LU83031A1 - DEVICE FOR FILTERING WATER IN A POOL - Google Patents

Description

- 1 -

The present invention relates to swimming pool water filtration devices. These devices include a filter and an electric pump intended to circulate the water through the filter, constituting a 'compact assembly intended to float in the pool water. At least the upper part of said device is designed to ensure the buoyancy of the assembly at a level such that the water suction orifice is capable of always being located just below the surface of the water, vis-à-vis one or more orifices arranged laterally through the floating part, at a height provided so that this or these orifices are disposed astride the surface of the water. The filter is placed below the floating part, and the electric pump, below the filter.

In known filtration devices of this kind, such as that described in German patent application No. 2 258 894, the space requirement on the surface of the water is relatively large since the floating upper part of said device supports a housing. in which are arranged horizontally several flat filters, stacked on top of each other, whose structure is relatively complex. On the other hand, during the implementation of the filtration device, nothing is provided to allow immediate operation of said device by eliminating the air which is retained inside. In addition, it is necessary, to replace or only clean the filters, to partially disassemble the device 1 by separating from the box containing the filters, the cover of said box, secured to the floating upper part.

The filtration device according to the invention notably makes it possible to remedy these drawbacks. The present invention proposes in fact to allow the production of an economical device, of very simple structure, compact, of easy and instantaneous implementation, of secure operation preventing any pump priming, and the or the filters can be cleaned or replaced quickly and easily without dismantling other elements of the device.

The filtration device according to the invention is characterized in that the pump is connected to the floating upper part by a tube containing the filter of generally tubular shape, tube of which one end opens out into said floating upper part and constitutes the 'suction port, the upper end of the axial orifice of the filter being closed by a plug, and the lower end of the same orifice being kept centered in the tube.

According to an embodiment, the end of the tube, opening into the floating upper part, serves as a guide for a floating tubular extension device mounted to slide axially on the tube. According to another embodiment, it is inside the tube that the tubular extension is slidably mounted; this makes it possible to increase the guide length of the extender and thus to ensure it a more stable position when the whole of the filtration device is subjected to agitation of the water surface. In these two embodiments the floating extension is designed so that its free end constituting the actual suction orifice is always located just below the surface of the water.

; According to a variant of the embodiments which have just been mentioned, the end of the tube, connected to the floating upper part, has an axially adjustable position relative to said upper part, for adjusting the height of the suction orifice, in taking into account the density of the various constituent elements. According to another variant, the end of the tube has a fixed position.

- 3 - possibly adjusted once and for all at the time of manufacture.

According to a variant applicable to all the abovementioned embodiments, the tube containing the filter opens out, on the side of the pump, into an intermediate, integral or attached flange, against the opposite side of which the pump is held pressed by one or more removable elastic means. .

According to a variant applicable to all the above-mentioned realizations, the filtration device comprises, advantageously but not necessarily, one or more additional suction orifices arranged at a level markedly lower than that of the surface of the water.

According to an alternative embodiment applicable to all the above-mentioned embodiments, the plug closing the upper end of the axial orifice of the tubular filter consists of a floating bleed valve designed to occupy one or the other of two positions: a first position, high open, when the filtration device is immersed in water, pump stopped, and a second position, low closed, under the effect of the suction created in the axial orifice of the filter when the pump is working.

According to another alternative embodiment applicable to all the above-mentioned embodiments, the lower end of the axial orifice of the tubular filter is kept centered in the tube by a sealing washer which is integral with it, a washer whose axial orifice is aligned with that of the filter, and whose outer periphery is in contact with the inner surface of the tube.

The accompanying drawing illustrates, by way of example, two embodiments of the filtration device, in accordance with the present invention.

. - 4 -

Figures 1 and 2 show two embodiments, seen in a longitudinal section.

FIG. 3 shows, on a larger scale, the purge valve of the filter of the second embodiment.

In the embodiment according to the invention represented by FIG. 1, the filtration device comprises an upper part 1, designed to ensure its buoyancy, which is made, for example, of polyurethane - "multicell closed cell thane." An electric pump 2 is arranged below this floating upper part 1 to which it is connected by a tube 3, which, in this example, is transparent. A first end 4, upper, of the j .tube 3 passes through a central orifice 5, a · first flange 6 which supports the floating upper part 1. Transversal screws 7 screwed into this flange 6 allow the first end to be blocked at will 4 at the desired level. A tubular extension 8 is mounted to slide axially freely along 9-10 around the first end 4 of the tube 3. Its free upper end 14, disposed higher than the end 4 of the tube 3, constitutes the suction orifice. This tubular extension 8 is also made of multicellular plastic and it is suitably ballasted at 11 so that its free upper end 14 is always located just below the surface 13 of the water. This suction orifice 14 is disposed opposite orifices 12, three in this example, arranged laterally in the floating upper part 1 at a height provided so that these orifices 12 are arranged astride the surface 13 of the 'water. A prefilter 15 is housed in the suction port 14.

