U.S. patent application number 16/968663 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-07 for pumping systems principally for swimming pools and spas.
This patent application is currently assigned to Zodiac Pool Systems LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Zodiac Pool Systems LLC. Invention is credited to David Goldman.
Application Number | 20210002913 16/968663 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2021-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210002913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldman; David |
January 7, 2021 |
PUMPING SYSTEMS PRINCIPALLY FOR SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS
Abstract
Systems and techniques for guiding or advising users as to how
to control motor speeds of pumping systems are detailed. The
systems may solicit input from users and provide recommendations as
to settings users may employ in connection with water-circulation
systems of, principally, swimming pools and spas. The systems also
may permit a user to retain control of both the duration the
pool-filtration system will be active and the pump motor speed
while providing suggestions to the user that may maximize
efficiency of the system or minimize its power consumption (or
both).
Inventors: |
Goldman; David; (Carlsbad,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC |
Carlsbad |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
Carlsbad
CA
|
Appl. No.: |
16/968663 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
February 13, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2019/017756 |
371 Date: |
August 10, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62629921 |
Feb 13, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/12 20060101
E04H004/12; F04D 15/02 20060101 F04D015/02 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling a water-circulation system of a swimming
pool or spa, comprising: a. receiving input settings from a human
to an electronic device relating to operational characteristics of
the water-circulation system, the received input settings
comprising (i) an operating duration of the water-circulation
system, (ii) an operating speed of a motor of a pump of the
water-circulation system, (iii) absolute bounds for activation
times of the water-circulation system, (iv) absolute bounds for
operating speed of the motor of the pump of the water-circulation
system, and (v) whether operation of the water-circulation system
is to be paused during a pre-determined time period; b. using the
electronic device, providing recommendations to the human relating
to the water-circulation system responsive to the received input
settings, the recommendations comprising (i) a start time for
operation of the water-circulation system, (ii) a stop time for
operation of the water-circulation system, and (iii) an operating
speed of the motor of the pump of the water-circulation system; and
c. displaying, on the electronic device, visual information
responsive to the received input settings, the visual information
comprising (i) a projected number of turns of pool water achievable
by the water-circulation system and (ii) information as to
projected efficiency of electricity usage of the water-circulation
system.
2. A method of controlling a water-circulation system of a swimming
pool or spa, comprising: a. receiving at least one input setting
from a human to an electronic device relating to at least one
characteristic of the water-circulation system; and b. using the
electronic device, providing at least one recommendation to the
human relating to the water-circulation system responsive to the at
least one received input setting.
3. A method according to claim 2 in which the at least one
recommendation comprises a start time for operation of the
water-circulation system.
4. A method according to claim 3 in which the at least one
recommendation further comprises a stop time for operation of the
water-circulation system.
5. A method according to claim 2 in which the at least one
recommendation comprises an operating speed of a motor of a pump of
the water-circulation system.
6. A method according to claim 2 in which (a) the at least one
received input setting comprises (i) operating duration of the
water-circulation system and (ii) operating speed of a motor of a
pump of the water-circulation system and (b) the at least one
recommendation comprises (i) start and stop times for operation of
the water-circulation system and (ii) an operating speed of the
motor of the pump of the water-circulation system.
7. A method according to claim 2 further comprising displaying, on
the electronic device, visual information responsive to the at
least one received input setting.
8. A method according to claim 7 in which the visual information is
selected from the group consisting of (a) a projected number of
turns of pool water achievable by the water-circulation system or
(b) information as to efficiency of electricity usage of the
water-circulation system.
9. A method according to claim 6 in which the at least one received
input setting further comprises (a) absolute bounds for activation
times of the water-circulation system or (b) absolute bounds for
operating speed of the motor of the pump of the water-circulation
system.
10. A method according to claim 6 in which the at least one
received input setting further comprises whether operation of the
water-circulation system is to be paused during a pre-determined
time period.
11. A method according to claim 2 further comprising receiving at
least one revised input setting from the human.
12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising, using the
electronic device, providing at least one revised recommendation to
the human.
13. A method according to claim 2 in which the at least one
received input setting comprises identification of a characteristic
of a desired quality of water in the swimming pool.
14. A method according to claim 13 in which the desired quality of
water in the swimming pool is clarity.
15. A system for controlling a water-circulation system of a
swimming pool or spa, comprising an electronic device comprising
means for: a. receiving at least one input setting from a human
relating to at least one characteristic of the water-circulation
system; and b. providing at least one recommendation to the human
relating to the water-circulation system responsive to the at least
one received input setting.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/629,921, filed Feb. 13,
2018, and having the same title as appears above, the entire
contents of which application are hereby incorporated herein by
this reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to systems and techniques for pumping
fluid and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively,
to systems and techniques for controlling water-circulation systems
of swimming pools and spas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,589 to Stiles, Jr., et al., whose entire
contents are incorporated herein by this reference, describes
certain methods of controlling a variable-speed motor of a pump
useful "for an aquatic application such as a pool." See Stiles,
Jr., col. 1, 11. 14-33. A user may identify a volume of a pool, a
time period, and a desired number of turnovers of water within the
pool during the identified time period. Based on this information,
a controller may determine a target flow rate and a minimum speed
of the variable-speed motor and then operate the motor by
"substantially continuously" varying the motor speed "in order to
maintain the target flow rate using substantially minimum energy
consumption." See id., col. 18, 11. 27-40.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Automatically controlling the speed of a variable-speed
motor of a pumping system may be beneficial in some situations. By
contrast, allowing a homeowner or other user of a pool or spa to
control the motor speed may be advantageous in other situations.
Hence, systems and techniques of the present invention seek to
guide or advise users while allowing them to maintain control over
speeds at which the motors operate in use.
