Method and apparatus for cleaning pools with reduced energy consumption
AssigneeAspen Research Corporation
InventorsS. Jepson Sutton, Sam Sutton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for substantially improving the energy efficiency of swimming pools having in-floor cleaning systems. Comprehensive data is provided demonstrating the improvement in cleaning capacity realized in a typical prior art pool before and after conversion to the present invention. Methods are disclosed for the reallocation of all or a substantial part of the increase in cleaning capacity toward a proportionate reduction in energy consumption by reducing the run time or operating speed of the pool pump motor while maintaining the same or a higher level of cleaning capacity achieved by the prior art.
Claims33
A method for improving the energy efficiency of a swimming pool cleaning system that includes
- (i) a water circulation pump driven by an electric motor, said pump having a pressurized outlet in fluid communication with a filter and a suction inlet in fluid communication with at least one drain in said pool;
- (ii) a multiport water distribution valve controlled by a rotating cam, said distribution valve having an inlet in fluid communication via said filter with the outlet of the pump and having a plurality of outlets for sequentially distributing flow from the inlet;
- (iii) plural sets of popup cleaning heads each of said heads having an inlet in fluid communication with one of the outlets from said distribution valve and further having a jet-forming aperture in fluid communication with an outlet from the head, said heads being mounted in the pool surface and, in response to a flow of water having a predetermined minimum pressure, extending from said surface and directing a jet of water along the adjacent surface of the pool for the purpose of moving debris and suspending particles for incorporation into the return flow to said circulation pump;
- the method including the steps of:
- (a) configuring said cam to generally minimizing the concurrent flow through adjacent outlets of said multi-port distribution valve;
- (b) configuring said cam to generally maximizing the duration and magnitude of pressure delivered to said popup heads when said pressure is above a pre-determined minimum pressure associated with said popup heads;
- and,
- (c) controlling the operation of said motor to generally minimizing the total time, over any 24-hour period, when the pressure delivered to said popup heads exceeds said pre-determined minimum pressure while maintaining movement of debris and suspension of particles from the surfaces of said pool adjacent to said popup heads.
In an improved swimming pool circulation, filtration and cleaning system having
- (i) a water circulation pump driven by an electric motor, said pump having a pressurized outlet in fluid communication with a filter and a suction inlet in fluid communication with at least one drain in said pool;
- (ii) a multiport water distribution valve controlled by a rotating cam, said distribution valve having an inlet in fluid communication via said filter with the outlet of said pump and having a plurality of outlets for sequentially distributing flow from the inlet;
- (iii) plural sets of popup cleaning heads each of said heads having an inlet in fluid communication with one of the outlets from said distribution valve and further having a jet-forming aperture in fluid communication with an outlet from the head, said heads being mounted in the pool surface and, in response to a flow of water, extending from said surface and directing a jet of water along the adjacent surface of the pool to move debris and suspend surface particles for incorporation into the return flow to said circulation pump,
- wherein the improvement comprises:
- (a) a rotating cam that (i) generally minimizes the concurrent flow through adjacent outlets of said multi-port distribution valve and (ii) generally maximizes the duration and magnitude of pressure delivered to said popup heads when said pressure is above a pre-determined minimum pressure associated with said popup heads;
- and,
- (b) a timer for controlling the operation of said motor to generally minimizing the total time, over any 24-hour period, when the pressure delivered to said popup heads exceeds said pre-determined minimum pressure while maintaining cleaning movement of debris and suspension of particles from the surfaces of said pool adjacent to said popup heads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.