Patent ID: 8341789
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: E04H,H02K

Abstract:
1. A suction-powered pool cleaning robot comprising: a fluid outlet, adapted for connection to a suction hose, and a fluid inlet, with a fluid path therebetween; a turbine at least partially disposed within the fluid path so as to extract energy from flow of fluid therethrough; an electrical control system adapted to regulate at least some of the operations of the robot, said control system comprising an electrical generator for providing power thereto and adapted to be driven by the turbine, and an electronic controller adapted for the regulation; wherein the suction-powered cleaning robot is arranged to reduce a speed as a result in a reduction in a speed of the suction-powered pool cleaning robot caused by an external source, irrespective of a rate of flow of water through the fluid path; a housing; and two drive wheels for providing locomotion of the robot and being disposed external to the housing on opposite sides thereof; and a drive mechanism adapted to be driven by the turbine and to rotate said drive wheels independently of one another; wherein the drive mechanism comprises a constant axle that drives at least one drive wheel and is a direct communication with a mechanical drive shaft driven by the turbine; wherein said drive mechanism further comprises a reversible axle, wherein the reversible axle and the constant axle are coaxial; wherein the constant axle drives one of the drive wheels and is in a direct drive relationship with a mechanical drive shaft of the source of mechanical motion; wherein the reversible axle is mounted with a second of said drive wheels and a drive gear adapted to drive it, said reversible axle being in drive communication with a reversing mechanism comprising: first and second selection gears in drive communication with the source of mechanical motion such that they rotate in opposite angular directions from one other; and a drive selection mechanism adapted to selectively engage no more than one of said selection gears with said drive gear; wherein said drive mechanism further comprising a drive gear adapted to drive said reversible axle, said drive mechanism further comprising a reversing mechanism comprising: first and second selection gears in drive communication with the turbine such that they rotate in opposite angular directions from one other; and a drive selection mechanism adapted to selectively engage no more than one of said selection gears with said drive gear; wherein said reversing mechanism comprises a series of gears, including at least said selection gears, on a rocker mechanism adapted to be pivoted between first and second positions; said rocker mechanism being disposed such that the first selection gear engages with said drive gear in the first position of the rocker mechanism and the second selection gear engages with said drive gear in the second position of the rocker mechanism.