Load Sensor Safety Vacuum Release System

• US 20060090255A1
• Filed: 11/01/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fail-Safe LLC
• Inventors: Cohen, Joseph D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,281,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0176 By stopping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6073 Intake mouths for recirculation of fluid in whirlpool baths
• 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

Abstract

A motor with associated load sensor is connected to a circulation pump of a swimming pool circulation system. The load sensor performs the function of a safety vacuum release system by detecting underload of the motor. Underload is now discovered to be reliably indicative of blockage on the intake side of a circulation pump. A switch controlled by the load sensor shuts off the motor in response to a suitable underload. Vacuum on the intake side of the circulation pump neutralizes, thereby freeing a person or object blocking the suction line.

Claims

1. An aquatic facility with safety vacuum release system, comprising:

an aquatic vessel containing a body of water suitable for bathing;

at least one circulation drain near a bottom of said aquatic vessel;

a circulation pump having an intake side for drawing water out of the aquatic vessel and having an output side for directing water back into the aquatic vessel;

a suction line interconnecting said drain and said intake side of said circulation pump;

a return line interconnecting the vessel and said output side of the circulation pump;

an electric motor operating the circulation pump when said motor operates;

means for detecting underload of the electric motor; and

means responsive to the detection of underload for shutting off the motor.

2. The aquatic facility with safety vacuum release system of claim 1, wherein said means for detecting underload of the electric motor is a load sensor.

3. The aquatic facility with safety vacuum release system of claim 1, wherein:

said means for shutting off the motor comprises a switch controller; and

further comprising a means for timing a predetermined period when the motor is shut off and signaling said switch controller to restart the motor after said predetermined period.

4. A method of detecting a suction entrapped blockage at a suction outlet fitting serving the intake side of a circulation pump of an aquatic facility and releasing the blockage, comprising:

powering the circulation pump by an electric motor;

sensing load factor of the electric motor for detection of an underload condition indicative of blockage held by vacuum at a suction outlet fitting;

shutting off the electric motor in response to detection of the underload condition; and

releasing the blockage at the suction outlet fitting by retaining the motor in shut-off status for a time sufficient to allow the vacuum to neutralize.