Abstract:
An underwater vacuum, cleaning, removal, and sterilization system that allows for the submersible cleaning and sterilization of interior surfaces of drinking water storage, treatment, and distribution facilities. The system allows for the cleaning and chemical sterilization of surfaces in an underwater environment while simultaneously removing the sterilization chemical to prevent the said sterilization chemical from impacting or increasing the optimum sterilization chemical concentration in the surrounding water. The underwater vacuum, cleaning, and sterilization system includes a housing  24  having an opening  46  which is positioned adjacent the surface to be cleaned and sterilized. The system also includes a containment chamber  55  inside said housing. The containment chamber is open on the top and bottom and more than one flexible member, seal or plurality of bristles or brushes thereby defining a circumferential seal  63  on the bottom which is fluidly connected to both the interior cavity and the interior of the vacuum housing for assuring that all of the cleaning and sterilization fluids and any other matter are removed from the cavity and do not leak therefrom. The system also includes a variable-pressure-fluid mechanism inside the housing and containment chamber for providing a variable-pressure fluid flow against the surface to be cleaned and sterilized. The mechanism includes pressure jets  53  or spray portals from which variable pressure water and sterilization chemical flow to remove debris or material from the surface being cleaned and sterilized. A turbine energized by water flow through the vacuum powers the rear wheels inside the housing. In addition the system includes vacuum or water suction for removing all of the cleaning fluid and sterilization chemical and coatings, debris, or any other matter from the cavity. The housing has a water outlet  42  which communicates with a pump or siphon at the surface of the water. The vacuum has two rear wheels that are adjustably attached to the interior of the housing with a rotable axle between each wheel and with a sprocket attached to a chain drive powered by said turbine motor, and two front wheels that are adjustably attached to the interior of the housing. The underwater vacuum, cleaning, removal, and sterilization system can remove sediment and other debris from a water storage reservoir while simultaneously sterilizing the surfaces without causing turbidity in or allowing the sterilization chemical to enter the water column. In one of the embodiments a rotable brush 32 is supported inside the housing, which is also powered by the turbine motor, which may assist the cleaning process for some applications. In some of the embodiments the system includes hand held water suction and variable pressure fluid jet tools that are not powered by a turbine and are held by hand against smaller surfaces, roof support column bases, in corners, wall to floor joints, or any other area not reachable by the large turbine powered embodiment for cleaning and sterilization of said surfaces. The hand held embodiments may or may not have wheels or brushes. In some additional embodiments air lift or fluid pressure driven water suction and variable pressure fluid flow tools are designed to clean and sterilize the exterior surfaces of roof support columns or pipes and the interior surfaces of pipes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an underwater vacuum and sterilization system. More particularly, the invention relates to an underwater vacuum specifically designed for sterilizing and removing debris and potential bacterial film from large drinking water reservoirs, treatment and distribution facilities.  
         [0003]     2. Background and Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Protection of the public&#39;s health requires that potable water supplies be free of microorganisms that can cause health effects in humans. Also, supplies of potable water must be free from other contaminants that may taint the water and/or negatively impact its acceptability by the consumer, i.e. the members of the public. To ensure consistent and acceptable water quality, rules and regulations regarding testing, maintenance, and maximum tolerable levels of contaminants for potable water reservoirs have been established. Disinfectant chemicals are used to destroy microorganisms in the water. However, it has been shown that sediment, which characteristically accumulates at the bottom of potable water reservoirs, insulates biological contaminants from the disinfection chemicals. Inspection of water storage tanks is recommended at least every five years. Many municipalities, which are charged with ensuring the quality of the water, opt to clean and inspect their reservoirs every year. This annual cleaning and inspection has traditionally been done by first draining the reservoir and then having teams of men physically enter the reservoir to clean and inspect it. This approach has many drawbacks, and some examples of these drawbacks are listed below. First, the procedure is wasteful of natural resources and is very costly. Second, the draining and filling of the reservoir can disturb the sediment, releasing biological contaminants into the pipes in the water distribution area served by that reservoir. Third, draining and filling a reservoir causes mechanical stress to the structure of the reservoir, which can lead to cracks in the reservoir structure. Fourth, the men entering the reservoir with their tools can cause damage to the protective finish on the walls of the reservoir. Fifth, when a reservoir is drained there will usually not be an adequate supply of water to fight a major fire in the water distribution area served by the reservoir. To avoid the aforementioned drawbacks, the underwater vacuum and sterilization system of the present invention has been proposed. The underwater vacuum and sterilization system of the present is particularly adapted to ensure that the vacuum can sterilize all surfaces of a reservoir and remove sediment from the reservoir without causing turbidity in the water and thus avoiding the attendant introduction of biological contaminants into the water. Additionally the system is designed to sterilize all surfaces of a potable water reservoir without allowing any of the sterilization chemicals to enter the surrounding water column. The underwater vacuum of the present invention allows a team of divers to accomplish the cleaning and sterilization of a potable water reservoir without the drawbacks associated with the periodic emptying and filling of the reservoir. Although many underwater vacuum systems have been proposed in the art, none are seen to be specially adapted for the chemical sterilization and removal of sediment from potable water reservoirs while keeping any sterilization chemicals, turbidity or biological contamination from being introduced into the water within the exacting requirements for potable water reservoirs. The following patents and other documents illustrate some examples of underwater vacuums that have been proposed in the underwater vacuum art.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,795,027, issued to Albert W. Lindberg, Jr. on Mar. 5, 1974, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,206, issued to Heinz W. Braukmann on Feb. 12, 1985, shows underwater vacuums having fixed brush bristles for cleaning swimming pools.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,607, issued to Pavel Sebor on Apr. 11, 1995, shows a self-propelled underwater vacuum for cleaning swimming pools. The Sebor device uses one or more pivotally mounted oscillators that are caused to oscillate by the flow of water through the vacuum, to cause the vacuum to move in a random path along the bottom of the swimming pool.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,826, issued to Dennis A. Raubenheimer on May 9, 1995, shows a self-propelled underwater vacuum for cleaning swimming pools. The Raubenheimer device uses a turbine driven by the flow of water through the suction cleaner to power a pair of wheels that propel the vacuum.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,412, issued to Christopher J. Agee on Oct. 10, 1995, shows a high-pressure surface-washing device. The Agee device is designed to be used in an air environment and will not work in an underwater environment. The Agee device does not have a vacuum system for removal of debris or fluid.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,600, issued to Ercole Frattini on Apr. 8, 1997, shows a self-propelled underwater vacuum for cleaning swimming pools. The Frattini device uses a submersible electric motor to drive a pump impeller to create suction and to drive a set of rollers to propel the underwater vacuum.