# US 11,720,085 B2 · Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment

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- Number: US 11,720,085 B2
- Document ID: US11720085B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/905,661
- Filed: 2020-06-18
- Published: 2020-10-08
- Granted: 2023-08-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-01-22
- Assignees: Hayward Industries, Inc.
- Applicants: Hayward Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: William Roy; Vance Willis; Benjamin Corn; James Murdock
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11720085B2

## CPC

- G05B 15/02: electric
- G05B 19/416: characterised by control of velocity, acceleration or deceleration (G05B19/19 takes precedence)
- 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})
- E04H 4/12: Devices or arrangements for circulating water {, i.e. devices for removal of polluted water, cleaning baths or for water treatment}
- G01F 1/06: using rotating vanes with tangential admission
- G01F 15/061: for remote indication
- G01K 3/005: {Circuits arrangements for indicating a predetermined temperature (fire detection G08B17/00)}
- G01L 13/00: Devices or apparatus for measuring differences of two or more fluid pressure values
- G01L 19/086: {for remote indication}
- G01R 19/16571: {comparing AC or DC current with one threshold, e.g. load current, over-current, surge current or fault current (G01R19/16514, G01R19/16519, G01R19/16528, G01R19/16533, G01R19/1659 take precedence; measuring currents by using elements sensitive to the magnetic field generated G01R15/14; measuring earth resistance G01R27/18; testing for leakage or short circuits in electrical apparatus G01R31/52)}
- G08C 17/02: using a radio link
- A61H 2201/0221: Mechanism for heating or cooling
- A61H 2201/5012: using the internet
- A61H 2201/5035: Several programs selectable
- A61H 2201/5043: Displays
- A61H 2201/5071: Pressure sensors
- A61H 2201/5082: Temperature sensors
- A61H 2201/5087: Flow rate sensors
- A61H 2201/5097: wireless
- E04H 4/129: {Systems for heating the water content of swimming pools (solar collectors using pools F24S10/17, F24S10/10; by solar radiation F24S20/02)}
- E04H 4/1654: {Self-propelled cleaners}
- G05B 2219/25168: Domotique, access through internet protocols
- G05B 2219/37371: Flow
- G05B 2219/50333: Temperature
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D)
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)
- G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G)

## Abstract

Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for monitoring and controlling operation of a heating system comprising:
a first pressure sensor configured to measure exhaust pressure of a venting system of the heating system;
a second pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of natural gas into the heating system;
a current sensor configured to measure current of an electric motor of the heating system;
a flow sensor configured to measure a flow rate of water into the heating system; and
a control subsystem configured to:
compare each of the measurements of the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, the current sensor, and the flow sensor with at least one of a plurality of measurement thresholds,
compare a determined difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system and a last recorded determined difference, and
control operation of the heating system based on at least one of the comparisons.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a minimum pressure threshold,
determines whether the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold, and
transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is less than the minimum pressure threshold.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a minimum pressure threshold,
determines whether the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold,
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a maximum pressure threshold when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold, and
transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the maximum pressure threshold.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a minimum pressure threshold,
determines whether the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold,
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a maximum pressure threshold when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold,
determines the difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and the stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is less than the maximum pressure threshold, and
controls operation of the heating system based on at least one of the comparison between the determined difference and the last recorded determined difference and the determined difference relative to at least one of a plurality of predetermined pressure thresholds.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the control subsystem transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the determined difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and the stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the last recorded difference and the determined difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and the stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system exceeds a predetermined high pressure threshold.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured current of the electric motor of the heating system and a minimum current threshold,
determines whether the measured current of the electric motor of the heating system is greater than the minimum current threshold, and
transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the measured current of the electric motor of the heating system is less than the minimum current threshold.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured current of the electric motor of the heating system and a minimum current threshold,
determines whether the measured current of the electric motor of the heating system is greater than the minimum current threshold,
compares the measured current of the electric motor of the heating system and a maximum current threshold when the measured current of the electric motor of the heating system is greater than the minimum current threshold, and
transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the measured current of the electric motor of the heating system is greater than the maximum current threshold.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured flow rate of water into the heating system and a minimum flow rate threshold,
determines whether the measured flow rate of water into the heating system is greater than the minimum flow rate threshold, and
transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the measured flow rate of water into the heating system is less than the minimum flow rate threshold.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured pressure of natural gas into the heating system and a minimum pressure threshold,
determines whether the measured pressure of the natural gas into the heating system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold, and
transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the measured pressure of the natural gas into the heating system is less than the minimum pressure threshold.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device positioned between the control subsystem and at least one of the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, the current sensor and the flow sensor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the control subsystem
generates a graphic user interface, the graphic user interface being displayed on at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and comprising a plurality of input fields for configuring at least one of a temperature threshold of a pool or spa, an energy consumption threshold of the pool or spa, and the temperature threshold of the pool or spa relative to the energy consumption threshold of the pool or spa, and
transmits an alert when at least one of the temperature threshold of the pool or spa is exceeded, the energy consumption threshold of the pool or spa is exceeded, and the temperature threshold of the pool or spa relative to the energy consumption threshold of the pool or spa is exceeded, the alert being transmitted to and displayed by at least one of the display of the heating system and the remote device.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the alert can be at least one of an energy consumption report, an estimated utility bill and an override command.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a removable memory module, the removable memory module being configured to
store the measurements of the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, the current sensor, the flow sensor and the plurality of measurement thresholds, and
store a diagnostic history of the heating system based on a least one of the comparisons of the measurements of the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, the current sensor, and the flow sensor with the plurality of measurement thresholds.

