Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment

• US 10,272,014 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2017
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Potucek, Kevin, Murdock, James, Carter, James, Fournier, Gregory, Johnson, III, Arthur W., Blaine, David, DeBruin, Jason, Aubrey, Bruce, Petty, Scott, Parcell, Jason, Horrocks, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Everett, Christopher E.
• Application Number:
  US15/413,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20170212530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0008 Arrangement for cleaning the installation before or after use
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0083 Illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5061 Force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5071 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5079 Velocity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5082 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5087 Flow rate sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0095 Arrangements for varying the temperature of the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/08 Fountains drinking fountains E03B9/20; wash fountains E03C1/16
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/161 Hardware, e.g. neural networks, fuzzy logic, interfaces, processor
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1694 characterised by use of sensors other than normal servo-feedback from position, speed or acceleration sensors, perception control, multi-sensor controlled systems, sensor fusion
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/10 Coverings of flexible material
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/12 : Devices or arrangements for circulating water , i.e. devices for removal of polluted water, cleaning baths or for water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1245 : Recirculating pumps for swimming pool water
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1272 : Skimmers integrated in the pool wall
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1281 : Devices for distributing chemical products in the water of swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/129 : Systems for heating the water content of swimming pools solar collectors using pools F24S10/17, F24S10/10; by solar radiation F24S20/02
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/148 : Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/16 : specially adapted for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 : Self-propelled cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0066 : by changing the speed, e.g. of the driving engine
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0077 : Safety measures F04D15/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0088 : Testing machines
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0218 : the condition being a liquid level or a lack of liquid supply
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/0281 : responsive to a condition not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/708 : specially for liquid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 : for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/005 : for measuring fluid parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 : using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 : Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 21/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13 : Plc programming
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25022 : LAN local area network for controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25032 : CAN, canbus, controller area network bus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25268 : PLD programmable logic device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 : Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2223/06 : Remote monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 21/02 : characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0629 : characterised by the type of regulator means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 : by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 : Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 : using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 : using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 : using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/69 : using geographic information, e.g. room number
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 : by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 : Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 : for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 : specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 : involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 : using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 : using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/84 : Measuring functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 : Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 : in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 : by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 : via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 : Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for remotely monitoring and controlling equipment for a pool or a spa, comprising the steps of:

providing a pump having a housing enclosing (i) a processor for controlling the pump and (ii) a network communication subsystem for providing direct communication between the processor and the Internet;

establishing a network connection between the processor of the pump and a remote pool or spa device;

monitoring an operational parameter of the remote pool or spa device by the processor of the pump over the network connection;

receiving at the processor of the pump a desired value for the monitored operational parameter of the remote pool or spa device;

determining by the processor of the pump a setpoint for the pump based on the monitored operational parameter and the desired value for the monitored operational parameter of the remote pool or spa device; and

controlling the pump to operate at the setpoint determined by the processor of the pump.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining by the processor whether line power being supplied to the pump is within factory specified operating parameters by comparing factory specified power parameters retrieved from a memory and line power operational data.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising activating the pump if the line power is within the factory specified operating parameters, or transmitting an error condition to the remote device if the line power is not within the factory specified operating parameters.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving at the processor operational data from a pump water detection sensor and determining by the processor if water is detected at the pump.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising activating a priming period timer if no water is detected at the pump and clearing the priming period timer if water is detected at the pump.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving at the processor operational data from a debris sensor in a pool strainer basket and determining by the processor if the pool strainer basket is full.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving by the processor maximum power consumption setpoint data from a memory, receiving at the processor operational data on power consumption from one or more active remote devices, and determining by the processor if combined power consumption from the active remote devices exceeds the maximum power consumption setpoint.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving by the processor current date and time information, determining by the processor a current season, retrieving by the processor operational setpoint data for the current season from a memory, and controlling operation of the pump according to the operational setpoint data for the current season.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving by the processor data on a desired pool turnover rate from a memory, retrieving by the processor pool volume data from a memory, receiving at the processor operational data on flow rate from the remote device, determining by the processor a minimum flow rate to achieve the desired pool turnover rate, and controlling operation of the pump according to the minimum flow rate.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving at the processor operational data from a sensor in the pump, determining by the processor if there is a gasket or seal leak, and transmitting a message to the user to fix the leak if there is a gasket or seal leak.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving by the processor factory specified parameters for turbidity from a memory, receiving operational data from the pump, and determining if turbidity is within the factory specified parameters for turbidity.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising automatically setting a filter schedule based on turbidity levels if the flow rate is not within the factory specified parameters for the pump.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising controlling the pump to operate at a minimum speed based on the factory specified parameters for turbidity.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the network connection between the processor and the remote device is established over the Internet.

15. A method for controlling a pump for a pool or a spa, comprising the steps of:

providing a pump having a housing enclosing (i) a processor for controlling operation of the pump and (ii) a network communication subsystem for providing direct communication between the processor and the Internet;

establishing by the network communication subsystem a network connection between the processor of the pump and a remote pool or spa device;

monitoring an operational parameter of the remote pool or spa device by the processor of the pump over the network connection;

monitoring an operational parameter of the pump by the processor of the pump;

receiving at the processor of the pump web data from the Internet, the web data being specific to the physical location of the pump;

determining by the processor of the pump a setpoint for the pump based on the monitored operational parameter of the remote pool or spa device, the monitored operational data of the pump, and the web data; and

controlling operation of the pump according to the setpoint determined by the processor of the pump.