Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to the field of filtration systems.

Particularly, this invention relates to a system for filtering water from swimming pools.

Background of the Invention:

A body of water held within a defined space, for swimming purposes or for water-based activities, is the use and function of a swimming pool. Swimming pools mainly serve as centres for recreation and exercise. These may be located at homes for private use, or at clubs for public use.

Swimming pools may be both outdoor, open to sky, as well as be confined within closed spaces. In the open scenario, the water, especially, its surface level is susceptible to impurities. To maintain hygiene purposes suitable for human use, to maintain clarity levels, to impede the growth of microflora and considering the volume of water, and the nature or impurities it is being exposed to, it is necessary that the pool be continuously filtered.

Conventional filtration pumps use skimmers to draw out water, and relay this drawn water to an externally located filtration plant, which usually consists of a sand based filter, where filtration takes place, before water is sent back into the pool. This arrangement is a highly power consuming mechanism, mainly because of the power needed to channel the flow of water from the pool to the filtration house, through the sand, and back again. Set up costs of the filtration plant is huge, because of the plumbing required, and the need for a separate space renders this conventional filtration plant troublesome in many ways. Conventional filtration systems usually have concealed piping throughout the pool to facilitate proper circulation. This concealed piping is usually done by puncturing the structure of the pool. The concealed piping is used either for input of water, or output, or both. The said piping also carries the water between the pool and filtration unit. A leakage or fault in the concealed piping usually leads to major work in, and around, the pool.

Current developments in smaller units include a compact device which houses the pump which is externally located and the filter and output device which is located in the water of the swiniming pool. One housing houses the pump, which is externally located, while the other housing houses a skimmer, a filter and the output device, which is located within the water of the swimming pool. These units may be compact, but have a limited input range and throughput capability.

There is a need for a swimming pool filtration system with a greater and flexible input flow range and a larger throughput capacity, a free flowing filtering medium and a relatively non-invasive installation. This is essential to facilitate proper, and faster, circulation of water in swimming pools without having to make large scale changes in the structure or internal liner of the swiniming pool.

Prior Art:

GB 1343894 discloses a swimming pool filter. US2005092668 discloses a COMPACT FILTERING UNIT FOR A SWIMMING POOL BASIN. It discloses a filter which has a skimmer element along the pool wall, and a pump placed outside the pool.

However, it specifically relates to a compact filtering unit. A single pump, in this case, does not service many separate skimmer elements.

US2007163933 discloses a SWIMMING POOL SKIMMER PUMP ASSEMBLY. This document is directed towards a skimmer element not being driven by a pump.

US4781827 discloses a PORTABLE SWIMMING POOL SKIMMER. The system discloses a portable skimmer element with its inventive concept directed towards its portability.

There is no filtration unit or apparatus or system which discloses an efficient or modular way to service any shape, specifically a free-form swimming pools.

There is no disclosure in relation to increase of coverage area for swimming pools filtration in an effective, economical and non-invasive method.

Objects of the Invention:

An object of the invention is to clean water from a swimming pool.

Another object of the invention is to provide an efficient filtration system which minimizes the loss of power and pressure associated with conventional filtration systems. Yet another object of the invention is to have a continuously working system for cleaning water from a swimming pool.

Still another object of the invention is to have a flexible filtration system that can incorporate multiple water collection points by means of self contained water collection and filtration devices that can be strategically placed within the body of the swimming pool to facilitate an efficient water circulation system with minimum intrusion to the structure of said swimming pool.

Still another object of the invention is to eliminate the ground preparation process which is generally required for other conventional filtration units.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an easy filtration replacement option for old / defunct filtration systems.

Still another object of the invention is to ensure a proper water circulation system for liner pools without making punctures in the liners for filtration elements.

Still another object of the invention is to eliminate the leakages that arise when liners are cut for openings like skimmers, input/output jets or sockets or for lights.

Still another object of the invention is to increase throughput flow rate and minimize the time taken for filtration of swimming pools. Summary of the Invention:

According to this invention, there is provided a system for cleaning water from a swimming pool, said system comprises:

- at least one first housing consisting of:

- at least a first element being a skimmer element adapted to receive water from the swimming pool;

- corresponding second element being a filtration element adapted to filter water drawn via said skimmer element;

- at least a second housing consisting of:

- third element being a pump element spaced apart from said first housing, said third element adapted to draw water into said first housing through said skimmer element and to channel the flow of water through said filtration element, for filtering and purification purposes and finally ejecting clean water;

wherein, filtration element is inline between the skimmer element and the pump element;

- at least a third housing consisting of:

- fourth element being an output element adapted to eject filtered water; and

- pipes, non-invasive with respect to the main structure and inner wall of the swiniming pool, said pipes adapted to communicably couple said first housing, said second housing and said third housing;

wherein, each of said housings and pipes placed strategically in a spaced apart manner to contour the shape of a swimming pool, and said housings are fixed only on the top ledge or outside of said swimming pool, thereby not damaging the inner walls of said swimming pool. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention disclosed above, a first housing houses a skimmer element alone.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention disclosed above, a first housing houses a filtration element alone.

