Influent blockage detection system

• US 6,342,841 B1
• Filed: 04/09/1999
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stingl Products LLC
• Original Assignee: O.I.A., LLC
• Inventors: Stingl, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US09/288,955
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 340/626, 340/627, 340/614, 340/606, 340/611, 417/44.2
• US Class Current: 340/626
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0176 By stopping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/60 Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00 plumbing E03C1/00

Abstract

A microcontroller establishes normal operation and vacuuming operation profiles of time and vacuum for a pool or spa circulating pump. A user slightly adjusts the levels of vacuum within a predetermined range for storing a vacuum profile envelope within the memory for a normal pump circulating operation and a vacuum profile envelope within the memory for a vacuuming operation. A comparator compares actual inputs of time-from-start and pump vacuum with the normal operation envelope during normal operation of the circulating pump. The comparator compares real time inputs of the sensed vacuum and the time-from-start when the controller is in the vacuuming mode with the vacuuming envelope stored in the memory. Deviations of the sensed pressures from the envelope cause pump shutdown and alarm activation. A calibration switch is positioned inside a locked weatherproof control enclosure. That switch must be pressed before a pump start switch is started for normal circulating operations, or a vacuum switch is pushed for a pool or spa vacuuming operation. During or after the automatic calibration, variations of expanding or shrinking a deviation envelope may be controlled by switches before the calibration switch is deactivated. Lights blink with sequences to indicate selected vacuum levels, and the levels are displayed on an alphanumeric display. An auto restart switch is also located inside the locked control enclosure for allowing the system to automatically close the power relay and restart the pump after power outages.

Claims

1. A pool, spa or whirlpool bath circulating pump shut-off assembly comprising a water-circulating pump, a pump relay connected to a power sources, pump power lines connected to the pump relay and the pump for operating the pump, a sensor connected to the pump for sensing change in fluid pressure at a suction or discharge of the pump, a processor having a memory connected to the sensor for storing calibration signals from the sensor upon starting and operating the pump during calibration, and a comparator in the processor for comparing real time signals from the sensor with the stored calibration signals, the pump relay connected to the processor for operating the relay for shutting off the pump in response to substantial differences in real time and stored signals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a range spreading input connected to the processor for increasing range of pressure beyond the stored calibration signals within predetermined limits.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display connected to the processor for displaying condition of the processor and level of the stored calibration signals.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a start switch and a pool vacuuming switch separately connected to the processor for starting the pump in a circulating mode and in a pool vacuuming mode, a calibration switch connected to the processor for placing the processor in a calibration mode before operating the start switch or the pool vacuuming switch, a memory connected to the processor for separately storing profiles of times from start and pressures after selection of the calibration mode and during operation of the pump following activation of the start switch or activation of the pool cleaning switch.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a locked weatherproof control enclosure, and wherein the calibration switch is mounted within the locked control enclosure and the start switch and pool cleaning switch are activatable from an outside of the locked control enclosure.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor controls the alarm relay to periodically activate the alarm after activation of the pool vacuuming switch.

7. Pump control switch apparatus for a pool, spa or whirlpool bath comprising a pump motor relay, a control connected to the pump motor relay, a processor connected to the control, a memory connected to the processor, a vacuum sensor having an input connected to a suction side of a pump and having an output connected to the processor, a timer connected to the processor, a start switch for starting the pump, a calibration switch connected to the processor for starting a calibration sequence wherein the processor records in the memory inputs from the timer and vacuum sensor during normal operation of the pump, and a comparator connected to the processor for comparing real time inputs to the processor from the timer and the sensor with inputs from the timer and sensor stores during calibration, an alarm relay connected to the processor, the processor connected to the pump relay and the alarm relay for operating the pump relay to turn off the pump, and operating the alarm relay and turn on the alarm.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a pool vacuuming switch separately connected to the processor for starting the pump in a circulating mode and in a pool vacuuming mode, a calibration switch connected to the processor for placing the processor in a calibration mode before operating the start switch or the pool vacuuming switch, a memory connected to the processor for separately storing profiles of times from start and pressures after selection of the calibration mode and during operation of the pump following activation of the start switch or activation of the pool cleaning switch.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor controls the alarm relay to periodically activate the alarm after activation of the pool vacuuming switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a locked weatherproof control enclosure, and wherein the calibration switch is mounted within the locked weatherproof control enclosure and the start switch and pool cleaning switch are activatable from an outside of the locked control enclosure.

