A method and apparatus for enabling a pool cleaner to travel through a water pool to collect dirt and other debris from the water and/or pool containment wall. The cleaner defines a suction passageway having an inlet open to pool water and an outlet adapted to be coupled via a flexible hose to the suction side of an electrically driven pump. A resulting suction flow, from the inlet to the pump, functions to (1) carry dirt and other debris to a filter and (2) to drive a turbine for propelling the cleaner. In accordance with the invention, the suction passageway inlet includes an orifice defining a physical flow area A1 and configured to create an "effective" flow area A2 smaller than A1, downstream from the orifice. The small effective flow area A2 creates a water flow of sufficient velocity to efficiently drive the turbine whereas the larger physical flow area A1 permits debris to pass more readily.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/312,748 filed on Dec. 3, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,763 which is a 371 of PCT/US01/14686 filed on May 8, 2001 which claims benefit of U.S. Application 60/213,976 filed on Jun. 24, 2000.