Typically, filtration element includes a filtration media.

Preferably, filtration element includes a disposable filtration media.

Preferably, filtering element consists of a free flowing filtering media that reduces pressure loss during the filtration process.

Alternatively, filtration element includes a reusable filtration media.

Typically, said first housing and said third housing include clamping fixing mechanisms adapted to clamp said housings to said wall or edge of said swiniming pool.

Typically, said pumps are centrifugal pumps adapted to receive water, and further adapted to eject water through a centrifugal source.

Preferably, said pumps include dual motor driving devices to increase or decrease throughput flow.

Typically, said pipes are airtight and watertight passageways for the flow of water. Keeping in line with the relative non-invasive installation and operation of the system, the pipes can be placed along the outer surface of the pool, below removable gratings that run along the outer surface decking of the pool.

Preferably, said system includes a disinfecting element adapted for treating clean water from the filter element with a disinfectant before its release into said swimming pool.

Preferably, said system includes a flow rate control mechanism adapted for controlling the rate of flow of water into and out of said system based on predefined parameters.

Preferably, said system includes an electronic remote control management system for monitoring the health of, and for controlling the working of, the system.

Preferably, said system includes sensors deployed at each element of said housing to sense individual health of each element in each of said housing.

Preferably, said system includes sensors adapted to sense the flow rate of water in said pipes.

Preferably, said system includes computation means adapted to compute differential flow rate between various points in pipes to determine chokes/blocks in said pipes. Preferably, said system includes a heating unit adapted to heat the water before it is ejected from the output unit.

Preferably, said system includes a plurality of output jet elements in close proximity to increase the flow of water in a particular prescribed area to provide a wave like motion in said swimming pool.

Preferably, said system includes sensors to sense water level and further includes a water level switch that can start or stop said pump(s) according to sensed height of the water, based on pre-defined conditions.

Preferably, said system includes sensors to sense water level and further includes water draining mechanism to drain out water from said swimming pool, based on pre-defined conditions.

Preferably, said system could include an additional filtering medium connected to said output element.

Preferably, said system includes light units placed at first housing and / or third housing for lighting the pool.

Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings:

The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of the system for filtering swimming pools; Figure 2 illustrates a schematic of the piping between the skimmer element, outlet element, and pump element;

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic of a free-form swimming pool lined with the filtering system.

Detailed Description of the Accompanying Drawings:

According to this invention, there is provided a system (100) for cleaning water from a swimming pool.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of the system of this invention.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, there is provided a system (100) with multiple housings and elements for the filtration of water from a swimming pool.

The elements include input (skimmer) elements, output elements, filtration elements, pump elements in combinations and placed in housings.

In an embodiment, the multiple housings and elements may be assembled close to each other.

In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a first element (10) which is a skimmer element (10) for receiving water from the swimming pool. The first element (10) serves as an inlet means for the filtration system (100). Many such skimmer elements may be used at multiple locations. In accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a second element (20), said second element being a filtration element (20), adapted to filter water drawn into the housing via said skimmer elements (10). The filtration media may be a disposable or reusable filtration media.

The filtration element (20) and the skimmer element (10) may be disposed in one sub-housing i.e. in a first housing. This sub-housing can be strategically placed in different areas of the pool to ensure that the water enters the filtration elements in any desired area. The design of this sub-housing is such that they can be appended or attached to the said swimming pool ledge or other supporting device without any major changes to the structure or internal surface of the said swimming pool. This filtration sub-housing can also be placed side by side if required.

In accordance with still another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a third element (30), said third element being pumps (30), adapted to draw in water into the first housing through said skimmer element (10) and to channel the flow of water through said filtration element (20), for filtering and purification purposes and finally ejecting clean water out of a third housing. The pumps element (30) may be spaced apart from the skimmer element (10) and the filtration element (20). The pump element (30) will be in communication with said skimmer element (10) by means of pipes. The pumps, are typically centrifugal pumps, to receive water, and for ejecting water through a centrifugal source.

A second housing includes said third element. By having dual motor driving devices, throughput flow rate will be increased and the time taken for filtration of swimming pools will be consequently minimized. This dual motor system can also reduce filtration running time and save power when the said pumps are running on power generation (gensets) systems that have a prescribed minimum power generation capacity without provision of reducing power generation as per power utilisation requirement.

The filtration element (20) is inline between the skimmer element (10) and the pump element (30).

In accordance with an additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided an airtight and watertight passageway (45) for the flow of water. This passageway provides for communication between the skimmer element (10), the pump (30) and the output (40).

In accordance with yet an additional embodiment of this invention, there may be provided a disinfecting element (50) adapted for treating the water through the filter element (20) with a disinfectant before release into the swimming pool (O/P).

