outlet chamber 34i and in air only. The cartridge 22i may sit on the revolving plate 25i. I he revolving plate 25i may turn in small increments and may be controlled by a simple gear 65i. This is desirable because it is impractical to clean the cartridge 22i with a water pressure nozzle unless the cartridge 22i is not submerged. The revolving plate 25i is therefore effective lo move generally and evenly lo distribute the filtered material over the whole filter media of the cartridge 22i, instead of it being concentrated in particular patterns determined by constant water How patterns through the media 22i. This extends the life of Ihe filter media 22i considerably compared to a static arrangement.

A cleaning jet nozzle 40i may be provided already fixed in the outlet chamber 34i. Water is piped to the skimmer device 1 Oi by a mains pressure hose or by solid plumbing 42i. A valve 44i is installed too so that the cleaning jet 40i can be switched on or off. A soft tubing can be used in a u-shaped configuration lo allow the movement of the jet nozzle up and down the length of the cartridge 22i .

Λ rod 48i which is connected to the cleaning jet nozzle 40i may travel in a slot the full length of the cartridge 22i. The handle of the rod 48i may bo positioned in the upper portion 32i ol ^' lhc skimmer box 10i. I he rod 48i may be sealed with low friction seals 49i so that the air is not released.

Whilst Ihe outlet chamber 34i is full of air and the spray cleaning nozzle 40i is on, one may lift the rod 48i up and down as many times as required lo clean the cartridge 22L Whenever the mwle 40i hits the bottom of the cartridge filter base 25i assembly, it knocks the gear 65i and this gear engages with the cartridge plate 25i which rotates it by approx 10mm - 20mm or 5 -10' at a time.

This constant up and down cleaning may enable the nozzle 40i to gel into all the cartridge filter 22i pleats. This means that Ihe average cartridge 22i should be cleaned in approximately 40 plunges of the rod 48i.

The rod 48i may be replaced by a plastic screw (not shown) thai travels the length of the cartridge 22i with (he nozzle 40i attached to it. The screw may be powered by a motor that enables the nozzle 40i lo travel along its length - up and down, activating the lower mechanical movement gear system 65i. The motor may have sensors or be programmed to activate the lower gear 65t and then in reverse.

The cartridge cleaning funclions according to the preferred embodiment shown in Kig. 12 includes the use of an in situ cleaning apparatus in the skimmer box or chambers as described with reference to h ^' igs. 1 to 1 1 in relation to other embodiments herein. The automatic self-cleaning device can apply to standard pool cartridge (liters where valves and or pumps arc configured lo remove the water from the chamber 32i prior to activating the cleaning no/zle/s 40i and the turbine gear arrangement 65i or on simultaneously activating the cleaning nozzle/s 40i and the turbine gear arrangement 65i.

Another self-cleaning system for a cartridge filter is shown in Figure 16. A self cleaning pool cartridge filter 300 is shown in Fig. 16, The lilter 300 is preferably positioned above the water level 8 of the pool 4. The filter 300 comprises a cylindrical chamber 330, a cartridge filter 320 within the chamber 330, an air release or check valve 333 located at the upper end 332 of the chamber 330 (for bleeding air as described below), a water inlet port 336x near the base in the side wall of the chamber cylinder 330a, an owlet 336y extending out through a base 324 supporting the chamber cylinder 330a, and an outlet port 336z controlled by check valve 356. The filter 300 is shown without a pump, which may be provided at a remote or local location in accordance with standard practice or as described above with reference to Figs. 1 -12. The procedure of opening and closing valves 356 and switching off and on pumps can be automated by programming electrically actuated valves and switches. The steps are as follows.

Step 1. The main filter pump is switched off

Step 2. The air release valve 333 or one way check valve opens to allow the water within the lilter chamber 330 to siphon back lo the pool 4 via the pool returns, noting that the filter 300 is above Ihe water level 8 of the pool 4.

Step 3. If an air release valve 333 is used, it closes or is manually closed.

Step 4. The waste line valve 356 opens

Step 5. The mains water valve 342 is opened to supply water lo the turbine and gear assembly 365 & spray nozzles 340.

Step 6. The cartridge 316 turns slowly while the water spray from the spray nozzle 340 washes debris from the cartridge 316. The water spray can also be angled such that it causes the cartridge 316 to Spin on the rotating platform or suspended carousel 335 without the use of a gear.

Step 7. The dirty water falls lo the bottom of the chamber 330

Step 8. The waste line 336y exits at a lower position in the chamber 330 than the water discharge port 336/.. The dirty water is lorced out and into the waste line 336c because the trapped air cannot bo displaced. The design and location of the ports 336x-z allows for the air in the chamber 330 lo compress and when doing so, the cleaning apparatus 365 and lilter 300 function correctly as intended.

