BUOYANT AUTOMATIC CLEANERS FOR SPAS AND OTHER WATER-CONTAINING VESSELS
Autonomous, mobile cleaners for water-containing vessels such as swimming pools and spas are detailed. The cleaners are especially useful for cleaning spas, although they may function adequately in connection with certain other vessels as well. They may be designed and constructed in particular to avoid high centering so as not to become stuck when encountering obstacles within the spas or other vessels.
1 .- 7 . (canceled)
8 . An automatic cleaner for a water-containing vessel, comprising:
a. a body comprising an inlet and an outlet;
b. means for moving the body along a surface of the vessel; and
c. a magnet drive (i) connected to the body-moving means and (ii) comprising a wall and at least one magnet positioned on each side of the wall.
9 . An automatic cleaner according to claim 8 in which the wall is sealed from ingress of water from the vessel.
10 . An automatic cleaner according to claim 9 in which the at least one magnet positioned on each side of the wall comprises an array of magnets on a disc positioned on each side of the wall.
11 . An automatic cleaner according to claim 10 in which the body-moving means comprises a motive element and a propeller and in which the magnet drive functions as a clutch when the motive element or the propeller is jammed in use.