The present invention relates to a floe removal machine, that is, a machine for particular but not exclusively for removing floe from swimming pools; also disclosed is a machine for removing particulate matter for bodies of water, in particular tanks.

During the summer months high climates and inconsistencies in pool sanitizer levels algae can be a significant problem for swimming pools.

One way to clear a pool of algae and other particles that cause cloudiness is to administer a flocculent or flocking agent. The flocculent binds to algae and other particulates to in the water to form a loose aggregation of soft flakes, which then typically sink to the bottom of the pool, leaving the water clear. The soft flakes are known as floe.

After the flocculent has been administered, the floe itself must be removed. Various methods are used to remove flocculates in industry, however within swimming pools conventional pool vacuums are utilised. The amount and disposition of floe resulting from flocculation depends on several factors, but generally forms at the bottom of the pool in a layer typically 60mm to 80mm thick is encountered, but the layer can be as thick as 150mm.

One known method of removing floe is to use a pool vacuum. However, a conventional pool vacuum becomes submerged within the floe gel itself, often displacing the floe within the aquatic environment, or it pushes the floe away from the vacuum zone and mixes and disperses the floe with the pool water (this problem is associated with settled dirt particles also).

Floe removal is hindered due to the location of the intake area of known pool vacuums. The intake is not specifically directed at the flocculates or dirt particles, rather intake zones are usually located on the underside of the pool vacuum, and also use of brushes to aid the cleaning process. Further, Conventional vacuum systems lose negative vacuum pressure due to the wide openings around the underside of the vacuum, reducing the amount of dirt particles or floe being removed. Another method of floe removal is to use the pool's filtration system. However, the water and floe removed may necessitate the frequent replacement of the pool filter. Alternatively, the water and floe removed in this way is often directed to the waste drain, leading to a loss of water. The filtration system within pools typically uses skimmers which particularly clean the surface and in general suspended dirt particles as time passes. However, floor sediment and dirt particles or floe removal requires a pool floor vacuuming systems.

Another problem with known pool vacuums is that they are ineffective at the end of a cleaning run when encountering a pool wall. Many pools feature a curved transition from the horizontal pool floor to the vertical walls; the resulting geometry means that the users of conventional pool vacuums find it difficult to properly reach or cover this area.

Pool vacuums are generally connected to the waste drain, leading to a loss of pool water; this leads to a loss of pool water.

Similar problems are found when trying to remove particulate matter from other volumes of water, such as water storage tanks.

The object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a convenient apparatus to remove floe and similar debris from a swimming pool or the like that mitigates the above- mentioned problems.

The object of another aspect of the present invention is to provide a convenient apparatus to remove debris from other volumes of water, mitigating the above-mentioned problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a floe and/or dirt particle removing machine according to claim 1. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a water cleaning machine according to claim 9.

References to floe should also be interpreted as references to dirt particles - the apparatus is equally applicable to cleaning both floe and dirt or a mixture of both. In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the floe and/or dirt particle removal device;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the floe and/or dirt particle removal device;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the floe and/or dirt particle removal device;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further detail of the floe and/or dirt particle removal device;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the floe and/or dirt particle removal device;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the floe and/or dirt particle removal device;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a water cleaning device;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the water cleaning device;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the water cleaning device; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a detail of a removable brush.

Referring to figures 1, 2, 5 and 6, a floe collection device 20 comprises a shroud 30 (floe or dirt particle collection zone 1), wheel axel support 12 and wheels 13, and a rod connection point 14, these all being supported on a machine chassis 11.

The vacuum generator 8 includes an upper body panel 22 and two side body panels 24, a lower body panel 25 and a rear body panel 23, the upper body panel 22 and the lower body panel 25 both flaring outwards towards the vacuum inlet 6. A top shroud floe guide 2 and side shroud floe guides 3, are connected to the upper body panel 22 and side body panels 24 at the vacuum inlet 6, the top shroud floe guide 2 being secured to the upper body panel 22 by strengthening gussets 7. Referring also to figure 4 (in which the top shroud is shown with internal details in dotted lines), a brush 15, directed generally downwards, may be secured within the shroud 30 (dirt particle collection zone 1) in front of vacuum inlet 6, to give adequate agitation to dirt particles on the pool floor, suspending them in midwater, within the shroud 30 prior to entering the vacuum inlet 6. Rearwards of the brush 15, situated below and just aft of the vacuum inlet 6, a floe lifter 5 is secured to the lower body panel 25 and extends generally downwards from the lower edge, or immediately rearwards of the lower edge, of the vacuum inlet 6. The brush 15 scrubs and agitates floe on or above the surface of the pool floor, while the floe lifter or wiper 5 provides a barrier to finalise cleaning by wiping against the surface of the pool and ensuring floe and other debris is not left by the collection device and is taken up by the vacuum inlet 6.

