Programmable temperature control system for pools and spas
First Claim
1. A programmable temperature control system for a pool or spa, comprising:
- a user interface for allowing a user to specify a desired temperature for a pool or spa and a desired time by which the pool or spa is to be heated to the desired temperature;
an actuator interface for controlling a plurality of heat sources;
means for receiving energy cost information; and
a processor in electrical communication with the user interface, the actuator interface, and the means for receiving energy cost information, the processor executing a stored temperature control program for;
estimating for each of the plurality of heat sources an amount of time required by each heat source to heat the pool or spa to the desired temperature;
automatically selecting an optimal heat source from the plurality of heat sources based upon received energy cost information for heating the pool or spa to the desired temperature by the desired time; and
actuating the optimal heat source using the actuator interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for controlling water temperature in a body of water. The temperature control system includes a processor, a user interface for receiving a desired temperature and a desired time for reaching the desired temperature, a sensor interface for receiving sensor information from one or more sensors, and an actuator interface for controlling a plurality of heat sources. The processor determines one or more optimal heat sources for heating the body of water to the desired temperature by the desired time. The processor controls the one or more optimal heat sources through the actuator interface and periodically polls the sensor interface to determine whether changes in the operating environment require additional or alternate heat sources to be activated to ensure that the body of water is heated to the desired temperature by the desired time.
128 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A programmable temperature control system for a pool or spa, comprising:
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a user interface for allowing a user to specify a desired temperature for a pool or spa and a desired time by which the pool or spa is to be heated to the desired temperature; an actuator interface for controlling a plurality of heat sources; means for receiving energy cost information; and a processor in electrical communication with the user interface, the actuator interface, and the means for receiving energy cost information, the processor executing a stored temperature control program for; estimating for each of the plurality of heat sources an amount of time required by each heat source to heat the pool or spa to the desired temperature; automatically selecting an optimal heat source from the plurality of heat sources based upon received energy cost information for heating the pool or spa to the desired temperature by the desired time; and actuating the optimal heat source using the actuator interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification