CIRCULATION AND FILTRATION DEVICE FOR A POOL OR SPA

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model CN202422169667.6 filed Sep. 4, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to the field of fluid filtration and circulation technology, and more specifically, to a debris blocker and a circulation and filtration device for a spa or pool.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

With the continuous development of technology and the improvement of living standards, people are paying more attention to their own health. However, due to increasing work and life pressures, people often seek new or different ways to relieve stress. Among these, a pool or spa offers a healthy and relaxing service that soothes the body and mind, and is increasingly favored by many. Through spa therapy, people can achieve relaxation in terms of hearing, taste, touch, smell, and sight, thereby alleviating stress.

To ensure water quality within a pool or spa, existing technologies typically employ a pool circulation and filtration system. Water flows from the pool into the circulation and filtration system, is treated, and then returns to the pool. However, the filter core of the pool circulation and filtration system is mainly designed to filter out fine debris. Moreover, the inlet of the pool circulation and filtration system is usually located at the bottom side wall of the pool, which means it cannot handle debris floating on the surface of the pool water, such as hair and larger particles of dirt. Therefore, the current approach to dealing with floating debris on the surface of the pool water mainly relies on manual cleaning, which increases costs and is inconvenient. If the inlet of the pool circulation and filtration system were to be placed at the height of the water surface, although it could remove floating debris from the surface, the debris would be sucked into the filter of the circulation and filtration system, causing the filter core to become easily clogged. This would lead to the failure of the filter's function and ultimately result in the inability of the pool circulation and filtration system to operate normally.

There exists a need for a filter and circulation system for a pool or spa that reduces large and/or floating debris.

SUMMARY

In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for removing debris from a fluid flow. In examples, the disclosed systems and methods are configured to retain debris during changes in a fluid level in a pool to which the systems are coupled.

In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for removing debris from a fluid flow and circulating water in a pool. In examples, the disclosed systems and methods are configured to retain debris during changes in a fluid level in a pool to which the systems are coupled.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a filter basket configured for installation into an inlet of a debris blocker of a pool and structured to capture debris floating in the pool is provided. The filter basket may comprise a filter mesh cover having at least one mesh opening formed through a mesh wall of the filter mesh cover. The at least one mesh opening may be sized to permit passage of water from an interior of the filter basket through the mesh wall and sized to discourage passage of the debris sized larger than the at least one mesh opening. The filter basket may further comprise an inlet cover having at least one inlet opening formed through an inlet cover wall of the inlet cover. The at least one inlet opening may be sized to permit passage of water from the pool to the interior of the filter basket through the mesh wall. The at least one inlet opening may be sized to permit passage of the debris. The filter basket may further comprise an inner cavity defined between the filter mesh cover and the inlet cover when the filter mesh cover is attached to the inlet cover. The inner cavity may be sized to contain the debris that passed from the pool and through at least one inlet opening.

In an example thereof, the filter basket may include an inlet door panel configured to be moveable from a closed position to an open position. The closed position may be oriented to discourage the debris from passing from the inner cavity and through the at least one inlet opening.

In another example thereof, the inlet door panel may include a door hinge component configured to provide hinged movement such that the inlet door panel rotates about a hinge axis between the closed position and the open position.

In a further example thereof, the inlet door panel may further comprise a pocket configured to provide buoyancy to the inlet door cover.

In a further example thereof, the inlet door panel may include a panel pilot connection configured to define, with a mesh pilot connection of the filter mesh cover, a piloting connection.

In a further example thereof, the filter mesh cover may include a gripper configured to extend from an exterior surface of the filter mesh cover and structured to provide a user with a surface to grasp when assembling the filter mesh cover with the inlet cover In yet another example thereof, the inlet cover may define a cover hinge component structured to engage the door hinge component of the inlet door panel. The inlet door panel may be operable to rotate relative to the inlet cover.

In yet still another example thereof, the hinge axis may be above a center of mass of the inlet door panel to define a vertical offset of the center of mass from the hinge axis. The vertical offset may encourage the inlet door panel to rotate about the hinge axis to the open position when a flow of water into the inlet cover through the at least one inlet opening impinges on the inlet door panel. The vertical offset may also encourage the inlet door panel to rotate about the hinge axis to the closed position when no water flows into the inlet cover through the at least one inlet opening.

In yet a further example thereof, the filter basket may include a handle configured to be grasped by a user when moving the filter basket relative to the inlet of the debris blocker.

In yet a still further example thereof, the at least one inlet opening may include a first inlet opening and a second inlet opening, the handle positioned between the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening.

In still yet another example thereof, the filter mesh cover may be releaseably attached to the inlet cover such that the filter mesh cover is separable from the inlet cover to remove the debris after which the filter mesh cover may be re-attached to the inlet cover.

In yet a still further example thereof, the filter mesh cover may be attached to the inlet cover through one of a threaded connection, a snap-fit connection, and an interference fit connection.

In yet a still further example thereof, the filter mesh cover may include one of a first positioning protrusion and a first positioning opening. The inlet cover may include the other of the first positioning protrusion and the first positioning opening.

In still yet a further example thereof, the inlet cover may include one of a second positioning protrusion and a second positioning opening. The second positioning protrusion and the second positioning opening may be configured to engage the inlet of the debris blocker.

In still yet another example thereof, the inlet cover may extend between a first cover end and a second cover end. The first cover end may have a cover face configured to be exposed to water in the pool. The second cover end may be configured for receiving the filter mesh cover. The inlet cover may further comprise a cover flange extending outward from the cover face and positioned between the first cover end and the second cover end.

In yet still another example thereof, the filter mesh cover may extend between a first mesh end and a second mesh end. The filter mesh cover may further comprise a filter mesh flange positioned between the first mesh end and the second mesh end. The second mesh end configured for engagement with an end of the inlet cover.

In still yet another example thereof, the second mesh end may include a nesting portion configured to nest inside the inlet cover.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pool debris blocker configured to circulate a water in a pool and capture debris is provided. The pool debris blocker may comprise a housing having a top side, a bottom side, and a lateral side extending between the top side and the bottom side. The lateral side may define an inlet having an upper end and a lower end and configured to receive the water between the upper end and the lower end. The inlet may have an inlet axis defined through the lateral side and between the upper end and the lower end. When the water is present in the housing a water line may extend through the lateral side and between the top side and the bottom side. The pool debris blocker may further comprise a filter basket configured to be inserted into the housing along the inlet axis. The filter basket may have an inner cavity defined between an inlet opening and at least one mesh opening. The filter basket may be configured to permit entry of the water through the inlet opening, into the inner cavity, and out the at least one mesh opening.

In an example thereof, the housing may further comprise a water passage chamber disposed between the inlet and an outlet of the housing. The water passage chamber may be configured to receive the filter basket. During a circulation event the water may flow from the inlet, through the water passage chamber of the housing and the inner cavity of the filter basket, and to the outlet.

In another example thereof, the outlet may be located on a bottom side of the inlet such that during the circulation event water flows laterally through the inlet and is turned to flow through the bottom side.

In still another example thereof, the housing may further comprise an abutment configured to engage the filter basket when the filter basket is inserted into the housing along the inlet axis.

In a further example thereof, the abutment may be offset by a distance along an inlet axial direction from an outer face of the inlet. The outer face may extend in an inlet radial direction away from a water passage chamber of the housing. The water passage chamber may be disposed between the inlet and an outlet of the housing.

In still a further example thereof, the filter basket may further comprise a cover face defining the inlet opening through which the water enters the inner cavity. The cover face may be located proximate the outer face of the inlet when the filter basket is installed in the inlet.

In still a further example thereof, the inlet may further comprise an inlet back wall defining an end of a water passage chamber. The inlet may further comprise an inlet gallery positioned to receive the water from the water passage chamber of the housing and deliver the water to an outlet of the housing. The inlet gallery may include a transition end. The inlet back wall may be positioned along an inlet axial direction closer to an outer face of the inlet than the transition end of the inlet gallery.

In still a further example thereof, the inlet gallery may be positioned between the inlet back wall and the outlet of the housing.

In yet a further example thereof, the housing may include a receiver portion positioned along the inlet axis between a water passage chamber and an outer face. The filter basket may have a cover flange configured to be received in the receiver portion.

In yet a still further example thereof, the housing may further comprise one of a positioning opening or a positioning protrusion. The filter basket may include the other of the positioning opening and the positioning protrusion. The positioning opening may be configured to engage the positioning protrusion to discourage removal of the filter basket from the housing.

In yet a still further example thereof, the housing may further define a tab extending away from the one of the positioning opening or the positioning protrusion in the housing. The tab may extend away along an inlet radial direction and an inlet axial direction.

In yet a still further example thereof, the filter basket further may define a pilot feature configured to engage the tab of the housing when the filter basket is positioned in the housing.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pool is provided. The pool may comprise a water storage chamber configured to contain a body of water. The pool may further comprise a pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device coupled with the water storage chamber and configured to receive water from and return water to the body of water. The pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device may comprise a housing configured to receive a filter basket. The housing may have an inlet structured to receive a flow of water in proximity to a surface of the body of water in the pool. The pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device may further include an inlet pipe positioned below the housing when installed on the pool and having an inlet pipe intake at an inlet end and an inlet pipe discharge at an outlet end. The pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device may further comprise a connecting pipe extending between the housing and the inlet pipe, the connecting pipe configured to deliver water from the inlet of the housing to the inlet pipe at a location intermediate the inlet end of the inlet pipe and the outlet end of the inlet pipe.