In accordance with still an additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided a flow rate control mechanism (60) adapted for controlling the rate of flow of water into and out of the system (100). Depending upon need, visual impurity, this could be turned up or down. In accordance with yet an additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided a fourth element (40) which is an output element (40) adapted to eject filtered water. The fourth element is provided inside a third housing.

In accordance with still an additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided a fixing mechanism adapted to fix the housings of the system (100) on to the wall of the swimming pool. The said first housing can be attached to the wall of the said pool by brackets.

In accordance with another additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided an electronic remote control management system (80) for monitoring the health of and for controlling the working of the system (100). Typically, sensors may be deployed at each element of the housing. These sensors may monitor individual health of each element. Further, the sensors may monitor the flow rate of the passageways. By computing difference in flow rates between sensors, chokes/blocks in the passageways may be determined.

In accordance with another additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided a heating unit (90) adapted to heat the water before it is ejected from the output element (40).

In accordance with yet another additional embodiment of this invention, there are provided output jet elements which can be placed one on top of the other in close proximity to increase the flow of water in a particular prescribed area. This concentrated flow of water gives a wave like flow and force. The strong current makes it possible for a swimmer to swim against the wave of the current, thereby remaining stationery due to the flow of the current, within a relatively constricted area.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a water level switch that can start or stop the pump according to the height of the water. This device will essentially start the pump when the water level reaches a particular determined height in the swimming pool, as sensed by sensors placed in the pool, thereby activating an automatic water chaining mechanism to drain out excess rain water.

In accordance with still another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a mechanism of connecting the external pipes in a detachable mechanism. Since the entire system is appended to the walls in a semipermanent manner, it is possible to remove the entire filtration system without any major change to the internal or external structure of the swimming pool. This feature is useful during winterization of pools to avoid pipes from freezing etc.

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic of the piping (150) between the skimmer element (10), outlet element (40), and pump element (30). The arrows in the piping refer to the flow of water from the pool, through skimmer elements, to the pump element and to the outlet elements.

In the conventional filtration system, leakages arise when liners are cut for openings like skimmers, input/output jets or sockets or for lights. There is a chance of undue water pressure on one of these cuttings that may lead to leakages in the liner due to stress. The presence of skimmer elements and other outlets/inlets distributed around the pool can restrict the movement of the liner and result in undue pressure on certain areas of the pool which usually result in opening of punctures. This invention eliminates the requirement of punctures, yet maintains the flexibility of multiple skimmer elements to extend the life of the liners in swimming pools.

Further, these cuts or punctures, of the prior art, make it difficult to remove and re-fix a liner for alterations, repair or renovation. It is difficult to match all the punctures during refitting a liner, thus rendering the liner useless. This invention eliminates the requirement for puncturing the liner and gives the luxury to remove and refit the liner if and when required.

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic of a free-form swimming pool (200) lined with the filtering system.

In accordance with another additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided an additional filtering medium connected to the output jet of the third housing. This medium can serve as an additional filtration backup without reducing the water* flow levels feeding into the pumps.

In accordance with yet another additional embodiment of this invention, different filtration mediums with varying micron levels of filtration can be placed in the filtration collection device to get the desired level of filtration. It is easy to alter and adjust the level of filtration required to clean the water. This micron level can be adjusted according to the quality of water and required flow rate of the water for the pumps. In accordance with still another additional embodiment of this invention, there is a possibility of improving the aesthetic looks of the system by altering the shape and size of pipes and units that are part of the system. By deploying flat pipes / connectors in areas where the water travels through the system it is possible to make the system look sleeker and more non-obstructive. The skimmer elements and output elements can also be made sleeker looking by altering the size and shape of the filtering elements and output elements.

In accordance with yet an additional embodiment of this invention, additional skimmer elements (10) along with filtration elements (20) may be deployed in line along the walls of the swimming pool, and be adapted to be in communication with said output element (30) by means of pipes, laid along the outer wall.

In accordance with still an additional embodiment of this invention, there are provided light units placed at first housing and / or third housing for lighting the pool.

The advantage of the current swimming pool filtration system lies in its constructional embodiment that a plurality of skimmer elements, with filter elements, may be deployed around the pool, thereby covering any area or shape of a pool. These skimmer elements are typically fixed to the outer wall of the pool. They are in communication with a separately located pump element, which is placed out of the pool. The filtered water is ejected into the pool through a separate output element. These output elements may also be dispersed throughout the pool, thereby adequately covering any size or shape of the pool. Its modularity allows it to place multiple skimmers and multiple output elements in communication with a single pump in any size or shape of the pool.

Due to the relatively non invasive installation process of this invention, skimmer elements can now be easily placed in the same area as existing old skimmers and, by merely running a pipe along the decking to the pump and output elements, the said pool can have a new filtration system without touching the old existing system. By placing the new skimmer elements over, or beside, the old existing skimmers, the pool can have an efficient and effective circulation system on the same circulating pattern as the original filtration system without major structural changes in the swimming pool.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific steps and elements of the preferred embodiment of the method and system, it will be appreciated that many alterations can be made and that many modifications can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.