System for maintaining pH and sanitizing agent levels of water in a water feature

• US 7,393,450 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halogen Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Michael A. Silveri
• Inventors: Silveri, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Drodge; Joseph W
• Application Number:
  US10/997,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20050137118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,315 Days
• Field of Search: 210 85- 87, 210/96.1, 210/101, 210/103, 210/167.1, 210/167.11, 210/258, 210/416.2, 137/268, 137/572, 137/93, 422/261, 422/264, 422/281, 422/282, 73/10.2, 73/10.3
• US Class Current: 210/85
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/50 by addition or application of a germicide or by oligodynamic treatment C02F1/4606, C02F1/467, C02F1/76 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/66 by neutralisation; pH adjustment for degassing C02F1/20; using ion-exchange C02F1/42; for flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities C02F1/52; for removing dissolved compounds C02F1/58
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/72 by oxidation C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2509 By optical or chemical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4891 With holder for solid, flaky or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86196 Separable with valved-connecting passage

Abstract

A system automatically maintains at least one of a pH level and a sanitizing agent level of water in a water feature. The system includes a sensor assembly responsive to at least one of a pH level of the water and a sanitizing agent level of the water. The system further includes a controller which generates control signals in response to signals from the sensor assembly. The system further includes at least one of a first source containing an sanitizing agent material and a second source containing a pH-modifying material. The system further includes a third source comprising a valve assembly and a third container containing a liquid calibrant material. The valve assembly is responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the calibrant material to flow from the third container through the sensor assembly to the water feature.

Claims

1. A system for automatically maintaining at least one of a pH level and a sanitizing agent level of water in a water feature, the system fluidly coupled to the water feature, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the water feature, the sensor assembly responsive to at least one of a pH level of the water and a sanitizing agent level of the water, the sensor assembly responsive to the pH level by generating a pH signal corresponding to the pH level, the sensor assembly responsive to the sanitizing agent level of the water by generating a sanitization signal corresponding to the sanitizing agent level;

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the controller generating control signals in response to at least one of the pH signal and the sanitization signal;

at least one of a first source and a second source, the first source comprising a first valve assembly and a first container containing an sanitizing agent material, the first valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the first container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the sanitizing agent material to flow from the first container to the water feature,

the second source comprising a second valve assembly and a second container containing a pH-modifying material, the second valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the second container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the pH-modifying material to flow from the second container to the water feature; and

a third source comprising a third valve assembly and a third container containing a liquid calibrant material, the third valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller to selectively switch between a first state in which the third valve assembly allows the calibrant material to flow from the third container through the sensor assembly to the water feature and a second state in which the third valve assembly allows water to flow from water feature through the sensor assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sanitizing agent material is a liquid.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first container comprises a collapsible vessel containing the sanitizing agent material.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sanitizing agent material flows from the first container through the sensor assembly to the water feature.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pH-modifying material is a liquid.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second container comprises a collapsible vessel containing the pH-modifying material.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the pH-modifying material is acidic.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pH-modifying material is alkaline.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the pH-modifying material flows from the second container through the sensor assembly to the water feature.

10. A system for automatically maintaining at least one of a pH level and a sanitizing agent level of water in a water feature, the system fluidly coupled to the water feature, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the water feature, the sensor assembly responsive to at least one of a pH level of the water and a sanitizing agent level of the water, the sensor assembly responsive to the pH level by generating a pH signal corresponding to the pH level, the sensor assembly responsive to the sanitizing agent level of the water by generating a sanitization signal corresponding to the sanitizing agent level;

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the controller generating control signals in response to at least one of the pH signal and the sanitization signal;

at least one of a first source and a second source, wherein;

the first source comprises a first valve assembly and a first container containing a sanitizing agent material, the first valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the first container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the sanitizing agent material to flow from the first container to the water feature, wherein the sanitizing agent material is a dry chemical, and the first valve assembly selectively allows water to flow from the water feature into the first container, to mix with the sanitizing agent material, and to return to the water feature; and

the second source comprises a second valve assembly and a second container containing a pH-modifying material, the second valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the second container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the pH-modifying material to flow from the second container to the water feature; and

a third source comprising a third valve assembly and a third container containing a liquid calibrant material, the third valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the calibrant material to flow from the third container through the sensor assembly to the water feature.

