Patent Publication Number: US-2022233975-A1

Title: Apparatus and methods for cleaning pool and spa filters

Description:
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/142,021, filed Jan. 27, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Cartridge style pool and spa filters are typically cleaned by hand (e.g., with a hose). This can be time-consuming, ineffective, and can reduce the life of the filter and degrade the quality of the water in the pool or spa. It would be desirable to have an automatic system to clean the filter efficiently to avoid these issues. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus for cleaning pool or spa filters includes: a housing; a turntable assembly in the housing, the turntable assembly configured to receive a filter thereon; and a fluid assembly on the housing configured to receive liquid from a liquid source. The fluid assembly includes: a spin jet configured to spray the liquid on the turntable such that the turntable and the filter thereon spin; and at least one power jet configured to spray the liquid on and/or through the filter while the turntable assembly and the filter spin. 
     Some other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for cleaning a cartridge style filter for a swimming pool or a spa. The method includes: providing an apparatus comprising an enclosure, a turntable assembly in the enclosure, and a fluid assembly in the enclosure; placing the filter on the turntable assembly; connecting a hose to the fluid assembly to provide water to the fluid assembly; spraying water from the fluid assembly to a side of the turntable assembly such that the turntable assembly and filter rotate; and spraying water from the fluid assembly onto the filter while the turntable assembly and the filter rotate to thereby clean the filter of dirt and debris. 
     Further features, advantages and details of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments that follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an apparatus configured to clean swimming pool and spa filters according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a cartridge style pool filter. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a turntable assembly of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are fragmentary perspective views of the turntable assembly of  FIG. 4  illustrating adjustable stabilizing pins. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fluid assembly of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  according to some other embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  according to some other embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a turntable assembly of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  according to some other embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of an apparatus configured to clean swimming pool and spa filters according to some other embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 10  with a front cover shown transparent to better illustrate other features. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the relative sizes of regions or features may be exaggerated for clarity. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another element, it can be directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     In addition, spatially relative terms, such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     It is noted that any one or more aspects or features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     An apparatus  10  for cleaning swimming pool and spa filters is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The apparatus  10  includes a housing or enclosure  12 . The housing  12  may include a base  14 , an upper or rear chassis  16  extending upwardly from the base  14 , and a lower or front chassis  18  extending upwardly from the base  14 . The rear chassis  16  is shown transparent in  FIG. 2  to better illustrate the components held therein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the housing  12  includes a door  20  that is hingedly or pivotally attached to the rear chassis  16 . The door  20  is movable between an open position as shown in  FIG. 1  and a closed position as shown in  FIG. 2 . As described in more detail below, the door  20  is moved to the closed position to enclose a filter in the housing during a cleaning operation and the door  20  is moved to the open position to prepare for a cleaning operation or to remove a cleaned filter. 
     The door  20  includes a window  26  to, for example, allow a user to observe a cleaning operation. 
     The housing  12  also includes a central panel  28  that provides mechanical strength for various components including the rear chassis  16 . The panel  28  also separates the cleaning chamber including a turntable assembly  30  and a rear space holding a fluid assembly  32  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The various components of the housing  12  may be made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, at least some of the components of the housing  12  are made of powder coated aluminum to provide durability and resist corrosion and fading. 
     The apparatus  10  is designed for cleaning cartridge type filters for swimming pools and spas. An example cartridge filter  34  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The filter  34  is cylindrical and includes a hollow inner core  36 . The inner core  36  has a diameter D. As understood by those of skill in the art, these filters come in a variety of sizes including different heights and different inner core diameters. As described herein, the apparatus  10  is designed to accommodate and efficiently clean the differently sized filters. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the turntable assembly  30  is on the base  14 . The turntable assembly  30  includes a base plate  40  for connection to the base  14 , a bearing assembly  42  including a plurality of bearings on the base plate  40 , a scroll plate or lower plate  44  on the base plate  40  and/or the bearing assembly  42 , and a slide plate or upper plate  46  on the scroll plate  44 . 
