Systems and Methods for Controlling Ion Deposition

• US 20100116689A1
• Filed: 11/06/2009
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DBG Group Investments LLC
• Original Assignee: DBG Group Investments LLC
• Inventors: Moyers, Richard, Greene, Tom
• Application Number:
  US12/614,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20100116689A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 205/743
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4606 for producing oligodynamic substances to disinfect the water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/05 Conductivity or salinity
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 35/003 using electrochemical cells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/182 specific anions in water electrochemical analysis G01N27/26; detection of ions by colorimetry G01N31/22

Abstract

The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods of controlling an ion concentration in water, for example, a silver ion concentration. The method of depositing ions in the water includes determining a conductivity level of the water using a reference probe. A power level based on the determined conductivity level is also determined. Power is applied to a deposition probe corresponding to the determined power level using a first electrical circuit, and a concentration of ions are deposited in the water.

Claims

1. A method of depositing ions in water, comprising:

determining a conductivity level of the water using a reference probe;

determining a power level based on the determined conductivity level;

applying power to a deposition probe corresponding to the determined power level using a first electrical circuit; and

depositing a concentration of ions in the water.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

ionizing a silver coating associated with the deposition probe, wherein the ionizing results in depositing a concentration of silver ions in the water.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising maintaining the concentration of silver ions in the water regardless of the determined conductivity level of the water.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising maintaining the concentration of silver ions in the water regardless of a length of the deposition probe.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the conductivity level of the water further comprises:

passing a test current through the reference probe using the electrical circuit;

determining a reference probe resistance based on a reference probe feedback voltage and a reference probe feedback current to the electrical circuit; and

determining the conductivity level based on the reference probe resistance.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

determining a deposition probe resistance based on a deposition probe feedback voltage and a deposition probe feedback current to the electrical circuit; and

comparing the reference probe resistance to the deposition probe resistance to determine a wear level of the deposition probe.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

reversing a polarity of a voltage across the deposition probe when a predetermined time has elapsed.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining that a water flow is present, the water flow resulting from a demand from a washing appliance.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

switching off the current to the deposition probe when the water flow is not present.

10. A system for depositing ions in water, comprising:

a reference probe coupled to an electrical circuit;

a deposition probe coupled to the electrical circuit; and

wherein the electrical circuit comprises a power source, the electrical circuit being operable to;

determine a conductivity level of the water using the reference probe;

determine a power level to deliver to the deposition probe based on the determined conductivity level; and

supply the determined power level to the deposition probe, the power and the water ionizing a material on the deposition probe.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the electrical circuit further comprises:

a switch having a first position and a second position; and

wherein when the switch is in the first position a reference probe current supplies the reference probe, and when the switch is in the second position, the deposition probe current supplies the deposition probe.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the reference probe comprises a non-corrosive metallic material.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the deposition probe comprises a silver coating.

14. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

a flow switch, the flow switch operable to detect a water flow resulting from a demand from a washer appliance, the flow switch further operable to activate the electrical circuit when the water flow is detected.

15. A method of determining wear of a deposition probe, comprising:

determining a deposition probe resistance based on a deposition probe feedback voltage and a deposition probe feedback current to an electrical circuit;

determining if the deposition probe resistance is less than a first predetermined value; and

indicating that the deposition probe has not worn past a first length when the deposition probe resistance is less than the first predetermined value.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

determining if the deposition probe resistance is less than a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being greater than the first predetermined value;

indicating that the deposition probe has worn past the first length when the deposition probe resistance is less than the second predetermined value but greater than the first predetermined value; and

indicating that the deposition probe has worn past a second length when the deposition probe resistance is greater than the second predetermined value, the second length being less than the first length.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

shutting off a power to the deposition probe when the deposition probe resistance is greater than the second predetermined value.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein:

indicating that the deposition probe has not worn past the first length comprises displaying a first color;

indicating that the deposition probe has worn past the first length comprises displaying a second color; and

indicating that the deposition probe has worn past the second length comprises displaying a third color.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

replacing the deposition probe with a new deposition probe; and

indicating that the new deposition probe has not worn past the first length.