11. A system for automatically maintaining at least one of a pH level and a sanitizing agent level of water in a water feature, the system fluidly coupled to the water feature, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the water feature, the sensor assembly responsive to at least one of a pH level of the water and a sanitizing agent level of the water, the sensor assembly responsive to the pH level by generating a pH signal corresponding to the pH level, the sensor assembly responsive to the sanitizing agent level of the water by generating a sanitization signal corresponding to the sanitizing agent level;

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the controller generating control signals in response to at least one of the pH signal and the sanitization signal;

at least one of a first source and a second source, wherein;

the first source comprises a first valve assembly and a first container containing a sanitizing agent material, the first valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the first container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the sanitizing agent material to flow from the first container to the water feature, wherein the sanitizing agent material is a liquid, wherein the first valve assembly is fluidly coupled to air, and wherein the first valve assembly selectively allows air to flow into the first container; and

the second source comprises a second valve assembly and a second container containing a pH-modifying material, the second valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the second container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the pH-modifying material to flow from the second container to the water feature; and

a third source comprising a third valve assembly and a third container containing a liquid calibrant material, the third valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the calibrant material to flow from the third container through the sensor assembly to the water feature.

12. A system for automatically maintaining at least one of a pH level and a sanitizing agent level of water in a water feature, the system fluidly coupled to the water feature, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the water feature, the sensor assembly responsive to at least one of a pH level of the water and a sanitizing agent level of the water, the sensor assembly responsive to the pH level by generating a pH signal corresponding to the pH level, the sensor assembly responsive to the sanitizing agent level of the water by generating a sanitization signal corresponding to the sanitizing agent level;

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the controller generating control signals in response to at least one of the pH signal and the sanitization signal;

at least one of a first source and a second source, wherein;

the first source comprises a first valve assembly and a first container containing a sanitizing agent material, the first valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the first container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the sanitizing agent material to flow from the first container to the water feature; and

the second source comprises a second valve assembly and a second container containing a pH-modifying material, the second valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the second container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the pH-modifying material to flow from the second container to the water feature, wherein the pH-modifying material is a dry chemical, and the second valve assembly selectively allows water to flow from the water feature into the second container, to mix with the pH-modifying material, and to return to the water feature; and

a third source comprising a third valve assembly and a third container containing a liquid calibrant material, the third valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the calibrant material to flow from the third container through the sensor assembly to the water feature.

13. A system for automatically maintaining at least one of a pH level and a sanitizing agent level of water in a water feature, the system fluidly coupled to the water feature, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the water feature, the sensor assembly responsive to at least one of a pH level of the water and a sanitizing agent level of the water, the sensor assembly responsive to the pH level by generating a pH signal corresponding to the pH level, the sensor assembly responsive to the sanitizing agent level of the water by generating a sanitization signal corresponding to the sanitizing agent level;

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the controller generating control signals in response to at least one of the pH signal and the sanitization signal;

at least one of a first source and a second source, wherein;

the first source comprises a first valve assembly and a first container containing a sanitizing agent material, the first valve assembly assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the first container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the sanitizing agent material to flow from the first container to the water feature; and

the second source comprises a second valve assembly and a second container containing a pH-modifying material, the second valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the second container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the pH-modifying material to flow from the second container to the water feature, wherein the pH-modifying material is a liquid, wherein the second valve assembly is fluidly coupled to air, and wherein the second valve assembly selectively allows air to flow into the second container; and

a third source comprising a third valve assembly and a third container containing a liquid calibrant material, the third valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the calibrant material to flow from the third container through the sensor assembly to the water feature.