The top shroud floe guide 2, and the floe lifter 5 extends substantially the width of the vacuum inlet 6, and together with the side shroud floe guides 3 determine a floe collection zone 1.

Referring to figure 3, angled diffuser blades 9 are located in the vacuum generator 8, secured between the upper body panel 22 and the lower body panel 25.

A transition piece and waste hose attachment 10 is connected to the vacuum generator 8 just in front of the rear body panel 23 and on the upper body panel 22, aiding downward force on the shroud whilst submerged by the refuse hose suspended in midwater during cleaning operation. The transition piece could for example be attached securely using a clip- in fit connection to ensure the transition piece is secure. The waste hose leads to a submerged vacuum connection point on the pool wall, though a dedicated pump could alternatively be used.

The floe collection device 20 is supported on the wheels 13 and a wheel axel support 12 secured to the machine chassis 11, which allows the floe collection device 20 to be moved around easily; the vacuum inlet 6 can also be raised and lowered by pivoting the floe collection device 20 on the wheels, so that the front of the vacuum generator 8 rises or dips. The movement of the floe collection device 20 is controlled by rod handle (not shown) which is secured to machine chassis 11 by an articulated rod connection point 14, the rod connection point 14 being situated just aft of the wheel axle support 12, allowing the machine 20 to be tilted and pushed forward operated by the rod during cleaning operation..

The raised machine chassis through the pivot point and axel support gives rise to the attack angle of the vacuum generator chamber see Figure 2 feature 11.

The side shroud floe guides 3 features water displacement apertures 4. The Top and side shrouds 2 and 3 could be moulded plastic with the roof and side walls of the vacuum generator chamber. These could be part of the mould as one unit. The angled floe diffuser blades could also be an integral part of the lower body panel 25. Ballast could be disposed In-between the gussets to give the floe collection device 20 the appropriate weight and density to be easily manoeuvrable when deployed in the pool.

The pivot point and wheel axel supports 12 could be made of solid plastic, or aluminium or other material resistant to swimming pool chemicals (ideally none of the parts should be steel particularly if the floe collection device 20 is to be used in salt treated waters); they could be bolted onto the machine chassis 11. The wheels are designed to rotate freely on an axis, to minimising disturbance or displacement of the floe.

The machine chassis 11 could be integrally incorporated with the floor of the vacuum generator chamber 8. The machine chassis 11 and other parts could be fabricated from aluminium, with the side walls and roof being a unit clipping onto the base.

In use, the pump for the floe collection device 20 creates negative pressure in the vacuum generator 8, causing water and suspended flocculent and other debris to be drawn from the floe or dirt particle collection zone 1 into the vacuum inlet 6, through the vacuum generator 8 and up through the transition piece and waste hose attachment 10.

To operate the floe collection device 20, the operator pushes the rod handle so the floe collection device 20 moves forwards on its wheels 13. Referring to figures 2, 5 and 6, to ensure that adequate weight to the front of the machine 20 is applied, shroud ballast 16 is included to giving correct downward force on the Dirt Particle Agitator brush 15, producing agitation, and also the appropriate weight and density to the floe collection device 20 so it can be easily manoeuvred when deployed in the pool. The ballast 16 could be alternatively or additionally provided at other locations or distributions on the floe collection device, though providing it on the shroud 2 and upper body panel 22 as shown conveniently pivots the floe collection device about the wheels 13 to aid the cleaning.

Since the machine chassis 11 is located at the level of the wheel axel support 12, and the lower body panel 25 slopes downwards from the wheel axel support 12, there is sufficient clearance for the operator to be able vary the orientation of the vacuum inlet 6 and thus the position of the floe or dirt particle collection zone 1, by exerting or releasing downward force on the rod handle to tilt it so that the floe collection device 20 rocks on its wheels 13. In this manner, when the floe collection device 20 is pushed along a horizontal pool floor onto a curving transition area, the front of the floe collection device 20 can be tilted upwards, so that the top shroud floe guide 2, floe lifter 5 and side shroud floe guides 3 maintain an optimum orientation with respect to the pool floor and maintaining a generally sealed area with the pool floor, and so sucking in the water and flocculent effectively, the water displacement apertures 4 replacing the trapped floe or dirt particles with fresh water, and also allowing the operator to vary the attack angle of the vacuum generator 8 and vacuum inlet 6.

When the machine reaches a curving transition area the floe or dirt particle collection zone 1 will naturally follow the curve maintaining a relative seal, where the water displacement apertures 4 replace the trapped floe or dirt particles with clean pool water, increased vacuum zone 6 being the entry point of the waste to the vacuum chamber 8.