11. Pool, spa or whirlpool bath water circulating pump control apparatus comprising:

a water-holding body;

a water inlet and a water outlet connected to the body;

a water return pipe connected to the water outlet;

a suction pipe connected to the water inlet;

a filter connected to the one of the pipes;

a circulating pump having a suction side connected to the suction pipe and having a discharge side connected to the return pipe;

a pressure sensor connected to the suction side of the pump or to the suction pipe for sensing pressure therein;

a normally open pump relay having first and second power terminals and an energizing terminal;

electric power lines connected to the first power terminals of the pump relay;

pump power lines connected to the pump and connected to second power terminals of the pump relay;

a transformer having a low voltage output and having a high voltage input connected to the power lines;

an alarm relay having an energizing terminal and first and second power terminals;

the first power terminals of the alarm relay connected to the transformer;

an alarm connected to the second power terminals of the alarm relay;

a direct current power supply connected to the transformer;

a microcontroller connected to the power supply, to the pressure sensor, to the pump relay and to the alarm relay;

a timer connected to the microcontroller;

a memory in the microcontroller recording a profile of times from the timer and pressures from the sensor;

an on-off switch connected to the microprocessor for turning the microprocessor off or on;

a start switch connected to the microcontroller for starting the microcontroller in pump circulating condition for energizing the pump relay to operate the pump;

a vacuum cleaning switch connected to the microcontroller for setting the microcontroller in vacuum cleaning condition and for energizing the pump relay for closing the pump relay and operating the pump;

a calibration switch connected to the microcontroller for reprogramming the memory in the microcontroller separately during normal circulating operating and during vacuum cleaning operation of the circulating pump and for storing a profile of sensed pressures and times; and

a comparator in the microcontroller for comparing present line of operation and pressure with times and pressures stored in the memory for actuating the microcontroller upon substantial differences for energizing the alarm relay and deenergizing the pump relay for respectively turning on the alarm and turning off the pump.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a locked weatherproof control enclosure, and wherein the calibration switch is mounted within the locked weatherproof control enclosure and the start switch and pool cleaning switch are attractable from an outside of the locked control enclosure.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor controls the alarm relay to periodically activate the alarm after activation of the pool vacuuming switch.

14. A method of controlling a pool or spa circulating pump, comprising operating the circulating pump, sensing vacuum on a suction side of the pump, signaling that sensed vacuum to a microcontroller, activating a calibration mode of the microcontroller and storing operating signals from the sensor in a memory associated with the microcontroller, comparing stored signals in the memory, sensing real time signals by sensing operating vacuum on the suction side of the pump during later operating of the pump and providing real time signals from the sensed operating vacuum to the microcontroller, comparing the real time signals with the stored signals in the microprocessor, and stopping the circulating pump upon significant deviation of the real time signals from the stored signals.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising vacuuming the pool or spa with the pump, sensing vacuum on the pump during the vacuuming, storing the signals as vacuuming calibration signals related to the sensed vacuum during vacuuming in the memory, providing real time vacuuming signals to the microcontroller during later pool or spa vacuuming operations, comparing the real time vacuuming signals to the stored calibration signals and stopping the pump upon experiencing significant deviation of the real time vacuuming signals from the stored vacuuming signals.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the stopping of the pump comprises deenergizing and opening a normally open relay which closes for supplying operating energy to the pump.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the storing of operating signals and the storing of vacuuming signals further comprise storing a profile of operating signals and a profile of vacuuming signals compared to time-from-pump-start, and wherein the comparing comprises comparing real time vacuum signals and time-from-start with the stored profiles.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing the processor memory and comparator in a locked control enclosure, controlling calibration with a calibration switch from inside the locked enclosure, and controlling pump starting and vacuuming with switches on an outside of the locked enclosure.

19. A pool, spa or whirlpool bath circulating pump shut-off assembly comprising a pool, spa or whirlpool water-circulating pump, a suction line and a discharge line connected to the pump, a pump power source, a pump relay connected to the pump power source, pump power lines connected to the pump relay and to the pump for operating the pump, a pressure sensor connected to the suction line or the discharge line for sensing fluid pressures and for producing sensed pressure signals related to the sensed pressures, a processor having a memory connected to the sensor for storing the sensed pressure signals from the pressure sensor upon starting and operating the pump, and a comparator in the processor for comparing real time sensed pressure signals from the sensor with the stored sensed pressure signals, the pump relay connected to the processor for operating the relay for shutting off the pump in response to substantial differences in the real time sensed pressure signals and the stored sensed pressure signals.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising range spreading inputs connected to the processor for changing sensitivity range of the comparator to the real time sensed pressure signals beyond the stored sensed pressure signals within predetermined limits.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a display connected to the processor for displaying condition of the processor.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a start switch and a bypass switch separately connected to the processor for operating the processor in a circulating mode or in a pool vacuuming mode.