The second end, 19, of the tube 3 opens, on the side of the pump 2, into the upper side 20 of an intermediate flange 21 which, for example, is advantageously also made of multicellular polyurethane. The pump 2 is kept pressed against the lower side 22, opposite to the side 20, of the flange 21, by two tension springs 23 whose ends are hooked at diametrically opposite points, in a removable manner, around the periphery of the flange 21 on the one hand, around the pump 2 on the other hand. Pump 2, which operates at a voltage of 24 V, is fully sealed. An electric cable 24 connects it to the power supply located outside the pool.

A filter 25 is housed longitudinally in the tube 3. This filter 25 has a generally tubular shape. Its outer diameter 26 is significantly smaller than the inner diameter 27 of the tube 3. Its axial orifice 28 cooperates with a male cone 29 provided on the upper side 20 of the flange 21, to center the filter 25 in the tube 3. The orifice axial 28 of the filter 25 is thus aligned with an orifice 30 provided in the flange 21, orifice 30 which opens into the pump 2. The plug 31 plugs the upper end of the filter 25 ^ and of the orifice 28, just below the prefilter 15. Orifice 33, provided in the floating upper part 1, along the axis of the tube 3, allows the filter 25 to be introduced along 10 into the tube 3, before the pre-filter 15 is put in place. is advantageously, but not necessarily, made of special paper folded in accordion.

An additional suction port 34 is provided laterally through the wall of the second end 19 of the tube 3, at a level significantly lower than that of the surface 13 of the water. A discharge orifice 35 is provided in the pump 2.

When the filtration device is first used, it is immersed in the swimming pool in which it floats, the upper part 1 partially protruding from the water, the rest of the device being submerged, the tube 3 being arranged vertically. It then suffices to adjust the height of the end 4 of the tube 3, in the orifice 5 of the flange 6, so that the ballasted tubular extension 8 has its upper orifice 14 disposed just below the surface 13 of the water. , while retaining a certain clearance according to 9 or 10, on the outside diameter of the tube 3 which serves as its axial guide. The screws 7 are then permanently locked. Cable 24 is then connected to the power supply. The installation of the filtration device is complete.

When the pump 2 is energized, the water is sucked at the level of the surface 13, in the direction of the suction orifice 14. It enters the device through the three orifices 12, then into the orifice 14, the largest impurities being retained in the prefilter 15. The water then falls along 10 in the inner peripheral part of the tube 3, between diameters 26 and 27, crosses the filter 25 transversely to reach the axial orifice 28 , follows the orifice 30, passes through the pump 2 and is discharged through the orifice 35, into the swimming pool.

When this power is applied, when the water is sucked through the prefilter 15, this suction causes the extension piece 8 to descend slightly by 10 by a few millimeters, which reinforces the suction effect and therefore the cleaning of the surface. 13 water. All the impurities which were placed on the surface of the water are thus sucked into the device, the smallest being deposited on the outside diameter 26 of the filter 25. In the present embodiment, the water being at lower levels to the surface is also sucked through the orifice 34 and filtered as described above.

The tube 3 being transparent, it is easy to monitor the fouling of the filter 25. The replacement of the filter 25 can be carried out very easily by following displacement 9, after removal of the prefilter 15. The latter can be advantageously used for depositing a chlorine tablet. In the case where the electric pump 2 breaks down, its disassembly can be carried out instantly by unhooking one of the ends * of the two springs 23. The reassembly is carried out as easily.

Note in the drawing that the flanges 6 and 21 advantageously, but not necessarily, identical outside diameters, which allows the entire device to maintain a vertical position, even when the upper part 1 comes to bear against the edge of the swimming pool. In addition, the relatively light floating tubular extension 15 easily follows any change in the level of the water surface, particularly when users of the pool cause waves. The suction of impurities can thus be ensured in a constant manner.

According to a more simplified variant of the embodiment (fig.1) which has just been described, the sliding extender 8 is omitted, and it is the free upper-j 4 end of the tube 3 which directly constitutes the orifice d aspiration. This orifice is then itself disposed just below the surface 13 of the water. The axial position of the tube 3 is adjustable for example using the locking screws 7 (fig.l).

According to another simplified variant, applicable to the abovementioned embodiments, the screws 7 are omitted, and the tube 3 is permanently secured to the flange 6, during the manufacture of the device, after a pre-adjustment of the position of the orifice. suction, whether it is the orifice 14 or the end 4 of the tube 3.

According to another variant, the orifice 34 (fig.l) is eliminated, which tends to increase the suction at the level of the surface 13 of the water.

In FIG. 2, representing a second embodiment, the elements common to the two embodiments are referenced by the same references.

In this second embodiment a tubular extension 8 ′ is mounted to slide axially freely along 9-10 inside the first end 4 of the tube 3. Its free upper end 14, disposed higher than the end 4 of the tube 3 constitutes the actual suction orifice. This tubular extension 8 ′ is also made of multicellular plastic material, in order to be able to float, and it is suitably ballasted at 11 so that its free upper end 14 is always located just below the surface 13 of the water.