In an example thereof, the connecting pipe is oriented to deliver a first stream of the plurality of streams of water downward from the inlet to the inlet pipe. The inlet pipe may be oriented to deliver a second stream of the plurality of streams of water laterally between the inlet end of the inlet pipe and the outlet end of the inlet pipe. The first stream and the second stream merge to form the merged stream at a flow merger gallery intermediate the inlet end of the inlet pipe and the outlet end of the inlet pipe.

In another example thereof, the inlet pipe may include a flow restrictor between the inlet end of the inlet pipe and the flow merger gallery. The flow restrictor may be configured to reduce a pressure of the second stream to aid in mixing of the second stream with the first stream in the flow merger gallery.

In yet another example thereof, during operation an ejector may be formed at the flow merger gallery to encourage a downward flowing of the first stream to merge with a lateral flowing of the second stream.

In still another example thereof, the first stream may be turned from a downward direction through the connecting pipe to a lateral direction of the first stream through the inlet pipe at the flow merger gallery.

In still another example thereof, the pool may further comprise a water circulation pipeline configured to receive the merged stream from the outlet end of the inlet pipe.

In yet still another example thereof, during operation a water flow from the body of water in the pool may flow in a lateral direction through the inlet and may then be turned in a downward direction away from the housing and toward the inlet pipe before being turned by the inlet pipe to the lateral direction away from the inlet pipe intake of the inlet pipe and toward the inlet pipe discharge.

In yet still another example thereof, the housing may be configured to turn the water flow from the lateral direction through the inlet to the downward direction away from the housing.

In yet still another example thereof, the connecting pipe may deliver a first stream of water to a connecting discharge of the inlet pipe such that the first stream of water passes through the connecting discharge and into the inlet pipe at an angle transverse to a second stream.

In yet still another example thereof, a flow constrictor may be located proximate the connecting discharge of the inlet pipe. The flow constrictor may be configured to provide a pressure gradient to encourage the first stream of water to enter the inlet pipe and mix with the second stream.

In yet still another example thereof, the flow constrictor may be located adjacent to the connecting discharge and is configured to extend into the inlet pipe away from the connecting discharge.

In yet still another exemplary embodiment, a spa pool having a pool circulation and filtration device configured to filter debris from a body of water in a pool and circulate water in the pool is provided. The spa pool may comprise a pool body having a double wall construction defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining a water storage chamber. The spa pool may further comprise a plurality of tensioning straps extending between the inner wall and the outer wall. A first subset of the plurality of tensioning straps may be offset from a second subset of the plurality of tensioning straps to form a circulation device chamber. The spa pool may further comprise an inlet positioned at a first height relative to the inner wall of the pool body. The inlet may be configured to convey the water from the body of water as the water passes from the body of water and through the inner wall to the circulation device chamber. The spa pool may further comprise an inlet pipe intake positioned at a second height in the inner wall. The second height may be lower than the first height. The inlet pipe intake may be configured to convey the water from the body of water as the water passes from the body of water and through the inner wall to the circulation device chamber. The spa pool may further comprise a flow merger gallery disposed in the circulation device chamber and configured to merge the water received by the inlet with the water received by the inlet pipe intake.

In an example thereof, the spa pool may further comprise an inlet pipe configured to convey the water received by the inlet pipe intake, the inlet pipe in fluid communication with an inlet pipe discharge positioned proximate the outer wall of the pool body and configured to discharge the water conveyed by the inlet pipe.

In another example thereof, the spa pool may further comprise an outlet pipe disposed in the circulation device chamber. The outlet pipe may have a return intake configured to receive the water from the inlet pipe discharge and a return discharge configured to receive the water from the return intake and discharge the water to the body of water in the water storage chamber.

In yet another example thereof, the return discharge may be positioned intermediate the inlet pipe intake and the inlet.

In still yet another example thereof, the inlet pipe may include the flow merger gallery. The flow merger gallery may be defined by a flow constrictor.

In yet still another example thereof the spa pool may further comprise a connecting pipe configured to deliver the water received by the inlet to the flow merger gallery.

In yet a further example thereof, the spa pool may further comprise an outlet pipe disposed intermediate the inlet and the inlet pipe intake, the outlet pipe configured to convey the water to the body of water in the water storage chamber, and wherein the connecting pipe includes a bend as it extends between the inlet and the flow merger gallery.

In still yet another example thereof, the spa pool may further comprise an inlet pipe discharge configured to convey the water from the flow merger gallery and through the outer wall. The spa pool may further comprise a return intake configured to convey the water through the outer wall. The spa pool may further comprise a return discharge configured to convey the water from the return intake through the inner wall.

In still yet another example thereof, the spa pool may further comprise an outlet pipe disposed in the circulation device chamber. The outlet pipe may be configured to convey the water from the return intake to the return discharge and into the body of water.

In still yet another exemplary embodiment, an inlet pipe of a pool circulation and filtration device configured to convey water received from a body of water in a water storage chamber of a pool is provided. The inlet pipe may comprise an inlet end configured to receive a first portion of water from the body of water in the pool. The inlet pipe may further comprise a connecting discharge defining an opening through which a second portion of water from the body of water in the pool enters into the inlet pipe. The inlet pipe may further comprise a flow merger gallery structured to merge the first portion of water from the inlet end with the second portion of water from the connecting discharge to form a merged stream of water. The inlet pipe may further comprise a flow constrictor located between the inlet end and the connecting discharge. The flow constrictor may extend into the inlet pipe away from the connecting discharge and may reduce a cross sectional area of the inlet pipe through which the first portion of water from the body of water flows prior to entry into the flow merger gallery. The inlet pipe may further comprise an outlet end configured to discharge the merged stream of water from the inlet pipe.

In an example thereof, the inlet pipe may further comprise a connecting flow surface defining the flow merger gallery and configured to contact the second portion of water prior to the second portion of water merging with the first portion of water.

In another example thereof, the connecting flow surface may be adjacent to the connecting discharge.

In still another example thereof, the flow constrictor may comprise a constrictor ramp configured to turn the first portion of water in a direction toward a throat of the inlet pipe.

In yet still another example thereof, the throat may be defined between an end of the flow constrictor opposite the connecting discharge and a merger gallery wall of the inlet pipe. The first portion of water may flow through the throat prior to being merged with the second portion of water.

In still yet another example thereof, the inlet pipe may further comprise an upstream transition positioned between the inlet end and the flow merger gallery. The inlet pipe may further comprise a downstream transition positioned between the outlet end and the flow merger gallery. The upstream transition may demarcate a transition between a first flow area in the inlet pipe and a throat flow area at a throat of the inlet pipe. The downstream transition may demarcate a transition between the throat flow area of the throat and a second flow area of the inlet pipe. The first flow area and the second flow area may both be larger than the throat flow area.

In still yet another example thereof, the inlet pipe may further comprise an intermediate flow area disposed between the first flow area and the throat flow area. The intermediate flow area may be smaller than the first flow area and larger than the throat flow area,. The intermediate flow area may be a constant area over an axial distance of the inlet pipe in an inlet pipe axial direction.

In still yet another example thereof, the inlet pipe may further comprise a constrictor ramp configured to turn the first portion of water in a direction toward the throat of the inlet pipe. The constrictor ramp may be positioned between the intermediate flow area and the throat.

In still yet another example thereof, the inlet pipe may further comprise a threaded boss extending from an exterior of the inlet pipe and configured to receive a connecting pipe of a pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device.

In still yet another example thereof, the threaded boss may include a portion that extends in an inlet pipe radial direction away from an external surface of the inlet pipe at an axial location coincident with a connecting flow surface that defines the flow merger gallery.

In still yet another example thereof, the inlet pipe may include a first circular cross-sectional shape between the inlet end and an upstream transition. A first semicircular cross-sectional shape may be provided between the upstream transition and a throat of the inlet pipe. A second semicircular cross-sectional shape may be provided between the throat and a downstream transition. A second circular cross-sectional shape may be provided between the downstream transition and the outlet end.

In still yet another example thereof, the flow constrictor may be disposed in the inlet pipe between the upstream transition and the downstream transition.

In still yet another example thereof, the first circular cross-sectional shape may be the same size as the second circular cross-sectional shape.

In still yet another example thereof, the throat may be a semi-annular shape between an end of the flow constrictor and an inlet pipe wall.

In response to the technical issues present in existing technologies, the present disclosure provides a pool debris blocker, a pool circulation and filtration device, and a spa pool, which provides features operable to automatically clean floating debris in a spa pool.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pool debris blocker includes a housing and a filter basket. The housing is provided with an inlet, an outlet, and a water passage chamber. The inlet and the outlet are respectively connected to the water passage chamber. The inlet is located on the side wall of the housing and is connected to the water storage chamber of the pool. The vertical range between the upper and lower ends of the inlet covers the highest and lowest water levels of the pool. The filter basket is fixedly or removably installed within the water passage chamber of the housing to filter and block debris from the water entering through the inlet.

In an example thereof, the filter basket may enter and exit the water passage chamber through the inlet, and the filter basket may be in a horizontal position within the water passage chamber.

In another example thereof, the filter basket may also include an openable and closable inlet door panel. The inlet door panel may be movably installed at the inlet of the housing, or the inlet door panel is movably installed at one end of the filter basket near the inlet. In the closed state, the inlet door panel may prevent debris entering the filter basket from flowing back to the inlet.

In still another example thereof, the upper end of the inlet door panel may be pivotally connected to the housing or the filter basket. The inlet door panel may be driven by the water flow to flip open when water enters the inlet, and it may flip closed by the action of its own weight, buoyancy, or a reset component (or a combination thereof) when the inlet stops receiving water.

In yet another example thereof, the filter basket may include an inlet cover and a filter mesh cover. These two components may be removably connected together to form the inner cavity of the filter basket. The inlet cover may be located on the side of the filter mesh cover near the inlet and may be provided with inlet openings. One end of the inlet door panel may be pivotally connected to the inlet cover and may be positioned on the inner side of the inlet openings.