     The turntable assembly  30  further includes a plurality of stabilizing pins  50  that extend upwardly from the slide plate  46 . Each pin  50  is connected by a bracket or support  52  to the scroll plate  44  and extends upwardly through a straight elongated slot  54  defined in the slide plate  46 . A bottom portion of each pin  50  is received in a spiral slot  56  defined in the scroll plate  44 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the pins  50  are radially translatable in the slots  54  between a first position ( FIG. 5A ) and a second position ( FIG. 5B ). A user may position the pins to substantially match the diameter D of the filter inner core  36  ( FIG. 3 ). The stabilizing pins help stabilize the filter when the turntable assembly  30  with the filter thereon is rotating, as described in more detail below. 
     There may be indicia  56  such as a scale that helps a user move the pins to the correct position. For example, the indicia may correspond to the diameter of the filter inner core. 
     In some embodiments, the pins  50  may be positioned by relative movement (rotation) of the scroll plate  44  and the slide plate  46 . For example, a user may hold the scroll plate  44  in place and rotate the slide plate  46  such that the pins  50  translate radially in the slots  54 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the fluid assembly  32  includes a hose connector  60 , a spin jet or spin jet nozzle  62 , and one or more power jets or power jet nozzles  64 . The hose connection  60  is configured to receive a garden hose for water input into the fluid assembly  32 . The spin jet  62  is configured to spray water onto a side of the turntable assembly  30  to spin the turntable (and any filter installed thereon). The power jets  64  are configured to spray water onto and/or into the filter as it is spun by the turntable assembly  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the fluid assembly  32  includes a water input line or pipe  66 . A clean valve  68  may be positioned in the water input line  66 . A distribution line or pipe  70  extends from the input line  66  and a spin jet line or pipe  72  and a power jet line or pipe  74  branch from the distribution line  70 . The spin jet line  72  supplies water to the spin jet  62  and the power jet line  74  supplies water to the power jets  64 . A spin valve  76  may be positioned in the spin jet line  72 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the fluid assembly includes a plurality of fittings such as elbows and tees as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     A bracket  78  connects the fluid assembly  28  to the panel  28  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the panel  28  includes an opening  80  at a bottom thereof and the spin jet  62  sprays water through the opening  80  to turn the turntable assembly  30 . Note that the spin jet  62  and opening  80  are off to the side such that water impinges the side of the turntable assembly  30  at an angle to facilitate rotation of the turntable assembly. 
     The panel  28  also includes a plurality of slots  82  and each power jet  64  sprays water through one of the slots  82 . The slots  82  may be elongated and, in some embodiments, the power jets may articulate or rotate in two opposite directions such that the water jets move up and down for a larger cleaning area. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the apparatus  10  may include a handle  84  and wheels  86  connected to the housing  12  (e.g., the rear chassis  16 ). The handle  84  and/or the wheels  86  may enhance portability. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  may include a drain  88  to drain water during and/or after operation. The drain may extend through the housing  12  (e.g., the front chassis  18 ). A drain pipe and/or pool backwash hose may be attached to the drain  88  to direct water, dirt, and debris away from the unit and to a desired location. 
     Use of the apparatus will now be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . A user may first turn the clean valve  68  and the spin valve  76  to the OFF position before attaching a garden hose to the hose connector  60 . The user may then turn on the water at the source. The door  20  may then be moved to the open position ( FIG. 1 ). The user may then adjust the stabilizing pins  50  to match the diameter of the inner core of the of the filter to be cleaned. The user may then place a dirty filter on the turntable assembly  30  while ensuring that the pins  50  fit inside the inner core of the filter. The door  50  may then be moved to the closed position ( FIG. 2 ). The spin valve  76  may be turned to the ON position such that water is sprayed from the spin valve  62  and the turntable assembly  30  and the filter thereon spin. The clean valve  68  may then be turned to the ON position such that water is sprayed from the power jets  64  to begin cleaning. The spin valve  76  may be adjusted to achieve a relatively fast but stable spin. The clean valve may be turned to the OFF position after the filter is clean (e.g., about 5-8 minutes). The user may then open the door  50  and remove the clean filter. These steps can be repeated to clean additional filters. 
