Bathing system controller having abnormal operational condition identification capabilities

• US 20050168900A1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Inventors: Authier, Michel, Gaudreau, Daniel, Gouger, Florent, Brochu, Christian, Nollet, Louis, Hardy, Martin, Laflamme, Benoit
• Granted Patent: US 7,327,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/93.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold

Abstract

A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in a bathing system is provided. The controller includes a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component in the bathing system. The controller also includes a processing unit for modifying the measurements stored in the memory unit and for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit. In specific implementations, sensing circuitry adapted for obtaining measurements associated to components, such as relays and fuses, is provided. This sensing circuitry allows identify components on the controller, such as relays and fuses for example, and bathing unit components in the bathing system as potential causes of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system.

Claims

1. A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, said controller comprising:

a. a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

b. a processing unit in communication with said memory unit, said processing unit being adapted for;

i. modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit;

ii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit.

2. A controller-as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprising;

a. a port for receiving a signal conveying measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions;

b. said processing unit being adapted for modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit on the basis of said signal.

3. A controller as defined in claim 2, wherein said port includes a wireless interface.

4. A controller as defined in claim 2, wherein said port includes a wire-line interface.

5. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing unit is adapted for acquiring a self-programming state, in the self-programming state said processing unit being operative for:

i. obtaining measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions;

ii. storing the measurements obtained in i. on the memory unit.

6. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing unit includes a sensing circuit adapted for obtaining a measurement indicative of the electrical current being drawn by the bathing system.

7. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein the memory unit includes a non-volatile memory component.

8. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is adapted for obtaining measurements indicative of electrical voltages applied to the bathing system.

9. A controller as defined in claim 8, wherein the processing unit is adapted for:

a. deriving a data element conveying a variation in the electrical voltage applied to the bathing system from a nominal input voltage at least in part on the basis of the measurements indicative of electrical voltages applied to the bathing system;

b. processing the variation in the electrical voltage applied to the bathing system from the nominal input voltage to derive an adjusted electrical current measurement on the basis of an electrical current measurement stored in the memory unit.

10. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein in the self-programming state said processing unit is operative for sequentially causing each bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components to toggle from one of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to the other of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to obtain measurements indicative of electrical currents, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state.

11. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein obtaining measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system comprises, for each given bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components:

a. causing the given bathing unit component to acquire the actuated state;

b. causing the bathing unit components in the set of bathing unit components other than the given bathing unit component to acquire the non-actuated state.

12. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein each measurement indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state includes a reactive current measurement portion and a real current measurement portion.

13. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein each measurement indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state includes an inrush current measurement portion.

14. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein in the self-programming state said processing unit is further operative for:

a. processing each measurement to associate respective bathing unit components with corresponding bathing unit component types selected from a set of bathing unit component types.

15. A controller as defined in claim 14, wherein the set of bathing unit component types includes at least one bathing unit component type selected from the set consisting of a heating module type, a pump type, an ozonator type, a power supply type, a CD player type and an air blower type.

16. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing unit is operative for:

a. deriving an expected measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system at least in part on the basis of a set of actuated bathing unit components and the measurements stored on the memory unit;

b. obtaining an actual measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system;

c. determining if the bathing system is experiencing an abnormal operational condition at least in part on the basis of the expected measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system and the actual measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system.

17. A controller as defined in claim 16, wherein said processing unit is further operative for:

i. sequentially causing each bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components to toggle from one of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to the other of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to obtain measurements indicative of electrical currents, each measurement being indicative of an actual electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

ii. processing the measurements obtained in i. on the basis of the measurements stored on the memory unit to identify at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

18. A controller as defined in claim 17, wherein said processing unit is operative for:

a. causing the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit to acquire the non-actuated state.

19. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing unit includes means responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system for causing a ground fault circuit interrupter in the bathing system to trip.

20. A controller as defined in claim 19, wherein said means responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system for causing a GFCI breaker in the bathing system to trip, include a circuit for inducing a current leakage to ground.

21. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said processing unit is operative for identifying at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

22. A controller as defined in claim 21, wherein the at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit is selected from the set consisting of a pump, an air blower, a heater, an ozonator, a CD player and a power supply.

23. A controller as defined in claim 21, wherein said processing unit being operative for identifying the controller as potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

24. A controller as defined in claim 21, wherein said processing unit is operative for causing the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit to acquire the non-actuated state.

25. A controller as defined in claim 21, wherein said controller includes an output module in communication with said processing unit, said output module being adapted for conveying the abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

26. A controller as defined in claim 25, wherein said output module includes a transmitter operative to transmit a signal conveying a abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

27. A controller as defined in claim 26, wherein the transmitter is operative to transmit a signal conveying information indicative of the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system.

28. A controller as defined in claim 27, wherein said transmitter is operative to transmit the signal over a wireless link.

29. A controller as defined in claim 28, wherein the wireless link is a radio frequency (RF) link.

30. A controller as defined in claim 28, wherein the wireless link is an infra-red (IR) link.

31. A controller as defined in claim 25, wherein the output module is adapted for conveying information indicative of the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system in a visual format.

