Buoyant water chlorinator with temperature, pH measurement...

Liquid purification or separation – With alarm – indicator – register – recorder – signal or... – Transparent

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C210S085000, C210S167150, C210S198100, C210S242100, C073S053010, C204S412000, C324S425000, C422S265000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06238553

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to water chlorination units. More particularly, this invention relates to a buoyant water chlorination unit with improved user features.
Water chlorination units are known which are used to supply chlorine to water in pools for water purification. Several such units are buoyant with an inner chamber providing a containment volume for the chlorination material, typically one or more solid pellets, with the containment volume having openings through the walls thereof so that the chlorination material can dissolve in the surrounding water.
Known water chlorination units are used in conjunction with a thermometer, and a pH level and chlorine concentration testing kit in many applications. The thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the water, typically in a swimming pool or Jacuzzi spa, and typically consists of a floating glass tube thermometer with a graduated temperature scale printed or embossed on a panel in a position adjacent the thermometer tube, and a tether cord fastened at one end to the thermometer panel and fastened at the other end to an anchor point. To read the thermometer, the thermometer is retrieved from the water by grasping and pulling the tether cord. The testing kit is used to determine the pH of the water and the chlorine concentration. The kit typically includes a housing with a panel provided with two multi-color reference charts: one indicating pH and the other indicating chlorine concentration, usually in parts-per-million (ppm). Also, the kit includes a pH testing container and a chlorine testing container, with both containers typically permanently affixed to the housing. Two testing solutions are usually provided, one for the pH measurement, and the other for the chlorine concentration measurement. In use, a water sample is placed in each of the two testing containers, and a quantity of each testing solution is placed in the respective container. The color of the solution is then visually compared with the two color charts, and the user subjectively determines the pH and chlorine concentration values. Additional chlorine is then added to the pool water, if the measurement process indicates the need to do so.
While used widely, the thermometer and testing kits described above have several disadvantages. First, there are three separate and distinct parts to the known arrangement, any one of which may be easily misplaced, lost or broken. In addition, the thermometer floats with the motion of the pool water and is not usually conveniently located next to the buoyant chlorinator unit. Moreover, the testing kit must be stored somewhere on the pool premises and brought to the pool site each time it is required for use. Further, the pH and chlorine concentration solutions must be kept in separate storage containers, which can also be easily misplaced, and must be individually handled by the user. Last, the technique for both the pH and the chlorine concentration measurements is entirely subjective, and prone to error.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention comprises a buoyant chlorinator which incorporates the temperature, pH and chlorine concentration measurement functions, and which is devoid of all the disadvantages of known prior art arrangements as noted above.
The invention comprises a buoyant housing with a lower apertured chamber for holding chlorine material, such as solid tablets, as in conventional devices. A removable cover retains the chlorine material in place. A plurality of measurement systems, each microprocessor-based, is carried by the housing. Each system has an easily-readable display, preferably mounted on the periphery of an upper housing surface, each display preferably comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD). One measurement system comprises a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor, for measuring the temperature of the ambient water. Electrical temperature signals produced by this sensor are coupled to a microprocessor programmed to convert these signals to signals capable of driving the associated display. A second measurement system comprises a pH level sensor for measuring the pH level of the ambient water. Electrical signals produced by this sensor are coupled to a microprocessor programmed to convert these signals to signals capable of driving the associated display. The remaining measurement system comprises a chlorine concentration sensor for measuring the chlorine concentration of the ambient water. Electrical signals produced by this sensor are coupled to a microprocessor programmed to convert these signals to signals capable of driving the associated display.
Electrical power is supplied to each measurement system from a power source contained within the housing. One suitable power source is a solar cell battery mounted on the same surface as the displays. Another source is a battery installed in a battery compartment. Both types of power source may be included and either source may serve as the primary power source for all systems, with the remaining source reserved as a back-up source, or the two sources may both serve as primary sources for different systems.
The invention is used by placing it in the body of water and observing the display values. When chlorine material must be replaced, the cover is removed, and the fresh material is dropped into the receptacle chamber.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4657670 (1987-04-01), Newton
patent: 4940946 (1990-07-01), Nazaryan
patent: 5053205 (1991-10-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 5218304 (1993-06-01), Kinlen et al.
patent: 5493164 (1996-02-01), Moss et al.

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