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,960, issued to Forrest A. Shook, et al on Jul. 4, 2000, shows a high pressure cleaning and removal system for cleaning and removing coatings from building walls and floors or driveways, sidewalks, etc. The system works in an air environment and utilizes high-pressure fluid flow for cleaning and a high volume air vacuum to remove fluid and debris from inside a housing. The Shook system is designed for use in an air environment and will not work underwater on submerged surfaces.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,237, issued to Brent Budden on Mar. 13, 2001, shows an underwater vacuum with a turbine powered brush having an axis of rotation parallel to the surface being cleaned and having a unique structure of the suction head of the invention which allows vacuuming sediment without introducing turbidity, and the attendant biological contaminants, into potable water supplies. The Budden device does not sterilize surfaces cleaned. The Budden device does not use variable pressure fluid flow against surfaces for a cleaning method. The Budden device does not use a sterilization chemical or fluid flow of any kind. The Budden underwater vacuum uses only a rotating brush and water suction to clean reservoirs and claims that said rotating brush removes biofilm from potable water reservoir interior surfaces. It is my belief that a rotating brush and water suction alone will not remove all biofilm or bacterial contamination from potable water reservoir interior surfaces.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,163, issued to Frank J. Moll on Apr. 30, 2003, shows a high pressure cleaning and removal system for cleaning and removing coatings from building walls and floors or driveways, sidewalks, etc. The system works in an air environment and utilizes high-pressure fluid flow for cleaning and a high volume air vacuum to remove fluid and debris from inside a housing. The Moll system is designed for use in an air environment and will not work underwater on submerged surfaces.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,413.323, issued to Forrest A. Shook, et al on Jul. 2, 2002, shows a high pressure cleaning and removal system for cleaning and removing coatings from building walls and floors or driveways, sidewalks, etc. The system works in an air environment and utilizes high-pressure fluid flow for cleaning and a high volume air vacuum to remove fluid and debris from inside a housing. The Shook system is designed for use in an air environment and will not work underwater on submerged surfaces.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,585, issued to Robert S. Robinson on Mar. 18, 2003 shows a high pressure cleaning and vacuum system for use on carpets. The system works in an air environment and is not designed for use underwater.  
         [0015]     United Kingdom Complete Patent Specification Number 1,092,133, By Russell Edward Winn, published on Nov. 22, 1967, shows an underwater vacuum for cleaning the hulls of ships or inside storage tanks. The Winn device is a self-propelled vacuum with a steerable wheel and a pump for creating suction. The Winn device also has two rotating brushes that rotate about axes perpendicular to the surface being cleaned. The Winn device is not concerned with the introduction of contaminants into the surrounding water column.  
         [0016]     European Patent Application Number 468,876, By Michael John Chandler et al., published on Jan. 29, 1992, shows a self-propelled underwater vacuum which uses a turbine to power the drive wheels of the vacuum. The device of Chandler et al. has fixed brush bristles.  
         [0017]     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. In particular, none of the above inventions and patents disclose a means for sterilizing the surface being cleaned or the use of variable pressure fluid flow for removing debris or other matter from surfaces such as the present invention which allows vacuuming sediment without introducing turbidity, and the attendant biological contaminants, or sterilization chemicals, into potable water supplies.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0018]     The present invention is directed to an underwater or submersible vacuum and sterilization system including a housing having an opening which, in use, is positioned adjacent the surface to be cleaned. The housing also supports a variable pressure sterilization and cleaning fluid flow mechanism, containment chamber, and a turbine. The housing has a water outlet which communicates with a pump at the surface of the water. The fluid flow mechanism communicates with a variable pressure pump at the surface of the water. The variable pressure pump is fluidly connected to a sterilization chemical and fluid source. There are many different types of sediment and materials that build up on potable water storage reservoir floors or other potable water treatment or distribution facilities. These materials may vary from easy to remove to sticky and difficult to remove. The amount of fluid pressure needed and the type of jet nozzle is dependent on the job being done at the moment. Therefore the amount of fluid pressure may vary from a few hundred p.s.i. all the way up to 50,000 p.s.i. or more. The type of fluid jet nozzles used are also variable to the job at hand at the moment. None of the fluid pressure pumps or jet nozzles will be discussed in this patent due to the fact that they are readily available on the open market for purchase and are not the subject of this patent.  
         [0019]     Water flowing through the vacuum is routed through the turbine. The inlet to the turbine has a trap which collects large debris that can damage the turbine blades. The flow of water through the turbine powers the rotation of the rear wheels so the vacuum is self-propelled over the surfaces being cleaned and sterilized. The vacuum has four wheels that support the vacuum and sterilization system adjacent the surface being cleaned while allowing free movement of the underwater vacuum over the surface. The two rear wheels are adjustably attached to the interior of the housing and connected by a shaft or axle, while the two front wheels are adjustably attached to the interior of the housing and are not connected by a shaft or axle. The particular arrangement and attachment of the wheels contributes to the capability of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system of the present invention to remove sediment from the bottom of a water storage reservoir without causing turbidity in the water column and propelling the vacuum over the surface being cleaned and sterilized. The structure and particular arrangement of the interior containment chamber effectively prevents any of the sterilization chemical fluid flow from entering and impacting the surrounding water column on the outside of the vacuum housing.  
         [0020]     A second embodiment has a rotable brush that is powered by the turbine powering the wheels. The rotable brush embodiment is used for cleaning water reservoirs with matter which is stubbornly attached to the surface being cleaned. This embodiment employs the rotable brush in combination with the variable pressure fluid flow mechanism for cleaning and sterilization.  
         [0021]     A third embodiment is a hand held vacuum head with an enclosed variable pressure fluid flow mechanism. The hand held embodiment is used for cleaning and sterilizing surfaces that cannot be reached by the large powered embodiments.  
         [0022]     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an underwater vacuum that can sterilize the interior surfaces of a water storage reservoir without causing turbidity or allowing sterilization chemicals in the water column.  
         [0023]     It is another object of the invention to provide an underwater vacuum and sterilization system that can remove sediment from the bottom of a water storage reservoir without causing turbidity in the water column. It is another object of the invention to provide an underwater vacuum and sterilization system having a variable pressure fluid flow mechanism to loosen sediment on the bottom of a water storage reservoir prior to the removal of the sediment by the suction of the vacuum.  
         [0024]     It is a further object of the invention to provide an underwater vacuum and sterilization system having a turbine in the path of water flow through the vacuum such that the turbine can power the rotation of the wheels of the vacuum thereby causing it to be self-propelled.  