32. A controller as defined in claim 25, wherein the output module is adapted for conveying information indicative of the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system in an audio format.

33. A controller as defined in claim 25, wherein the output module is part of a user operable console of a bathing system.

34. A controller as defined in claim 25, wherein the output module is part of a controller box.

35. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller, includes a plurality of actuators associated to respective bathing unit components, said processing unit being operative for controlling said plurality of actuators such as to cause the bathing unit components in said set of bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state.

36. A controller as defined in claim 35, wherein the plurality of actuators includes a relay.

37. A controller as defined in claim 35, wherein said processing unit is operative for identifying an actuator in said plurality of actuators as potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

38. In a bathing system having a set of bathing unit components and a controller, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, the controller comprising:

a. a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

b. a processing unit in communication with said memory unit, said processing unit being adapted for;

i. modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit;

ii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit.

39. A controller suitable for identifying an abnormal operational condition in a bathing system, said controller comprising:

a. a plurality of fuses;

b. a burned fuse sensing circuit adapted for detecting a burned fuse in the plurality of fuses, said burned fuse sensing circuit being responsive to the presence of a burned fuse for releasing a burned fuse indicator signal;

c. a processing unit in communication with the burned fuse sensing circuit, said processing unit being operative for;

i. receiving the burned fuse indicator signal;

ii. in response to the receipt of the burned fuse indicator signal, detecting an abnormal operational condition of the bathing system.

40. A controller as defined in claim 39, wherein said controller includes an output module in communication with said processing unit, said output module being adapted for conveying the abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

41. A controller as defined in claim 40, wherein the output module is adapted for conveying information identifying the plurality of fuses as potentially causing an abnormal operational condition of the bathing system.

42. A controller as defined in claim 41, wherein said output module includes a transmitter operative to transmit a signal conveying an abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

43. A controller as defined in claim 42, wherein said transmitter is operative to transmit the signal over a wireless link.

44. A controller as defined in claim 43, wherein the wireless link is a radio frequency (RF) link.

45. A controller as defined in claim 43, wherein the wireless link is an infra-red (IR) link.

46. A controller as defined in claim 40, wherein the output module is adapted for conveying information associated to the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system in a visual format.

47. A controller as defined in claim 40, wherein the output module is adapted for conveying information associated to the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system in an audio format.

48. A controller as defined in claim 40, wherein the output module is part of a user operable console of a bathing system.

49. A controller as defined in claim 40, wherein the output module is part of a controller box.

50. A controller suitable for use in a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, said controller comprising:

a. a plurality of actuators associated to respective bathing unit components;

b. a processing unit in communication with the plurality of actuators, said processing unit being operative for controlling said plurality of actuators such as to cause the bathing unit components in said set of bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state;

c. said processing unit being adapted for;

i. obtaining measurements indicative reaction times associated to the actuators in the plurality of actuators;

ii. storing the measurements obtained in i. on a memory unit.

51. A controller as defined in claim 50, wherein said processing unit is operative for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with an actuator in the plurality of actuators at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit.

52. A controller as defined in claim 50, wherein at least some actuators in said plurality of actuators are adapted for acquiring either one of a closed status and an open status for causing bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state.

53. A controller as defined in claim 50, wherein the measurements indicative reaction times associated to the actuators in the plurality of actuators include opening reaction times and closing reaction times.

54. A controller as defined in claim 52, wherein the processing unit is adapted for causing a given actuator to acquire the closed status, said processing unit being adapted for causing the given actuator to acquire the closed status when a voltage across the given actuator is near zero.

55. A controller as defined in claim 52, wherein the processing unit is adapted for causing a given actuator to acquire the open status, said processing unit being adapted for causing the given actuator to acquire the open status when a current through the given actuator is near zero.

56. A controller as defined in claim 51, said processing unit being operative for:

a. obtaining a measurement indicative of an actual reaction time associated with a given actuator in the plurality of actuators;

b. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with a given actuator at least in part on the basis the actual reaction time obtained in a. and a certain threshold reaction time.

57. A controller as defined in claim 56, wherein the threshold reaction time is derived at least in part on the basis of measurements obtained and stored on the memory unit.

58. A controller as defined in claim 51, said processing unit being operative for:

a. obtaining a measurement indicative of an actual reaction time associated with a given actuator in the plurality of actuators;

b. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with a given actuator at least in part on the basis the actual reaction time obtained in a and a certain range of accepted reaction times.

59. A controller as defined in claim 51, wherein said controller includes an output module in communication with said processing unit, said output module being adapted for conveying the abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

60. A controller as defined in claim 59, wherein said output module includes a transmitter operative to transmit a signal conveying a abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

61. A controller as defined in claim 60, wherein said transmitter is operative to transmit the signal over a wireless link.

62. A controller as defined in claim 61, wherein the wireless link is a radio frequency (RF) link.

63. A controller as defined in claim 61, wherein the wireless link is an infra-red (IR) link.

64. A method for programming a controller of a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, said method comprising:

a. obtaining measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operational conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

b. storing the measurements obtained in i. on a memory unit in communication with the controller.

