Programmable aerator cooling system
A programmable aerator cooling system for pools or spas is provided. The system selectively operates one or more aerator jets in a pool or spa to cool water in the pool or spa to a desired temperature. The system includes a microprocessor-based controller connected to a valve actuator for selectively actuating the one or more aerator jets, and one or more sensors. The sensors could include a water temperature sensor, and optionally, an ambient air temperature sensor and an ambient humidity sensor. The controller includes a user interface for allowing a user to interact with one or more stored control programs for controlling the water temperature of a pool or spa. Based on pool water and ambient conditions, the controller can activate the one or more aerators during optimal ambient conditions to cool the pool water.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/771,762 filed Feb. 9, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/771,656 filed Feb. 9, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of liquid cooling systems, and, more particularly, to a programmable aerator cooling system for cooling large bodies of water, such as pools and spas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the past, aerators of various designs have been used to cool bodies of liquid (e.g., pools, ponds, and the like) and to provide a pleasing visual effect. As is well-known in the art, aerators cool liquids by exposing the liquid to ambient air, which increases heat transfer and thereby cools the liquid.
One example of an aerator design can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,926 to Ravitts (the “Ravitts '926 Patent”), which discloses a liquid spray device with fixed and rotatable diffusers. The aerator disclosed in the Ravitts '926 Patent includes an axial flow impeller that is rotated by an electric motor to pump a column of water from a pond upwardly through a throat formed in the aerator and against a fixed diffuser which divides the column of water in a central core. Thereafter, the water passes through a neck portion and against a baffle, such that the water is deflected in a flat trajectory so as to strike the surface of the pond with considerable force. A rotatable diffuser directs water outwardly relative to the throat in a path above and converging downwardly into the water deflected by the baffle.
Another example of an aerator can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,320,160 to Welles, Jr., et al. (the “Welles, Jr., et al. '160 Patent”), which discloses a method and apparatus for aerating a body of liquid. The aerator disclosed in the Welles, Jr., et al. '160 Patent can be driven across the surface of very large bodies of liquid, such as basins, lagoons, etc. Supporting cables suspended across the body of water guide the power-driven aerators.
Despite efforts to date, improved aeration systems are needed that offer users greater control and/or flexibility in achieving desired cooling effects. These and other needs are addressed in the systems and methods disclosed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art by providing a programmable aerator cooling system for pools or spas. The system selectively operates one or more aerator jets in a pool or spa to cool water in the pool or spa to a desired temperature. The system includes a microprocessor-based controller connected to a valve actuator and one or more sensors. The sensors include a water temperature sensor, and optionally, an ambient air temperature sensor and an ambient humidity sensor. Optionally, the controller could be connected to a heater actuator for controlling a pool heater, as well as a pump controller for controlling a pool pump. The controller includes a user interface (e.g., a keypad or keyboard, and an associated display) for allowing a user to interact with one or more stored control programs for controlling the water temperature of a pool or spa. In one embodiment, the stored control program selectively activates the aerator jets to maintain the water temperature at a desired temperature specified by a user.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the stored control program allows the controller to operate in a manual mode or a program mode. In manual mode, the user can specify a desired water temperature, and the system activates one or more aerators (e.g., by activating one or more valves and/or pumps associated with the aerators) for cooling the water to the desired temperature. Then, the system operates in a thermostat mode, wherein the water temperature is monitored and the aerator is controlled to maintain the water temperature at the desired temperature. In program mode, the user can activate one or more stored temperature control programs. The stored temperature control program allows the user to specify a desired water temperature; and, based on pool water and ambient conditions, it will cause the activation of one or more aerators during optimal and/or predetermined ambient conditions to cool the pool water. Any desired types of stored temperature control programs could be provided in the controller.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly upon a reading of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiment(s) considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The aforementioned pool water and ambient conditions are monitored by the controller 28 using temperature sensor 40, and optionally, the ambient air temperature sensor 34 and ambient humidity sensor 36. The water temperature sensor 40 measures the temperature of the water 14 of the pool 12. Optionally, a temperature sensor within the pool 12 could also be provided. The ambient air temperature sensor 34 measures the temperature of the air outside of the pool 12. The ambient humidity sensor 36 measures the humidity of the air outside of the pool 12. The heater actuator 42, if provided, could include circuitry for actuating the heater 24, as well as a temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring the temperature of water flowing into the heater 42.
In operation, the water 14 is pumped by the pump 20 from the pool 12 via the main drains 16a, 16b and the skimmer 18. From the pump 20, the water 14 passes through the filter 22, which could be any suitable commercial or residential pool filter known in the art, and then to the heater 24, which is an optional element of the system 10. The controller 28 operates the valve 30 via the valve actuator 32, causing the water 14 to flow through the aerators 38a-38e and thus cooling the water 14 before it is returned to the pool 12. The return jets 26a-26b could be bypassed when the aerators 38a-38e are activated. In most instances, the return jets 26a-26b are operated in conjunction with the aerators 38a-38e. Any desired number of aerators 38a-38e could be provided (e.g., one through ten); and, they could be of any suitable design available in the art. If cooling is not desired, the valve 30 is closed by the valve actuator 32 under direction of the controller 28, causing the water 14 to return to the pool 12 using the conventional return jets 26a-26b. Additionally, it should be noted that the valve 30 and the valve actuator 32 could also be positioned upstream of the heater 24, i.e., between the heater 24 and the filter 22.
Referring now to
Referring again to
In step 112, the controller updates all sensors connected to the controller 28. Optionally, in this step, the controller 28 can poll each sensor to determine the types of sensors connected to the sensor interface 70, as well as the operational status of each sensor (e.g., operational, failure mode, etc.). In step 114, the controller 28 updates all relays and actuators connected thereto. In step 116, the controller 28 checks for user input (such as user input or “keypresses” using the keyboard 60 of
In step 122, the controller 28 acts on commands or information entered by a user. For example, in this step, the user can enter or change date and time information. In step 124, the controller executes a specialized control program loaded into the memory of the controller, such as the stored control programs of the present invention which will be discussed hereinbelow. Optionally, in step 126, if an automated pool chlorinator is connected to the controller, it is updated for operation and control by the controller. In step 128, any errors detected by the controller are processed, including, but not limited to, malfunctioning sensors or actuators connected to the controller. In response to such errors, the controller can disable a malfunctioning sensor or actuator, display an error code, or undertake any other preprogrammed action. In step 130, non-volatile memory of the controller is updated, if applicable. Finally, in step 132, any wired or wireless devices in communication with the controller, including but not limited to, handheld controllers, remote control panels connected to the controller (such as inside of a dwelling), or other devices, are updated for use and control. Processing then returns to step 106.
If a negative determination is made, step 148 is invoked, wherein a determination is made as to whether the aerator has been manually turned off. If a positive determination is made, step 156 occurs, wherein aeration is deactivated and processing subsequently ends. If a negative determination is made, step 150 is invoked, wherein a determination is made as to whether the desired temperature has been set to “of” by the user. If a positive determination is made, step 156 occurs, wherein aeration is deactivated and processing subsequently ends. If a negative determination is made, step 152 is invoked, wherein the controller measures the current water temperature (e.g., using the temperature sensor 40 of
With general reference to
If, at step 164, the processor 54 determines that an error condition has occurred, then, at step 172, an error code is displayed to the user on the display 58 and the program 160 halts. If, at step 164, the processor 54 determines that the controller 28 is to run in manual mode, then, at step 174, the processor 54 prompts the user via the display 58 to enter a desired temperature to which to cool the pool water. After the user enters the desired temperature at the keyboard 60, the desired temperature is stored by the processor 54 in the memory 56. Then, at step 176, the processor 54 goes into a thermostat mode, which will be described hereinbelow with reference to
With reference to
Referring to
If, at step 200, the processor 54 determines that the water temperature of the pool is equal to or less than the desired temperature, then at step 204, the processor 54 deactivates the aerators 38a-38e by sending a command to the valve actuator 32 to close the valve 30. At step 206, the processor 54 delays a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 100 milliseconds) before taking a water temperature measurement at step 208. At step 210, the processor 54 then calculates the difference (ΔT) between the desired temperature and the present pool water temperature. At step 212, a determination is made as to whether the absolute value of ΔT is greater than a predetermined value (i.e., a maximum permissible temperature deviation, which can be pre-set or specified by the user). If a positive determination is made, then the processor 54, at step 202, reactivates the aerators 38a-38e by sending a command to the valve controller 32 to open the valve 30. Otherwise, control returns to step 206.
