Controller system for pool and/or spa

• US 6,747,367 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2002
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Balboa Water Group LLC (Helios Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Balboa Instruments Incorporated (Helios Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cline, David J., Otto, Cindy
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr., Gregory J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Polk, Sharon A.
• Application Number:
  US10/066,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20020089236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 449/3, 450/8, 453/8, 450/7, 448/8, 307/116, 307/118, 307/115, 307/11, 361/752
• US Class Current: 307/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0173 Means for preventing injuries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0176 By stopping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5082 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/00 Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes A61H35/00 takes precedence; sprays acting on a body or body part not immersed in water A61H9/00; means for washing bed-ridden persons A61G7/0005; for sub aquatic intestinal cleaning A61M9/00; isolation chambers A61M21/0094; electric or magnetic baths, applying ionised fluids A61N1/44 ; heater for bath tubs F24H1/54
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0263 High current adaptations, e.g. printed high current conductors or using auxiliary non-printed means; Fine and coarse circuit patterns on one circuit board H05K1/0293 takes precedence

Abstract

A control system for a pool and spa. Main line voltage is provided through a single line voltage service and a single ground fault circuit interrupter circuit, facilitating a ground fault test and simplifying installation. The control system acts as a power distribution system for controlling the pool and spa equipment, with a circuit board assembly including individual fuse protection devices and switching circuits. A test algorithm is included, wherein the control system is disabled from normal operation if the GFCI test fails. The pool operator manually enters a water fill command, and the controller system automatically opens the fill valve for a predetermined time interval, and then automatically closes the valve. An emergency disconnect switch is mounted near the bathing area, connected by low voltage wiring to the controller system cabinet. The controller system senses the emergency switch closure and disconnects line voltage to the line voltage loads. The emergency switch closure also remotely induces a ground fault, tripping the GFCI. A sensing circuit allows the controller system to sense the presence of the emergency switch system, and issues a warning and prevents normal operation of the pool and spa system if not connected. A gas pressure sensor monitors the natural gas line, and the heater is disabled and a warning given under low pressure conditions. Abnormal filter backpressure triggers a warning when the filter needs service. A temperature sensor has parallel sensing elements in a common housing to provide separate sensing circuits.

Claims

1. In a spa or swimming pool installation, including a pool water holding structure, a method for releasing water into the water holding structure, comprising:

providing an electrically actuated valve connected to a water supply line for the pool water holding structure of the spa or swimming pool installation, the valve responsive to electrical valve control signals to open and close, wherein the valve in an open state releases water from the water supply line into the water holding structure, and in a closed state prevents water from flowing from the water supply line into the water holding structure;

providing an electronic control system responsive to a user commands through a control panel to generate the valve control signals;

entering a user command through the control panel to actuate the valve;

opening the valve in response to the user command;

automatically closing the valve after a predetermined time has elapsed after opening the valve.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

setting the predetermined time during a programming mode.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

storing in an electronic memory a time value corresponding to the predetermined time.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

automatically closing the valve if the water level reaches an overfill level during the predetermined time.

5. A pool controller system for controlling operation of a pool service system including a water heater, a water filter, and for providing a semi-automated water fill capability, comprising:

an electrically actuated valve connected to a water supply line, the valve responsive to electrical valve control signals to open and close, wherein the valve in an open state releases water from the water supply line into a pool water holding structure, and in a closed state prevents water from flowing from the water supply line into the pool water holding structure;

an electronic controller system for coupling to the water heater and a recirculation pump for controlling operation of the water heater and the recirculation pump and recirculation of water through the water filter and the water heater, said electronic controller system responsive to manually entered user commands through a control panel to generate the valve control signals, the controller system for actuating the fill valve to the open state in response to a predetermined user fill command, and for automatically closing the valve upon elapsement of a predetermined fill time interval to provide the semi-automated water fill capability.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the controller is further responsive to user commands manually entered through a control panel for setting the fill time interval.

7. In a spa or swimming pool installation, including a water holding structure, a method for releasing water into the water holding structure, comprising:

manually entering a water fill command for the spa or swimming pool installation through an electronic control panel connected to an electronic control system to actuate a water supply valve connected to a water supply line for the water holding structure of the spa or swimming pool installation;

electrically opening the valve in response to the user command to release water into the water holding structure; and

automatically closing the valve in response to electrical signals from the electronic control signal after a predetermined time interval has elapsed after opening the valve.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

manually setting the predetermined time interval during a programming mode.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

storing in an electronic memory a time value corresponding to the predetermined time interval.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

automatically closing the valve if the water level reaches an overfill level during the predetermined time interval.

11. In a spa or swimming pool installation, including a water holding structure, a method for replenishing water in the water holding structure, comprising:

in response to a user identification of a low water condition in the water holding structure, electronically actuating a water supply valve connected to a water supply line to release water into the water holding structure of the spa or swimming pool installation;

automatically closing the valve after a predetermined time interval has elapsed after actuating the valve.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

manually setting the predetermined time interval during a programming mode.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

storing in an electronic memory a time value corresponding to the predetermined time interval.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

automatically closing the valve if the water level reaches an overfill level during the predetermined time interval.

15. A pool or spa service system for providing a semi-automated water fill capability to replenish water in the pool or spa, comprising:

an electrically actuated valve connected to a water supply line connected to the pool or spa, the valve responsive to electrical valve control signals to open and close, wherein the valve in an open state releases water from the water supply line into the pool or spa, and in a closed state prevents water from flowing from the water supply line into the pool or spa;

an electronic controller system responsive to manually entered user commands through a control panel to generate the valve control signals, the controller system actuating the fill valve to the open state in response to a predetermined user fill command, and automatically closing the valve upon elapsement of a predetermined fill time interval to provide the semi-automated water fill capability.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller system is further responsive to user commands manually entered through a control panel for setting the fill time interval.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller system further comprises:

an electronic memory for storing a time value corresponding to the predetermined time interval.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the control panel includes a user-actuated button to enter the user commands, and the controller system monitors a state of the button to detect user actuations.