Step 9. Once cleaning is completed, the mains water valve 342 closes

Step 10. Tt may be desirable to flush the chamber 330 by switching on the pump (not shown) for a short period.

Step 1 1. Whilst the pump is operating, the air release valve 333 is opened to allow the chamber 330 lo fill completely with water.

Note that for all configurations the water pump may also be configured to power Ihe turbine and gears 365 and cleaning spray nozzle 340 instead of mains water pressure by using a bypass valve to pipe water from the pump discharge to the cartridge cleaning assembly 365, The individual valves 336x-z shown muy be incorporaled into a multiporl valve similar to the valve arrangement 36x-z shown in Fig.12.

Another embodiment in the form of a self cleaning pool cartridge filter 300a shown in l'ig.17 and is preferably positioned below the water level 8 of the pool 4. The filter 300a is similar to the lilter 300 shown in Fig.16. but further includes valves 35 l x-z controlling How through the respective purls 336x-?., and a rotating platform 325a. The procedure of opening and closing valves and switching off and on pumps can be automated by programming electrically actuated valves and switches. The steps are as follows.

Step 1. The main filter pump (not shown) is switched oil ^'

Step 2. The Valve 351 x on the water in line 356x closes.

Step 3. The Valve 351 z on the waste line 351 z opens.

Step 4. The valve or one-way check valve 35 ly on the water discharge line 356y closes. Step 5. The air release valve or one way check valve 333a opens to allow the water within the filter chamber 330a to drain out of the filler chamber where the drain 356y is below the level of the waste line 3567..

Step 6. If an air release valve 333a was used, it closes under the control of a central processor or is manually closet!.

Step 7. The mains water valve 363a is opened to apply water lo line turbine and gear assembly, and spray nozzles 365a.

Step 8. The cartridge 322a hints slowly while the water spray nozzle 340a washes debris from the cartridge. The water spray nozzle 340a can also be angled such that it causes the cartridge 322a to spin on the rotating platform without the use of a gear.

Step 8. The dirty water falls to the bottom of the chamber 330a.

Step 9. The waste line 35oz exits at a lower position in the chamber 330a than the water discharge port 356y. The dirty water is forced out and into the waste line 3567, because the trapped air in the cliambcr 330a cannot be displaced. The design and location of the ports 356x-z allows for the air to compress and, when doing so, functions to direct dirty water out ol ^' ihe chamber 330a correctly as intended. The chamber 330a, initially lilled with air down to the pool water level and other steps 5 and 6, continues to retain thai trapped air as further mains water from nozzle 340a enters the chamber 330a, thereby compressing the trapped uir which cannot escape through the waste line 356z, which is submerged in water.

Step 10. Once cleaning is completed, the mains water valve 363a closes

Step I I . it may be desirable to flash the system in the chamber 330a by switching on a pump 2(K)f for a short period .

Step 12, Whilst the pump 200† ^' is operating, the air release valve 333a is opened to allow the chamber 330a lo fill completely with water.

Step 13. The discharge water line valve 35 iy is opened or the one way check valve 351 /. for the waste line 356>. is opened.

Step 14. The waste line valve 356_c is opened and the air release valve 333a is kept open until the chamber 330a fills completely with waler. At this stage, water is circulating through the pool filter 300a and back to the pool 4 as per normal. The two filter configurations 300, 300a should not be limited to the use ofstandard pool pumps, Both can be adapted to be incorporated inlo the embodiments comprising an outlet as described with reference to Figs. I to 12. The filters 300, 300a can incorporate submersible pumps within the chambers 330, 330a to perform either pressure or suction filtration through the cartridge elements 322, 322a.

Fig. 13 illustrates a skimmer box 400, although the skimmer box 400 eotild be adapted for other pool/spa installations servicing a pool or spa 4 and comprising an outlet therefrom. The present invention also applies to a vessel without a weir (such as a pivotal flap), including a vessel with an inlet that is fully submerged in water without the ability to skim.

