Semi-autonomous pool skimmer

1 . A semi-autonomous pool skimmer comprising

a housing structure, a control circuit, and a filter structure;

wherein the control circuit mounts in the housing structure;

wherein the filter structure mounts on the housing structure;

wherein the filter structure receives water from an impeller structure;

wherein the filter structure filters the received water through a surface filter;

wherein the filter structure discharges the filtered water;

wherein an impeller motor and an impeller channel is included;

wherein the impeller structure is a bladed structure;

wherein the impeller structure mounts in the impeller channel;

wherein the impeller structure forms a mechanical linkage with the impeller motor;

wherein the impeller channel is a fluid transport channel;

wherein the impeller channel takes water into a shell housing of the housing structure through a forward port formed through the shell housing;

wherein the impeller channel discharges the transported water through the shell housing for discharge through an aft port formed through the shell housing.

2 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 1

wherein the semi-autonomous pool skimmer is a cleaning device;

wherein the semi-autonomous pool skimmer is an automated device.

3 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 2

wherein the housing structure is a rigid structure;

wherein the housing structure is a buoyant structure;

wherein the housing structure forms a protected space that contains the control circuit;

wherein the housing structure captures water.

4 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 3

wherein the control circuit is an electric circuit;

wherein the control circuit controls the operation of the semi-autonomous pool skimmer;

wherein the control circuit provides the motive forces that move the semi-autonomous pool skimmer;

wherein the control circuit provides the forces that generate a water flow that flows through the filter structure;

wherein the control circuit is an independently powered electric circuit;

wherein by independently powered is meant that the control circuit can operate without an electrical connection to an external power source.

5 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 4

wherein the housing structure comprises the shell housing, a control housing, a buoyancy chamber, and a filter channel;

wherein the filter channel that transports the water to the filter structure;

wherein the filter channel further comprises an intake port and a discharge port;

wherein the filter channel is a fluid transport channel;

wherein the filter channel takes water into the shell housing through the intake port;

wherein the filter channel discharges the transported water through the discharge port into the filter structure;

wherein the shell housing is a rigid structure;

wherein the shell housing forms the exterior surfaces of the housing structure;

wherein the control housing is a chamber that is formed in the housing structure;

wherein the control housing forms the protected space of the housing structure that contains the control circuit;

wherein the protected space formed by the control housing protects the control circuit from water;

wherein the buoyancy chamber is a negative space that is formed within the housing structure;

wherein the buoyancy chamber is a hollow space;

wherein the buoyancy chamber is a fluid impermeable structure;

wherein the buoyancy chamber provides the buoyancy that allows the housing structure to float.

6 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 5

wherein the control circuit comprises a logic module, a communication module, a plurality of impeller devices, and a plurality of bumper structures;

wherein the logic module, the communication module, the plurality of impeller devices, and the plurality of bumper structures are electrically interconnected.

7 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 6

wherein the logic module is an electronic device;

wherein the communication module is a wireless electronic communication device that allows the logic module to wirelessly communicate with an appropriate authority;

wherein the communication module further comprises a wireless communication link, a commercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless network, and the appropriate authority;

wherein the communication module forms the wireless communication link with the commercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless network;

wherein the commercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless network establishes a communication link with the appropriate authority;

wherein the communication module exchanges one or more direct messaging facilities that are transmitted over the wireless communication link to the appropriate authority;

wherein the message contained in the direct messaging facility contains the operating instructions that are provided by the appropriate authority.

8 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 7

wherein each impeller device selected from the plurality of impeller devices is an electric circuit;

wherein each impeller device selected from the plurality of impeller devices converts electric energy into rotational energy;

wherein each impeller device selected from the plurality of impeller devices converts the generated rotational energy into a flow of water that propels the housing structure;

wherein each impeller device selected from the plurality of impeller devices electrically connects to the logic module;

wherein the logic module independently controls the operation of each impeller device selected from the plurality of impeller devices;

wherein the impeller structure is a rotating structure;

wherein each impeller structure generates a motive force that moves the housing structure through the water.

9 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 8

wherein the impeller motor is an electrically powered motor;

wherein the impeller motor converts electric energy into rotational energy;

wherein the impeller motor transfers the rotational energy to the impeller structure;

wherein the impeller structure uses the received rotational energy to pump the water through the impeller channel;

wherein the impeller motor electrically connects to the logic module;

wherein the logic module controls the operation of the impeller motor;

wherein by controlling the operation of the logic module is meant that the logic module controls the speed and the direction of rotation of the impeller motor.

10 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 9

wherein each bumper structure selected from the plurality of bumper structures mounts on the exterior surface of the shell housing;

wherein each bumper structure selected from the plurality of bumper structures is a pressure sensor;

wherein each bumper structure selected from the plurality of bumper structures is positioned such that the selected bumper structure detects when the housing structure hits a boundary;

wherein each bumper structure selected from the plurality of bumper structures electrically connects to the logic module;

wherein the logic module monitors each bumper structure selected from the plurality of bumper structures.

11 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 10

wherein the plurality of impeller devices further comprises a first impeller device and a second impeller device;

wherein the first impeller device is a first impeller device selected from the plurality of impeller devices;

wherein the second impeller device is a second impeller device selected from the plurality of impeller devices;

wherein the logic module adjusts the speed of the rotation of the impeller motor of the second impeller device relative to the speed of rotation of the impeller motor of the first impeller device to adjust the direction of motion of the housing structure.

12 . The semi-autonomous pool skimmer according to claim 11

wherein the filter structure comprises a filter mount and a filter sock;

wherein the filter mount is a mechanical structure;

wherein the filter mount attaches to the discharge port of the filter channel;

wherein the filter mount forms the structure that attaches the filter sock to the filter channel;

wherein the filter mount positions the filter sock within the flow path of the water that moves through the filter channel;

wherein the filter sock is a sheeting structure;

wherein the filter sock is a textile based structure;

wherein the filter sock has a mesh structure;

wherein the filter sock forms a surface filter that filters debris out of the water that flows through the filter sock.