Apparatus for improved subaqueous stability

Abstract

A locomotive element to be incorporated in an underwater device propelled on a supporting surface along a predetermined axis of motion. The locomotive element comprises at least one resilient surface that can be rolled on the supporting surface. The resilient surface has a plurality of flow-through passages substantially perpendicular to the axis of motion.

1 . A locomotive element to be incorporated in an underwater device propelled on a supporting surface along a predetermined axis of motion, the locomotive element comprising at least one resilient surface that can be rolled on the supporting surface, said at least one surface having a plurality of flow-through passages substantially perpendicular to the axis of motion.  
   
   
       2 . The locomotive element of  claim 1 , wherein it is in the form of a wheel.  
   
   
       3 . The locomotive element of  claim 1 , wherein it is in the form of a track.  
   
   
       4 . The locomotive element of  claim 1 , wherein it is in the form of a drum.  
   
   
       5 . The locomotive element of  claim 1 , wherein the flow-through passages are located in a plurality of protrusions provided on the resilient surface.  
   
   
       6 . A pool cleaning robot comprising a motorized drive; an impeller driven by a pump motor; power supply; and locomotive elements coupled to the motorized drive for propelling the robot on a supporting surface along a predetermined axis of motion, each of the locomotive elements comprising: 
 at least one resilient surface that can be rolled on the supporting surface, said at least one surface having a plurality of flow-through passages substantially perpendicular to the axis of motion.    
   
   
       7 . The robot of  claim 6 , wherein each of the locomotive elements is in the form of a wheel.  
   
   
       8 . The robot of  claim 6 , wherein each of the locomotive elements is in the form of a track.  
   
   
       9 . The robot of  claim 6 , wherein each of the locomotive elements is in the form of a drum.  
   
   
       10 . The robot of  claim 6 , wherein the flow-through passages are located in a plurality of protrusions provided on the resilient surface.  
   
   
       11 . A method for enhancing stability of a locomotive element, used to propel an underwater propelled device along a predetermined axis of motion, the method comprising: 
 providing the underwater propelled device with locomotive elements, each of the locomotive elements comprising:    at least one resilient surface that can be rolled on the supporting surface, said at least one surface having a plurality of flow-through passages substantially perpendicular to the axis of motion.