         [0025]     It is a further object of the invention to provide an underwater vacuum and sterilization system having a turbine in the path of water flow through the vacuum such that the turbine can power the rotation of a brush used to loosen sediment, in combination with a variable pressure fluid flow mechanism, on the bottom of a water storage reservoir. Still another object of the invention is to provide an underwater vacuum and sterilization system having an internal containment chamber to prevent escape of any of the sterilization chemical into the surrounding water column on the exterior of the vacuum housing.  
         [0026]     Still another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable means of supporting the internal containment chamber so the bottom opening is supported at the right height and at the right angle above the surface to be cleaned so as to allow the surface to be sterilized without the generation of sterilization chemicals into the water column.  
         [0027]     Still another object of the invention is to provide an underwater vacuum and sterilization system having wheels that are specially configured to support the vacuum above the surface to be cleaned such that the vacuum opening is supported at the right height and at the right angle above the surface to be cleaned so as to allow the surface to be cleaned without the generation of turbidity in the water column.  
         [0028]     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  is an environmental view of an underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention being used by a diver.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1   a  is an environmental view of an underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention (second embodiment with housing  23   a ) being used by a diver.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a cutaway perspective view of an underwater vacuum according to the present invention showing a variable pressure fluid flow mechanism with a plurality of pressure jets and a mechanism for providing power to the rear wheels.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an underwater vacuum according to the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a section view showing through the left side of the vacuum housing.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a cutaway section view showing through the front of the vacuum housing.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of an underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an underwater vacuum and sterilization system.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a cutaway section view showing both a rotable brush and variable pressure fluid flow mechanism of a second embodiment of an underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a cutaway perspective view of a second embodiment an underwater vacuum and sterilization system showing the opening to the debris trap, the rotable brush, and the variable pressure fluid flow mechanism according to the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a cutaway perspective view of a second embodiment of an underwater vacuum and sterilization system showing the interior of the turbine and the drive linkage to the rotating brush, and the variable pressure fluid flow mechanism according to the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective of a second embodiment of an underwater vacuum and sterilization system showing the placement of exterior front wheels, placement of variable pressure fluid flow hose and different arrangement of vacuum housing front lower portion according to the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view of a second embodiment of an underwater vacuum and sterilization system showing the positioning of a rotable brush in combination with a variable pressure fluid flow mechanism according to the present invention. This variation of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system shows a low-pressure spray tube and would be used in situations where only sterilization is required from the variable pressure fluid flow mechanism due to the rotable brush being sufficient to remove the type of sediment in question.  
         [0042]      FIG. 13  is a fragmentary view showing the height adjustment mechanism for the rear wheel shaft or axle or for the rotable brush of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 14  is a fragmentary view showing the height adjustment mechanism for the non-powered wheels of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 15  is an rear see-through plan view with phantom lines of a third embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention designed for use in cleaning the seam or joint where a wall meets the floor inside a potable water reservoir.  
         [0045]      FIG. 16  is an side cut-away perspective view of a third embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention designed for use in cleaning the seam or joint where a wall meets the floor inside a potable water reservoir.  
         [0046]      FIG. 17  is an rear cut-away perspective view of a fourth hand-held embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention designed for use in cleaning small flat areas inside a potable water reservoir where the larger embodiments will not fit.  
         [0047]      FIG. 18  is a side see-through plan view with phantom lines showing a fifth embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system according to the present invention designed and used for cleaning and sterilizing the inside of pipes connected to a potable water reservoir.  
         [0048]      FIG. 19  is a see-through perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system with phantom lines inside the vacuum housing to reveal the variable pressure fluid flow mechanism and containment chamber for cleaning the outside of exposed pipes or roof support columns inside potable water reservoirs according to the present invention.  
         [0049]      FIG. 20  is a top see-through plan view of a fifth embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system with the vacuum housing shown as transparent to reveal the internal variable pressure fluid flow mechanism and containment chamber for cleaning the outside of exposed pipes or roof support columns inside potable water reservoirs according to the present invention.  
         [0050]      FIG. 21  is a side cut-away plan view of a fifth embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system to reveal the internal variable pressure fluid flow mechanism and containment chamber for cleaning the outside of exposed pipes or roof support columns inside potable water reservoirs according to the present invention.  
         [0051]      FIG. 22  is an environmental perspective view of the main embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system to show how it is connected to a float on the surface of the water for the horizontal cleaning of potable reservoir walls according to the present invention.  
         [0052]     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0053]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-12 , the present invention is an underwater vacuum  23  which includes a housing  24 , a debris trap  25 , a cylindrical turbine housing  26 , turbines  28  and  30 , a variable pressure fluid supply hose  33 , a variable pressure fluid flow mechanism consisting of a fluid hose connector  35 , vertical fluid flow delivery pipe  65 , fluid flow system vertical height adjustment mechanism  47 , vertical to horizontal fluid supply “T” fitting  49 , horizontal fluid supply pipe  37 , horizontal pipe to vertical fluid supply threaded connectors  51 , variable pressure fluid flow nozzles  53 , an internal containment chamber consisting of a front wall  55 , a right wall  57 , a back wall  59 , a left wall  61 , the bottom of each wall having more than one flexible member, seal or plurality of bristles or brushes thereby defining a circumferential seal on the bottom edges, an open top  71 , containment chamber adjustable vacuum housing attachment bolts or studs  39 , vacuum housing adjustable attachment slots  43 , containment chamber to vacuum housing attachment nuts  41 , an optional rotating brush  32 , front wheels  34  and  36 , rear wheels  144 , an outlet pipe  42 , and a T-shaped handle  44 . The housing  24  has a suction opening  46 , a base portion  48 , and a cap portion  50 . The suction opening  46  is substantially rectangular. By substantially rectangular it is intended to convey that the opening  46  is generally rectangular and the perimeter may deviate from a perfect rectangle in that the opening  46  may have rounded corners or fillets at corners, or the opening  46  may have clearance channels (shown in  FIG. 12 ) for the mounting hardware of the shaft of the rotating brush  32 . The substantially rectangular perimeter of the suction opening  46  defines the plane of the suction opening. The suction opening  46  has a rear edge  52 , a front edge  54 , a left edge  56 , and a right edge  58 .  
         [0054]     There are two variations of the main embodiment vacuum.  FIG. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  22  show vacuum  23  with vacuum housing  24 . This embodiment employs the combination of water suction and variable pressure fluid flow for cleaning and sterilization. This embodiment does not utilize a rotable brush  32 . The function of the vacuum housing  24  is the same as vacuum housing  24   a,  however the shape of the housing base portion  48  is different whereas the front wall is not curved where it extends from the suction opening front edge  54  to the front wall  62  of the cap portion  50 .  