In yet still another example thereof, the filter basket may be provided with a handle for disassembly and assembly, which may facilitate the entry and exit of the filter basket into and out of the water passage chamber. The handle may be located at one end of the filter basket near the inlet.

In a further example thereof, a positioning structure may be provided between the filter basket and the housing. The positioning structure may include at least one set of positioning components. Each positioning component may include a positioning opening and a positioning protrusion that fit together. One of the positioning opening and the positioning protrusion may be located on the outer side surface of the filter basket, and the other may be located on the inner wall surface of the water passage chamber.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pool circulation and filtration device includes a water circulation pipeline and the pool debris blocker described above. The inlet end of the water circulation pipeline may be connected to the outlet of the pool debris blocker, and the outlet end of the water circulation pipeline may be connected to the water storage chamber of the pool.

In an example thereof, the inlet end of the water circulation pipeline may be connected to an inlet pipe. The inlet end of the inlet pipe may be connected to the water storage chamber of the pool and may be located below the water surface of the pool. The inlet end of the inlet pipe may be provided with a first filter cover. The side wall of the inlet pipe may be provided with a bypass hole, which may be connected to the outlet of the housing through a connecting pipe. The outlet end of the water circulation pipeline may be connected to an outlet pipe. The outlet end of the outlet pipe may be connected to the water storage chamber of the pool and may be located below the water surface of the pool. The outlet end of the outlet pipe may be provided with a second filter cover. The water circulation pipeline may be equipped with a water pump and a filter core, or a filter with a water-drawing function.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a control box for a spa pool is provided, which includes the pool circulation and filtration device described above.

The present disclosure also provides an SPA pool, which may include a pool with a water storage chamber, and may further include the pool circulation and filtration device or the control box for a spa pool as described above. The housing may be installed on the side wall of the pool body and may be located outside the water storage chamber. Compared with the existing technology, the present utility model has the following beneficial effects:

1. In one form the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure may include: a housing and a filter basket, where the inlet of the housing may be connected to the water storage chamber of the pool, with the vertical range between the upper and lower ends of the inlet covering the highest and lowest water levels of the pool. The filter basket may be removably installed within the water passage chamber of the housing to filter and block debris from the water entering through the inlet. When applied to the pool circulation and filtration device, the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure may use the filter basket to collect debris floating on the surface of the pool water. This may achieve the purpose of automatically cleaning floating debris in the pool and prevents floating debris in the pool from entering the filter core of the pool circulation and filtration device, which could otherwise cause blockage of the filter core. Moreover, the filter basket can be taken out at any time for cleaning of debris, making it convenient to use.

2. As another embodiment, the filter basket of the present disclosure may enter and exit the water passage chamber directly through the inlet, which may eliminate the need for additional openings in the housing, simplifying the structure of the housing. When applied to a spa pool, the filter basket can be directly installed or removed from the side of the pool's water storage chamber, making it more convenient to use.

3. The present disclosure may also include an inlet door panel, which, when the inlet stops receiving water, can prevent debris that has entered the filter basket from flowing back to the inlet, thereby maintaining the cleaning effect of debris on the pool surface. In particular, when the filter basket enters and exits the water passage chamber through the inlet, placing the inlet door panel on the filter basket allows the basket to remain closed during the process of removing the filter basket from the water passage chamber to clean the debris, thus preventing debris from floating back into the pool.

4. As another embodiment, the inlet door panel may be pivotally connected to the housing or the filter basket. The inlet door panel may be driven by the water flow to flip open when water enters the inlet, and may flip closed by the action of its own weight and/or a reset component when the inlet stops receiving water. This may allow the present disclosure to achieve automatic opening and closing of the inlet door panel.

5. As another embodiment, the outlet of the housing may be connected to the inlet pipe of the water circulation pipeline through a connecting pipe, and the inlet end of the inlet pipe may be connected to the water storage chamber of the pool. This not only allows the outlet of the housing to be connected to the existing water circulation pipeline of the pool circulation and filtration device, simplifying the overall structure, but also enables the pool circulation and filtration device of the present disclosure to have two water inlets, thereby meeting the relevant requirements of national safety regulations.

The present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments; however, the pool debris blocker, pool circulation and filtration device, and spa pool of the present disclosure are not limited to the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view diagram of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1A is a sectional view of the housing of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the inlet cover of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a sectional view of the inlet door panel of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a sectional view of the filter mesh cover of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1E depicts operation of the pool debris blocker with the inlet door panel in a closed state;

FIG. 1F depicts operation of the pool debris blocker with the inlet door panel in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure in the exploded state;

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the filter basket of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view diagram of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure with the inlet pipe and connecting pipe;

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the housing, inlet pipe, etc., of the present disclosure in the assembled state (before the filter basket is inserted);

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the housing, inlet pipe, etc., of the present disclosure in the assembled state (after the filter basket is inserted);

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 6 in the water inlet state;

FIG. 8A is a sectional view of the inlet pipe of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the flow constrictor and flow gallery of the inlet pipe of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8C depicts a circular cross section of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8D depicts a semi-circular cross section of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8E depicts a semi-annular cross section of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8F depicts a circular cross section of the pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the spa pool of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A depicts a sectional view of the spa pool of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 depicts a pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts an exploded view diagram of the pool debris blocker of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 depicts an exploded view diagram of the pool debris blocker of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 depicts a cross section of the exploded view diagram of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 depicts a close up view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 depicts a cross section of the pool debris blocker of FIG. 10 having a closed position of an inlet door panel;

FIG. 16 depicts a cross section of the pool debris blocker of FIG. 10 having an open position of an inlet door panel;

FIG. 17 depicts a view of a filter basket useful in the pool debris blocker of FIG. 10;

FIG. 18 depicts a cross section of a filter basket of FIG. 10 having a closed position of an inlet door panel;

FIG. 19 depicts a cross section of a filter basket of FIG. 10 having an open position of an inlet door panel;

FIG. 20 depicts a pool debris blocker of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 depicts an exploded view diagram of the pool debris blocker of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 depicts an exploded view diagram of the pool debris blocker of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 depicts a cross section of the exploded view diagram of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 depicts a cross section of the pool debris blocker of FIG. 20 having a closed position of an inlet door panel;

FIG. 25 depicts a cross section of the pool debris blocker of FIG. 20 having an open position of an inlet door panel;

FIG. 26 depicts a view of a filter basket useful in the pool debris blocker of FIG. 20;

FIG. 27 depicts a cross section of a filter basket of FIG. 20 having a closed position of an inlet door panel; and

FIG. 28 depicts a cross section of a filter basket of FIG. 20 having an open position of an inlet door panel.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, which is described below. The embodiment disclosed below is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiment is chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings. Therefore, no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Similar reference numerals refer to similar elements.

In the present disclosure, terms such as “first” and “second” are used solely to distinguish similar objects and are not intended to describe a specific order or sequence. They should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance. In the descriptions, terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “top/bottom end,” etc., which indicate positional or directional relationships, are based on the orientation shown in the drawings. These terms are used only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the apparatus to having a specific orientation or being constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present disclosure. For ordinary skilled persons in the relevant technical field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the context of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

Additionally, in the description of the present disclosure, the term “and/or” is used to describe the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships can exist. For example, A and/or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing together, or B existing alone. The character “/” generally indicates an “or” relationship between the associated objects. Unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited in the description of the present disclosure, terms such as “mounted,” “disposed,” “connected,” etc., should be broadly interpreted. For example, “connection” can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. It can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. It can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediary. It can also refer to the internal communication between two components. For ordinary skilled persons in the relevant technical field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the context of the present disclosure can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

In some instances throughout this disclosure and in the claims, numeric terminology, such as first, second, third, and fourth, is used in reference to various components, speed ratios, and other items. Such use is not intended to denote an ordering of the components. Rather, numeric terminology is used to assist the reader in identifying the component being referenced and should not be narrowly interpreted as providing a specific order of components.

Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 9A. The pool debris blocker 50 of the present disclosure, which is applied to a pool circulation and filtration device 52 (see, e.g., FIG. 9), includes a housing 1 and a filter basket 2. When used in filtration device 52, the pool debris blocker 50 may be configured to receive water from a body of water 302 (see FIG. 1E with inlet door panel 3 in a closed position and FIG. 1F with inlet door panel 3 in an open position) in a pool 30 (see FIG. 9) and filter debris from the water and discourage and/or block debris from further passage into the pool circulation and filtration device 52. Pool debris blocker 50 is configured to capture debris and discourage debris from returning to pool 30. The housing 1 may be provided with an inlet 11, an outlet 12, and a water passage chamber 13. The inlet 11 and the outlet 12 are respectively connected to the water passage chamber 13. The inlet 11 may be located on the side wall of the housing 1 and is connected to the water storage chamber 301 of the pool 30 (See FIG. 9). The vertical range between an upper end 1550 and a lower end 1552 of the inlet 11 covers the ‘highest’ and ‘lowest’ water levels of the pool 30 in which water may pass from water storage chamber 301 into water passage chamber 13. The ‘highest’ and the ‘lowest’water levels correspond to typical water levels when the pool 30 is in operation.

Expressions of ‘highest’ and ‘lowest’ water levels in pool 30 relative to operation of the pool debris blocker 50 imply the water levels corresponding to the upper end 1550 and lower end 1552 of inlet 11. Lower water levels below the ‘lowest’ water level are thus contemplated herein in which water may not pass from water storage chamber 301 into water storage chamber 301 owing to the water level being below the ‘lowest’level associated with lower end 1552. Likewise, higher water levels above the ‘highest’ water level are also contemplated herein in which water may pass from water storage chamber 301 into water storage chamber 301 but since the water level is above the ‘highest’ water level above the upper end 1550 the debris filtering features of the pool debris blocker 50 may be impaired and/or not be fully realized.