14. A system for automatically maintaining at least one of a pH level and a sanitizing agent level of water in a water feature, the system fluidly coupled to the water feature, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the water feature, the sensor assembly responsive to at least one of a pH level of the water and a sanitizing agent level of the water, the sensor assembly responsive to the pH level by generating a pH signal corresponding to the pH level, the sensor assembly responsive to the sanitizing agent level of the water by generating a sanitization signal corresponding to the sanitizing agent level;

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the controller generating control signals in response to at least one of the pH signal and the sanitization signal;

at least one of a first source and a second source, the first source comprising a first valve assembly and a first container containing an sanitizing agent material, the first valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the sanitizing agent material to flow from the first container to the water feature, the second source comprising a second valve assembly and a second container containing a pH-modifying material, the second valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the pH-modifying material to flow from the second container to the water feature;

a third source comprising a third valve assembly and a third container containing a liquid calibrant material, the third valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the calibrant material to flow from the third container through the sensor assembly to the water feature;

a pressure manifold fluidly coupled to the water feature, the first valve assembly, and the second valve assembly; and

a vacuum manifold fluidly coupled to the first valve assembly, the second valve assembly, the third valve assembly, and the sensor assembly.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first valve assembly is fluidly coupled to the second valve assembly, and the second valve assembly is fluidly coupled to the third valve assembly, wherein each of the first valve assembly, the second valve assembly, and the third valve assembly is responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by allowing water to flow from the pressure manifold, through the first, second, and third valve assemblies, to the vacuum manifold.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first valve assembly has a first state in which water is allowed to flow from the pressure manifold into the first container and out to the vacuum manifold, and wherein the first valve assembly has a second state in which water is allowed to flow from the pressure manifold to the second valve assembly.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first valve assembly is responsive to at least a portion of the control signals by switching between the first state and the second state.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the second valve assembly has a first state in which water is allowed to flow from the pressure manifold into the second container and out to the vacuum manifold, and wherein the second valve assembly has a second state in which water is allowed to flow from the first valve assembly to the third valve assembly.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the second valve assembly is responsive to at least a portion of the control signals by switching between the first state and the second state.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the third valve assembly has a first state in which calibrant material is allowed to flow from the third container to the vacuum manifold and water is not allowed to flow from the second valve assembly to the vacuum manifold, and wherein the third valve assembly has a second state in which calibrant material is not allowed to flow from the third container to the vacuum manifold and water is allowed to flow from the second valve assembly to the vacuum manifold.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the third valve assembly is responsive to at least a portion of the control signals by switching between the first state and the second state.

22. The system of claim 14, further comprising a flow switch fluidly coupled to the water feature and to the pressure manifold, the flow switch responsive to a flow rate from the water feature to the pressure manifold by generating a flow signal indicative of the flow rate, the controller responsive to the flow signal.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein the vacuum manifold is fluidly coupled to the water feature through the sensor assembly.

24. A system for automatically maintaining at least one of a pH level and a sanitizing agent level of water in a water feature, the system fluidly coupled to the water feature, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the water feature, the sensor assembly responsive to at least one of a pH level of the water and a sanitizing agent level of the water, the sensor assembly responsive to the pH level by generating a pH signal corresponding to the pH level, the sensor assembly responsive to the sanitizing agent level of the water by generating a sanitization signal corresponding to the sanitizing agent level;

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the controller generating control signals in response to at least one of the pH signal and the sanitization signal;

at least one of a first source and a second source, the first source comprising a first valve assembly and a first container containing a sanitizing agent material, the first valve assembly fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the first container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the sanitizing agent material to flow from the first container to the water feature,

the second source comprising a second valve assembly and a second container containing a pH-modifying material, the second valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller fluidly coupled to selectively allow water from the water feature and selectively allow fluid from the second container to flow through the sensor assembly to the water feature and by selectively allowing the pH-modifying material to flow from the second container to the water feature;

a third source comprising a third valve assembly and a third container containing a liquid calibrant material, the third valve assembly responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the calibrant material to flow from the third container through the sensor assembly to the water feature; and

a venturi tee through which water of the water feature flows, the sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the venturi tee.

25. A sanitization system for automatically controlling the pH level and sanitizing agent level of a water feature, the sanitization system comprising:

a water circulation system in fluid communication with the water feature;

a sanitizing agent source in fluid communication with the water circulation system, the sanitizing agent source comprising a sanitizing agent material;

a pH-modifying material source in fluid communication with the water circulation system, the pH-modifying material source comprising a pH-modifying material;

a sanitizing agent sensor including a probe in fluid contact with water in the water circulation system, the sanitizing agent sensor generating a sanitizing agent output signal indicative of a sanitizing agent level in the water;

a pH sensor including a probe in fluid contact with the water in the water circulation system, the pH sensor generating a pH output signal indicative of a pH level in the water;