The skimmer box 400 docs have a weir 412 and the outlet from the pool 4 is not completely submerged, allowing the skimmer box 400 to perform a skimming function. The water 2 flows passed the pivotal weir 412 door hinged at its lower edge into the weir opening 414. The water 2 posses over the weir door 412 to effectively skiru debris from the surface 8. The wafer 2 then flows through a strainer basket 416 to remove large debris such as leaves, before it is drawn under vacuum through the cartridge filter element 422 and pumped back to the pool 4 by the submersible pump 450. The pump 450 location can be varied, including a location within the skimmer box.400 or a chamber adjacent or remote to the skimmer box 400. The lower portion 438 of the chamber may contain more than one level of chambers, including a base chamber 424, with one or more ports 436x- z, h to distribute filtered water to the pool 4 or other devices. The chambers 432, 438 may contain water distribution plates 480 extending from the periphery of the chamber 430 wall 430a and sitting atop a mount plate 4X2 immediately above the basket 416. The distribution plates 480 more evenly distribute downward water flow to the basket 416 and further to u fine filter 420 thcrcbclow. The distribution plates 480 may be fixed in position, removable or move automatically to alter water distribution directions. The chambers 424. 432, 438 may contain one or more secondary submersible pumps 450 that are fitted into one or more of the ports 436x-z, h. five secondary pump(s) 451 may be utilised to pump water to other devices or locations and are either automatically or manually controlled by an electrical control centre, such a.s a dedicated CPU and control device suitable to control the operations of the working parts of the box 400.

The cartridge element 422 is located in the chamber 432 such that the lower portion of the clement is positioned above the overflow/waste line 436> in which the pump 450 is located. The overflow/waste line 436h preferably has an additional secondary submersible pump 454 installed in the box 400 where it imposes a pressure within the immediate location of the port 436h to pump waste water. This may be required if a pressure over and above the pressure developed by the primary pump 450 is insufficient to pump the waste water to the desired location. There may be another chamber 424 under in the waste line 436h that contains another secondary submersible pump 454a to also meet the challenge of pumping the waste water to a desired location.

The submersible pump 450 assembly is positioned so that it imposes a vacuum on the internal cartridge clement chamber 417. The cartridge clement 422 has a mechanism attached to or molded onto it, such as a gear 445 that is driven to rotate it about a central cartridge axis 447 within the chamber 434. Λ gear mechanism 443 operativcly engaged with the molded gear 445, may be electrically or hydraulically driven. The cartridge 422 rests on a rotating pfatform 425 that allows it lo move freely around about its axis 447. An annular bearing race, or a low friction ring rail assembly, made from a material such as a Teflon<#, may be used to mount the platform 425 and to permit free rotation ibr this purpose. The rotation mechanism must be suitable tor the environment intended, that is to withstand the chemicals and hydraulic stresses lo which it is likely to be subjected in the chlorinated and oxidising chemical environment.

To drive the rotation of the cartridge 422, a mains pressure water inlet 442 provides the hydraulic energy to drive the gear mechanisms 443. The mains water inlet 442 is pictured entering through the side wall of the housing 430a, although other locations in proximity lo the cartridge 422 may also be suitable. I he mains water inlet port 442 may also be positioned within the chamber 432, prclcrably near the top of Ihe cartridge 422, but below the strainer basket 416 in the sic itnmcr box chamber 432. The water is then piped lo the cleaning gear mechanism 443 so as to not interfere with the strainer basket's 416 operation.

The cleaning gear mechanism 443 includes a water turbine 448 and a series of gears 449 that perform as described below when water of sufficient pressure and volume is applied to the turbine 448. The cleaning gear mechanism 443 may be driven by water from a variety of sources of pressurized water, including mams pressure water. A secondary submersible pump 451a that develops the necessary pressure and volume to perform the cleaning process by powering Ihe cleaning gear mechanism 443 can also be used. This secondary pump 451 a would pump the water from a dedicated suction port 436h or 436y in the lower chamber 438 and deliver it lo the cleaning gear mechanism 443.

The supplied water drives the turbine 448 and a gear box 449 that engages with the cartridge clement gear 445 and an elongate threaded worm gear 444. The threaded gear 444, positioned at the side of the chamber 432, extends the length of the cartridge element 422 and is driven by the powered gear assembly 443. The threaded gear 444 moves the spray nozzle 440, mounted (hereto on a threaded nut 441 up and down (he length of the gear 444, by controlling the axial rotation of the worm gear 444, to ensure that water spray impacts the full length of the element 422, ibr example applying pressurized and debris-removing spray to the full length of the rotating cartridge 422, such that all portions of the cartridge 422 are subjected to pressurized spray. Λ flexible tube 446 provides the conduit for water between the mains water port 442 and the spray nozzle 440 is configured such that it provides minimal resistance to the movement of the nozzle 440. The mechanism for moving the spray nozzle 440 up and down the length of the cartridge 422 may include other mechanisms other than described above. For example, the spray nozzle(si) 440 may include a waler powered gear housed within it that drives the nozzle 440 up and down the threaded gear 444, fixed and non-rolating.