[0005] In particular, systems of the present invention preferably
solicit input from users and provide feedback, at least in the form
of recommendations, as to settings the users may employ. Some
systems, for example, permit a user to retain control of both the
duration the pool-filtration system will be active and the pump
motor speed while providing recommendations to the user that may
maximize efficiency of the system or minimize its power consumption
(or both). The innovative systems also may develop confidence among
users that they can create efficient filtration schedules and
achieve desired numbers of water turns, and avoid need for any
additional or external sensors. Systems also may solicit input from
users as to one or more characteristics of desired water quality
(e.g., clarity) in pools and furnish operational recommendations in
response.
[0006] Additionally, systems of the present invention allow users
to prioritize, at their discretion and on a case-by-case basis,
either flow or efficiency. For example, when a flow path of a
water-circulation system becomes obstructed (e.g., by filter
loading), efficiency is reduced. In this example, the best manner
of increasing efficiency is to clean the filter so as to reduce
back pressure in the system, thereby restoring flow. By contrast,
the Stiles, Jr. patent teaches increasing the pump speed (or
operational time) in order to maintain a minimum flow rate per day
in order to compensate for the obstructed flow path. In doing so,
systems of the Stiles, Jr. patent necessarily prioritize flow rate
(water turnovers) over optimum efficiency.
[0007] The increasing filter pressure caused by this approach of
the Stiles, Jr. patent drives dirt and debris further into the
filter. In the case of a fabric/cartridge filter, this result makes
the filter more difficult to clean, resulting in an even
less-efficient system. By contrast, systems of the present
invention encourage, at a user's option, earlier or more frequent
cleanings of filters, resulting in a lower total cost of
operation.
[0008] Systems of the present invention may include any appropriate
means for receiving desired input from a user. An exemplary such
means is or includes a software program ("app") designed to be
executed on a smartphone or similar device. The means preferably
may provide visual information to the user, although visual
displays are not absolutely necessary.
[0009] It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present
invention to provide systems and methods for controlling
water-circulation systems of swimming pools and spas.
[0010] It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present
invention to provide systems and methods for guiding or advising
homeowners or pool users as to how to control speeds of
variable-speed motors of pumping systems.
[0011] It is an additional optional, non-exclusive object of the
present invention to provide systems and methods for allowing users
to prioritize either flow rate or efficiency of the
water-circulation systems.
[0012] It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the
present invention to provide systems and methods for receiving
control inputs from and providing visual information to users.
[0013] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the appropriate
field with reference to the remaining text and the drawing of this
application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] The FIGURE illustrates an exemplary display 10 available to
a user of the present systems.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] As shown in the FIGURE, two virtual sliders 14 and 18 may be
displayed to the user: First slider 14 relates to times during
which the filtration system will be active, whereas second slider
18 relates to operating speed of the variable-speed motor. A user
may manually set at least one start and stop time for the
filtration system by moving virtual boundary markers 22A and 22B,
respectively. In the depicted example, (start) marker 22A has been
moved to 10:00 am, while (stop) marker 22B has been moved to 3:00
pm.
[0016] Also illustrated in connection with first slider 14 are
virtual guide markers 26A and 26B. Guide markers 26A and 26B may
supply recommended set points for respective markers 22A and 22B in
order to achieve certain results. In the exemplary illustration of
the FIGURE, guide marker 26A recommends a start time of
approximately 9:30 am and guide marker 26B recommends a stop time
of approximately 4:00 pm. Further identified on first slider 14 is
time period 30 (e.g. 11:00 am-1:00 pm) during which electricity is
more (or most) costly to use. Virtual toggle 34 of display 10
allows a user to decide whether operation of the filtration system
should be paused during time period 30.
[0017] Second slider 18 permits a user to identify an operating
speed of the pump motor. The user may do so by manually moving
marker 38, shown in the FIGURE as having been moved to 2500
revolutions per minute (RPM). Like first slider 14, second slider
18 also includes at least one virtual guide marker 42, which in the
FIGURE recommends a lower operating speed (e.g. approximately 2000
RPM) for the motor.
[0018] First slider 14 additionally may display absolute bounds for
activation times of the filtration system (e.g. "8:30 am" and "6:00
pm"). These absolute bounds may be set separately either by a user
or automatically. Second slider 18 similarly may display absolute
bounds for motor speeds (e.g. "1,000" and "3,200" RPM), again with
the absolute bounds being set either by a user or
automatically.
[0019] Yet further, display 10 may furnish real-time feedback of
likely results of the user's settings (and adjustments of the
settings). Depicted in the FIGURE are two visual indicators, with
indicator 46 identifying the projected number of turns of pool
water and indicator 50 providing information as to efficiency of
electricity usage. In the case of the FIGURE, indicator 46
identifies the settings as likely to cause 1.8 turns of the pool
water, while indicator 50 provides an exemplary efficiency score of
two stars out of a possible five stars.
[0020] Additional information may be furnished by the "app" in
order to provide an advanced, or more comprehensive, analysis to a
user. The information may be supplied either as part of display 10
or distinct therefrom and comprise, for example, the duration of
operation of the filtration system, an estimated number of
turnovers, and an estimated energy usage. Persons skilled in the
art will, of course, recognize that other or additional information
may be delivered to the user. In essence, the invention may provide
guidance for empowering a user to make certain decisions himself or
herself rather than disabling the user's ability to make the
decisions by making them automatically instead, as in the Stiles,
Jr. patent.
[0021] The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating,
explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention.
Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from
the scope or spirit of the invention. As one example, display 10
may differ in any desired way from that shown in the FIGURE.
Virtual guide markers 26A-B and 42 additionally may change position
over time as, for example, filters of the filtration system load
with debris and hence become less efficient at their tasks.
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