Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PUMP CONTROL DEVICES, APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEMS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the control of pumping
systems. More
specifically, the invention pertains to pump control devices, applications and
systems for
monitoring and controlling the operation of a pool pump for efficiency gain.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Pool pumps play an important role in pool sanitation systems as they
circulate water
through the pool's filtration system. The filtration system keeps the water
clean, clear, and
sanitary for bathers by screening debris that falls into the pool and also by
removing algae
and microorganisms that can pose potential health threats to swimmers.
[0003] Pool systems require regular maintenance to ensure they operate
effectively and
recirculate clean and sanitary water. Structural maintenance of pools involves
the repair of
damaged pool surfaces, maintenance or repair of pipes, filters and motors, and
servicing of
all pool components. However, sanitation systems require constant monitoring
and control.
[0004] Pools that are poorly sanitised may create potential health risks to
bathers. Harmful
bacteria and viruses must be killed and/or removed to avoid exposing bathers
to potential
pathogens. Further, contaminants such as sunscreen, skin and hair must be
chemically
treated or removed. Algae must also be controlled, otherwise the pool water
may become
green, turbid, produce unpleasant odours and generally present a risk to human
health.
Contact with contaminated water may lead to skin, ears, eye or gut infections.
Other
microorganisms are typically introduced by humans, animals and birds or from
the
environment; posing a risk to the health of bathers. Some microbial
contaminants may even
be fatal to bathers.
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[0005] As water remains in the pool for prolonged periods of time, it must be
treated to
remain clean and safe to bathe in. Disinfection and filtration of the pool
water kills harmful
microorganisms and removes body fats, oils, soil and other contaminants.
[0006] For sanitation purposes, pool water must be recirculated and filtered.
Common filter
types include sand filters, diatomaceous earth and cartridge filters. The
filtration system
must be able to filter the body of water in the pool within six to eight hours
to ensure
adequate sanitation. Filters must be cleaned regularly to ensure that the
entire pool system
is operating at maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
[0007] To ensure adequate sanitation, pH and chlorine levels (or adequate
levels of other
disinfectants) of bathing waters should be tested before use. More frequent
testing is
required on hot, sunny days or when the pool is being used by many people, so
that
significant changes in water quality can be detected before sanitation issues
arise.
[0008] Commercially available disinfectants may be used to ensure a suitable
level of
residual disinfection activity remains in the water following use. Chlorine is
the most
commonly available disinfectant, but bromine, ozone, UV irradiation and
ionising systems
(or combinations thereof) may also be used as disinfectants. To ensure that
chlorine is
working effectively as a disinfectant, the pH range of the bathing water must
be maintained
between pH 7.2 ¨ 7.6. This is also the ideal pH of water for the comfort of
bathers. Similar
combinations of physical and chemical parameters must be maintained to ensure
the
effectiveness of other sanitising agents or treatment.
[0009] Water temperature is one of the key variables that alters the
effectiveness of
disinfection, so the temperature of water must be checked regularly to ensure
that
disinfectant levels are maintained within the recommended values for the
temperature of
water.
[0010] Traditionally, pool pumping systems use single speed pumps to run the
pool system.
A standard single speed pump operates using a single speed induction motor
which typically
operates at 3,450 rpm; providing excessive filtration flow rates. Single speed
pumps
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traditionally have a one to two horsepower motor that runs at least five to
six hours per
day, and therefore have significant energy requirements. These pumps can
consume up to
3,000 to 5,000 kWh per year.1
[0011] A single speed pump unit consists of an electric motor attached to a
mechanical
pump. The mechanical pump comprises a rotor that rotates at a set power to
circulate
water through the filter. The pump draws water from the pool, and forces it
through one or
more filters, a heater (if fitted) and a chlorinator (if fitted). Water is
returned to the pool via
several return fittings which are typically located on the walls or floor of
the pool.
[0012] The relative efficiency of the pump is a consequence of the combined
efficiency of
both the motor and the pump. The motor converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy,
and the pump converts mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. The hydraulic
energy
produced by a pump unit serving a pool system must overcome the system's
resistance to
flow to generate an adequate flow rate.