Referring again to
Referring to
Importantly, the stored temperature control program shown in
It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An aerator control system, comprising:
- a user interface for allowing a user to specify a desired temperature for a body of water; and
- a processor in communication with the user interface, the processor selectively actuating an aerator operatively associated with the body of water to cool the body of water to the desired temperature.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a water temperature sensor in communication with the processor, the processor monitoring a current temperature of the body of water using the water temperature sensor.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor activates the aerator if the current temperature is greater than the desired temperature.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the processor deactivates the aerator if the current temperature is equal to or less than the desired temperature.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an ambient air temperature sensor in communication with the processor, the processor monitoring ambient air temperature using the ambient air temperature sensor.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor controls the aerator in response to changes in the ambient air temperature.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an ambient humidity sensor in communication with the processor, the processor monitoring ambient humidity levels using the ambient humidity sensor.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor controls the aerator in response to changes in the ambient humidity level.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor selectively actuates a heater associated with the body of water.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor selectively actuates a pump associated with the body of water.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a memory in communication with the processor, the memory including a stored control program for selectively activating the aerator.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the stored control program causes the processor to activate the aerator during a pre-defined time period.
13. An aerator control system, comprising:
- an aerator associated with a body of water;
- an actuator for selectively actuating the aerator; and
- a processor in communication with the actuator, the processor selectively actuating the aerator to cool the body of water to a desired temperature.
14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a water temperature sensor in communication with the processor, the processor monitoring a current temperature of the body of water using the water temperature sensor.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor activates the aerator if the current temperature is greater than the desired temperature.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor deactivates the aerator if the current temperature is equal to or less than the desired temperature.
17. The system of claim 13, further comprising an ambient air temperature sensor in communication with the processor, the processor monitoring ambient air temperature using the ambient air temperature sensor.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor controls the aerator in response to changes in the ambient air temperature.
19. The system of claim 13, further comprising an ambient humidity sensor in communication with the processor, the processor monitoring ambient humidity levels using the ambient humidity sensor.
20. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor controls the aerator in response to changes in the ambient humidity level.
21. The system of claim 13, further comprising a second actuator in communication with the processor for selectively actuating a heater associated with the body of water.
22. The system of claim 21, further comprising a third actuator in communication with the processor for selectively actuating a pump associated with the body of water.
23. The system of claim 13, further comprising a memory in communication with the processor, the memory including a stored control program for selectively activating the aerator.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the stored control program causes the processor to activate the aerator during a pre-defined time period.
25. A method for controlling temperature of a body of water, comprising:
- allowing a user to specify a desired temperature for a body of water;
- measuring a current temperature of the body of water;
- determining whether the current temperature is greater than the desired temperature; and
- if the current temperature is greater than the desired temperature, activating an aerator to cool the body of water to the desired temperature.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising deactivating the aerator when the desired temperature is equal to or less than the desired temperature.
27. The method of claim 25, further comprising measuring an ambient air temperature.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising controlling the aerator in response to a change in the ambient air temperature.
29. The method of claim 25, further comprising measuring an ambient humidity level.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising controlling the aerator in response to a change in the ambient humidity level.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 9, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 4, 2007
Inventors: Kevin Potucek (Far Hills, NJ), Carl Brunetti (Manville, RI), Gilbert Conover (Providence, RI)
Application Number: 11/704,717
International Classification: G05D 23/30 (20060101); G06F 17/00 (20060101);