the circulation system selectively allowing water from the water feature and selectively allowing fluid from the sanitizing agent source and pH-modifying material source, respectively, to flow to the sanitizing agent sensor and pH sensor, respectively, and to the water feature; and

a calibrant material source in fluid communication with at least one of the sanitizing agent sensor and the pH sensor, the calibrant material source comprising a calibrant material having at least one of a predetermined pH level and a predetermined sanitizing agent level; and

a control system responsive to the sanitizing agent output signal by selectively switching the sanitizing agent source between an active state in which the sanitizing agent source adds sanitizing agent material to the water and an inactive state in which the sanitizing agent source does not add sanitizing agent material to the water so as to maintain the sanitizing agent level within a first preset range,

the control system further responsive to the pH output signal by selectively switching the pH-modifying material source between an active state in which the pH-modifying material source adds pH-modifying material to the water and an inactive state in which the pH-modifying material source does not add pH-modifying material to the water so as to maintain the pH level within a second preset range,

the control system further configured to recalibrate at least one of the sanitizing agent output signal and the pH output signal by selectively switching the calibrant material source between an active state in which the calibrant material source introduces calibrant material to at least one of the sanitizing agent sensor and the pH sensor and an inactive state in which the calibrant material source does not introduce calibrant material to at least one of the sanitizing agent sensor and the pH sensor.

26. The sanitization system of claim 25, wherein the control system calibrates the sanitizing agent output signal received by the control system to be indicative of the predetermined sanitizing agent level while the calibrant material source is in the active state.

27. The sanitization system of claim 26, wherein the predetermined sanitizing agent level is approximately equal to zero.

28. The sanitization system of claim 25, wherein the control system recalibrates the pH output signal received by the control system to be indicative of the predetermined pH level while the calibrant material source is in the active state.

29. The sanitization system of claim 25, further comprising a pressure differential source that maintains a pressure differential between an inlet and an outlet of the sanitizing agent source when the sanitizing agent source is in the active state, the pressure differential causing water to enter the sanitizing agent source through the inlet, to mix with the sanitizing agent material, and to leave the sanitizing agent source through the outlet.

30. The sanitization system of claim 25, further comprising a pressure differential source that maintains a pressure differential between an inlet and an outlet of the pH-modifying material source when the pH-modifying material source is in the active state, the pressure differential causing water to enter the pH-modifying material source through the inlet, to mix with the pH-modifying material, and to leave the pH-modifying material source through the outlet.

31. The sanitization system of claim 25, wherein the calibrant material introduced to at least one of the sanitizing agent sensor and the pH sensor flows into the water feature.

32. A system for measuring a chemical level of water in a water feature, the system fluidly coupled to the water feature, the system comprising:

a sensor assembly fluidly coupled to the water feature, the sensor assembly responsive to the chemical level of the water by generating a signal corresponding to the chemical level;

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor assembly, the controller using a calibration function to calculate the chemical level in response to the signal generated by the sensor assembly, the controller generating a calibrant control signal;

a calibrant source comprising a calibrant material, the calibrant source responsive to the calibrant control signal from the controller to selectively switch between an active state in which the calibrant source allows the calibrant material to flow from the calibrant source to the sensor assembly, and an inactive state in which the calibrant source does not allow the calibrant material to flow from the calibrant source to the sensor assembly.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the chemical level is a sanitizing agent level, the chemical material is a sanitizing agent material, and the sensor assembly is responsive to the sanitizing agent level of the water.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the chemical level is a pH level, the chemical material is a pH-modifying material, and the sensor assembly is responsive to the pH level of the water.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the pH-modifying material is acidic.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the pH-modifying material is alkaline.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein the calibrant material flows from the sensor assembly to the water feature.

38. The system of claim 32, wherein the calibrant source comprises a sensor which generates a signal indicative of an amount of calibrant material in the calibrant source.

39. The system of claim 32, wherein the calibrant source comprises a sensor which generates a signal indicative of an amount of calibrant material which flows out of the calibrant source.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the sensor comprises a flow sensor.

41. The system of claim 32, wherein the calibrant material comprises an aqueous solution of cyanuric acid having a pH level in a range between approximately 6.0 and approximately 7.5.