[0013] The flow rate is adjusted and set to deliver the required performance
of the pool
sanitation system. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the flow rate
generated by a pool
pump when circulating water through the filtration and sanitation system. The
flow rate is
dependent on two parameters i.e. pool volume (in litres) and the turnover time
(in
minutes). The pool volume needs to be turned over in a specified turnover time
to
effectively operate all pool sanitation components. A turnover time for a pool
sanitation
system is typically one turnover in every four to six hours. Using these
parameters, the flow
rate can be calculated using the following formula:
Flow rate (litres per minute (LPM)) = Pool Volume (litres)/ Turnover time
(minutes)
[0014] If the turnover time to operate the pool component is four hours (i.e.
240 minutes)
and the pool volume is 60,000 litres, the calculated flow rate is
60000 (litres)/ 240 (minutes) =250 LPM
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[0015] The flow rate is further dependent on the power of a pool pump. A pump
capable of
operating at high power will run at high speeds that allow the water to flow
at rates that
meet a wider set of sanitation requirements. For example, a pump with a power
of 750W
will pump up to 300LPM of water and meet sanitation requirements for systems
requiring
up to 300LPM in the given physical and chemical environment.
[0016] The primary reason that most single speed pumps consume large amounts
of energy
is that they are typically oversized (thereby, requiring high volumes of water
to generate
higher flow rates and overused (consuming large amounts of power) in the
course of pool
operation. While the primary function of the pool pump is to simply circulate
water through
the filtration system, other tasks can include powering spa jets, backwashing
the filter,
operating a chlorinator, circulating water through the heating system and
driving water
features. These occasional tasks require more energy (a greater flow rate)
than the
circulation of pool water through the filtration system and they account for
roughly 10% of
the pool pump's operation time.
[0017] Often, pools have multiple pumps to operate the various functions
listed above. The
flow rate of single speed pumps can't, by design, be altered so the pump must
be sized to
perform the most demanding task. This means that, on average, 90% of its
operational time
a single speed pump provides greater circulation than the pool filtration
system requires.
[0018] Pumping systems comprising single speed pool pumps are comparatively
costly to
run as they use more power to regulate the flow rate of water in the pool than
variable
speed pumps. Therefore, owners of existing pumping systems frequently replace
existing
single speed pool pumps with variable speed pumps to reduce power consumption
and
electricity costs for running the pumping systems. However, such modifications
come at
considerable cost to the pool owner.
[0019] Although not common, two speed pumps have been available for years and
are
marketed as an alternative to energy inefficient single speed pumps. Two speed
pumps use
an induction motor and are comprised of two motors. One of the motors runs at
a standard
speed of about 3,450 rpm (full-speed) and the second motor runs at a speed of
about 1,725
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rpm (half-speed). Although these motors may enable significant energy savings
for the pool
owner, if the lower speed motor is unable to complete the required water
circulation task,
the larger motor will operate exclusively; leading to energy inefficiency and
greater energy
use. Moreover, as there are only two speed choices, it is much more difficult
to optimise
water flow rates for optimum energy use.
[0020] An alternative option for optimising pump efficiency while keeping
energy use low
involves replacing single speed or two speed pumps with variable speed pumps.
Variable
speed pumps include a Permanent Magnet Motor (PMM), which uses permanent
magnets
to create a magnetic field between the rotor and the copper windings. In this
case,
efficiencies are gained by the magnets that work on spinning the rotor,
whereas a standard
induction motor that requires more power to induce the magnetic field into the
rotor. The
PMM motor design is much more energy efficiently when compared with a standard
induction motor, achieving efficiency ratings of 90% while the average single
speed pump
has an efficiency rating between 30% and 70%.' Unlike single speed pumps which
always
operate at their maximum flow rate, even for tasks that require minimum flow
rates, a
variable speed pump can be slowed to operate at an optimal level to adjust the
flow rates
within a range of optimum energy use.
[0021] Variable speed pumps are noticeably quieter, require less maintenance,
are more
durable and allow for better and more effective filtration of pool water than
single speed
and two speed pumps. Slower circulation rates of variable speed pumps put less
strain on
filters, plumbing, and other parts of the system, which, in turn, reduces the
chance of leaks,
repairs, or premature plumbing component replacement.
[0022] Although variable speed pumps are more energy efficient than single
speed and two
speed pumps, they are far more costly to acquire than single speed and two
speed pumps.
Further, once designed, the speed of variable speed pumps can only be altered
to a fixed
power value. Like two speed pumps, if a variable speed pump operating at a
lower speed is
unable to complete the required water circulation task, the magnetic motor
will convert the
frequency of motor to drive the motor to higher speed; leading to energy
inefficiency and
greater energy costs.