### Claim 14

A system for monitoring and controlling a heating system comprising:
a first pressure sensor configured to measure exhaust pressure of a venting system of the heating system;
a second pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of natural gas into the heating system;
a current sensor configured to measure current of an electric motor of the heating system;
a flow sensor configured to measure a flow rate of water into the heating system; and
a control subsystem configured to:
compare each of the measurements of the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, the current sensor, and the flow sensor with at least one of a plurality of measurement thresholds,
compare a determined difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system and a last recorded determined difference, and
control operation of the heating system based on at least one of the comparisons by transmitting a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminating operation of the heating system.

### Claim 15

A system for detecting a change in performance of a venting system of a heating system comprising:
a pressure sensor configured to measure an exhaust pressure of the venting system, and
a control subsystem configured to
determine a difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system,
compare the determined difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and the stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system and a last recorded determined difference, and
control operation of the heating system based on at least one of the comparison and the determined difference relative to at least one of a plurality of predetermined pressure thresholds.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a minimum pressure threshold,
determines whether the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold, and
transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is less than the minimum pressure threshold.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a minimum pressure threshold,
determines whether the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold,
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a maximum pressure threshold when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold, and
transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the maximum pressure threshold.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the control subsystem
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a minimum pressure threshold,
determines whether the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold,
compares the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and a maximum pressure threshold when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the minimum pressure threshold, and
determines the difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and the stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system when the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system is less than the maximum pressure threshold.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the control subsystem transmits a diagnostic message to at least one of a display of the heating system and a remote device and terminates operation of the heating system when the determined difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and the stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system is greater than the last recorded difference and the determined difference between the measured exhaust pressure of the venting system and the stored last recorded measurement of the exhaust pressure of the venting system exceeds a predetermined high pressure threshold.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, further comprising at least one polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device positioned between the control subsystem and the first pressure sensor.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first pressure sensor is configured to measure an exhaust pressure differential between a vent pipe and an exhaust vent of the venting system of the heating system.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the system determines a speed of the electric motor of the heating system.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The system of claim 22, wherein the current sensor is configured to measure the current of the electric motor of the heating system relative to the speed of the electric motor determined by the system.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, comprising a third pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure differential between pressure of water at an inlet of the heating system and pressure of water at an outlet of the heating system.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of one or more of a water inlet, a water outlet, and the venting system of the heating system.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The system of claim 25, wherein the system determines a temperature profile of the heating system based on one or more of the water inlet temperature, the water outlet temperature, and the venting system temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the heating system automatically decreases an initial temperature setpoint of the heating system when a current outdoor temperature is above a maximum outdoor temperature setpoint.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The system of claim 27, wherein the heating system automatically increases the initial temperature setpoint of the heating system when the current outdoor temperature is below a minimum outdoor temperature setpoint.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The system of claim 28, wherein the initial temperature setpoint of the heating system, the maximum outdoor temperature setpoint, and the minimum outdoor temperature setpoint are configurable by a user by way of one or more interface screens generated by the heating system.