The gear assembly 443 is designed such that the waler spray nozzle 440 moves up and down the length of the clement 422 to most efficiently wash trapped debris from the elements 422 material. The gear assembly 443 is designed such that the cartridge element 422 is rotated incrementally or slowly about its axis 417 to present each of the plcals 418, along their respective lengths, to the spray nozzle's 440 water spray. The spray nozzle gear 443 is preferably operated in conjunction with the cartridge element gear 445 to effectively wash all the clement pleats 418, but separate gears Γοτ each · function may be provided.

The cartridge clement 422 cleaning process may be manually or automatically initiated. Taking first the option of a manual cleaning process, before the cleaning process begins the cartridge cleaning or pressure plate 480 is tilted in the chamber 432 on the mount plate 482 about an upright stand pipe 484 extending from a central portion of the mount plate 482 above the water line 8. The stand pipe 484 contains a check valve 486 at its lower end to restrict the flow of air between the chamber 432 and the atmosphere. The stand pipe 484 travels through the inverted conical ly shaped plate 480 and extends up above the pool water line 8 to vent to the atmosphere, the upper end of the stand pipe 484 including the fitting of a safety suction cover (not shown). The one way check valve 486 is situated within the stand pipe 484 and provides a path for air to come into the chamber 432 but prevents air or water travelling back out to the atmosphere or environment. The pressure plate 480 also contains an air release valve 488 which may be positioned anywhere practical on the plate 480, In this embodiment the air release valve 488 is mounted to the mount plate 482 and extends upwardly and through a scaled hole in the pressure plate 480. The pressure plate 480 is mounted on the mount plate 482 which is secured down to seal on the strainer basket 416 upper annular llange or shoulder 483 with bolts 485. The plate 480 provides a seal and barrier between the upper pari of the chamber 432 and the middle chamber 434.

The pressure plate 480 may be a range of configurations, such as conical and circular in plan, or conical and oval shaped in plan, as shown in Fig. 14 where a pressure plate 480a is provided that is oval shaped in plan. The pressure plute 480a is fitted to provide a seal to the top of coarse strainer basket 416a that engages the underside of the strainer basket's shoulder 483a. By engaging the underside of the shoulder 483a, the pressure plate 480a effectively has the opposite forces acting on its seal compared to the pressure plate 480 of Fig. 13 (which is mounted to the upper surface of the shoulder 483). It would therefore be easier to transfer a force to the pressure plale 480a seal to the shouldeT 483a to ensure that a proper scai has been effected.

Fitting the cartridge cleaning pressure plate 480,480a in the chamber 430,430a is the first step in the cleaning process.

The second step is to substantially pump out the water in the chamber 430a and particularly the mid-chamber 434a so that the cartridge element 422a is substantially immersed in air only. This will provide the ideal environment to pressure clean the element 422a with a water spray using a spray nozzle assembly 440a. To remove the water from the chamber 430a, a submersible pump 450a is provided that is able to pump all the water from within the chamber 430a containing the cartridge element 422a. li ^' lhe lowest portion of the cartridge clement 422a is 1 m below the pool water level 8, the pump 450a must have the ability to pump at least to Ini of head, but preferably 20% to 50% higher than lm head. This extra head capacity is required because the air in the chamber 430a will compress such that the volume of air within the chamber 430a when the pump 450a is off will be reduced. The level of air compression in the chamber 430a will depend on the depth of the cartridge 420a in relation to the pool water level 8. The deeper the cartridge 420a, the greater the compression, if the volume of air within the chamber 430a is insufficient, the trapped air may compress to a smaller volume such that water is undesirably re-intnc»duccd into the chamber 430a whereby to partially submerge the cartridge element 422a and interfere with the cleaning noz/Je assembly's 440a performance.

Where the primary pump 450a does not generate sufficient How and/or pressure to perform this stage of the cleaning process, use of a secondary submersible pump 454a located in a suitable port, such as port 492a located in a lower chamber 424a may be employed, in this instance, the secondary pump 454a would be hirned on to pump the water out of the tiller chamber 430a and back to the pool 4. It is desirable to switch the pump 450a off if it is not fully submerged in water to prevent overheating.