23. Pump control apparatus for a pool, spa or whirlpool bath comprising a pool, spa or whirlpool bath pump motor relay, a control connected to the pump motor relay, a processor connected to the control, a memory connected to the processor, a vacuum sensor having a sensing input connected to a suction side of a pool, spa or whirlpool bath pump and having a sensed vacuum signal output connected to the processor, a timer connected to the processor, a start switch for starting the pump, wherein the processor stores in the memory time inputs from the timer and sensed vacuum signal inputs from the vacuum sensor during normal operation of the pump, and a comparator connected to the processor for comparing real time sensed vacuum signal inputs to the processor from the vacuum sensor with inputs from the timer and the stored sensed vacuum signal inputs, an alarm relay connected to the processor, the processor connected to the pump relay and the alarm relay for operating the pump relay for turning off the pump, and operating the alarm relay for turning on the alarm.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a pool vacuuming switch connected to the processor for operating the processor in a pool vacuuming mode.

25. Pools, spa or whirlpool bath water circulating pump control apparatus comprising:

a water holding pool, spa or whirlpool body;

a water inlet and a water outlet connected to the body;

a water return pipe connected to the water outlet;

a suction pipe connected to the water inlet;

a filter connected to the one of the pipes;

a pool, spa or whirlpool circulating pump having a suction side connected to the suction pipe and having a discharge side connected to the return pipe;

a pressure sensor connected to the suction side of the pump or to the suction pipe for sensing pressure therein and for producing pressure signals;

a pump relay having first and second power terminals and an energizing terminal;

electric power lines connected to the first power terminals of the pump relay;

pump power lines connected to the pump and connected to second power terminals of the pump relay;

a transformer having a low voltage output and having a high voltage input connected to the power lines;

an alarm relay having an energizing terminal and first and second power terminals;

the first power terminals of the alarm relay connected to the transformer;

an alarm connected to the second power terminals of the alarm relay;

a direct current power supply connected to the low voltage output of the transformer;

a microprocessor connected to the power supply, to the pressure sensor, to the pump relay and to the alarm relay;

a timer connected to the microprocessor;

a memory in the microprocessor for storing pressure signals from the sensor;

an on-off switch connected to the microprocessor for turning the microprocessor off or on;

a start switch connected to the microprocessor for starting the microprocessor in pump circulating condition for energizing the pump relay to operate the pump;

a vacuum cleaning switch connected to the microprocessor for setting the microprocessor in vacuum cleaning condition;

a comparator in the microprocessor for comparing present pressure signals from the sensor with the pressure signals stored in the memory for actuating the microprocessor upon substantial differences for energizing the alarm relay and deenergizing the pump relay for respectively turning on the alarm and turning off the pump.

26. A method of controlling a pool or spa circulating pump, comprising operating the pool or spa circulating pump, sensing vacuum on a suction side of the pump, signaling that sensed vacuum as sensed vacuum signals to a processor, storing the sensed vacuum Signals in a memory associated with the microprocessor, sensing operating vacuum on the suction side of the pump during later operating of the pump and providing real time vacuum signals from the sensed operating vacuum to the microprocessor, comparing the real time vacuum signals with the stored vacuum signals in the microprocessor, and stopping the circulating pump upon significant deviation of the real time vacuum signals from the stored vacuum signals.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising vacuuming the pool or spa with the pump, sensing vacuum on the suction side of the pump during the vacuuming and producing sensed vacuuming signals, storing the sensed vacuuming signals as vacuuming calibration signals in the memory, providing real time vacuuming signals to the microprocessor during later pool or spa vacuuming operations, comparing the real time vacuuming signals to the stored vacuuming calibration signals and stopping the pump upon experiencing significant deviation of the real time vacuuming signals from the stored vacuuming signals.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the storing of the sensed vacuum signals and the storing of the vacuuming signals further comprise storing a profile of sensed vacuum operating signals and a profile of vacuuming signals compared to time-from-pump-start, and wherein the comparing comprises comparing the real time vacuum signals and the real time vacuuming signals with the stored profiles.