The filter basket 2 may be disposed within the water passage chamber 13 of the housing 1 to filter and block debris from the water entering through the inlet 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter basket 2 may be removably mounted with the housing 1 for easy cleaning of the debris collected by the filter basket 2. However, this is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the filter basket 2 may be fixedly mounted within the housing 1, meaning it is non-detachable or not easily detachable.

In the illustrated embodiment, the filter basket 2 may enter and exit the water passage chamber 13 through the inlet 11 of the housing 1, and the filter basket 2 may be in a horizontal position within the water passage chamber 13. In other embodiments, the housing may have an additional installation opening, preferably located at the upper end of the housing and above the highest water level of the water passage chamber, through which the filter basket enters and exits the water passage chamber of the housing. In an embodiment, this example may also include an openable and closable inlet door panel 3. The inlet door panel 3 may be movably installed at one end of the filter basket 2 near the inlet 11. In embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1C, closable inlet door panel 3 may include a door hinge component 31 configured to be coupled with door hinge component 2166 of filter basket 2. Door hinge component 2166 may be part of inlet cover 21 as illustrated in FIG. 1B. Closable inlet door panel 3 may be rotatable about hinge axis 32 via interaction of door hinge component 31 of closable inlet door panel 3 and door hinge component 2166 of filter basket 2. In embodiments, inlet door panel 3 may be rotatable about hinge axis 32 at a top of inlet door panel 3 (see FIG. 4). In still other embodiments, inlet door panel 3 may be rotatable about hinge axis 32 at a bottom of inlet door panel 3 (see FIGS. 10-19). Closable inlet door panel 3 may have a center of mass 33 located below hinge axis 32 and offset by a vertical offset 34 which may aid in encouraging closable inlet door panel 3 to rotate into a resting position such that closable inlet door panel 3 blocks debris from moving from inner cavity of filter basket 2 (e.g., from inner cavity 2150 and/or inner cavity 2250) through inlet openings 211a and/or inlet openings 211b. Further, in embodiments, closable inlet door panel 3 may not be buoyant when in the water, or may have neutral buoyancy. In still further embodiments, inlet door panel 3 may be buoyant (see FIGS. 10-19). Water flow and/or buoyancy may be used to move closable inlet door panel 3 between the open and closed state.

In the closed state, the inlet door panel 3 may prevent debris that has entered the filter basket 2 from flowing back to the inlet 11 (see FIG. 1E). Specifically, the inlet door panel 3 is pivotally mounted. When water flows into the inlet 11, the inlet door panel 3 may be driven by the water flow to flip open (see FIG. 1F). When the water flow into the inlet 11 stops, the inlet door panel 3 may flip closed due to the action of its own weight, buoyancy, or a reset component (or a combination thereof). In this embodiment, the inlet door panel 3 may flip closed due to its own weight when the water flow into the inlet 11 stops. However, this is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the inlet door panel may rely on buoyancy or a reset component, or a combination of the reset component and the door panel's own weight, to reset. The reset component may be, for example, an elastic member, such as a torsion spring. This torsion spring can be mounted on the pivot shaft of the inlet door panel, with its two arms respectively pressing against the inlet door panel and the filter basket or housing. In other embodiments, the inlet door panel may be installed at the inlet of the housing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the filter basket 2 of this embodiment includes an inlet cover 21 and a filter mesh cover 22. These two components may be removably connected together to form the inner cavity of the filter basket 2, where the inner cavity of the filter basket 2 may include one or both of inner cavity 2150 of inlet cover 21 and inner cavity 2250 of filter mesh cover 22. In embodiments, inner cavity of the filter basket 2 may include inner cavity 2150 but not inner cavity 2250 where filter mesh cover 22 does not include inner cavity 2250. Likewise, in embodiments, inner cavity of filter basket 2 may include inner cavity 2250 but not inner cavity 2150 where inlet cover 21 does not include inner cavity 2150. The inlet cover 21 may be located on the side of the filter mesh cover 22 near the inlet 11 and is provided with inlet openings 211 formed through a wall 2155 of the inlet cover 21 and sized to permit passage of water 302 and debris from the pool 30. In the illustrated embodiment, inlet openings 211 include inlet openings 211a and 211b. Filter basket 2 may have additional or fewer inlet openings in other embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet cover 21 and the filter mesh cover 22 are connected by a combination of telescopic fitting and positioning, for example, illustratively, a portion of the filter mesh cover 22 is inserted into the inlet cover 21, and the outer side of the filter mesh cover 22 is provided with multiple positioning protrusions 221, each of which is respectively matched with the positioning openings 214 correspondingly set on the inlet cover 21. However, the connection between the inlet cover 21 and the filter mesh cover 22 is not limited to this. For example, in other embodiments, the inlet cover 21 and the filter mesh cover 22 may be threadedly connected or snap-fitted. One end of the aforementioned inlet door panel 3 may be pivotally connected to the inlet cover 21 and may be positioned on the inner side of the inlet openings 211. Specifically, the upper end of the inlet door panel 3 may be pivotally connected to the inlet cover 21, but this is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the lower end of the inlet door panel may be pivotally connected to the inlet cover, or one side of the inlet door panel may be pivotally connected to the inlet cover. The positioning protrusions 221 and positioning openings 214 may permit inlet cover 21 and filter mesh cover 22 to be releasably attached to one another. Further, other connection types between inlet cover 21 and filter mesh cover 22, such as threaded connections, snap-fit connections, and interference fit connections, may also be releasable. Accordingly, inlet cover 21 and filter mesh cover 22 may be attached and re-attached multiple times without damage to either.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the filter basket 2 of this embodiment is provided with a handle 2164 for disassembly and assembly 212 to facilitate the entry and exit of the filter basket 2 into and out of the water passage chamber 13. The handle 2164 may be grasped by a user when moving the filter basket relative to the inlet of the debris blocker. In some embodiments, handle 2164 may be engaged by a tooling to remove filter basket 2 from housing 1. In embodiments, handle 2164 is defined between inlet opening 211a and inlet opening 211b. The handle for disassembly and assembly 212 may be located at one end of the filter basket 2 near the inlet 11. Specifically, the handle for disassembly and assembly 212 may be located at the middle position of one end of the inlet cover 21 near the inlet 11, and the handle for disassembly and assembly 212 is bar-shaped, but this is not limited to this. The end face of one end of the inlet cover 21 near the inlet 11 is also provided with an installation indication mark to indicate the installation angle of the filter basket 2. The installation indication mark is specifically an arrow indication mark, but this is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, a positioning structure is provided between the filter basket 2 and the housing 1 to make the state of the filter basket 2 in the water passage chamber 13 of the housing 1 more stable. The positioning structure may include at least one set of positioning components. Each positioning component includes a positioning opening 14 and a positioning protrusion 213 that fit together. One of the positioning opening 14 and the positioning protrusion 213 may be located on the outer side surface of the filter basket 2, and the other is located on the inner wall surface of the water passage chamber 13. Specifically, in this embodiment, the positioning opening 14 is provided in the housing 1, and the positioning protrusion 213 is provided on the inlet cover 21 of the filter basket 2, but this is not limited to this. In embodiments, positioning protrusion 213 may be provided on inlet cover 21 in proximity to first cover end 2154 (see FIGS. 1-3). In other embodiments, positioning protrusion 213 may be located on inlet cover 21 in proximity to second cover end 2156 (see FIGS. 10-19).

In embodiments, other features may also be provided in filtration device 52, including one or more features in housing 1 and filter basket 2. As shown in FIG. 1A, housing 1 extends between a top side 1554 and a bottom side 1556. Outlet 12 of housing 1 is located at bottom side 1556 of the illustrated embodiment. In embodiments, outlet 12 may be located elsewhere in housing 1. Inlet 11 is situated to receive filter basket 2 and may be located on a lateral side 1558 of housing 1 through which filter basket 2 may be inserted along an inlet axis 1560 which may be arranged along an inlet axial direction 1562. In embodiments, inlet axis 1560 may be parallel with a water line of the water in the body of water contained in the water storage chamber 301 of the pool 30. Top side 1554 may be offset from the bottom side 1556 along an inlet radial direction 1576 to accommodate receipt of filter basket 2 along inlet axis 1560. Housing 1 may include an outer face 1566 oriented along the inlet radial direction 1576 parallel with a surface 309 of the water storage chamber 301 (e.g., a pool liner) and which may provide a periphery of housing 1 through which filter basket 2 is inserted. Similar to outer face 1566 of housing 1, inlet cover 21 may include a cover face 2168 oriented in a cover radial direction 2170 which may also be parallel with a surface of the water storage chamber 301 (e.g., a pool liner) when filter basket 2 is inserted into housing 1. In embodiments, cover radial direction 2170 may be parallel with inlet radial direction 1576, and a cover axial direction 2172 may be parallel with inlet axial direction 1562.

