Multi-functional submersible vacuum

Abstract

A liquid-submersible vacuum system includes a housing canister enclosing a filtration element and a water pump. Power comes from a power converter that plugs into a standard AC power supply. The vacuum system further includes a diffuser cap and a discharge hose cap, with each providing the vacuum system with a discrete mode of operation

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a housing defining a chamber therein and having a rear end portion and a front end portion;   a DC pump disposed within the chamber and configured to move water toward the rear end portion of the housing;   a filter disposed within the housing, such that water moves through the filter during activation of the DC pump; and   a power converter electrically connected to the DC pump for providing power to the DC pump, wherein the power converter is located remotely from the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the DC pump is configured to be activated upon actuation of the power converter. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising a low voltage power cord directly coupling the power converter and the DC pump. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 3 , wherein the low voltage power cord has a front end portion attached to the DC pump at a location within the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the DC pump is configured to generate a flow rate of between about 40 gallons-per-minute (GPM) and about 65 GPM of water 
     
     
         6 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising a diffuser cap configured to be coupled to the rear end portion of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 6 , wherein the diffuser cap defines a plurality of slits therein to allow for the passage of water out of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 6 , further comprising a discharge hose cap configured to be detachably coupled to the rear end portion of the housing, wherein the discharge hose cap is configured to be coupled to a hose to allow for the passage of water out of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the discharge hose cap and the diffuser cap are selectively exchangeable with one another, such that in a first operation mode, the discharge hose cap is coupled to the rear end portion of the housing, and in a second operation mode, the diffuser cap is coupled to the rear end portion of the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 9 , further comprising a nozzle attachment configured to be coupled to the housing when the vacuum cleaner is in the first operation mode and detached from the housing when the vacuum cleaner is in the second operation mode. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of clamps attached to the housing and being longitudinally spaced from one another, the pair of clamps configured to releasably couple the housing to a pool pole. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible intake hose, wherein the housing includes a port configured to provide fluid communication between the chamber of the housing and the flexible intake hose. 
     
     
         13 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising an intake valve flap disposed within the housing for inhibiting debris from moving toward the front end portion of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , wherein the power converter includes a fuse protector. 
     
     
         15 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1 , further comprising a filter access cover detachably coupled to the housing, wherein the housing and the filter access cover collectively house the filter therein. 
     
     
         16 . A liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a housing having a front end portion and a rear end portion;   a DC pump disposed within the housing and configured to move water into, through, and out of the housing;   a filter disposed within the housing, such that water moves through the filter during activation of the DC pump;   a diffuser cap and a discharge hose cap, wherein the discharge hose cap and the diffuser cap are selectively exchangeable with one another, such that in a first operation mode, the discharge hose cap is coupled to the rear end portion of the housing, and in a second operation mode, the diffuser cap is coupled to the rear end portion of the housing;   a nozzle attachment configured to be coupled to the housing when the vacuum cleaner is in the first operation mode and detached from the housing when the vacuum cleaner is in the second operation mode.   
     
     
         17 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 16 , further comprising a power converter electrically connected to the DC pump for providing power to the DC pump. 
     
     
         18 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 17 , further comprising a low voltage power cord directly coupling the power converter and the DC pump. 
     
     
         19 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 18 , wherein the low voltage power cord has a front end portion attached to the DC pump at a location within the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The liquid-submersible vacuum cleaner according to  claim 17 , wherein the power converter is located externally of the housing.