As in the embodiment described above, this suction orifice 14 is arranged opposite orifices 12, three in this example, arranged laterally in the floating upper part 1 at a height provided for these orifices 12 to be arranged straddling the surface 13 of the water.

In this embodiment, the lower end of the axial orifice 28 of the filter 25 is kept centered in the tube 3 by a sealing washer 40 made for example of elastomer. This washer 40 is secured to the lower end of the tubular filter 25 by a nut 41 axially pierced which is screwed into the wall constituting said lower end of the filter 25. The outer periphery of the washer 40 is in contact with the inner surface 27 of the tube 3. The axial orifice of the washer 40 and of the drilled nut 41 are thus aligned with the axial orifice 28 of the filter 25 and the latter is aligned with an orifice 30 provided in the flange 21, orifice 30 which opens into the pump 2. The sealing washer 40 also seals "between the lower end of the filter 25 and the inner wall 27 of the tube 3, avoiding any defusing of the pump.

In this embodiment, the plug 31 described in the previous mode is replaced by a purge valve 42. This valve 42 is disposed at the upper end of the axial orifice 28 of the filter 25. As shown in FIG. 3, it comprises a body 45 secured to the filter 25 by screwing into the wall 46 constituting the upper end of the latter. The body 45 comprises a seat 47 on which is capable of coming to bear the movable part 48 of the valve. This mobile part is made of multicellular material with closed cells, to be floating. Its planar upper face 49 is capable of coming into contact with the lower face 50 of a valve cover 51, provided with orifices 52, integral with the body 45.

When the filtration device is immersed in the swimming pool, pump stopped, whether during the first use or during subsequent uses, the movable part 48 of the purge valve 42 floats instantly leaving its seat 47, and comes to occupy a first position, high, in which the valve 42 is open, and the air contained inside the filter 25 can thus exit quickly, which allows the entire device to immediately occupy its final level with respect to the surface 13 of the water. The first adjustment of the axial position of the tube 3 can thus for example be carried out without delay.

When the pump 2 is energized, the water is sucked in at the surface 13, in the direction of the suction orifice 14. It enters the device through the three orifices 12, then in the orifice 14. At this time, under the effect of the suction produced in the axial orifice 28 of the filter 25, the movable part 48 of the valve 42 moves downward 53 and comes to occupy a second position ( fig.3), low, resting on its seat 47, and the valve 42 thus remains closed as long as the pump is running. The water falls along 10 in the inner peripheral part of the tube 3, between diameters 26 and 27, crosses the filter 25 dirty to reach the axial orifice 28, follows the orifice 30, passes through the pump 2 and is discharged through port 35, into the pool.

The remarks concerning the operation and the advantages relating to the first embodiment remain valid for this second embodiment.

Claims (8)

1. A device for filtering the water in a swimming pool, comprising at least one filter and an electric pump intended to circulate the water through the filter, constituting a compact assembly intended to float in the swimming pool water, at least the upper part of said device being designed to ensure this buoyancy at a level such that the water suction orifice is capable of always being located just below the surface of the water, vis- opposite one or more orifices arranged laterally through the floating part, at a height provided for this or these orifice (s) to be disposed astride the surface of the water, the filter being arranged below the floating part , and the electric pump, below the filter, characterized in that the pump is connected to the floating upper part, by a tube containing the filter of generally tubular shape, tube of which one end opens into said floating upper part and constitutes l suction port on, the upper end of the axial orifice of the filter being closed by a plug, and the lower end of the same orifice being kept centered in the tube. 2. A filtration device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the tube, opening into the floating upper part, serves as a guide for a floating tubular extension device mounted to slide axially on the tube, this floating extension device being designed so that its free end constituting the actual suction port is always located just below the surface of the water. 3. A filtration device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the tube, opening into the floating upper part, serves as a guide for a floating tubular extension device slidingly mounted - 12 - axially inside the tube, this extension device floating being designed so that its free end constituting the actual suction port is always located just below the surface of the water. 4. A filtration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end of the tube, connected to the floating upper part, has an axially adjustable position relative to said upper part, for adjusting the height of the orifice, suction. 5. A filtration device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, on the side of the pump, the tube containing the filter opens into an intermediate flange against the side, opposite of which the pump is' kept pressed by one or more removable elastic means. 6. A filtration device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises one or more additional suction orifices arranged at a level significantly lower than that of the surface of the water. 7. A filtration device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plug closing the upper end of the axial orifice of the tubular filter is constituted by a floating purge valve intended to occupy one or the other of two positions, a first position, high open, when the filtration device is immersed in water, pump stopped, a second position, low closed, under the effect of the suction created in the axial orifice of the filter when the pump is running. 8. A filtration device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lower end of the axial orifice of the tubular filter is kept centered in the tube by a sealing washer * - 13 - which is integral, washer whose axial orifice is aligned with that of the filter, and whose outer periphery is in contact with the inner surface of the tube. * t