Chlorinators and Replaceable Cell Cartridges Therefor

• US 20130105372A1
• Filed: 07/30/2012
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Patrick, Carter, James, Sawyer, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 10,156,081 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/94
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4674 with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4615 Time
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/245 Fluorine; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 15/02 Process control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/00 Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1281 Devices for distributing chemical products in the water of swimming pools

Abstract

A chlorinator system for pools or spas is disclosed. The chlorinator system includes a replaceable chlorinator cell cartridge having built in sensors, switches, and custom connections. The chlorinator system includes a controller, a chlorinator, a replaceable cell cartridge, and compression fittings for connecting the chlorinator to piping of a pool or spa system. The cartridge includes a body, a bi-directional flow switch, a connector plug, a lid, a printed circuit board, which includes non-volatile memory, and electrically-charged plates or blades.

Claims

1. A replaceable cartridge for a chlorinator, comprising:

a cartridge body having a plurality of electrically-charged plates; and

a printed circuit board in electrical communication with said electrically-charged plates, said printed circuit board including a non-volatile memory for storing information relating to operation of the replaceable cartridge.

2. The replaceable cartridge of claim 1, wherein said printed circuit board includes a microprocessor in electrical communication with said non-volatile memory.

3. The replaceable cartridge of claim 2, further comprising a cartridge cap connected to said cartridge body, said cartridge cap including said printed circuit board.

4. The replaceable cartridge of claim 3, further comprising a cartridge cover connected to said cartridge cap, said cartridge cover including a locking key and an electrical connector in communication with said printed circuit board.

5. The replaceable cartridge of claim 4, further comprising at least one sensor connected to said printed circuit board, said at least one sensor sensing a parameter relating to the operation of the replaceable cartridge.

6. The replaceable cartridge of claim 5, further comprising a bi-directional paddle and a reed switch in electrical communication with said printed circuit board, said bi-directional paddle in communication with said reed switch to detect fluid flow through the replaceable cartridge.

7. The replaceable cartridge of claim 6, further comprising a ferromagnetic slug and a centering magnet having magnetic attraction to said slug, such that in the absence of fluid flow through the replaceable cartridge, said slug is attracted to said centering magnet.

8. The replaceable cartridge of claim 7, wherein when fluid flows through the replaceable cartridge, the magnetic attraction between said slug and said centering magnet is broken.

9. The replaceable cartridge of claim 8, wherein said reed switch is a hall effect sensor.

10. The replaceable cartridge of claim 8, wherein the cartridge cap includes a plug in communication with said cartridge cover and said printed circuit board.

11. A chlorinator comprising;

a body installable inline with a piping of a pool or a spa system; and

a replaceable cartridge receivable within said body, said replaceable cartridge having a cartridge body having a plurality of electrically-charged plates and a printed circuit board in electrical communication with said electrically-charged plates, said printed circuit board including a non-volatile memory for storing information relating to operation of said replaceable cartridge.

12. The chlorinator of claim 11, wherein said body includes a cartridge port for receiving said replaceable cartridge, a first flow port at one end of said body, and a second flow port at an opposite end of said body.

13. The chlorinator of claim 12, wherein said one end of said body includes a first compression fitting securable to a first pipe segment of a pool or a spa system, and said opposite end of said body includes a second compression fitting securable to a second pipe segment of a pool or a spa system.

14. The chlorinator of claim 13, wherein said first compression fitting includes a first nut, a first compression ring, a first collar, and a first face sealing gasket, and said second compression fitting includes a second nut, a second compression ring, a second collar, and a second face sealing gasket.

15. The chlorinator of claim 14, wherein said first compression ring surrounds the first pipe segment.

16. The chlorinator of claim 15, wherein said body includes a flow guide for guiding fluid passing through said body.

17. The chlorinator of claim 16, wherein a portion of said body is transparent.

18. The chlorinator of claim 16, wherein a portion of said body is translucent.

19. The chlorinator of claim 16, wherein said printed circuit board includes a microprocessor in electrical communication with said non-volatile memory.

20. The chlorinator of claim 19, further comprising a cartridge cap connected to said cartridge body, said cartridge cap including said printed circuit board.