         [0055]     The second embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   a,    7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 , and  12  show vacuum  23   a  with vacuum housing  24   a.  This embodiment employs the combination of water suction, variable pressure fluid flow, and a rotable brush for cleaning and sterilization. There are many types of sediment and/or matter that accumulate on the interior surfaces of potable water reservoirs. Depending on the type of material will vary the need of a rotable brush, the amount of fluid pressure utilized, or the sterilization needs. Due to the variety of needs for this process the vacuum  23  and  23   a  may need a combination of pressure fluid flow and a rotable brush or the use of pressure fluid flow without a rotable brush. The combinations of fluid flow and rotable brush may also have a varying need for the amount of pressure utilized in the fluid flow. The fluid flow has two purposes; one is to sterilize the surface being cleaned and the other is to use the pressure fluid flow to remove material from the surface being cleaned. On the extreme high pressure end of the spectrum the fluid flow may be utilized to even remove paint, epoxy, or other coatings from steel surfaces. On the low end of the pressure spectrum the fluid flow may only be a low-pressure spray (as shown in  FIG. 12  lateral water pipe  37 ). The latter embodiment only needs low-pressure spray to sterilize the surface, which has been adequately cleaned by the rotable brush  32 . Another difference between vacuum  23  and  23   a  is that vacuum housing  24   a  does not need power to drive the rear wheels due to the fact that the rotable brush  32  propels the vacuum.  
         [0056]     Referring to vacuum  23   a  and vacuum housing  24   a,  the cap portion  50  has a rear wall  60  and a front wall  62 , which is spaced apart from the rear wall  60 . The cross sectional area, in a plane parallel to the plane of the suction opening  46 , of the cap portion  50  tapers from a maximum where the cap portion  50  joins the base portion  48  to a minimum at the cap portion top  64 . The front wall of the base portion  48  is curved or rounded and it extends from the suction opening front edge  54  to the front wall  62  of the cap portion  50 . The front wall of the base portion  48 , or a portion thereof, follows or parallels the contour of a cylindrical surface defined by the tips of the bristles of the brush  32 . The rear wall of the base portion  48  extends, perpendicular to the plane of the suction opening  46 , from the suction opening rear edge  52  to the rear wall  60  of the cap portion  50 . The base portion  48  has a right sidewall  66  and a left sidewall  68 .  
         [0057]     The right sidewall  66  is joined to the rear wall of the base portion  48  along substantially the entire length of the right edge of the rear wall of the base portion  48 . The top edge of the right sidewall  66  is joined to the cap portion  50  along substantially the entire length of the right edge of the widest portion of the cap portion  50 . The right sidewall  66  is joined to the front wall of the base portion  48  along substantially the entire length of the curved right edge of the front wall of the base portion  48 . The bottom edge of the right sidewall  66  essentially forms the right edge  58  of the suction opening  46 .  
         [0058]     The left sidewall  68  is joined to the rear wall of the base portion  48  along substantially the entire length of the left edge of the rear wall of the base portion  48 . The top edge of the left sidewall  68  is joined to the cap portion  50  along substantially the entire length of the left edge of the widest portion of the cap portion  50 . The left sidewall  68  is joined to the front wall of the base portion  48  along substantially the entire length of the curved left edge of the front wall of the base portion  48 . The bottom edge of the left sidewall  68  essentially forms the left edge  56  of the suction opening  46 . The front and rear walls of the base portion  48 , the left sidewall  68 , the right sidewall  66 , and the cap portion  50  cooperatively form an enclosure or concavity which opens to the suction opening  46 .  
         [0059]     The brush  32  is rotatably supported intermediate the left sidewall  68  and the right sidewall  66 . The brush  32  is oriented such that it axis of rotation is parallel to the plane of the suction opening  46 . The brush  32  has a central shaft  70  each end of which is journaled in mounting hardware attached to a respective one of the left and right sidewalls  68  and  66 . The details of the mounting hardware will be discussed later. The bristles of the brush  32  may have their roots embedded directly in the shaft  70  or, alternatively, the roots of the sleeves may be embedded in a cylindrical sleeve which is keyed or otherwise fixed to the shaft  70 . Most preferably, the roots of the bristles of each half of the brush  32  are embedded over a helical strip into either the sleeve or the shaft  70 . The helical strips over which the bristles are embedded are angled in opposite directions for each half of the brush  32  such that the bristles on each half of the brush  32  act as screw conveyors moving the sediment toward the center of the suction opening  46  where it can be vacuumed up more readily and with a lesser chance of escaping to the outside of the housing  24   a.    
         [0060]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the brush  32  is powered to rotate such that the bristles of the brush  32  move toward the rear of the housing  24   a  as the bristles pass under the axis of rotation of the brush  32 . This means that with the underwater vacuum  23   a  oriented as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the brush  32  is powered to rotate in the clockwise direction. For the helically arranged bristles to push sediment toward the center of the housing  24   a,  the bristles on the right half of the brush  32  are arranged along a helical strip having an acute helix angle when measured from the inside surface of the right sidewall  66  in a clockwise direction. Also, the bristles on the left half of the brush  32  are arranged along a helical strip having an acute helix angle when measured from the inside surface of the left sidewall  68  in a counter clockwise direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0061]     The brush  32  is positioned within the housing  24   a  such that the bristles of the brush project for a user determined distance beyond the plane of the suction opening  46 . The brush  32  has soft bristles so as not to damage the surface coatings of the water reservoir being cleaned. In addition, a flange  74  projects from about the suction opening  46 . A soft bumper  76  made of a rubber or plastic material covers the flange  74 . The bumper  76  provides further protection against damage to the surfaces of the reservoir being cleaned due to being bumped by the housing  24   a.    
         [0062]     The front wheels  34  and  36  are attached to the outer surface of the front most portion of the front wall of the base portion  48  of the housing  24   a.  The rear wheels  38  and  40  are attached to the outer surface of the rear wall of the base portion  48  of the housing  24   a  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ). The wheels  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40  are attached at their respective locations in such a way that they can all rotate freely. The wheels  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40  support the housing  24 A at a user selected height above the surface of the reservoir that is being cleaned, and these wheels allow the underwater vacuum  23   a  to be pushed along the surface being cleaned. The details of the attachment of the wheels  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40  are discussed later.  
