Alternating Paddle Mechanism for Pool Cleaner

Abstract

A paddle wheel mechanism for a pool cleaner is provided. The paddle wheel mechanism includes a housing, a paddle wheel shaft, and a paddle wheel. The housing includes an internal flow area and the paddle wheel shaft is supported by the housing. The paddle wheel is supported by the paddle wheel shaft and includes a paddle wheel base extending along a base width, a first-type blade, and a second-type blade. The first-type blade extends radially outward from the paddle wheel base and includes a first blade portion extending from a first side of the paddle wheel base for a first blade width less than the base width. The second-type blade extends radially outward from the paddle wheel base and includes a second blade portion extending from a second, opposite side of the paddle wheel base for a second blade width less than the base width.

1 . A paddle wheel mechanism for a pool cleaner, the paddle wheel mechanism comprising:
 a housing with an internal flow area;   a paddle wheel shaft supported by the housing; and   a paddle wheel supported by the paddle wheel shaft, the paddle wheel including
 a paddle wheel base extending along a base width, 
 a first-type blade extending radially outward from the paddle wheel base and including a first blade portion extending from a first side of the paddle wheel base for a first blade width less than the base width, and 
 a second-type blade extending radially outward from the paddle wheel base and including a second blade portion extending from a second, opposite side of the paddle wheel base for a second blade width less than the base width. 
   
     
     
         2 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the first-type blades and a plurality of the second-type blades are arranged around the paddle wheel base in an alternating manner. 
     
     
         3 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first-type blade and the second-type blade includes a curved blade profile. 
     
     
         4 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a fluid path opening configured to direct fluid from a fluid path of the pool cleaner across the paddle wheel. 
     
     
         5 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first blade width and the second blade width are each between 30 percent and 60 percent of the base width. 
     
     
         6 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first-type blade includes a first base portion extending substantially along an entirety of the base width, the first blade portion extending outwardly from the first base portion. 
     
     
         7 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the second-type blade includes a second base portion extending substantially along an entirety of the base width, the second blade portion extending outwardly from the second base portion. 
     
     
         8 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the first base portion includes a first part from which the first blade portion extends, and a second part; and the second part extends away from the paddle wheel base to a lesser extent than the first part. 
     
     
         9 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the first part and the second part are separated by a shoulder. 
     
     
         10 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the first blade portion is removably coupled to the first base portion. 
     
     
         11 . The paddle wheel mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the paddle wheel base includes a shoulder that aligns with a shoulder on the paddle wheel shaft when the paddle wheel is arranged over the paddle wheel shaft. 
     
     
         12 . A pool cleaner comprising:
 a pool cleaner housing defining an internal fluid path; and   a paddle wheel mechanism positioned within the internal fluid path, the paddle wheel mechanism including:
 a housing; 
 a paddle wheel shaft supported by the housing; and 
 a paddle wheel supported by the paddle wheel shaft, the paddle wheel including:
 a paddle wheel base extending along a base width, 
 a first-type blade extending radially outward from the paddle wheel base and including a first blade portion extending from a first side of the paddle wheel base for a first blade width less than the base width, and 
 a second-type blade extending radially outward from the paddle wheel base and including a second blade portion extending from a second, opposite side of the paddle wheel base for a second blade width less than the base width. 
 
   
     
     
         13 . The pool cleaner of  claim 12 , wherein the housing includes a fluid path opening configured to direct fluid from the internal fluid path across the paddle wheel. 
     
     
         14 . The pool cleaner of  claim 12 , wherein a plurality of the first-type blades and a plurality of the second-type blades are arranged around the paddle wheel base in an alternating manner. 
     
     
         15 . The pool cleaner of  claim 12  and further comprising at least one wheel, wherein the paddle wheel mechanism is configured to provide kinetic energy to drive the at least one wheel. 
     
     
         16 . The pool cleaner of  claim 12 , wherein the paddle wheel shaft is coupled to one of a steering system and a drive system and the paddle wheel mechanism is configured to provide kinetic energy to power one the steering system and the drive system. 
     
     
         17 . The pool cleaner of  claim 12 , wherein the first-type blade and the second-type blade are fixed relative to each other to maintain a first axial clearance between an inner edge of the first blade portion and a first inner surface of the housing, and a second axial clearance between an inner edge of the second blade portion and a second inner surface of the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The pool cleaner of  claim 12 , wherein the first-type blade includes a first base portion, and the first blade portion is coupled to the first base portion at a joint and extends outwardly from the first base portion. 
     
     
         19 . The pool cleaner of  claim 18 , wherein the first blade width of the first blade portion varies from the joint to a distal tip of the first blade portion. 
     
     
         20 . The pool cleaner of  claim 18 , wherein the first blade width of the first blade portion is uniform from the joint to a distal tip of the first blade portion.