The third step is to provide water with a suitable flow and pressure to the water pressure port 442a. The applied water Tor this purpose is preferably supplied by mains pressure water. The water enters the turbine chamber 472a to power a series of gears 443a and apply a water spray through the spray nozzle 440a onto the cartridge element's 418a pleats. A turbine turns gears 443a such that the ratios of the gears 443a ensure the rotation ofthe cartridge element 422a is at the correct speed or the rate of incremental movement tor the cleaning process for effective cleaning. Gears are also provided to move the spray nozzlee 440a up and down, for example using a worm gear arrangement. The water pressure drives the spray nozzle gears to provide movement of the spray nozzle 440a up and down the length of the cartridge clement 422a.

As the spray water enters the central chamber 434a to clean the element 422a, it will fall to the base of the lower chamber 438a and continue to till the base of the cliamber 438a. When the dirty cleaning water rises in the chamber 438a and covers the lop ofthe ovcrllow or waste port 495a that is continuous with an upwardly extending pipe that is open to atmosphere, it will begin to travel up and into that line. The top of port 495a must also be positioned in the cylinder 430a sufficiently low in relation to the cartridge element 422a such that die waste water is forced up and into the waste line 496a before compressing the air in the chamber 434a sufficiently to partially submerge the cartridge clement 422a. The upper opening of the overflow or waste line 496a is preferably positioned just above the highest pool water level 8 and is open to atmosphere, ifil wits positioned much higher, the pump 450a may lie required have a greater head capacity and the cartridge clement 422a may need to be positioned higher up from the waste port 495a to ensure air compression docs not cause a problem.

The fourth step, according to the preferred method, is to flush the dirty water out from the cliamber 438a and overflow/waste line 496a by reversing the direction of the pump motor 450a to pump water 2 back into the chamber 434a, To perform this step, preferably the configuration of lower chamber ports 491 a-493a shown in Fig. 14 is provided in which the first port 491 a communicates with the pool water 2, and the second mid fourth ports 492a,493a lie in the same horizontal plane as the first port 491a and below the waste port 495a, and provide alternatives for communication of the device 400a with other devices, such as heaters.

When the water flow is reversed, the return water ports 49la-493a in the lower chamber 424a become suction lines. For safety, the return lines connected to ports 491a-493a feeding into the pool 2 can be covered with a safety suction cover 497a approved and made in accordance with local safety codes. This enables the lines connected to ports 491a-493a lo operate as safety suction and return water pons 49la-493a, although the diffusion (or increased resistance) effect of the return water through a safety suction cover 497a (such as a mesh cap) may reduce efficiency and increase the head required. One of the many available pons 491 a-493a in the lower chamber 424a may be dedicated for this Hashing purpose only. Alternatively, a secondary pump 454a located close to or in association with the second port 492a may perform all the necessary pumping requirements for the cleaning/reverse flow process. One of the ports 491a-493a, in this case the fourth port 493a, may be fitted with a one way check valve 498a that provides passage for water into the lower chamber 424a but does not allow it out and back to the pool 4. The remaining first and second ports 491 a,492a that are connected to the pool 4 may also be fitted with one way check valves that provide passage for water out of the lower chamber only (for example, refer to the phantom valve displayed in Fig. 14 in relation to check valve 498ai optionally set in the first port 49la). This configuration ensures that when water is drawn from the pool 4, it is through an approved safety suction cover 497a only. The control box (not shown) that provides power to the pump motor 450a,454a is housed in a flush housing, optionally remote from the device 400a that operates the pump in this reverse mode for u timed or manually set period. Once the chambers 438a,424a and overflow/waste line 496a are flushed, the ^' pump 450a can be turned off.

The fifth step is to open an air release valve 433a that is mounted on the mounting plate 482a and extends through and above the pressure plate 480a. This allows compressed air out of the chamber 434a and for water to flow Jrom the dedicated suction port (fourth port) 493a back into all (he chambers 424a.438a.438a. Once the water has filled the chambers 424a,438a,438a, the pressure plate 480a can be removed.

The process of cleaning a cartridge filter clement 422a in the skimmer box device 400a can be further automated by filling a semi-permanent, but removable, partitioning plate 477a above the cartridge filter 422a, but below the strai ner basket 416a. In ihe configuration shown in Fig.14, the ports 491a-493a permit water to flow from the strainer basket area (upper portion of the central chamber 434a) and down through to the cartridge clcmenl 422a in the central chamber 434a.

Optionally, the ports 491 a-493a may be opened and closed using valves situated in the ports 49ia-493a or inline in the corresponding pipes connected thereto and powered by a water powered gear, an electrically powered gear or a solenoid arrangement. The inverted conical pressure plate 480a surrounds a stand pipe 484a axially located in its centre. The stand pipe 484a includes a check valve 486a mounted therein and located just above the mounting plate 482a. The stand pipe 484a allows air to be introdticcd ink) the chamber 434a when required.