         [0063]     An opening  78  is provided in the front wall  62  of the cap portion  50  of the housing  24  and  24   a.  A reinforcing bar  77  extends between the front and rear walls of the base portion  48 . The reinforcing bar  77  helps keep the rear wall, formed by the rear walls of the base portion  48  and the cap portion  50 , of the housing  22  from collapsing under the pressure differential between the exterior and the interior of the housing  22 . The opening  78  communicates with the debris trap  24 . The debris trap  24  is formed by three walls, two of which project perpendicularly from the front wall  62  on either side of the opening  78 . The third wall forming the debris trap  24  extends between the edges, located distal from the front wall  62 , of the two walls, which project from the front wall  62 . The walls forming the debris trap  24  also join the top surface of the curved front wall of the base portion  48 . Thus, the top surface of the curved front wall of the base portion  48  forms the bottom of the debris trap  24 . The open top  80  of the debris trap  24  is provided with a hinged closure  82  which can be secured in the closed position by the latch  84 .  
         [0064]     In the illustrated example, the latch  84  is in the form of a hook that is engageable with an eye  86 ; however, the latch  84  may be of any known type. A sealing strip or gasket (not shown) may be provided about the perimeter of the closure  82  to provide a watertight seal about the open top  80  of the debris trap  24 . To maximize water flow through the housing  24  and  24   a,  an essential feature for eliminating turbidity, the opening  78  should be made as large as possible. Most preferably, the opening  78  has a width approximately equal to the distance between the interior surfaces of the right and left walls of the debris trap  24  and a height approximately equal to the distance between the top  64  of the cap portion  50  and the top edge of the front wall of the base portion  48 .  
         [0065]     The cylindrical turbine housing  26  is fixed to the right wall of the debris trap  24 . The right wall of the debris trap  24  has a hole  88  with a diameter essentially equal to the inside diameter of the cylindrical turbine housing  26 . The hole  88  allows fluid communication between the interior of the debris trap  24  and the interior of the turbine housing  26 . Spokes  90  concentrically support a bearing  92 , which rotatably supports an end of the turbine shaft  94 . The turbine shaft  94  extends through the closed end of the turbine housing  26  such that the end of the shaft  94  distal from the bearing  92  lies outside the turbine housing  26 . The portion of the shaft  94  passing through the closed end of the turbine housing  26  is journaled within a bearing surface formed in the closed end of the turbine housing  26 , such that the shaft  94  can rotate freely.  
         [0066]     Spokes  90 , in addition to supporting the bearing  92 , act as a screen to keep debris that may damage the blades of turbines  28  and  30  from entering the turbine housing  26 . Where relatively smaller particles or debris cause concern relating to possible damage to the blades of the turbines  28  and  30 , a wire mesh screen may be provided at the opening  88 . Debris trapped in the debris trap  24  can be removed through the hinged closure  82 .  
         [0067]     A sprocket  96  is fixedly attached to the end of the shaft  94 , which is outside the turbine housing  26 . A chain  98  engages the sprocket  96  and a sprocket  100  which is fixedly attached to the shaft  70  (vacuum  23   a  and vacuum housing  24   a ) or a sprocket  146 , which is fixedly attached to the rear wheel shaft  142  (vacuum  23  and vacuum housing  24 ). Thus, rotation of the turbine shaft  94  causes the rotation of the brush shaft  70  in vacuum  23   a  or the rear wheel shaft  142  in vacuum  23 . The chain  98  passes through holes  102  formed in the upper portion of the front wall of the base portion  48 . The chain  98  is in the form of an endless loop.  
         [0068]     Any suitable power transmission mechanism may be substituted for the chain  98  and the sprockets  96  and  100  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a belt and pulley can be used in place of the chain  98  and the sprockets  96 ,  100 , and  146 , or the shaft  70  or shaft  142  can be extended to the exterior of the housing  24  or  24   a  and a fully enclosed gear train used transmit power from an extended shaft  94  to the shaft  70  or  142 .  
         [0069]     The turbines  28  and  30  are of the axial flow type and are positioned in tandem within the turbine housing  26 . The blades of each of the turbines  28  and  30  are fixed to the common turbine shaft  94  such that the turbine blades and the shaft  94  rotate together. Thus, water flow past the blades of the turbines  28  and  30  powers the rotation of the shaft  94  and in turn, through the use of the belt  98 , the rotation of the brush  32 .  
         [0070]     As water passes through the upstream turbine  28  and rotating current is generated in the water flowing through the turbine housing  26 . This rotating current causes the downstream turbine  30  to lose effectiveness. To remedy this problem, re-directional baffles  112  are provided intermediate the turbines  28  and  30 . The baffles  112  are fixed to the inside surface of the cylindrical wall of the turbine housing  26  and extend radially inward toward the shaft  94 , but the baffles  112  do not touch the shaft  94  so as not to interfere with the rotation of the shaft  94 . The baffles  112  straighten out the flow of the water, i.e. restore the flow to purely axial flow as much as possible, before the water impinges upon the blades of the downstream turbine  30  to thereby restore efficiency to the downstream turbine  30  and thus increase the combined power output from the turbines  28  and  30 .  
         [0071]     Any motor mechanism may be substituted for turbine housing  26  and turbines  28  and  30  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example a water powered vane type side driving motor, submersible electric motor or air pressure motor can be substituted in place of turbine housing  26  and turbines  28  and  30 . The motor mechanism only supplies power to drive the rear wheels and/or rotable brush of the present invention and does not deviate from the principle of a combination variable pressure fluid flow, water suction and/or rotable brush for the cleaning and sterilization of underwater surfaces.  
         [0072]     The outlet of the turbine housing  26  is positioned intermediate the downstream turbine  30  and the closed end of the turbine housing  26 . The outlet of the turbine housing  26  communicates with the outlet pipe  42 . The inlet of the outlet pipe  42  is rigidly fixed about the outlet of the turbine housing  26 . The outlet pipe  42  extends directly rearward from the turbine housing  26  until the outlet pipe  42  clears the rear wall of the cap portion  50  of the vacuum housing  24  or  24   a.  Once clear of the rear wall of the cap portion  50  of the vacuum housing  24  or  24   a,  the outlet pipe  42  makes a first bend. The outlet pipe  42  extends, parallel to the plane of the suction opening  46 , from the first bend toward the middle of the housing  24  or  24   a.  Once near the middle portion of the housing  24  or  24   a,  i.e. near the portion of the rear wall  60  extending downward from the top  64  of the cap portion  50 , the outlet pipe  42  makes a second bend and extends upward perpendicular to the plane of the suction opening  46 . The outlet pipe  42  terminates in a coupling  104  that allows the outlet pipe  104  to be connected to a flexible pipe  106  which is in turn connected to a pump (not shown) at the surface. A support plate  108  is rigidly fixed to the front wall  62  of the cap portion  50 . The outlet pipe  42  passes through the support plate  108  near the joint between the turbine housing  26  and the outlet pipe  42 . Thus the support plate  108  supports the inlet to the outlet pipe  42 , and the support plate  108  also supports the closed end of the turbine housing  26  via the inlet to the outlet pipe  42 .  
