Bathing system controller having abnormal operational condition identification capabilities

• US 20070200698A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Inventors: Brochu, Christian, Gougerot, Florent, Authier, Michel, Gaudreau, Daniel, Nollet, Louis, Hardy, Martin, Laflamme, Benoit
• Granted Patent: US 7,701,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• 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 processing unit for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system. In response to detection of an abnormal operational condition, the processing unit causes a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) associated to the bathing system to trip. In a first example, the controller includes a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by respective bathing unit components under normal operating conditions. The processing unit is adapted for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part based on measurements stored on the memory unit. In a second example, the controller includes a plurality of actuators associated to respective bathing unit components operative for causing bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state. The processing unit is adapted for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with one or more actuators in the plurality of actuators.

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 controller being suitable for establishing a connection with a power source through a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), said controller comprising:

a. a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, at least some measurements being indicative of electrical currents being drawn by respective bathing unit components when in the actuated state;

b. a processing unit adapted for;

i. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system at least in part based on measurements stored on the memory unit and on at least one actual current measurement;

ii. in response to detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system, causing the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip.

2. 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.

3. A controller as defined in claim 2, wherein the plurality of actuators includes a relay.

4. A controller as defined in claim 2, 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.

5. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises a circuit responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system for causing the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip.

6. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein said circuit responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition is operative for inducing a current leakage to ground.

7. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein the set of bathing unit components includes at least one bathing unit component selected from the set consisting of a heating module, a pump, an ozonator, a CD player and an air blower.

8. 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.

9. A controller as defined in claim 1, 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.

10. A controller as defined in claim 9, wherein said output module includes a transmitter operative to transmit a signal conveying a abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

11. 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, the controller being suitable for establishing a connection with a power source through a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), said controller comprising:

a. a plurality of actuators associated to respective bathing unit components, during normal operational conditions the actuators being operative for causing bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state;

b. a processing unit in communication with the plurality of actuators, said processing unit being operative for;

i. 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;

ii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with an actuator in the plurality of actuators;

iii. in response to detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with an actuator in the plurality of actuators, causing the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip.

12. A controller as defined in claim 11, wherein said controller further comprises a circuit responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the actuator in the plurality of actuators for causing the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip.

13. A controller as defined in claim 12, wherein said circuit responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition is operative for inducing a current leakage to ground.

14. A controller as defined in claim 11, 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.

15. A controller as defined in claim 11, wherein said controller further comprises a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of electrical currents drawn by the bathing system under normal operating conditions, at least some measurements being indicative of the electrical currents being drawn by respective bathing unit components when in the actuated state, said processing unit being 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.

16. A controller as defined in claim 11, wherein said controller further comprises a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of reaction times associated to the actuators in the plurality of actuators, said processing unit being 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 indicative of reaction times stored on the memory unit.

17. A controller as defined in claim 11, wherein said controller further comprises a memory unit adapted for storing measurements indicative of voltages across respective actuators in the plurality of actuators, said processing unit being operative for detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with a given actuator in the plurality of actuators at least in part on the basis of at least one measurement stored on the memory unit indicative of a voltage across the given actuator in the plurality of actuators.

18. A controller as defined in claim 16, wherein the measurements indicative reaction times associated to the actuators in the plurality of actuators include opening reaction times and closing reaction times.

19. A controller as defined in claim 14, wherein the processing unit is adapted for causing the given actuator to acquire the closed status when a voltage across the given actuator is near zero.

20. A controller as defined in claim 14, wherein the processing unit is adapted for causing the given actuator to acquire the closed status when a voltage across the given actuator is near zero.

21. A controller as defined in claim 11, 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.

22. A controller as defined in claim 21, wherein the threshold reaction time is derived at least in part on the basis of measurements obtained and stored on a memory unit.

23. A controller as defined in claim 11, 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.

24. A controller as defined in claim 11, 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.

25. A controller as defined in claim 24, wherein said output module includes a transmitter operative to transmit a signal conveying a abnormal operational condition associated to the bathing system.

26. A controller as defined in claim 25, wherein said transmitter is operative to transmit the signal over a wireless link.

27. A controller as defined in claim 26, wherein the wireless link is a radio frequency (RF) link.

28. A controller as defined in claim 26, wherein the wireless link is an infra-red (IR) link.

29. A method for monitoring a controller of a bathing system, the controller including a plurality of actuators associated to respective bathing unit components, during normal operational conditions, the actuators being operative for causing bathing unit components to acquire either one of an actuated state and a non-actuated state, said method comprising:

a. establishing a connection with a power source through a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI);

b. controlling the 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. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with an actuator in the plurality of actuators;

d. in response to detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with an actuator in the plurality of actuators, causing the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip.

30. A method as defined in claim 29, wherein said method comprises:

a. 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. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with an actuator in the plurality of actuators at least in part on the basis of the measurements indicative of electrical currents stored.

31. A method as defined in claim 29, wherein said method comprises:

a. storing measurements indicative of reaction times associated to the actuators in the plurality of actuators;

b. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with an actuator in the plurality of actuators at least in part on the basis of measurements indicative of the reaction times stored.

32. A method as defined in claim 29, wherein said method comprises:

a. storing measurements indicative of voltages across respective actuators in the plurality of actuators;

b. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with a given actuator in the plurality of actuators at least in part on the basis of at least one measurement stored on the memory unit indicative of a voltage across the given actuator in the plurality of actuators.

33. A method as defined in claim 31, wherein the measurements indicative reaction times associated to the actuators in the plurality of actuators include opening reaction times and closing reaction times.

34. A method as defined in claim 29, said method further comprising:

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.

35. A method as defined in claim 29, said method further comprising:

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.

37. A controller as defined in claim 35, wherein said controller further comprises a circuit responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with the bathing system for causing the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip.

39. A controller as defined in claim 35, wherein the set of bathing unit components includes at least one bathing unit component selected from the set consisting of a pump and an air blower.

36. 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 controller being suitable for establishing a connection with a power source through a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), said controller comprising:

a. a plurality of actuators associated to respective bathing unit components, during normal operational conditions the actuators being operative for causing bathing unit components to acquire either one of the actuated state or the non-actuated state;

b. a processing unit in communication with the plurality of actuators, said processing unit being operative for;

i. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with at least one component in the set of bathing unit components;

ii. in response to detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with at least one component, controlling said plurality of actuators such as to cause the at least one bathing unit component to acquire the non-actuated state;

iii. detecting an abnormal operational condition associated with an actuator in the plurality of actuators;

iv. in response to detection of an abnormal operational condition associated with an actuator in the plurality of actuators, causing the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip.

38. A controller as defined in claim 36, wherein said circuit responsive to the detection of an abnormal operational condition is operative for inducing a current leakage to ground.