In the embodiment using the optional automated partitioning plate 477a, to enable the pump 450a to pump out the water from the central chamber 434a near the cartridge element 422a and allow trapped air to be compressed in the central chamber 434a, automated valve ports 453a in the partitioning plate 477a may be provided for. These paitioning plate 477a valves 453a may be closed to initiate the cleaning cycle and then opened alter the flush cycle has been completed. Another self cleaning embodiment uccording to the invention includes at least one nozzle and preferably a plurality cleaning nozzles 40 thai are arranged and lixed in place such that the water spray impacts the surface of one or more pleats 18 all the way from the top of a cartridge clement 22 to the bottom. This removes the rcquircmenl to move the spray no77.le(s) 40 up and down the length of the cartridge and may obviate a gear arrangement 45 for moving the cartridge 22, although it is preferable that a cartridge 22 gear arrangement 45 be provided. The feed water for the spray nozzles 40 may flow through a chamber 72 to drive a turbine and the gears 45 to move the cartridge 22 around on ils axis 47. This is necessary to present each of the pleats 18 into the path of the water spray. In an even .simpler design, the water spray itself may propel the cartridge 22 around on its axis 47 if the spray is angled to apply a tangential force on the pleats 18 of the clement 22.

Referring still to Fig. 14, the partitioning or cleaning plate 477a is a semi permanent plate which is fitted over the cartridge element 422a which is able to seal the chamber 434a, if desired. This partitioning plate 477a is able to remain in position because it has ports 453a through which the water can flow into the filter or central chamber 434a. These ports 453a must be closed off prior to the cleaning process. The closing of the ports 453a can be performed manually or automatically by electrical or hydraulic means, or in another manner known to the skilled person.

Λ port arrangement is shown in Fig. 15 in relation to another embodiment of the invention in the form of a skimmer box device 500 comprising a housing 530, where mains water pressure supplied through a mains pressure water port 542 is used to close the ports. These hydraulic port valves, for example central port valve 553 provide the gate to a central port 578 defined by a horizontal and planar cleaning plate 577 located between a strainer basket 516 and a filter cartridge 522. The port valve 553 utilises the mains water pressure to close the valve 553 during the cleaning process. This prcicrrcd method is both simple and provides for a method of easily automating the cleaning process by utilising the electrical control box 576 located above the water line in the upper chamber 532 to control a primary filter pump 550 and a mains water control valve 541. The procedure lor operating the device 500 by an automated method is described below. It should be noted that another possible configuration is to utilise a secondary submersible pump 554 located in the lower chamber 524that will pump pool water 2 to operate the cleaning nozzles 540, turbine 548 and the hydraulic valve 553 in the cleaning plate 577.

Step # 1 The electrical control centre 576 (located in the skimmer box upper chamber 532, or in a weather proof junction box remote or spaced from the skimmer box device 500). The control centre 576 is programmed to automate the cartridge 522 cleaning process. The cleaning cycle can be initiated by use of sensors 575 in the device 500 that measure vacuum or pressure or by activating the cycle on the control centre 576 using a time delay. It may be desirable to automate the cleaning cycle every 30 days or to only clean when sensors 575 indicate cleaning is necessary. When cleaning is signaled and initialed, the conhOl centre 576 will activate the mains water control valve 541 (which is commercially avai lable and common for irrigation control). The mains water valve 541 is preferably low voltage and solenoid operated, although other suitable valves will be known by the skilled person. Waler under pressure enters the mains pressure water port 542 where it is directed to a small turbine chamber 572. The turbine 548 rotates gears 543 that connect to and drive the cartridge element 522 and turn it slowly on its axis 547. Water also sprays out of the cleaning nozzles 540 under pressure. The water pressure also provides the force in one or more hydraulic cylindcr(s) 573 to push the port valve/s 553 closed.

Step #2 The primary filter pump 550 is now switched on by the control centre 576 which pumps all the water from the chamber 534 back to the pool. Λ stand pipe may be provided that is similar to the stand pipe 484a shown in Fig. 14. The stand pipe is open to the atmosphere and extends upwardly from the strainer basket 516 and the central chamber 534. The stand pipe allows the entrance of air to replace the water in the chamber 534. The pump 550 is preferably switched olTafter a fixed period of lime. I he mains water supply continues to rotate the filter clement 522 and to spray waler inio the pleats 518 to clean them.