         [0073]     A socket  110  is pivotally attached to the rear wall, formed by the rear walls of the base portion  48  and of the cap portion  50 , of the housing  24  or  24   a.  The socket  110  allows the attachment of the T-shaped handle  44 . The user can fix the angle of the socket  110  relative to the rear wall of the base portion  48  at any desired angle. The fixing of the socket angle can, for example, be accomplished frictionally by tightening a nut and bolt passing through the pivot point of the socket  110 .  
         [0074]     In use, the underwater vacuum  23  or  23   a  is placed on the bottom surface of a potable water reservoir such that it is supported over the bottom of the reservoir by the four wheels  34 ,  36 ,  144  and  144  (underwater vacuum  23 ) or four wheels  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40  (underwater vacuum  23   a ). When the vacuum  23  or  23   a  is thus positioned, the suction opening will be positioned adjacent the surface to be cleaned. The flexible pipe  106  connects the outlet pipe  42  to a pump located above the surface of the water in the reservoir. Such pumps are well known and are therefore not described here. A diver then stands behind the vacuum  23  or  23   a  and grasps the T-shaped handle  44 . The pump is now turned on, causing water to be drawn through the suction opening  46 , through the housing  24  or  24   a,  and up the flexible pipe  106 . The diver then walks behind the vacuum  23  or  23   a,  and the vacuum  23  or  23   a  moves self-propelled along the bottom of the reservoir, to apply the cleaning and sterilization action of the vacuum  23  or  23   a  to an increasingly wider area of the reservoir bottom.  
         [0075]     Due to the suction created by the pump, water rushes into the housing  24  or  24   a  through the suction opening  46 . The water moves at a high flow rate up the cap portion  50  of the housing  22 . The water then passes through the opening  78  and into the debris trap  24 . From the debris trap  24  the water rushes through the turbine housing  26 , through the outlet pipe  42 , and up the hose  106  to the surface. As the water rushes through the turbine housing  26 , the axial flow turbines  28  and  30  and the shaft  94  are caused to rotate or spin. The rotating shaft  94  causes the rotation of the shaft  70  or shaft  142  via the sprockets  96 ,  100  and/or  146  and the chain  98 . The brush  32 , being fixed to the shaft  70 , or the rear wheels  144 , being fixed to the shaft  142 , are set in motion rotating about the longitudinal axis of the shaft  70  (vacuum  23   a ) or the shaft  142  (vacuum  23 ). The rotating brush  32  scrubs the reservoir bottom dislodging the sediment film coating the reservoir bottom. The dislodged sediment and the biological contaminants contained in it are carried, by the water rushing through the housing  24   a,  up the hose  106  and to the surface where the water containing the sediment is discarded in accordance with applicable regulations. This process continues as long as the pump is turned on. Thus, the removal of the sediment and associated biofilm, from the bottom of the reservoir is effected without introducing turbidity into the reservoir water. Simultaneously the variable fluid flow mechanism via vertical fluid flow pipe  65  and connectors  51  and  49  and horizontal fluid flow pipe  37  to fluid flow nozzles  53  introduces fluid sterilization chemical against the surface of the bottom of the reservoir behind the rotable brush  32  to remove any additional stubborn biofilm and sterilize said surface.  
         [0076]     Note the sterilization chemicals used are 200 ppm chlorine solution or of a type similar to 200 ppm chlorine solution which is accepted as “instant kill” for microorganisms and need only touch the surface momentarily for effective sterilization. In vacuum  23  the fluid flow may be of high pressure and the fluid chemical sterilization solution is from entering the surrounding water column outside of vacuum housing  24  by means of the bottom sealed internal containment chamber walls  55 ,  57 ,  59 , and  61  and bottom circumferential seal  63 . The volume of fluid flow via the fluid flow mechanism is significantly less (between 6 and 60 gpm) than the water suction exiting the vacuum housing  24  or  24   a  via the outlet pipe  42  and flexible suction pipe  106  (which normally ranges between 150 and 300 gpm). Thus the open top of the containment chamber  71  allows for the greater suction through outlet pipe  42  and flexible suction pipe  106  to effectively and instantly remove all variable pressure fluid flow and sterilization chemical from the vacuum housing  24  or  24   a  and therefore avoid any introduction of the sterilization chemical into the water column on the outside of vacuum housing  24  or  24   a.  Simultaneously the variable pressure fluid flow cannot exit the suction opening  46  and cause turbidity on the outside of vacuum housing  24  or  24   a.    
         [0077]     It is important to note that the internal containment chamber is a necessary and integral part of the present invention. If the circumferential seal were placed around the suction opening  46  it would provide the same function of preventing turbidity from the variable pressure fluid flow and would prevent the escape of sterilization chemical into the surrounding water column. However, if the circumferential seal were placed around the suction opening  46  the vacuum housing  24  or  24   a  would suck down against the reservoir surface and would not be movable along the surface being cleaned and sterilized.  
         [0078]     Referring to  FIG. 14 , a height adjustable attachment for the wheels  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40  can be seen. Wheel  36  is being used as representative of all the wheels  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 . A pair of parallel plates  114  are fixedly attached to the housing  24  or  24   a.  In the case of the wheels  34  and  36  the plates  114  would be attached to the front wall of the base portion  48 , while in the case of the wheels  38  and  40  the plates  114  would be attached to the rear wall of the base portion  48 . Each plate  114  has an elongated slot  116 . The slots  116  are in registry with one another. The slots  116  are just wide enough for the threaded shaft of the bolt  118  to pass through the slots  116 . The length of the slots  116  provides the range of adjustment of the position of the wheel  36  in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the suction opening  46 .  
         [0079]     The wheel  36  is rotatably supported by the bushing  120  which is slightly longer than the wheel  36  is wide. The plates  114  are spaced apart to allow the bushing  120  to fit therebetween. When the bushing  120  is placed between the plates  114 , the central bore of the bushing  120  can be brought into registry with the slots  116 . The inside diameter of the bushing  120  is about the same as the width of the slots  116 . The outside diameter of the bushing  120  is greater than the width of the slots  116 . With the bushing  120  placed through the central hole  122  of the wheel  36 , the bushing  120  is then placed between the plates  114  with the central bore of the bushing  120  in registry with the slots  116 . The bolt  118  is then passed through the slots  116  and the bushing  120 , and the nut  124  is threadedly engaged to the end, distal from the bolt head, of the bolt  118 . The wheel  36  is then moved to the desired position along the slots  116  and the nut  124  is tightened to frictionally secure the wheel  36  in place while allowing free rotation of the wheel  36 .  
