Automated electrolyte addition for salt water pools, spas, and water features
AssigneeEcolab Inc.
InventorsLeonard J. Kadlec, Patrick H. Kilawee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automated system of the present invention adds electrolyte into a pool. The automated system includes a sanitizer generator, a circulation system, and an electrolytic solution delivery system. The circulation system, which includes the sanitizer generator, has a suction line and a discharge line that delivers water from the pool through a circulation path. The delivery system controls the introduction of electrolyte into the water.
Claims11
An automated system for adding electrolyte into a body of water, the automated system comprising:
- (a) a sanitizer generator for producing sanitizer;
- (b) a circulation system having a suction line and a discharge line for delivering water from the body of water through a circulation path that includes the sanitizer generator;
- and
- (c) a delivery system for controlling introduction of the electrolyte into the water downstream of the sanitizer generator,
- wherein the delivery system comprises an electrolyte source and a flow control;
- wherein the flow control comprises a metering valve;
- and
- wherein the electrolyte is continuously added to the body of water.
An automated method of sanitizing a body of water, the method comprising:
- (a) circulating water containing dissolved electrolyte from the body of water through a circulation system;
- (b) generating in the circulation system a sanitizer from the water containing dissolved electrolyte;
- (c) returning the sanitizer to the pool;
- (d) introducing electrolyte solution into the water downstream of the generation of the sanitizer to maintain a level of dissolved electrolyte in the water;
- (e) sensing a conductivity of the water;
- and
- (f) controlling, generation of a sanitizer and introducing electrolyte solution as a function of the conductivity sensed.
An automated method of sanitizing a body of water, the method comprising:
- (a) circulating water containing dissolved electrolyte from the body of water through a circulation system;
- (b) generating in the circulation system a sanitizer from the water containing dissolved electrolyte;
- (c) returning the sanitizer to the pool;
- and
- (d) introducing electrolyte solution into the water downstream of the generation of the sanitizer to maintain a level of dissolved electrolyte in the water, wherein introducing electrolyte solution comprises continuously delivering electrolyte solution to the body of water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.