Step #3 The dirty water in the central chamber 534 cannot displace the trapped air in the chamber 534 and is therefore Ibreed into the only pipe open to atmosphere, a waste line 596. The waste port 595 is located in the wall of the housing 530 at a level under the lower most point of the filter cartridge 522. After a predetermined period of time, the primary filler pump 550, under the control of the control centre 576, is switched on to operate in reverse. Water from the pool 4 or from mains water is pumped into (he filter chamber 534 and the dirty water is Hushed out of the waste line 596. It is therefore possible to rely solely on the mains water input 542 for a period of time to flush the dirty water out of the waste line 596.

Step ft 4 The primary filter pump 550 is switched off by the control centre 576 if it was used to Hush the water out of the waste line 596.

Step #5 The mains water supplied through water input 542 is switched off via the solenoid valve 541 which stops the cleaning process and allows the valves 553 controlling cleaning plate ports 578 to open thereby releasing the compressed air. Water is ihen reintroduced into the cartridge or central chamber 534.

Step #6 The primary filter pump 550 is switched on to proceed to pump water in the normal filtration mode.

Another variation on the configurations dcscribeti above utilises filter media such as sand, crushed glass or zeolite, instead of a cartridge element 522. The methods and technology of filtration using these forms of filter media arc well known, t he combination of such filtration systems in a skimmer box or filter box arrangement is within trie scope of this invention.

Now further described is a skimmer box 600 with all the elements as previously described with reference to Figs. 1 - 17, except that the cartridge element (such as element 22) has been substituted with a sand media filter media and device 622. Two configurations are contemplated, one having a submersible pump 650 that operates the filter using pressure and a second having a pump 650a that operates Ihe filter using vacuum. This positive or negative pressurisation requires a pressure plate 635,

639,677,680 (corresponding, for example, to plates 35,39,577,480) to be fitted so that ihe pump 650 can exert pressure on the media 622 of the filter 620 to force the water through to a lateral assembly of horizontally supported rods or bars 627 situated in the media <>Γ the filler 622 and back to the pool 4. Where Ihc /liter 622 is being operated under vacuum, the vacuum pressure plate 639 is provided and Ihe vacuum is imposed on the lateral assembly 627 and the Tiller 622 is open to atmosphere.

To achieve good fillration, it is important to take inio account known technical inibrmalion that specifies media 622 surface area, depth, size, type and the corresponding water (low rates expected and achievable for each specification. The configuration of the filter media 622 may include a typical bed of sand covering a lateral assembly.

Alternatively, it may be desirable to arrange the sand in modules or separated so that a greater surface area is exposed.

Where water flow through the media is achieved by vacuum, a filter cleaning plate containing 677, with one or more one way eheck valves 653, is positioned over (he media bed 622 and seals the media chamber 634. When the pump 650 is operating for the purposes of nitration, Ihe vacuum on the lateral assembly 627 causes water to How into an upper weir chamber 632 ofthe skimmer box 600. I he water then flows through a strainer basket 616 positioned above the filler 620, IhTough the one way valvc(s) 653 and inio the media chamber 634. -Ihc water travels through the media 622 and clean water enters Ihe lateral assembly 627, past the pump 650 and back lu the pool 4.

The following backwash method pertains to a sand filler system 700 operating under vacuum. The filter system 700 includes a filter 720 with filler media 722. the cleaning of which retiuhes the flow of water to be reversed; this lifts the debris from the media 722. The water-borne debris is then diverted out into a waste line 796 the terminal 795 for which is located in a wall of a housing 730 oflhe system, al a lower level below the filter 720.

The first step of the backwash process is to switch olfan integral submersible pump 750 fitted within the housing 730.

The second step of the cleaning process is to reverse the water flow. This is performed by reversing the direction of the pump motor 750. A backwash switch can be installed on a connected electronic πιοΐοτ controller 776 to activate this. I he backwash process can be automated by setting a time-based backwash or by providing feed back to the controller' 775 via a vacuum switch positioned on the vacuum side of the pump 750.

Another advantageous arrangement 800 provides a skimmer box or pump chamber 834 thai has a hinged deck lid 866. The lid 866 can be round, square, convex or dome-like or any shape. The lid 866 is preferably attached to the housing 830 of the device 800 by a suitable hinge 869 with a rotation limiler or detent and restricts the angle that the lid 866 can be fully opened to. The skimmer box deck lid 866 has been an integral part of swimming pools for over 50 years and little to no safety improvements have been made with respect to injuries caused by persons stepping into the skimmer box open cavity of the upper chamber 832 whilst Ihe lid 866 has been removed. It is a common problem that is substantially overcome by hinging the lid 866 such that when the lid is lifted, it remains at an angle to the deck of 90 - 150 degrees, preferably at approximately 90 degrees, to the deck itself. This provides far a substantially increased visual warning that the lid 866 is off and the danger of an open hole inio the box 800 is apparent. It should be made clear that the configuration of the submersible pump 850 within the chambers (x50, where x is a number from 0 to 8) listed in this document can be conJigured so that the cartridge and or media filter (x22) operate under pressure instead of vacuum, as described. Operating in the vacuum configurations is the preferred method as it simplifies the assembly construction.

