Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Pool type – Construction details
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-26
2003-09-30
Eloshway, Charles R. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Pool type
Construction details
C210S086000, C137S625210, C137S625280
Reexamination Certificate
active
06625824
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an electronically controlled system for maintaining a swimming pool and to components employed in the operation of such a system.
BACKGROUND ART
It is well known to owners of swimming pools that the general up-keep of a swimming pool and control of pool water conditions can be relatively labor intensive and time consuming. Conventionally a swimming pool maintenance system includes a sand-filter for entrapment of solid impurities by filtration of the pool water through the sand-filter. The sand-filter is connected to a pump for pumping the pool water from the swimming pool through the sand-filter. At the core of the system is a multi-valve unit for directing flow of the pool water through an arrangement of conduits employed in the maintenance system.
The ability to direct the flow-path of pool water through different conduits by means of the multi-valve unit enables a user to execute several functions relating to swishing pool maintenance, for example, filtering, backwash, rinse and so forth.
A conventional multi-valve unit comprises a valve housing having several inlet and outlet ports, and a selector means for selectivey opening or closing the ports. The selector means has a lever mechanism with which a user may manually open one port while closing another, according to the requirements of the system.
In general, a swimming pool requires regular attention to maintain it in a usable condition. Execution of Functions such as filtration, rinse, waste and backwash is dependent on manual control by a user. In the same way regulation of other variables in relation to the pool water, such as the water level, acidity and algae growth is dependent on physical attention by a user. If a user is precluded from or fails to attend to the swimming pool on a regular basis, the swimming pool water can easily and rapidly deteriorate.
In order to minimize some of the disadvantages associated with pool maintenance chores, some pool components have been automated to effect respective automatic operation thereof. One example of a known automated swimming pool component is a water temperature sensor, often encountered in heated pools and spas, and generally operable in conjunction with appropriate heater means to regulate pool water temperature. Another example is automated pool water level detectors, which are adapted to detect a low water level and to generate a signal that causes water to fill the pool.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,861 discloses an automated pool maintenance system, including a novel filter valve system, novel suction valve and a novel water level sensor, wherein the valve system includes a solenoid which, when energized, effects engagement of a rotor with a conventional valve body and, when de-energized, effects disengagement of the rotor with the valve body. This valve system suffers from a major disadvantage in that a constant current rust be applied to the solenoid to effect engagement of the rotor with the valve body. Not only is this a costly requirement, but in case of termination of the current, such as during a power failure, the solenoid will be de-energized and consequently the rotor will disengage the valve body, resulting therein that pool water may drain from the swimming pool.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to overcome or at least minimize the problems experienced with known swimming pool maintenance systems, or to provide a useful alternative to such systems.
A further object of the invention is to provide an electronically controlled system for automatic maintenance of a swimming pool.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an electronically controlled system for maintaining a swimming pool, the system comprising
regulating means for regulating the flow of water through selected conduits of a filtration system associated with the swimming pool, the regulating means including
rotatable selector means arranged in association with a valve housing having a number of inlet and outlet ports,
biasing means for biasing the selector means into a seated position in the valve housing; and
motorized means operatively associated with the selector means and adapted to rotate the selector means while it is in the seated position in the valve housing; and
control means for automatically controlling the regulating means in a predetermined manner, the control means including a microprocessor.
The selector means may be a rotatable disc seal dimensioned to be located in a conventional valve housing of a conventional multi-valve unit used in swimming pool maintenance systems. The rotatable disc seal may include an elongate chamber and an aperture, the aperture being located radially opposite the elongate member. The rotatable disc seal may be rotatable relative to the valve housing by means of a rotatable shaft, the shaft extending vertically from the disc seal and being attached to the motorized means.
The motorized means may include any conventional electrical motor, and may be associated with a gearbox assembly. Preferably, the motorized means includes a motor capable of driving a speed reduction gearbox at a drive speed of between 0.8 and 20 rpm, with a torque of between 10 Nm and 20 Nm, the torque preferably being 16 Nm. The motorized means may be connected to the control means and may be electronically operated to rotate the disc seal to select various positions to regulate the flow of water through selected conduits of the filtration system.
The system may include first sensor means for sensing at least one adjustable variable of the swimming pool water, the sensor means being connected to the control means, and adjustment means for adjusting such variable in response to a signal relayed from the sensor means to the control means.
The first sensor means may be located on the regulating means and may include a rotatable positioning disc operatively associated with at least one positioning sensor. Preferably, the first sensor means includes a number of slotted photooptical positioning sensors arranged in accordance with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing. The rotatable positioning disc may have a slotted peripheral skirt which is rotatable through the slots of the photo-optical positioning sensors and which is adapted to indicate the position of a particular inlet or outlet port of the valve housing when a slot in the peripheral skirt of the positioning disc passes through a slot in one of the photo-optical positioning sensors.
One end of the rotatable shaft may protrude above the first sensor means and may include a lever arm extending from that end of the shaft, the lever arm being intended to enable a user to override the electronic functioning of the motorized means so as to adjust the rotatable disc seal manually between various positions.
The regulating means further may include a locking unit attached to the upper end of the shaft which extends vertically from the disc seal, the locking unit being adapted to facilitate installation of the rotatable disc seal by pre-tensioning the biasing means.
The regulating means further may include a main housing, the main housing being releasably mountable to the valve housing in a substantially pressure-tight and watertight engagement. The main housing may be adapted for supporting at least some of the components included in the system, for example the motor and gearbox assembly and different sensor means.
The main housing may be provided with a main cover being releasably attachable to an upper end of the main housing for covering the components supported in the main housing. The main housing also may include a secondary housing, the secondary housing being releasably mountable to the main housing in a splash-proof and dust-proof engagement and being covered by the rain cover. The secondary housing may house at least some of the components supported in the main housing, such as the electromic components, so as to prevent unauthorized tampering therewith, as well as to protect the same from water and dust.
T
Boshoff Stephanus Hendrik Petrus
De Lange Barend Jacobus
La Cock Maynard Leslie
Lutz Peter Gustav
APMI Holdings Limited
Eloshway Charles R.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
LandOfFree
Automatically controlled system for maintaining a swimming pool does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Automatically controlled system for maintaining a swimming pool, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Automatically controlled system for maintaining a swimming pool will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3049163