Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Including controlling process in response to a sensed condition
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-06
2001-08-07
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Including controlling process in response to a sensed condition
C210S754000, C204S555000, C205S743000, C205S778500, C134S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270680
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water purification system, and more particularly to an amperometric sensor prove for an automatic sanitizing system.
2. Description of Related Art
Portable self-contained spas have become popular in recent years. Such spas are easy installed and powered by existing electrical lines or dedicated electrical hook-ups.
Once installed, the homeowner must sanitize the spa to prevent the proliferation of disease-causing micro-organisms. Typical spa maintenance requires adding granular sodium dichloro-isocyanurate as a sanitizing agent to control such bacteria growth. Bromine alternatively can be added as a sanitizing agent. Bromine preferably is used as the sanitizing agent in the spa because it remains in liquid form at 100° F., unlike chlorine.
Many spa owners today, however, do not properly maintain their spas. Some owners do not adequately sanitize their spas despite the danger of unhealthy bacteria growth. Other owners over-sanitize their spas which can damage spa equipment, including the heater and the spa shell.
In an effort to ease spa maintenance so as to avoid both under- and over-sanitizing, some prior systems have automated at least part of the maintenance. For example, an automatic demand chlorination system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,670 for use with a recirculation unit for a swimming pool. The automatic demand chlorination system has a dry chlorinator which feeds chlorine into the water if a chlorine need is detected by a sensing unit. An oxidation-reduction type sensor is used in the automated system for this purpose. Although oxidation-reduction type sensors have been used to measure the concentration of halogens used as sanitizing agents in water features there are some limitations, e.g., a nonlinear response to variations of halogen concentration or a required calibration to changing starting points.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the deficiencies associated with prior solutions to maintain a desired concentration of a sanitizing agent and thereby to maintain a certain hygienic condition in spa water, there exists a need to improve accuracy, reliability and practicability of halogen measurements in a water feature, e.g., a spa, pool, fountain, cooling tower and the like.
An aspect of the present invention involves a combination of a water feature containing water, and an amperometric sensor probe in contact with the water for sensing the sanitizing agent in the water feature. The amperometric sensor probe comprises a housing, a working electrode and a counter electrode. Each electrode has a portion which is exposed relative to the housing at a working end. The amperometric sensor probe further comprises a reference electrode immersed in an electrolyte and positioned within the housing. A junction is arranged between the electrolyte and an exterior of the working end to allow ionic communication between the working end exterior and the electrolyte. In an embodiment of the present invention, the exposed portions of the working and counter electrodes lie adjacent to each other and comprise carbon-like material.
A further aspect of the present invention involves an amperometric sensor probe. The probe comprises a housing and three electrodes: a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode. The working electrode and the counter electrode each have a portion which is exposed relative to the housing at a working end. The reference electrode is immersed in an electrolyte and is positioned within the housing. A junction, which is arranged between the electrolyte and the exterior of the working ends, allows ionic communication between the working ends exterior and the electrolyte. The probe further comprises a memory device that stores data specific for the probe. The memory device is connected to a data port that is also connected to three electrodes.
A still further aspect of the present invention involves a method of cleaning a first electrode of a probe, with the probe including at least the first electrode and a second electrode. The method comprising applying a sequence of three different references voltages between said first and second electrodes.
An additional aspect of the present invention involves a method for automatically maintaining the concentration of a sanitizing agent in a water feature within a desired range using an automatic sanitizing system. The method comprising the steps of providing an aqueous solution with a sanitizing agent in the water feature; providing an amperometric sensor probe including at least a reference electrode and a working electrode; placing at least a portion of the working electrode in contact with the aqueous solution; maintaining a generally constant voltage between the electrodes; measuring a current through the working electrode which is indicative of the concentration of the sanitizing agent within the aqueous solution; and using the measured current to maintain the concentration of the sanitizing agent in the aqueous solution within the preset range.
An additional aspect of the present invention involves a method for determining a measurement characteristic of a sensor probe. The method comprises the acts of providing a sensor probe with a memory device, placing the sensor probe into a known environment, determining a measurement characteristic of the sensor probe when placed into said known environment, and storing in said memory device the measurement characteristic of the sensor probe.
A still further aspect of the present invention a combination of a water feature filled with water containing a sanitizing agent and an automatic sanitizing system is provided. The automatic sanitizing system comprises a sanitizing agent generator communicating with the water feature, and an amperometric sensor that includes a probe positioned in contact with water. The sensor generates an output signal indicative of the concentration of sanitizing agent in the water. The automatic sanitizing system further comprises a control system that receives the signal from the sensor and operates the generator at least between an active state and an inactive state depending on the concentration of the sanitizing agent in the water. In this manner, the concentration of the sanitizing agent in the water is automatically maintained within a preset range.
A further aspect of the present invention involves an automatic sanitizing system. The automatic sanitizing system comprises an electrolytic cell for emersion in water and an amperometric sensor probe positionable in contact with the water. The sensor probe generates an output signal indicative of a concentration of a chemical species in the water. The automatic sanitizing system further comprises a control system connected to the sensor probe to receive the output signal. The control system is connected to the electrolytic cell to operate the electrolytic cell at least between active and inactive states depending on the concentration of the chemical species in the water.
A further aspect of the present invention involves a system comprising a controller device, a feedback circuitry, a controlled device and a power supply unit. Additionally, the system comprises an isolator which electrically isolates the controller device at least from the power supply unit and the controlled device.
Another aspect of the present invention involves an automatic sanitizing system. The automatic sanitizing system comprises an electrolytic cell for emersion in water and an amperometric sensor probe positionable in contact with the water. The sensor probe generates an output signal indicative of a concentration of a chemical species in the water. The automatic sanitizing system further comprises a control system connected to the sensor probe to receive the output signal. The control system is connected to the electrolytic cell to operate the electrolytic cell at least between active and inactive states depending on the concentration of the chemical species in the water. Furthermore, the automatic sa
Calic Caba
Silveri Michael A.
Bioquest
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Lawrence Frank M.
Simmons David A.
LandOfFree
Amperometric sensor probe for an automatic halogen control... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Amperometric sensor probe for an automatic halogen control..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Amperometric sensor probe for an automatic halogen control... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2515649