it should also be noted that although the configuration of the cartridge clement (x22) is shown in a vertical orientation in all of the drawings, the invention contemplates other orientations of the filter, such as at an angle of 0 to 90 degrees to the vertical. The cartridge could be configured in a horizontal position.

There arc many possible configurations of valves and check valves on the ports described hereabovc that may be suitably used, depending on cost constraints, operational requirements and designer preference.

Fig. 18 shows a portion of a skimmer box arrangement according to another embodiment in which a submersible pump 950 operates a cleaning mechanism 940, without the requirement for mains pressure water, Two chock valves 956,957 arc fitted to enable water to be directed through to the cleaning assembly 920 having a filter element 922 when the motor 950 direction is reversed. Π may also be desirable to operate the reverse direction at higher speed to enable higher pressures for the cleaning process to be attained, if required.

With respect to all of the aforementioned filtration systems, it will be appreciated that as the filter 20 (and similar), and specifically the filter media 22 (and similar numerical references) gets increasingly blocked with debris between each clean, the restriction of flow Ihrough the filter 20 will cause the current draw of the pump motor 50 (and similar) to increase. Because this is a directly proportional relationship (increased clogging of filter 20 versus restriction of flow through filter), the pump device 10 (and similar) may be progressively configured to use tliis relationship to minimize energy usage whilst continuing to provide ellective filtration and to maximize intervals between filter element 22 cleans.

The pump motor 50 may be controlled by a circuit that monitors electrical current and voltage. This enables a proportional relationship of flow versus current draw to be embedded in the software of the circuit to control the function of the pump motor 50. When the filter 20 is clean, the current draw of the pump motor 50 will be at its lowest. As the li Iter media 22 becomes clogged with debris thereby restricting flow, the current draw proportionally increases. This relationship and associated data and information is used to maximize the efficiency of the device 10.

In particular, Ihc software controlling the electronic circuit contains programming that can be represented in the form of a graph that controls the motor speed of (he pump motor 50 versus the maximum amperage draw. The device 10 initially or periodically tests the maximum amp drawn, whereby, if the amp drawn is higher than that calibrated with respect to a device 10 with a clean filler element 22, the motor speed of the pump motor 50 is lowered. The motor speed of the pump motor 50 is proportional to the water How. The ratio is such that the pump 50 docs not use excessive energy to overcome the friction imposed by a dirty or clogged filter 20, Rather, the flow rate is slowed, proportional to the friction imposed by the filter. This is countcrcurrent to established teaching which suggests that the pump 50 speed be increased to sustain a higher rate of flow. In this regard, in addition, to ensure that a recommended flow volume of water per dav is achieved, the device 10 optionally can be configured to progressively extend filtration hours.

Example

The pump 50 operates with a flow rale of 350 L/Min and draws 5 Amps. As the filter 20 becomes dirty, it provides extra resistance to the pump 50. The device 10, more particularly the computer controlling the device 10, tests the maximum Amp draw and any increases in the Axnp rating. The sollware. embedded with an algorithm representing the proportional relationship between the extent of filter clogging and the restriction of ilow rale, optionally represented by a graph or order graphic or algorithmic

representation, allows a calculation to determine the voltage level that the pump motor 50 must reduce to, to effect the most efficient use of energy (by lowering the Ilow rate). The computCf/CPU/microprocessor (not shown) can also calculate the theoretical flow rale and, if this option is chosen, will increase the operation time per day to maintain filtration volumes.

A visual or sound indicator initialed or generated by the microprocessor, alerts an operator that the filter 20 requires cleaning at a predetermined point on the graph representing the proportional relationship. In effect, the pump 50 may begin by operating as little as 2 hours per day up to 8 hours per day. As the filter 20 becomes clogged, the pump device 10 will automatically lower the flow rate, but increase the daily running time. This modulation of running time can extend to other items of equipment, such as salt chloruiators 80 (or similar). As running time is extended, chlorination lime or output is correctly maintained by the microprocessor controlling the device ( 1 10, 101, 10g or similar).

Oricntalional terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the skimmer flap uppermost.