When inserted, a cover flange 2152 of filter basket 2 may be used to pilot filter basket 2 along a receiver portion 1568 in the inlet axial direction 1562. Receiver portion 1568 may extend between outer face 1566 and an abutment 1570 form in an inlet inner wall 1572 of housing 1. Abutment 1570 may be offset from outer face 1566 by an offset distance 1574 to provide a distance to seat filter basket 2 into housing 1 as cover flange 2152 is guided along receiver portion 1568. In embodiments, abutment 1570 may provide a hard stop to further insertion of filter basket 2 into housing 1, but other variations are contemplated in which filter basket 2 may be secured into place within housing 1 prior to engagement of cover flange 2152 with abutment 1570. For example, positioning opening 14 may engage positioning protrusion 213 to secure filter basket 2 within housing 1 prior to cover flange 2152 engaging abutment 1570. An inlet back wall 1576 of housing 1 may also serve to stop further insertion of filter basket 2 into housing 1 additionally and/or alternatively to either or both of abutment 1570 or the engagement of positioning opening 14 with positioning protrusion 213. Inlet cover 21 may include a pilot feature 2174 used to engage a tab 1578 of housing 1 and guide filter basket 2 as it is seated with housing 1. In embodiments, inlet cover 21 may include tab 1578 and housing 1 may include the pilot feature 2174. Tab 1578 may be centered around and extend in the inlet axial direction 1562 away from positioning opening 14.

When inserted, filter basket 2 may be offset radially and/or axially from an inner surface of housing 1. FIGS. 1B and 1D illustrate further details of filter basket 2. In embodiments, inlet back wall 1564 of housing 1 may be offset from a mesh wall of filter mesh cover 22 (e.g., offset from a back mesh wall 2252 that defines a lateral extent of filter mesh cover 22). Additionally and/or alternatively, inlet inner wall 1572 of housing 1 may be offset from a mesh wall of filter mesh cover 22 (e.g., offset from side mesh wall 2254). One or both of back mesh wall 2252 and side mesh wall 2254 may include a mesh opening 2256 useful to permit water to flow therethrough but otherwise block debris from passing therethrough when the debris exceeds one or more passage dimensions of mesh opening 2256. In embodiments, mesh opening 2256 may include a plurality of openings. Two or more of the openings in the embodiment which includes a plurality of openings may be the same or different sizes. Water may flow through inlet opening 211a and/or inlet opening 211b, pass into inner cavity 2150 of inlet cover 21 defined between a first cover end 2154 and a second cover end 2156, thence into inner cavity 2250 of filter mesh cover 22 defined between a first mesh end 2160 and a second mesh end 2162, and out through the mesh wall (e.g., at least one of back mesh wall 2252 and side mesh wall 2254). In embodiments, inlet cover 21 may also include an inlet cover opening 2158. In embodiments, inlet cover 21 may include more than one inlet cover opening 2158.

Filter mesh cover 22 may include a filter mesh flange 2258 that may contact second cover end 2156 of inlet cover 21 when filter mesh cover 22 is coupled with inlet cover 21 to form filter basket 2. In embodiments, positioning protrusions 221 and positioning openings 214 may be coupled prior to filter mesh flange 2258 contacting second cover end 2156 of inlet cover 21, thus discouraging filter mesh flange 2258 from contacting second cover end 2156. In embodiments, filter mesh cover 22 includes a nesting portion 2260 extending away from filter mesh flange 2258 located at second mesh end 2162. Filter mesh flange 2258 may rest inside of outlet 12. In embodiments, nesting portion 2260 extends past second cover end 2156 of inlet cover 21. In embodiments, nesting portion 2260 may reside inside inner cavity 2150 of inlet cover 21. In other embodiments, nesting portion 2260 may extend around an outer periphery of inlet cover 21.

Filter mesh cover 22 may further include a gripper 2262 that may be grasped by a user when assembling and/or disassembling inlet cover 21 with filter mesh cover 22 (see FIG. 11). Gripper 2262 may be located on and extend from an exterior of filter mesh cover 22.

When the pool debris blocker 50 of the present disclosure is in use, its housing 1 is mounted on the side wall of the pool 30 and is located outside the water storage chamber 301 of the pool 30. FIGS. 9 and 9A illustrate an embodiment of pool debris blocker 50 mounted on the side wall of pool 30. The inlet 11 of the housing 1 may be laterally connected to the water storage chamber 301 of the pool 30. At the same time, it is contemplated that the vertical range between the upper end 1550 and lower end 1552 of the inlet 11 may cover the highest and lowest water levels of the pool 30, and the outlet 12 of the housing 1 is connected to the inlet end of the water circulation pipeline (see FIG. 9). In embodiments, after exiting outlet 12 water enters a connection pipe 6 that routes a first stream 303 of water to an inlet pipe 4. FIGS. 4-8 illustrate one or more portions of a pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device 54 that includes housing 1, connection pipe 6, and inlet pipe 4 useful to intake water. Pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device 54 may be used (as part of filtration device 52) in a spa pool having water storage chamber 301 that defines a double walled construction having an inner wall 315 and an outer wall 317. In embodiments, water storage chamber 301 may be inflatable and in which water storage chamber 301 includes a plurality of tensioning straps 319 that extend between inner wall 315 and outer wall 317 and which are used to constrain expansion of inner wall 315 away from outer wall 317 while pressurized. The plurality of tensioning straps 319 may include individual sets of straps that can be spaced as individual groupings around pool 30. At least a first subset of tensioning straps 319 that are located next to a second subset of tensioning straps 319 may form a circulation device chamber 321 therebetween and in which filtration intake pipe device 54 may be located.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8 and 9-9A, connection pipe 6 of pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device 54 may extend in a downward direction 350 from housing 1 to inlet pipe 4. In embodiments, inlet pipe 4 may be located vertically below housing 1 without obstruction such that connection pipe 6 extends in a straight vertical direction, but other configurations are also contemplated. In embodiments, obstructions may be positioned intermediate housing 1 and inlet pipe 4 such that connection pipe 6 may need to include one or more turns such as a bend 65 depicted in FIG. 9A. Bend 65 may include one or more inflection points. For example, bend 65 may be used to turn connection pipe 6 away from obstruction and then turn connection pipe 6 back toward inlet pipe 4. Providing turns in connection pipe 6 can permit inlet 11 to be located vertically above a first filter cover 5, for example, used to cover an inlet end 450 of inlet pipe 4 even though an obstruction is present to prevent connection pipe 6 from extending in a straight vertical line to inlet pipe 4.

Referring to FIGS. 8-8B, inlet pipe 4 extends between the inlet end 450 and an outlet end 452 and in embodiments is configured to receive water from body of water and convey the water in a lateral direction 352. Inlet end 450 includes an inlet pipe intake 451 through which water may flow and which may be provided with a first filter cover 5 as discussed above. First filter cover 5 may include one or more openings sized to prevent an object, such as a debris, from entering into inlet pipe 4. Outlet end 452 may include an inlet pipe discharge 453. Inlet pipe 4 includes a first segment 455 having a first flow area 454 and structured to receive a second stream 304 of water through inlet end 450 from the water in the body of water. First segment 455 may take the form of a first circular cross-sectional shape 456 (FIG. 8C). Inlet pipe 4 may include an upstream transition 458 from the first segment 455 including first flow area 454 to an intermediate segment 462. Upstream transition 458 also demarcates a change in cross sectional flow area of inlet pipe 4 from first flow area 454 to an intermediate flow area 460 in which the intermediate flow area 460 is smaller than first flow area 454. A speed of the water in the second stream 304 may be higher and a pressure of the water in the second stream 304 may be lower in intermediate segment 462 than in the first segment 455 including first flow area 454. In embodiments, intermediate segment 462 may take on a semi-circular cross-sectional shape 464 illustrated in FIG. 8D.

Inlet pipe 4 includes a flow constrictor 466. A throat 468 is defined in the inlet pipe 4 between flow constrictor 466 and an inlet pipe wall 470. Flow constrictor 466 may include a constrictor ramp 476 useful to turn a direction of the second stream 304 of water as it flows in from inlet end 450 in an inlet pipe axial direction 478 to a direction that includes a component in an inlet pipe radial direction 480. In embodiments, inlet pipe wall 470 may extend from inlet end 450 to outlet end 452 of inlet pipe 4. Throat 468 includes a throat flow area 472 that is smaller than first flow area 454 and may be smaller than intermediate flow area 460. A speed of the second stream 304 of water may be higher and a pressure of the second stream 304 of water may be lower in throat flow area 472 than in the first segment 455 including first flow area 454. Further, a speed of the second stream 304 of water may be higher and a pressure of the second stream 304 of water may be lower in throat flow area 472 than in intermediate segment 462. In embodiments, throat 468 may take on a semi-annular shape 474. In embodiments, the relative orientation of flow constrictor 466 and inlet pipe wall 470 may turn the direction of water predominately back to the inlet pipe axial direction 478.

Connection pipe 6 is configured to deliver the first stream 303 of water from housing 1 into inlet pipe 4 at a connecting discharge 482 just downstream throat 468. A connecting flow surface 484 may extend outward from connecting discharge 482 in the inlet pipe radial direction 480 and form a downstream part of flow constrictor 466. Connecting discharge 482 may form a flow surface for first stream 303 of water from connection pipe 6 prior to the first stream 303 of water from connection pipe 6 being merged with the second stream 304 of water from inlet end 450. Inlet pipe 4 may include a connecting offset 483 between a lateral edge of connecting discharge 482 and connecting flow surface 484.