     In some embodiments, the turntable assembly may be motor driven and the spin jet may be omitted. In some embodiments, there may be more than one turntable assembly in the housing so that more than one filter can be cleaned during a single cleaning cycle. The multiple turntable assemblies may be motor driven or more than one spin jet may be provided. 
     The apparatus described herein provide for fast, easy cleaning of pool and spa cartridge filters. It deep cleans virtually any pool or spa cartridge filter. Within minutes, it removes dirt, debris, and contaminants (without damaging the filter) for more efficient filtration and clearer, cleaner swimming water. This is just a fraction of the time needed with conventional methods. It uses water more efficiently than cleaning by hand, saving hundreds of gallons per year. 
     Cartridge filters last longer with regular, thorough cleaning. Cleaner filters increase the filtration system&#39;s efficiently and reduce the need for added chemicals. 
     The apparatus described herein deep cleans filters with a power wide dispersion spray pattern. According to some embodiments, three power jet spray nozzles are used to remove tough-to-reach dirt and debris. 
     The apparatus accommodates up to 99% of pool and spa cartridge filters on the market today. The size of the housing and the provision of multiple power jet spray nozzles helps ensure than filters of any height and effectively cleaned. The stabilizing pins may help ensure that the filter fits securely inside regardless of the size or brand. 
     In some embodiments, the stabilizing pins may be omitted. A hydrodynamic solution (e.g., a hydrodynamic brake) may be employed for controlling the speed of the turntable assembly and creating a stable filter spin. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a hydrodynamic dam  90  may be on the base  14 . The dam  90  (which may be referred to as a “V-dam”) includes a body  92  defining an opening  94 . The opening  94  may be V-shaped. The dam  90  is between the turntable assembly  30  and the drain  88 . The dam  90  may partially occlude an opening  96  of the drain  88 . 
     In operation, the dam  90  allows water to back up (or pool) just enough to interfere with the rotation of the upper plate  46  of the turntable assembly  30 . The benefit of this approach is that the system self regulates; the faster the upper plate  46  spins the more drag the water around the upper plate  46  creates. This results in a constant spin speed amongst widely varying conditions. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the turntable assembly  30  without the stabilizing pins. Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 9 , it can be seen that the scroll plate  44  is omitted in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment, the turntable assembly  30  includes the base plate  40  for connection to the base  14 , the bearing assembly  42 , and the upper plate  46  (which may be referred to as a “platform”). A level  98  such as a bullseye bubble level may also be included on the upper plate or platform  46 . The level  98  allows a user to easily tell if the unit is level. 
     An apparatus  100  for cleaning swimming pool and spa filters according to some other embodiments is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The apparatus  100  is substantially similar to the apparatus  10  described above with the following differences. A front cover  120  is provided that, together with the rear chassis  16 , serves to form a partial enclosure housing  112  for the filter being cleaned. The front cover  120  may be slidably installed and removed (e.g., down and up) and may engage the rear chassis  16 . 
     The front cover  120  includes a top opening  121 . In some embodiments, the apparatus  100  is shorter and more compact than the apparatus  10  described above. Therefore, the filter being cleaned may protrude through the top opening  121 . The user may clean the filter in two steps. First, the user inserts filter through the opening  121 , places the filter on the platform  46 , and runs a clean cycle as described herein. Second, the user lifts the filter through the opening  121 , rotates the filter, inserts the filter through the opening  121  with the opposite end of the filter on the platform  46 , and runs another clean cycle. 
     The front cover  120  may be formed of a metal such as aluminum or may be formed of a polymer. In some embodiments, the front cover  120  is a thermoformed plastic sheet. 
     The fluid assembly  32  may be the same or similar to that described above. In some embodiments, the fluid assembly  32  may include only one ON/OFF valve  168  instead of separate clean and spin valves. This may simplify the plumbing of the fluid assembly  32 . 
     The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.