The side shroud floe guides 3 also act as a skid mechanism in forward travel 3, and with the use of the top shroud floe guide 2 encouraging the floe or dirt particles towards the increased vacuum zone 6. The floe lifter 5 also urges flocculent towards the floe or dirt particle collection zone 1 as the floe collection device 20 travels through the water. The side shroud floe guides 3 may have a curved lower edge to assist this function and to aid the orientation and forwarding tilting of the floe collect ion device 20.

Top shroud floe guides and side shroud floe guides increase the efficiency of the water and floe or dirt particles removed, being that use of the machine reduces the amount of water being pumped out (and usually simply disposed of).

While the upper body panel 22 and lower body panel 25 both widen outwards towards the vacuum inlet 6, the side body panels 24 narrow towards the vacuum inlet 6. The vacuum generator chamber 8 uses a decrease in cubic area towards the front of the machine, forming a wide floe or dirt particle collection zone 1, whilst also creating high suction. To encourage the floe to be processed, the angled floe diffuser blades 9 disturb and beak down the floe and dirt particles as it is removed from the pool floor through the vacuum generator 8. All aquatic waste will pass through the transition piece and waste hose attachment 10 which has a universal common connection point where the vacuum is connected to the suction point on the pool wall.

Referring to figures 7 and 8, a water cleaning machine 50 is particularly adapted to water tanks, particularly potable water tanks, and other volumes of water where sediment is to be collected is shown. As for the previous embodiment, side shroud floe guides 3 and top shroud floe guide 2 form a collection zone 1. For this application, rather than floe or dirt particles, the machine is adapted to remove lime sediment that builds up at the base of these potable water tanks. The main structural parts of the machine can conveniently be manufactured from stainless steel.

Rather than having wheels, the potable water tank cleaning machine 50 has an sled and angle brace 49 located behind the side shroud floe guides 3, both of these having a straight edge that contacts the ground (as shown in figure 8). A sled flat base 51 and vertical angle brace 49 located underneath the cleaning machine 50 and behind the side shroud floe guides 3 the flat base 51 being in contact with the tank floor and the angle brace giving the angle of attack of the machine 50(as shown in figure 8).)

Potable water tanks do not generally have a curved edge (as a pool does), so this straight square edge on the side shrouds 3 give a good seal when the end of a run is reached at the vertical wall of the water tank.

A handle with valve 46 is provided, that allows water and debris sucked up from the collection zone 1 to pass through the handle and out of the tank when the valve is in one position (shown by the dotted line), while turning the handle approximately at right angles (shown by the solid line) causes the valve to direct the negative pressure of the vacuum means through the vacuum dump hole 45. In this manner, an operator can easily control when the vacuum is applied to the vacuum inlet 6 and collection zone 1, or when the user is not actively directing the machine and does not want to agitate the bottom layer of the water in the tank.

In this embodiment, a front handle 48 is attached to the gusset 47. On method of operating the machine is for an operator with diving equipment to manoeuvre the machine in the water, by gripping the front handle 48 and handle with valve 46, directing the vacuum inlet 6 so that the collection zone 1 is immersed in the potable water tank sediment. The user then slides the machine on the attached sled flat base 51 and angle brace 49 along the bottom of the tank, so the vacuum inlet 6 moves through the lower layer of water, sucking up settled and suspended sediment. The angle of the machine 50 is achieved with the angle brace 49 used to effectively remove clumped solids which may have formed in time producing a better cutting action. The bottom of the angle brace includes a forward edge 52 that defines the lower edge of the vacuum inlet 6. This forward edge 52 scrapes clumped solids and sediment adhering to the floor of the tank, so that it is released and sucked up by the vacuum inlet 6.

In contrast to the first embodiment, which is generally attached to a pump inlet typically available on a pool wall, this embodiment will typically be connected to an external pump on the surface.

The brush 15 shown in figure 2 may be removable, so that it can be replaced when worn. Referring to figure 9, the brush head 60 comprises bristles 65 on a bearing web 61, which has a T-shaped profile. The bearing web 61 slots into a correspondingly shaped recess on a support member, which comprises a crossbeam 62 and upright connection posts 63 at each end of the crossbeam 63. The connection posts 63 include an inclined ratchet profile 64, so that these can clip into upwardly-extending recesses 67 on the side shroud floe guides 3 (referring back also to figure 2). The side shroud floe guides 3 include a slot 66 so that the inclined ratchet profile 64 of the connection posts 63 can be pressed with a screwdriver blade inserted into each slot 66 in order to push the connection posts 63 inwardly, allowing the brush head 60 to be removed from the shroud floe guides 3.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.