65. A method as defined in claim 64, wherein obtaining measurements comprises:

a. causing the bathing unit components in the set of bathing unit components to acquire the non-actuated state;

b. sequentially actuating bathing unit components in said set of bathing unit components to obtain measurements indicative of electrical currents, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state.

66. A method as defined in claim 64, wherein obtaining measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by said bathing unit components when in the actuated state comprises, for each given bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components:

a. causing the given bathing unit component to acquire the actuated state;

b. causing the bathing unit components in the set of bathing unit components other than the given bathing unit component to acquire the non-actuated state.

67. A method as defined in claim 64, wherein each measurement indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state includes a reactive current measurement portion and a real current measurement portion.

68. A method as defined in claim 64, wherein each measurement includes an inrush current measurement portion.

69. A method as defined in claim 64, wherein said method further comprises:

a. processing each measurement to associate respective bathing unit components with corresponding bathing unit component types selected from a set of bathing unit component types.

70. A method as defined in claim 69, wherein the set of bathing unit component types includes at least one bathing unit component type selected from the set consisting of a heating module type, a pump type, an ozonator type, a power supply type, a CD player type and an air blower type.

71. A method for monitoring a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, in the actuated state the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current, said method comprising:

a. providing a memory unit including a plurality of data elements, the data elements being indicative of measurements of electrical currents drawn by respective bathing unit components when in the actuated state under normal operational conditions;

b. deriving an expected measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system at least in part on the basis of the data elements stored on the memory unit;

c. obtaining an actual measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system;

d. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with a bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components at least in part on the basis of the expected measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system and the actual measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system.

72. A method as defined in claim 71, wherein said method comprises:

a. when the bathing system is experiencing an abnormal operational condition;

i. sequentially causing each bathing unit component in the set of bathing unit components to toggle from one of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to the other of the actuated state and the non-actuated state to obtain measurements indicative of electrical currents, each measurement being indicative of an actual electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

ii. processing the measurements obtained in i. on the basis of the data elements stored on the memory unit to identify at least one bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system.

73. A method as defined in claim 72, wherein said method comprises:

a. causing the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit to acquire the non-actuated state.

74. A method as defined in claim 72, wherein said method includes conveying in audio format the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

75. A method as defined in claim 72, wherein said method includes conveying in visual format the at least one identified bathing unit component potentially causing at least part of the abnormal operational condition of the bathing unit.

76. A method as defined in claim 72, wherein said method includes transmitting a signal conveying a abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

77. A method as defined in claim 76, wherein the signal is transmitted over a wireless link.

78. A method as defined in claim 77, wherein the wireless link is a radio frequency (RF) link.

79. A method as defined in claim 77, wherein the wireless link is an infra-red (IR) link.

80. A controller suitable for use in a bathing system, the bathing system including a set of bathing unit components, each bathing unit component being adapted for acquiring an actuated state and a non-actuated state, the bathing unit components drawing an electrical current when in the actuated state, said controller comprising:

a. a current sensor adapted for obtaining a measurement of a current drawn by the bathing system, the measurement including a reactive current measurement portion and a real current measurement portion;

b. a control unit in communication with the current sensor, said control unit being adapted for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of the measurement of the current drawn by the bathing system.

81. A controller as defined in claim 80, wherein said control unit is adapted for processing said reactive current measurement portion and said real current measurement portion to derive a power factor associated with bathing system.

82. A controller as defined in claim 80, wherein said control unit is adapted for acquiring a self-programming state and a monitoring state:

a. in the self-programming state said control unit being operative for;

i. receiving measurements from the current sensor indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

ii. storing the measurements obtained in i. on a memory unit;

b. in the monitoring state, said processing unit being operative for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit and on the basis of measurements received from the current sensor.

83. A bathing system comprising:

a. a plurality of components;

b. a controller in communication with the plurality of components, said controller comprising;

i. a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, each measurement being indicative of the electrical current being drawn by a respective bathing unit component when in the actuated state;

ii. sensing circuitry adapted for obtaining measurements associated to respective components in the plurality of components, at least some measurements being indicative of current measurements;

iii. a processing unit in communication with said memory unit and with said sensing circuit, said processing unit being adapted for;

1. modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit;

2. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part on the basis of measurements stored on the memory unit.

84. A system as defined in claim 83, wherein said plurality of components includes components selected from the set consisting of bathing unit components, fuses and relays.

85. A system as defined in claim 84, wherein said system comprises an output device for conveying information identifying the set of components potentially causing the abnormal operational condition of the bathing system.

86. A system as defined in claim 83, wherein said controller further comprising;

a. a port for receiving a signal conveying measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions;

b. said processing unit being adapted for modifying the measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system stored in said memory unit on the basis of said signal.

87. A controller as defined in claim 86, wherein said port includes a wireless interface.

88. A controller as defined in claim 86, wherein said port includes a wire-line interface.

89. A controller as defined in claim 83, wherein said processing unit is adapted for acquiring a self-programming state, in the self-programming state said processing unit being operative for:

i. obtaining measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions;

ii. storing the measurements obtained in i. on the memory unit.