Inlet pipe 4 includes a flow merger 486 having a flow merger gallery 488 used to merge first stream 303 from connection pipe 6 with second stream 304 in inlet pipe 4. Flow merger gallery 488 may be defined between connecting discharge 482, throat 468, and a merger gallery wall 489. In embodiments, merger gallery wall 489 may be the same as inlet pipe wall 470. As shown in FIG. 8B, water located at throat 468 as second stream 304 passes through throat 468 is at a lower pressure (denoted as “L” at throat 468) relative to a high pressure (denoted as “H”) of water 302 located at connecting discharge 482 as first stream 303 is delivered from connection pipe 6 into inlet pipe 4 through connecting discharge 482. The speed of water at throat 468 in second stream 304 may also be higher at throat 468 than the speed of water in first stream 303 from connection pipe 6 at connecting discharge 482. The mismatch of pressure and speed between first stream 303 from connection pipe 6 and second stream 304 from inlet end 450 of inlet pipe 4 into flow merger gallery 488 of flow merger 486 may provide for an ejector action useful to entrain water from filter basket 2 into water from inlet end 450. Such ejector action can aid in pulling water from inlet 11 of housing 1 through connection pipe 6 and into inlet pipe 4. Flow merger gallery 488 may include a merger flow area 490 that characterizes a flow area of flow merger 486 when first stream 303 is merged with second stream 304 in inlet pipe 4. In embodiments, merger flow area 490 may be the same as intermediate flow area 460 and may have the same cross-sectional shape (e.g., semi-circular cross-sectional shape 464).

Inlet pipe 4 may also include a downstream transition 492 from connecting flow surface 484 that demarcates a change from flow merger gallery 488 to outlet end 452 and that defines a second segment 457 intermediate flow merger gallery 488 and outlet end 452 which includes a second flow area 494. In embodiments, the second segment 457 intermediate flow merger gallery 488 and outlet end 452 may be a second circular cross-section 496. Second circular cross-section 496 may be the same size as first circular cross-sectional shape 456. The segment of inlet pipe 4 downstream of downstream transition 492 is configured to convey a merged flow stream 305 that includes first stream 303 and second stream 304.

Connection pipe 6 may be coupled with inlet pipe 4 using any variety of techniques. In the illustrated embodiment, inlet pipe 4 includes a boss 497 used to receive connection pipe 6. In embodiments, boss 497 may be threaded to received a threaded end of connection pipe 6. Other connections are also contemplated, including a tapped form of connecting discharge 482.

The working principle of the pool debris blocker 50 of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following text.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9A, the pool circulation and filtration device 52 of the present disclosure includes a water circulation pipeline 8 and also includes the pool debris blocker 50 of the present disclosure as described above. The inlet end of the water circulation pipeline 8 may be connected to the outlet 12, and the outlet end of the water circulation pipeline 8 may be connected to the water storage chamber 301 of the pool 30. The water circulation pipeline 8 is equipped with the water pump 311 and the filter core 313. In other embodiments, a filter with a water-drawing function is installed on the water circulation pipeline.

In this embodiment, the inlet end of the water circulation pipeline 8 is connected to the inlet pipe 4. The inlet end of the inlet pipe 4 may be connected to the water storage chamber 301 of the pool 30 and may be located below the water surface of the pool 30 as well as below housing 1. In embodiments, the inlet end 450 of inlet pipe 4 is located at the bottom side wall of the pool 30. The inlet end 450 of the inlet pipe 4 may be provided with the first filter cover 5, and the outlet end 452 of the inlet pipe 4 may be provided with a pipe fitting 7 for connection to the inlet end of the water circulation pipeline 8. The side wall of the inlet pipe 4 may be provided with a bypass hole 41, which may be connected to the outlet 12 of the housing 1 through the connecting pipe 6. The outlet end of the water circulation pipeline 8 may be connected to an outlet pipe 9. The outlet end of the outlet pipe 9 may be connected to the water storage chamber 301 of the pool 30 and may be located below the water surface of the pool 30. The outlet end of the outlet pipe 9 may be provided with a second filter cover 10.

The working principle of the pool circulation and filtration device 52 of the present disclosure is as follows:

When the water pump 311 is activated, water from the pool 30 enters through the inlet end of the inlet pipe 4 and the inlet 11 of the housing 1. Since the inlet 11 of the housing 1 may be located near the water level line of the pool 30, when the inlet 11 receives water, the water flow and debris floating on the surface of the pool 30 will flow towards the inlet 11 together and enter through the inlet openings 211 of the filter basket 2. The water flow drives the inlet door panel 3 of the filter basket 2 to open, as shown in FIG. 1F and FIG. 8, allowing the water and debris to enter the inner cavity 2150 and/or inner cavity 2250 prior to exiting one or more of inlet cover opening 2158 and/or mesh opening 2256. After exiting filter basket 2, water may flow into an inlet gallery 1580 defined between a transition end 1582 of housing 1 and first mesh end 2160 of filter basket 2. Transition end 1582 may be positioned along the inlet axial direction 1562 further from outer face 1566 than abutment 1570. Water in inlet gallery 1580 is then encouraged to flow to outlet 12 of housing 1.

After being filtered by the filter basket 2 to remove debris and passing through inlet gallery 1580, the relatively clean water flows out from the outlet 12 of the housing 1 and travels along the connecting pipe to the inlet pipe 4, joining the water entering from the inlet end of the inlet pipe 4 and flowing towards the filter core 313 through action of the water pump 311. After further filtration by the filter core, the water flows back to pool 30 by entering a return intake 92 of outlet pipe 3, and into the water storage chamber 301 of the pool 30 through a return discharge 94 of the outlet pipe 9, completing the water circulation and maintaining a relatively constant water level in the pool 30. As illustrated, outlet pipe 9 may be positioned intermediate housing 1 and inlet pipe 4, thus acting as an obstacle to a straight vertical line of connection pipe 6, thus necessitating the bend 65 in connection pipe 6. When the water pump 311 stops working, the inlet 11 of the housing 1 and the inlet end of the inlet pipe 4 cease to receive water. At this time, the inlet door panel 3 of the filter basket 2 flips closed downward under its own weight in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, preventing the debris collected in the filter basket 2 from flowing back into the water storage chamber 301 of the pool 30.

When it is necessary to clean the debris in the filter basket 2, a user may simply pull the handle for disassembly and assembly 212 of the filter basket 2 to remove it from the inlet 11, and then separate the inlet cover 21 and the filter mesh cover 22 of the filter basket 2 to quickly remove the debris from the filter basket 2.

Therefore, the present disclosure may achieve the purpose of automatically cleaning floating debris in the pool 30 and prevent floating debris in the pool 30 from entering the filter core of the pool circulation and filtration device 52, which could otherwise cause blockage of the filter core.

The pool circulation and filtration device 52 of the present disclosure may be applied to a spa pool and is also suitable for other types of pools.

Referring to FIG. 9, the control box of the spa pool of the present disclosure may include the box body 20 of the control box and the pool circulation and filtration device 52 of the present disclosure as described above.

Referring to FIG. 9, the spa pool of the present disclosure includes a pool 30 with a water storage chamber 301 and also includes the pool circulation and filtration device 52 or the control box of the spa pool 30 of the present disclosure as described above. The housing 1 may be installed on the side wall of the pool 30 body and may be located outside the water storage chamber 301.

Referring to FIGS. 10-19, another embodiment is illustrated of pool debris blocker 50 having buoyant inlet door panel 3. Inlet door panel 3 may include a pocket 35 having a fluid and/or substance of lower density than water. Pocket 35 may be integrally formed in inlet door panel 3 and/or integrated to form a buoyant inlet door panel 3. FIG. 18 depicts a closed position of inlet door panel 3 in which water is not being pulled in through inlet 11 and buoyant nature of inlet door panel 3 results in closure of inlet 11. FIG. 19 depicts an open position of inlet door panel 3 in which water is being pulled in through inlet 11.

Referring to FIGS. 20-28, another embodiment is illustrated of pool debris blocker 50 having multiple inlet door panels 3. In embodiments, pool debris blocker 50 having multiple inlet door panels 3 may also include one or more of inlet door panels 3 having pocket 35. In embodiments, inlet door panel 3 and filter mesh cover 22 may further include a piloting connection useful to locate door hinge component 31 relative to filter basket 2. For example, FIG. 22 illustrates filter mesh cover 22 including mesh pilot connection 2264 that may be interfaced with panel pilot connection 36. Such a pilot connection may allow for ease of installation of inlet door panel 3 with filter basket 2 and/or provide a bearing surface for inlet door panel 3 within filter basket 2 as inlet door panel 3 rotates between a closed and an open position.

The pool debris blocker 50, pool circulation and filtration device 52, and spa pool of the present disclosure are the same as or can be implemented using existing technologies for parts not described above.

The following Examples provide non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure.

Example 1. A filter basket configured for installation into an inlet of a debris blocker of a pool and structured to capture debris floating in the pool, the filter basket comprising: a filter mesh cover having at least one mesh opening formed through a mesh wall of the filter mesh cover, the at least one mesh opening sized to permit passage of water from an interior of the filter basket through the mesh wall and sized to discourage passage of the debris sized larger than the at least one mesh opening; an inlet cover having at least one inlet opening formed through an inlet cover wall of the inlet cover, the at least one inlet opening sized to permit passage of water from the pool to the interior of the filter basket through the mesh wall, the at least one inlet opening sized to permit passage of the debris; and an inner cavity defined between the filter mesh cover and the inlet cover when the filter mesh cover is attached to the inlet cover, the inner cavity sized to contain the debris that passed from the pool and through at least one inlet opening.

Example 2. The filter basket of Example 1, further comprising an inlet door panel configured to be moveable from a closed position to an open position, the closed position oriented to discourage the debris from passing from the inner cavity and through the at least one inlet opening.

Example 3. The filter basket as in any of the preceding Examples, wherein the inlet door panel includes a door hinge component configured to provide hinged movement such that the inlet door panel rotates about a hinge axis between the closed position and the open position.

Example 3a. The filter basket of Example 2, wherein the inlet door panel further comprises a pocket configured to provide buoyancy to the inlet door cover.

Example 3b. The filter basket of Example 2, wherein the inlet door panel includes a panel pilot connection configured to define, with a mesh pilot connection of the filter mesh cover, a piloting connection between the filter mesh cover and the inlet door panel.

