GB866659A - A device for removing dirt from the surface of swimming pools, reservoirs or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

866,659. Gravity-separation apparatus. PAUSER, O. Aug. 14, 1959 [Aug. 25, 1958], No.27827/59. Class 46. A device for removing dirt floating on the surface of swimming pools and the like comprises a floatable cup-like container into which surface water enters through an inlet, the bottom of the container being connected to a suction line per- , mitting changes of location of the container and the container being provided at its inlet with a float-controlled shut-off element which, when the level of liquid drops under the action of suction in the container, sinks with its upper edge below the surface of the liquid outside the container but, in the absence of suction, lies with its upper edge above the surface of the liquid. A container 11, Fig. 1, kept afloat by float boxes 19, has the upper edge of one of its walls, 11d, Fig. 2, just beneath the surface of the water ; the container is connected at 12 to a suction hose 13. On suction being applied, a flap 15, normally maintained in the vertical position by a float 16, is turned about a pivot 14 to permit surface dirt to flow into the container and through the hose. In order to prevent accidental emptying of the container by undue suction, the upper edge of the flap 15 may be linked to a flap valve over the outlet 12, Fig. 5 (not shown). Sail surfaces 20, Fig. 1, may be provided to ensure that the device is blown by the wind into corners &c. where the dirt is blown. An inlet opening may be provided also on another side of the container. It is stated that devices are already known in which a transportable apparatus equipped with a suction pump and with a flat nozzle is guided just under the surface and sucks off water and accumulated sludge and dirt. It is also said to be known to remove sludge suspended at intermediate levels by means of a collecting container suspended from a rockable arm and having a verticallyadjustable inlet edge, the collected sludge being pumped pneumatically to further containers. The device of the invention may be connected either to a fixed suction device or to the abovedescribed underwater suction-cleaning device, in the first alternative the device may be connected by telescopic, but otherwise fixed, pipelines.