Autonomous swimming pool cleaner

Abstract

A cleaning system includes a remotely operated vehicle configured as an automatic swimming pool cleaner and/or as a supplement to an automatic swimming pool cleaner. The remotely operated vehicle may be capable of moving through an entire volume of a swimming pool or sup with up to six degrees of freedom. The remotely operated vehicle may support and/or perform a variety of functions or purposes related to or associated with the automatic swimming pool cleaner.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . An autonomous pool cleaner for a swimming pool or spa, wherein the autonomous pool cleaner is configured to perform a cleaning operation and comprises six degrees of freedom and at least one of a buoyancy control system or one or more propellers for performing such movement. 
     
     
         2 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the autonomous pool cleaner comprises both the buoyancy control system and the one or more propellers. 
     
     
         3 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy control system comprises a water chamber and a device for adjusting a volume of the water chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy control system is configured to control the buoyancy to be a positive buoyancy, a negative buoyancy, or a variable buoyancy. 
     
     
         5 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy control system is configured to automatically control the buoyancy. 
     
     
         6 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more propellers are on an exterior of a housing of the autonomous pool cleaner. 
     
     
         7 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more propellers comprises two propellers on opposite sides of the autonomous pool cleaner. 
     
     
         8 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the autonomous pool cleaner further comprises an inlet for receiving water and an outlet for discharging water from the autonomous pool cleaner, wherein the outlet comprises means for minimizing a flow reaction force from a pump of the autonomous pool cleaner. 
     
     
         9 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the autonomous pool cleaner further comprises an inlet, the inlet comprising a first channel for receiving water from a first direction and a second channel for receiving water from a second direction. 
     
     
         10 . An autonomous pool cleaner for a swimming pool or spa, wherein the autonomous pool cleaner is configured to perform a cleaning operation and comprises six degrees of freedom and a buoyancy control system for performing such movement. 
     
     
         11 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 10 , wherein the buoyancy control system comprises a water chamber and a device for adjusting a volume of the water chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 10 , wherein the buoyancy control system is configured to control the buoyancy to be a positive buoyancy, a negative buoyancy, or a variable buoyancy. 
     
     
         13 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 10 , wherein the buoyancy control system is configured to automatically control the buoyancy. 
     
     
         14 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 10 , wherein the autonomous pool cleaner further comprises an inlet for receiving water and an outlet for discharging water from the autonomous pool cleaner, wherein the outlet comprises means for minimizing a flow reaction force from a pump of the autonomous pool cleaner. 
     
     
         15 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 10 , wherein the autonomous pool cleaner further comprises an inlet, the inlet comprising a first channel for receiving water from a first direction and a second channel for receiving water from a second direction. 
     
     
         16 . An autonomous pool cleaner for a swimming pool or spa, wherein the autonomous pool cleaner is configured to perform a cleaning operation and comprises six degrees of freedom and one or more propellers for performing such movement. 
     
     
         17 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more propellers are on an exterior of a housing of the autonomous pool cleaner. 
     
     
         18 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more propellers comprises two propellers on opposite sides of the autonomous pool cleaner. 
     
     
         19 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 16 , wherein the autonomous pool cleaner further comprises an inlet for receiving water and an outlet for discharging water from the autonomous pool cleaner, wherein the outlet comprises means for minimizing a flow reaction force from a pump of the autonomous pool cleaner. 
     
     
         20 . The autonomous pool cleaner of  claim 16 , wherein the autonomous pool cleaner further comprises an inlet, the inlet comprising a first channel for receiving water from a first direction and a second channel for receiving water from a second direction.