Example 3c. The filter basket of Example 2, wherein the filter mesh cover includes a gripper configured to extend from an exterior surface of the filter mesh cover and structured to provide a user with a surface to grasp when assembling the filter mesh cover with the inlet cover.

Example 4. The filter basket of Example 3, wherein the inlet cover defines a cover hinge component structured to engage the door hinge component of the inlet door panel, the inlet door panel operable to rotate relative to the inlet cover.

Example 5. The filter basket of Example 3, wherein the hinge axis is above a center of mass of the inlet door panel to define a vertical offset of the center of mass from the hinge axis, the vertical offset encouraging the inlet door panel to rotate about the hinge axis to the open position when a flow of water into the inlet cover through the at least one inlet opening impinges on the inlet door panel, the vertical offset also encouraging the inlet door panel to rotate about the hinge axis to the closed position when no water flows into the inlet cover through the at least one inlet opening.

Example 6. The filter basket of Example 1, wherein the inlet cover further comprises a handle configured to be grasped by a user when moving the filter basket relative to the inlet of the debris blocker.

Example 7. The filter basket as in any of the preceding Examples, wherein the at least one inlet opening includes a first inlet opening and a second inlet opening, the handle positioned between the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening.

Example 8. The filter basket as in any of the preceding Examples, wherein the filter mesh cover is releaseably attached to the inlet cover such that the filter mesh cover is separable from the inlet cover to remove the debris after which the filter mesh cover may be re-attached to the inlet cover.

Example 9. The filter basket of Example 8, wherein the filter mesh cover is attached to the inlet cover through one of a threaded connection, a snap-fit connection, and an interference fit connection.

Example 10. The filter basket as in any of the preceding Examples, wherein the filter mesh cover includes one of a first positioning protrusion and a first positioning opening, and the inlet cover includes the other of the first positioning protrusion and the first positioning opening.

Example 11. The filter basket of Example 10, wherein the inlet cover includes one of a second positioning protrusion and a second positioning opening, the second positioning protrusion and the second positioning opening configured to engage the inlet of the debris blocker.

Example 12. The filter basket as in any of the preceding Examples, wherein the inlet cover extends between a first cover end and a second cover end, the first cover end having a cover face configured to be exposed to water in the pool, the second cover end configured for receiving the filter mesh cover, the inlet cover further comprising a cover flange extending outward from the cover face and positioned between the first cover end and the second cover end.

Example 13. The filter basket as in any of the preceding Examples, wherein the filter mesh cover extends between a first mesh end and a second mesh end, the filter mesh cover further comprising a filter mesh flange positioned between the first mesh end and the second mesh end, the second mesh end configured for engagement with an end of the inlet cover.

Example 14. The filter basket of Example 13, wherein the second mesh end includes a nesting portion configured to nest inside the inlet cover.

Example 15. A pool debris blocker configured to circulate a water in a pool and capture debris, the pool debris blocker comprising: a housing having a top side, a bottom side, and a lateral side extending between the top side and the bottom side, the lateral side defining an inlet having an upper end and a lower end and configured to receive the water between the upper end and the lower end, the inlet having an inlet axis defined through the lateral side and between the upper end and the lower end, wherein when the water is present in the housing a water line extends through the lateral side and between the top side and the bottom side; and a filter basket configured to be inserted into the housing along the inlet axis, the filter basket having an inner cavity defined between an inlet opening and at least one mesh opening, the filter basket configured to permit entry of the water through the inlet opening, into the inner cavity, and out the at least one mesh opening.

Example 16. The pool debris blocker of Example 15, wherein the housing further comprising a water passage chamber disposed between the inlet and an outlet of the housing, wherein the water passage chamber is configured to receive the filter basket, and wherein during a circulation event the water flows from the inlet, through the water passage chamber of the housing and the inner cavity of the filter basket, and to the outlet.

Example 17. The pool debris blocker as in any of Examples 15-16, wherein the outlet is located on a bottom side of the inlet such that during the circulation event water flows laterally through the inlet and is turned to flow through the bottom side.

Example 18. The pool debris blocker as in any of Examples 15-17, wherein the housing further comprising an abutment configured to engage the filter basket when the filter basket is inserted into the housing along the inlet axis.

Example 19. The pool debris blocker of Example 18, wherein the abutment is offset by a distance along an inlet axial direction from an outer face of the inlet, wherein the outer face extends in an inlet radial direction away from a water passage chamber of the housing, the water passage chamber disposed between the inlet and an outlet of the housing.

Example 20. The pool debris blocker of Example 19, wherein the filter basket further comprises a cover face defining the inlet opening through which the water enters the inner cavity, wherein the cover face is located proximate the outer face of the inlet when the filter basket is installed in the inlet.

Example 21. The pool debris blocker as in any of Examples 15-20, wherein the inlet further comprising an inlet back wall defining an end of a water passage chamber, wherein the inlet further comprising an inlet gallery positioned to receive the water from the water passage chamber of the housing and deliver the water to an outlet of the housing, wherein the inlet gallery includes a transition end, and wherein the inlet back wall is positioned along an inlet axial direction closer to an outer face of the inlet than the transition end of the inlet gallery.

Example 22. The pool debris blocker of Example 21, wherein the inlet gallery is positioned between the inlet back wall and the outlet of the housing.

Example 23. The pool debris blocker as in any of Examples 15-22, wherein the housing including a receiver portion positioned along the inlet axis between a water passage chamber and an outer face, the filter basket having a cover flange configured to be received in the receiver portion.

Example 24. The pool debris blocker as in any of Examples 15-23, wherein the housing further comprising one of a positioning opening or a positioning protrusion, the filter basket including the other of the positioning opening and the positioning protrusion, wherein the positioning opening is configured to engage the positioning protrusion to discourage removal of the filter basket from the housing.

Example 25. The pool debris blocker of Example 24, wherein the housing further defining a tab extending away from the one of the positioning opening or the positioning protrusion in the housing, the tab extending away along an inlet radial direction and an inlet axial direction.

Example 26. The pool debris blocker of Example 25, wherein the filter basket further defining a pilot feature configured to engage the tab of the housing when the filter basket is positioned in the housing.

Example 27. A pool comprising: a water storage chamber configured to contain a body of water; and a pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device coupled with the water storage chamber and configured to receive water from and return water to the body of water, the pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device comprising: a housing configured to receive a filter basket, the housing having an inlet structured to receive a flow of water in proximity to a surface of the body of water in the pool; an inlet pipe positioned below the housing when installed on the pool and having an inlet pipe intake at an inlet end and an inlet pipe discharge at an outlet end; and a connecting pipe extending between the housing and the inlet pipe, the connecting pipe configured to deliver water from the inlet of the housing to the inlet pipe at a location intermediate the inlet end of the inlet pipe and the outlet end of the inlet pipe.

Example 28. The pool of Example 27, wherein the connecting pipe is oriented to deliver a first stream of the plurality of streams of water downward from the inlet to the inlet pipe, wherein the inlet pipe is oriented to deliver a second stream of the plurality of streams of water laterally between the inlet end of the inlet pipe and the outlet end of the inlet pipe, and where the first stream and the second stream merge to form the merged stream at a flow merger gallery intermediate the inlet end of the inlet pipe and the outlet end of the inlet pipe.

Example 29. The pool as in any of Examples 27-28, wherein the inlet pipe includes a flow restrictor between the inlet end of the inlet pipe and the flow merger gallery, the flow restrictor configured to reduce a pressure of the second stream to aid in mixing of the second stream with the first stream in the flow merger gallery.

Example 30. The pool of Example 29, wherein during operation an ejector is formed at the flow merger gallery to encourage a downward flowing of the first stream to merge with a lateral flowing of the second stream.

Example 31. The pool as in any of Examples 27-28, wherein the first stream is turned from a downward direction through the connecting pipe to a lateral direction of the first stream through the inlet pipe at the flow merger gallery.

Example 32. The pool as in any of Examples 27-28, further comprising a water circulation pipeline configured to receive the merged stream from the outlet end of the inlet pipe.

Example 33. The pool as in any of Examples 27-32, wherein during operation a water flow from the body of water in the pool flows in a lateral direction through the inlet and is then turned in a downward direction away from the housing and toward the inlet pipe before being turned by the inlet pipe to the lateral direction away from the inlet pipe intake of the inlet pipe and toward the inlet pipe discharge.

Example 34. The pool of Example 33, wherein the housing is configured to turn the water flow from the lateral direction through the inlet to the downward direction away from the housing.

Example 35. The pool as in any of Examples 27-34, wherein the connecting pipe delivers a first stream of water to a connecting discharge of the inlet pipe such that the first stream of water passes through the connecting discharge and into the inlet pipe at an angle transverse to a second stream.

Example 36. The pool of Example 35, wherein a flow constrictor is located proximate the connecting discharge of the inlet pipe, wherein the flow constrictor is configured to provide a pressure gradient to encourage the first stream of water to enter the inlet pipe and mix with the second stream.

Example 37. The pool of Example 36, wherein the flow constrictor is located adjacent to the connecting discharge and is configured to extend into the inlet pipe away from the connecting discharge.

Example 38. A spa pool having a pool circulation and filtration device configured to filter debris from a body of water in a pool and circulate water in the pool, the spa pool comprising: a pool body having a double wall construction defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining a water storage chamber; a plurality of tensioning straps extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, a first subset of the plurality of tensioning straps offset from a second subset of the plurality of tensioning straps to form a circulation device chamber; an inlet positioned at a first height relative to the inner wall of the pool body, the inlet configured to convey the water from the body of water as the water passes from the body of water and through the inner wall to the circulation device chamber; an inlet pipe intake positioned at a second height in the inner wall, the second height lower than the first height, the inlet pipe intake configured to convey the water from the body of water as the water passes from the body of water and through the inner wall to the circulation device chamber; and a flow merger gallery disposed in the circulation device chamber and configured to merge the water received by the inlet with the water received by the inlet pipe intake.

