Whirlpool skimmer

Abstract

A whirlpool skimming device removes surface debris from a pool by creating a whirlpool having an upper bound at the surface of the pool. The uppermost portion of the whirlpool is free standing and is not bounded by the device. The device includes an outer cup-shaped portion and an inner cup-shaped portion coaxially disposed therein. An opening is disposed in the bottom of the inner cup-shaped portion which communicates with a source of suction which is preferably a Venturi tube feeding the outlet water to a filter bag. There is a first nozzle supplying water at an upper, inner edge of the inner cup-shaped portion at a slightly downward angle in a first direction, and there is a second nozzle supplying water at a lower, outer edge of the inner cup-shaped portion and mounted on an opposite side of the inner cup-shaped portion. The device causes coaxial rotational flow patterns relative to the inner cup-shaped portion, in which the outer rotational flow takes an upwardly spiral path outside the inner cup-shaped portion, and the inner rotational flow takes a downwardly spiral path inside the inner cup-shaped portion of the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A whirlpool skimmer for creating a vortex or whirlpool extending to a surface of a pool for removing debris from the surface of the pool, comprising:
 a first cup-shaped member having an upper portion and a lower tapering portion, the upper portion having an enlarged open end and the tapering portion having a distal tapered end so as to form a funnel shape;   a second cup-shaped member having a lowermost edge mounted adjacent a lowermost of said first cup shaped member and coaxially disposed relative to said first cup-shaped member; said second cup-shaped member extending coaxially with said first cup-shaped member, said second cup-shaped member having an uppermost edge extending partially into the interior of the tapering portion of the first cup-shaped member; said second cup-shaped member having a generally cylindrical body and having two opposed open ends;   a first jet member mounted adjacent an outermost surface of said second cup-shaped member for directing liquid in a direction generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of said second cup-shaped member to cause a rotational fluid flow in a specified rotational direction;   a second jet member mounted adjacent an innermost surface of said second cup-shaped member for directing liquid in a direction generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of said second cup-shaped member to cause a rotational fluid flow in said specified rotational direction; said first and second jet members being arranged so that liquid from each is directed in the same specified rotational direction relative to said longitudinal axis; and   a source of suction disposed below the lowermost opening in said second cup-shaped member, such that the combined effect of the suction and the directed liquid from the jets causes formation of a vortex within the first and second cup-shaped members and which vortex extends above the uppermost surface of the first cup-shaped member to the surface of the pool so as to draw in debris, leaves and insects from the surface of the pool.   
     
     
         2 . A whirlpool skimmer as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an outlet pipe disposed below said passage, said outlet pipe having a filter bag for removing debris skimmed from the pool surface by the vortex. 
     
     
         3 . A whirlpool skimmer for creating a vortex extending to a surface of a pool for removing debris, leaves and insects from the surface of the pool, comprising:
 a first cup-shaped member having an upper portion and a lower tapering portion, the upper portion having an enlarged open end and the tapering portion having a distal tapered end;   a second cup-shaped member having a lowermost edge mounted adjacent a lowermost of said first cup shaped member and coaxially disposed relative to said first cup-shaped member; said second cup-shaped member extending coaxially with said first cup-shaped member, said second cup-shaped member having an uppermost edge extending partially into the interior of the tapering portion of the first cup-shaped member; said second cup-shaped member having a generally cylindrical body and having two opposed open ends;   a first jet member mounted adjacent an outermost surface of said second cup-shaped member for directing liquid in a direction generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of said second cup-shaped member to cause a rotational fluid flow in a specified rotational direction;   said first jet member introducing liquid between the outer wall of the second cup-shaped member and tapering portion of the first cup-shaped member in the specified rotational direction and wherein the introduced liquid rises vertically in a direction from the lowermost edge of the second cup-shaped member to at least the uppermost edge of the second cup-shaped member;   a second jet member mounted adjacent an innermost surface of said second cup-shaped member for directing liquid in a direction generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of said second cup-shaped member to cause a rotational fluid flow in said specified rotational direction; said first and second jet members being arranged so that liquid from each is directed in the same specified rotational direction relative to said longitudinal axis; said second jet member introducing liquid inside the inner wall of the second cup-shaped member in a slightly downward direction and causing fluid supplied by the second jet member to circulate within said second cup-shaped member in said specified rotational direction and wherein the supplied liquid from the second jet member drops vertically in a direction from the uppermost edge of the second cup-shaped member to the lowermost edge of the second cup-shaped member; and   a source of suction disposed below the lowermost opening in said second cup-shaped member, such that the combined effect of the suction and the directed liquid from the jets causes formation of a vortex within the first and second cup-shaped members and which vortex extends above the uppermost surface of the first cup-shaped member to the surface of the pool so as to draw in debris, leaves and insects from the surface of the pool.   
     
     
         4 . A whirlpool skimmer as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising an outlet pipe disposed below said passage, said outlet pipe having a filter bag for removing debris skimmed from the pool surface by the vortex.