Programmable aerator cooling system

• US 20070233420A1
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Potucek, Kevin, Conover, Gilbert, Brunetti, Carl
• Application Number:
  US11/704,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233420A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/130
• 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: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1923 using thermal energy, the cost of which varies in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1931 to control the temperature of one space

Abstract

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.

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.