         [0080]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a height adjustable attachment for the shaft  70  or shaft  142  can be seen. Each end of the shaft  70  or shaft  142  is journaled within the central boss or cylindrical portion  126  of the mounting attachments  128 . The mounting attachments  128  have lateral extensions  130  which are provided with bolt holes  132 . The bolt holes  132  are in registry with elongated slots  136 . A pair of slots  132  is formed in each of the side walls  66  and  68  for the shaft  70  or shaft  142 . Only the attachment of the right end of the shaft  70  or shaft  142  is shown in detail, the attachment of the left end of the shaft  70  or shaft  142  being a mirror image of the right end. Each one of a pair of bolts  134  pass s through a respective bolt hole  132  and a respective slot  136 . The slots  136  are just wide enough for the threaded shaft of the bolt  134  to pass through the slots  136 . The length of the slots  136  provides the range of adjustment of the position of the shaft  70  or shaft  142  in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the suction opening  46 .  
         [0081]     Each one of a pair of nuts  138  is threadedly engaged to the end, distal from the bolt head, of a respective one of the bolts  134 . The ends of the shaft  70  or shaft  142  are then moved to the desired position along the slots  136  and the nuts  138  are tightened to friction ally secure the shaft  70  or shaft  142  in place. The chain  98  is sized to remain under tension, and in frictional engagement with sprockets  96 ,  100 , and  146 , over the entire adjustment range of the shaft  70  or shaft  142 . The adjustable attachments of the wheels  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40  and of the shaft  70  or shaft  142  allow the underwater vacuum to be adjusted for sediment accumulations having varying depths.  
         [0082]     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a third hand held or manually pushed embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system made in accordance with the present invention can be seen. The manual underwater vacuum  23   b  is designed for cleaning and sterilizing the area where reservoir walls meet the floor. The larger vacuum&#39;s  23  or  23   a  cannot reach this wall to floor joint or seam. The vacuum  23   b  differs from the vacuum  23  and  23   a  in the fact that it is not self-propelled and it does not have a rotable brush. The vacuum is smaller in size and has a variable pressure fluid flow mechanism in combination with water suction. The vacuum  23   b  also has an internal containment chamber similar to vacuum  23 . Vacuum  23   b  has two suction openings  46  and two containment chamber seal areas  158 . Each of the respective two openings has a specific purpose of adjacent plane contact with the wall on the vertical side and the floor on the horizontal side for cleaning and sterilizing the area near and where the wall and floor meet. There are four wheels  156  attached to the bottom of the vacuum housing  24   b  which make contact with the reservoir floor  182 . The height of the wheels is adjustable to allow for the optimum water flow between the floor and housing. There are two wheels  156  adjustably attached to the vertical portion of the vacuum housing  24   b  which maintain the proper horizontal distance between the vacuum housing and the wall  180 . The fluid hose  33  is attached to the fluid flow internal tube  155  by means of attachment  35 . The fluid flow nozzle or jet  53  is threadedly attached to the end of fluid flow tube  155 . The fluid flow nozzle shown in this figure is a rotating pressure turbo jet nozzle that spins in order for the fluid jet to spray all surfaces exposed under the vacuum housing  24   b.  The variable pressure fluid flow nozzle can be of a variety of types such as a fan spray nozzle or multiple low-pressure spray nozzles. The internal containment chamber  73  is open on the upper portion  71  to allow for water flow to travel from the inside of the containment chamber  73  as well as around the exterior space between the containment chamber  73  and the vacuum housing  24   b . The bottom of the containment chamber has a circumferential flexible seal  158 , which prevents the variable pressure fluid flow from escaping to the exterior of the vacuum housing  24   b.  As in other embodiments this device has a water suction flexible pipe  106 , which is connected to a water pump on the exterior of the reservoir which is connected to the outlet pipe  42  by means of attachment  104 . The variable pressure fluid hose  33  is connected to a variable pressure fluid pump on the exterior of the reservoir.  
         [0083]     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a fourth hand held embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system made in accordance with the present invention can be seen. The hand held underwater vacuum  23   c  is designed for cleaning smaller flat areas where the vacuums  23 ,  23   a,  or  23   b  cannot reach. The vacuum  23   c  differs from the vacuum  23 ,  23   a  and  23   b  in the fact that it is not self-propelled and it does not have a rotable brush. The vacuum is smaller in size and has a variable pressure fluid flow mechanism in combination with water suction. The vacuum  23   c  also has an internal containment chamber similar to vacuum  23 . Vacuum  23   c  only has one suction opening  46  whereas vacuum  23   b  has two suction openings  46 , one for the wall and one for the floor. The vacuum  23   c  has a manual trigger  164  for operating the variable pressure fluid flow mechanism, which is an optional element of vacuums  23 ,  23   a,  and  23   b.  This device has two handles  166  for manual operation. Like the other embodiments a water suction flexible pipe  106  is attached to an outlet pipe  42  by means of an attachment collar  104 . This flexible pipe  106  is connected to a water pump on the exterior of the reservoir. The variable pressure fluid flow mechanism is connected to a variable pressure fluid pump on the exterior of the reservoir by means of a water hose  33 . The water hose is connected to an internal fluid transmission pipe  155 , which is connected to a variable pressure fluid nozzle  53 . As in other embodiments the type of fluid flow nozzles can vary from a high pressure rotating nozzle to a fan spray nozzle of multiple low-pressure nozzles. The internal containment chamber  73  is attached to the vacuum housing  24   c  by means of attachment bars  168 . The containment chamber has openings  160  that allow the water to flow from the inside of the containment chamber as well as from the space between the containment chamber  73  and the vacuum housing  24   c.  The water flows by way of suction out through outlet pipe  42  to the flexible pipe  106 . The lower circumference of the internal containment chamber  73  has a flexible seal  158  to prevent the variable pressure fluid flow from escaping to the exterior of vacuum housing  24   c.  The lower circumference of the vacuum housing  24   c  has openings as shown in expanded view  162 . These openings allow for water flow to the inside of the vacuum housing to prevent the opening  46  from sucking down and sticking to the surface being cleaned and sterilized.  