Example 39. The spa pool of Example 38, further comprising an inlet pipe configured to convey the water received by the inlet pipe intake, the inlet pipe in fluid communication with an inlet pipe discharge positioned proximate the outer wall of the pool body and configured to discharge the water conveyed by the inlet pipe.

Example 40. The spa pool as in any of Examples 38-39, further comprising an outlet pipe disposed in the circulation device chamber, the outlet pipe having a return intake configured to receive the water from the inlet pipe discharge and a return discharge configured to receive the water from the return intake and discharge the water to the body of water in the water storage chamber.

Example 41. The spa pool of Example 40, wherein the return discharge is positioned intermediate the inlet pipe intake and the inlet.

Example 42. The spa pool as in any of Examples 38-39, wherein the inlet pipe includes the flow merger gallery, the flow merger gallery defined by a flow constrictor.

Example 43. The spa pool as in any of Examples 38-42, further comprising a connecting pipe configured to deliver the water received by the inlet to the flow merger gallery.

Example 44. The spa pool of Example 43, further comprising an outlet pipe disposed intermediate the inlet and the inlet pipe intake, the outlet pipe configured to convey the water to the body of water in the water storage chamber, and wherein the connecting pipe includes a bend as it extends between the inlet and the flow merger gallery.

Example 45. The spa pool as in any of Examples 38-44, further comprising an inlet pipe discharge configured to convey the water from the flow merger gallery and through the outer wall, further comprising a return intake configured to convey the water through the outer wall, and further comprising a return discharge configured to convey the water from the return intake through the inner wall.

Example 46. The spa pool of Example 45, further comprising an outlet pipe disposed in the circulation device chamber, the outlet pipe configured to convey the water from the return intake to the return discharge and into the body of water.

Example 47. An inlet pipe of a pool circulation and filtration device configured to convey water received from a body of water in a water storage chamber of a pool, the inlet pipe comprising: an inlet end configured to receive a first portion of water from the body of water in the pool; a connecting discharge defining an opening through which a second portion of water from the body of water in the pool enters into the inlet pipe; a flow merger gallery structured to merge the first portion of water from the inlet end with the second portion of water from the connecting discharge to form a merged stream of water; a flow constrictor located between the inlet end and the connecting discharge, the flow constrictor extending into the inlet pipe away from the connecting discharge and reducing a cross sectional area of the inlet pipe through which the first portion of water from the body of water flows prior to entry into the flow merger gallery; and an outlet end configured to discharge the merged stream of water from the inlet pipe.

Example 48. The inlet pipe of Example 47, further comprising a connecting flow surface defining the flow merger gallery and configured to contact the second portion of water prior to the second portion of water merging with the first portion of water.

Example 49. The inlet pipe as in any of Examples 47-48, wherein the connecting flow surface is adjacent to the connecting discharge.

Example 50. The inlet pipe of Example 49, wherein the flow constrictor comprising a constrictor ramp configured to turn the first portion of water in a direction toward a throat of the inlet pipe.

Example 51. The inlet pipe of Example 50, wherein the throat is defined between an end of the flow constrictor opposite the connecting discharge and a merger gallery wall of the inlet pipe, the first portion of water flowing through the throat prior to being merged with the second portion of water.

Example 52. The inlet pipe as in any of Examples 47-51, further comprising an upstream transition positioned between the inlet end and the flow merger gallery, and a downstream transition positioned between the outlet end and the flow merger gallery, wherein the upstream transition demarcates a transition between a first flow area in the inlet pipe and a throat flow area at a throat of the inlet pipe, wherein the downstream transition demarcates a transition between the throat flow area of the throat and a second flow area of the inlet pipe, and wherein the first flow area and the second flow area are both larger than the throat flow area.

Example 53. The inlet pipe of Example 52, further comprising an intermediate flow area disposed between the first flow area and the throat flow area, the intermediate flow area smaller than the first flow area and larger than the throat flow area, the intermediate flow area being a constant area over an axial distance of the inlet pipe in an inlet pipe axial direction.

Example 54. The inlet pipe of Example 53, further comprising a constrictor ramp configured to turn the first portion of water in a direction toward the throat of the inlet pipe, the constrictor ramp positioned between the intermediate flow area and the throat.

Example 55. The inlet pipe as in any of Examples 47-54, further comprising a threaded boss extending from an exterior of the inlet pipe and configured to receive a connecting pipe of a pool circulation and filtration intake pipe device.

Example 56. The inlet pipe of Example 55, wherein the threaded boss includes a portion that extends in an inlet pipe radial direction away from an external surface of the inlet pipe at an axial location coincident with a connecting flow surface that defines the flow merger gallery.

Example 57. The inlet pipe as in any of Examples 47-56, wherein the inlet pipe includes a first circular cross-sectional shape between the inlet end and an upstream transition, a first semicircular cross-sectional shape between the upstream transition and a throat of the inlet pipe, a second semicircular cross-sectional shape between the throat and a downstream transition, and a second circular cross-sectional shape between the downstream transition and the outlet end.

Example 58. The inlet pipe of Example 57, wherein the flow constrictor disposed in the inlet pipe between the upstream transition and the downstream transition.

Example 59. The inlet pipe of Example 58, wherein the first circular cross-sectional shape is the same size as the second circular cross-sectional shape.

Example 60. The inlet pipe of Example 58, wherein the throat is a semi-annular shape between an end of the flow constrictor and an inlet pipe wall.

Example 61. A pool debris blocker, characterized in that it includes a housing and a filter basket, the housing is provided with an inlet, an outlet, and a water passage chamber, the inlet and the outlet are respectively connected to the water passage chamber, the inlet is located on the side wall of the housing and is connected to the water storage chamber of the pool, the vertical range between the upper and lower ends of the inlet covers the highest and lowest water levels of the pool, and the filter basket is fixedly or removably installed within the water passage chamber of the housing to filter and block debris from the water entering through the inlet.

Example 62. The pool debris blocker according to Example 61, characterized in that the filter basket enters and exits the water passage chamber through the inlet, and the filter basket is in a horizontal position within the water passage chamber.

Example 63. The pool debris blocker according to Example 61 or 62, characterized in that it further includes an openable and closable inlet door panel, the inlet door panel is movably installed at the inlet of the housing, or the inlet door panel is movably installed at one end of the filter basket near the inlet, and in the closed state, the inlet door panel prevents debris entering the filter basket from flowing back to the inlet.

Example 64. The pool debris blocker according to Example 63, characterized in that the inlet door panel is pivotally connected to the housing or the filter basket, the inlet door panel is driven by the water flow to flip open when water enters the inlet, and it flips closed by the action of its own weight, buoyancy, or a reset component (or a combination thereof) when the inlet stops receiving water.

Example 65. The pool debris blocker according to Example 64, characterized in that the filter basket includes an inlet cover and a filter mesh cover, these two components are removably connected together to form the inner cavity of the filter basket, the inlet cover is located on the side of the filter mesh cover near the inlet and is provided with inlet openings, one end of the inlet door panel is pivotally connected to the inlet cover and is positioned on the inner side of the inlet openings.

Example 66. The pool debris blocker according to Example 61 or 62, characterized in that the filter basket is provided with a handle for disassembly and assembly, which facilitates the entry and exit of the filter basket into and out of the water passage chamber, the handle is located at one end of the filter basket near the inlet.

Example 67. The pool debris blocker according to Example 61 or 62, characterized in that a positioning structure is provided between the filter basket and the housing, the positioning structure includes at least one set of positioning components, each positioning component includes a positioning opening and a positioning protrusion that fit together, one of the positioning opening and the positioning protrusion is located on the outer side surface of the filter basket, and the other is located on the inner wall surface of the water passage chamber.

Example 68. A pool circulation and filtration device, including a water circulation pipeline, characterized in that it further includes the pool debris blocker according to any one of Examples 61 to 67, the inlet end of the water circulation pipeline is connected to the outlet of the pool debris blocker, and the outlet end of the water circulation pipeline is connected to the water storage chamber of the pool.

Example 69. The pool circulation and filtration device according to Example 68, characterized in that the inlet end of the water circulation pipeline is connected to an inlet pipe, the inlet end of the inlet pipe is connected to the water storage chamber of the pool and is located below the water surface of the pool, the inlet end of the inlet pipe is provided with a first filter cover, the side wall of the inlet pipe is provided with a bypass hole, which is connected to the outlet of the housing through a connecting pipe, the outlet end of the water circulation pipeline is connected to an outlet pipe, the outlet end of the outlet pipe is connected to the water storage chamber of the pool and is located below the water surface of the pool, the outlet end of the outlet pipe is provided with a second filter cover, the water circulation pipeline is equipped with a water pump and a filter core, or a filter with a water-drawing function.

Example 70. A control box for a spa pool, characterized in that it includes the pool circulation and filtration device according to Example 68 or 69.

Example 71. A spa pool, including a pool with a water storage chamber, characterized in that it further includes the pool circulation and filtration device according to Example 68 or 69, or the control box for an spa pool according to Example 70, the housing is installed on the side wall of the pool body and is located outside the water storage chamber.

The above embodiments are only used to further illustrate the pool debris blocker 50, pool circulation and filtration device 52, and spa pool of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and embellishments made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present disclosure are all within the scope of protection of the technical solution of the present disclosure.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.