         [0084]     Referring to  FIG. 18 , a fifth self-propelled embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system made in accordance with the present invention can be seen. The self-propelled underwater vacuum  23   d  is designed for cleaning the interior portions of pipes connected to potable water reservoirs where the vacuums  23 ,  23   a,    23   b  or  23   c  cannot reach. The vacuum  23   d  differs from the vacuum  23 ,  23   a,    23   b  and  23   c  in the fact that it is not self-propelled by wheels or a rotable brush and it does not have a rotable brush. The vacuum is smaller in size and has a variable pressure fluid flow mechanism in combination with water suction. The vacuum  23   d  does not have an internal containment chamber similar to vacuum  23 ,  23   b,  or  23   c.  Vacuum  23   d  only has one suction opening  46  whereas vacuum  23   b  has two suction openings  46 , one for the wall and one for the floor. The vacuum  23   d  is self-propelled by the backward direction of the variable pressure fluid flow against the interior surface of the pipe. The fluid flow mechanism turbojet nozzle spins to clean all interior surface of pipes and by virtue of a backward direction of the fluid flow the device is self-propelled. The technology of this type of turbo rotating jet nozzle is not the subject of this invention and is available on the open market from a variety of manufacturers. The prior art of this fluid flow pressure nozzle system is widely used for cleaning sewer pipes in the utility industry. The difference between the present invention and prior art sewer cleaning technology is that this invention combines water suction to remove debris loosened by the fluid flow jet nozzle. There is no need for a internal containment chamber due to the fact that all sterilization chemical and debris loosened by the fluid flow jet is directed back towards the vacuum suction opening  46  and all materials are rapidly removed from the confined enclosed space between the vacuum housing  24   d  and the interior walls of the pipe. The device has six wheels  170  that are attached to a bar  172  that is adjustably attached to the vacuum housing  24   d  by means of movable arms  173 . The three adjustable wheel assemblies (only two are shown) maintain the vacuum  23   d  in a center position inside the pipe equal distant from the interior pipe surface  178 . The vacuum housing  24   d  and outlet pipe  42 , in this embodiment, serve the same purpose. The outlet pipe  42  is attached to the flexible suction pipe  106  by means of attachment collar  104 . The flexible suction pipe  106  is connected to a water pump on the exterior of the reservoir. This embodiment can be used for cleaning and sterilizing the interior of any pipe whether attached to a water reservoir or not.  
         [0085]     Referring to  FIGS. 19, 20  and  21 , a sixth float driven embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system made in accordance with the present invention can be seen. The circular underwater vacuum  23   e  is designed for cleaning the exterior surfaces of roof support columns and/or exposed internal pipes where the vacuums  23 ,  23   a,    23   b,    23   c  or  23   d  can not reach. This embodiment can also be fabricated in a rectangular, square or other design for square, rectangular, or other shaped roof support columns. The vacuum  23   e  differs from the vacuum  23 ,  23   a,    23   b,    23   c  or  23   d  in the fact that it is not self-propelled and it does not have a rotable brush. The vacuum is smaller in size and has a variable pressure fluid flow mechanism in combination with water suction. The vacuum  23   e  also has an internal containment chamber  73  with an open top  71  similar to vacuum  23 . Vacuum  23   e  only has one suction opening  46  whereas vacuum  23   b  has two suction openings  46 , one for the wall and one for the floor. The vacuum  23   e  has a circumferential suction opening  46  that surrounds a cylindrical column or pipe. The vacuum  23   e  can also be adapted to surround a rectangular or other shaped column. The vacuum  23   e  is propelled in an upward direction by means of air-activated floats (not shown in drawings). The internal containment chamber  73  has an internal circumferential flexible seal  158  similar to the other embodiments to prevent escape of the variable pressure fluid flow to the exterior of vacuum housing  24   e.  The variable pressure fluid flow mechanism has a plurality of variable pressure fluid flow nozzles  53  arranged in around the interior circumference of the containment chamber  73 . The fluid flow nozzles are connected by means of threaded attachments  35  to short sections of high-pressure fluid hose  33 . The fluid hose  33  is flexible allowing for the circular arrangement of the fluid flow nozzles  53 . The vacuum housing  24   e  and internal containment chamber  73  are flexibly attached by means of hinge  186  to allow for the device to open so it can be placed around the internal column. The hinged portions of the housing and internal chamber are held closed by means of a latch  187 . In order to open the circular arrangement of fluid nozzles and fluid hose to place the device around a column the fluid hose attachment  35  nearest the latch  187  is detached and then re-attached prior to closing the latch  187 . A plurality of wheels  192  have a shaft  188  that is adjustably attached to the internal circumference of the vacuum housing  24   e.  Each wheel is place and attached inside a slot  190  on the internal circumference of the vacuum housing  24   e.  As in the other embodiments the flexible water suction pipe  106  is connected to a water pump on the exterior of the reservoir. The water pipe is attached to the outlet pipe  42  by means of attachment collar  104 . The outlet pipe  42  is fixedly attached to the vacuum housing  24   e.  The internal containment chamber  731  is fixedly attached to the inside of the vacuum housing  24   e  by means of a plurality of attachment bars  168 . The high-pressure fluid hose  33  is attached to the fluid flow mechanism by means of attachment  35  and fluid pipe  65  and housing attachment  51 . The fluid flow pipe is attached to the fluid flow mechanism by means of a “T” fitting  49 . The outside perimeter of the internal containment chamber  73  is open  71 . The outside perimeter of the internal containment chamber has bars  194  that connect the top and bottom walls of the chamber together. The open outside perimeter  71  of the internal containment chamber  73  allows for water flow to the outlet pipe  42  from the inside of the internal containment chamber  73  as well as from the space surrounding the internal containment chamber between it&#39;s top and bottom walls and the walls of the vacuum housing  24   e.    
         [0086]     Referring to  FIG. 22 , a seventh float controlled embodiment of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system made in accordance with the present invention can be seen. This embodiment utilizes vacuum  23  or  23   a  for cleaning and sterilizing walls or other vertical flat surfaces inside water reservoirs or other water facilities. The only difference between this embodiment and vacuums  23  and  23   a  is the fact that it&#39;s vertical position relative to the floor  208  or surface of the water  206  is maintained by a cable  200  attached to a float  202  at the water surface  206 . The vacuum is held to the wall  204  surface by water suction and is self-propelled in a horizontal direction by it&#39;s motor and drive mechanism as previously described. After the vacuum makes a complete circumference of the reservoir it is turned in the opposite direction and raised a distance equal to one width of the vacuum suction opening  46 . The vacuum is raised by turning a small winch  198  by hand which is fixedly attached to the vacuum housing cap  50  by a winch attachment  210 . This process is repeated successively cleaning and sterilizing a complete circumference or perimeter of the reservoir until the entire vertical surface is cleaned and sterilized.  
         [0087]     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. The basis of this invention is to cover any combination of water suction, variable pressure fluid flow, and rotable brush for the cleaning and sterilization of underwater surfaces.