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[0023] The motors of each pump are designed such that the speed and power of
the motors
cannot be altered. Due to the fixed speed of the motors present in single
speed, two speed
and variable speed pumps, pump systems can only operate at specific flow rates
(depending
on the power of each pump). Therefore, once engineered, it becomes more
challenging to
maintain an efficient water sanitation system.
[0024] Moreover, it is challenging to modify existing sanitation systems to
retrofit a
different pump to an existing pool.
[0025] Such challenges may be addressed by a pump controller that can
substantially
customise the speed of an existing pump to provide an optimised flow rate in a
variety of
physical and chemical environments, and therefore provide an efficient water
sanitation
system. Such components or systems may also simplify the retrofitting of a
custom speed
pumping system to commonly used pool sanitation systems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0026] In one broad form, embodiments of the invention relate to pump control
devices for
modulating the flow rate of a body of water pumped through a conduit by a
fixed speed
pump comprising, a drive converter configured to alter the operation of a pump
drive
driving the fixed speed pump to enable the selection of the speed of the fixed
speed pump,
the drive converter operably connected to a central processing unit, the
central processing
unit adapted to receive information detected by a flow rate sensor and to
receive
instructions for altering the operation of the pump drive from a software
application, the
software application configured to receive input from a user via a graphical
user interface
and input values from the central processing unit, to perform a calculation
for adjusting the
input values, and configured to display the input values and output values
resulting from the
calculation via the graphical user interface, the software application adapted
to display the
graphical user interface on a display, and the drive converter adapted to
alter the operation
of the pump drive according to the output values resulting from the
calculation.
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[0027] The drive converter may be configured to alter the pump drive waveform
thereby
altering the operation of a pump drive driving the fixed speed pump.
[0028] A pump control device, according to the embodiments, may comprise a
wireless
communication board electrically connected to the central processing unit and
configured
to transmit data between the central processing unit and the software
application.
[0029] Further, the pump control device may be adapted to receive a signal
from one or
more sensors sensing a physical or chemical characteristic of the body of
water. The pump
control device may also be characterised such that the one or more sensors may
be a flow
rate sensor. In certain embodiments, the flow rate sensor may be electrically
connected to
the central processing unit.
[0030] Embodiments of the invention may further relate to software
applications for
modulating the flow rate of a body of water pumped through a conduit by a
fixed speed
pump comprising; a graphical user interface configured to receive an input
from a user, the
input being a selection of one or more variable parameters, a signal input
interface
configured to receive one or more signal inputs detected by a flow rate sensor
configured to
sense the flow rate of the body of water pumped through a conduit by the fixed
speed
pump, a computation module configured to process the input from a user and the
signal
input detected by the flow rate sensor, and configured to calculate an
adjustment to the
operation of a pump drive driving the fixed speed pump to enable the selection
of the speed
of the fixed speed pump, a communication module configured to communicate the
adjustment to the pump drive of a pump control device according to the
embodiments of
the invention and an output display adapted to display the selection of one or
more variable
parameters, the one or more signal inputs detected by the flow rate sensor and
the
adjustment to the operation of the pump drive.
[0031] The software application may be configured to receive signal inputs
from more than
one sensor and may be configured to calculate an adjustment to the operation
of a pump
drive from the signal inputs from more than one sensor.
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[0032] Software applications, according to embodiments, may be configured such
that the
graphical user interface and the output display may be comprised within an
application
component configured to be downloadable to a wireless device accessible to the
user, and
wherein the application component may be in wireless communication with the
computation module.
[0033] Certain embodiments of the software application may be characterised
wherein the
signal input interface is linked with the computation module and may be
configured to
receive signal inputs from the central processing unit of the pump control
device,
comprising a signal input from a flow rate sensor and one or more signal
inputs from other
sensors, the computation module linked with the communication module and
configured to
calculate an adjustment to the operation of the pump drive and one or more
auxiliary
components, and the communication module configured to transmit instructions
for the
adjustment of the operation of the pump drive and the one or more auxiliary
components
to the central processing unit of the pump control device.
[0034] The one or more auxiliary components of preferred software applications
may be
selected from a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, an
oxidation-reduction
potential sensor, a total alkalinity sensor, a pressure sensor or a turbidity
sensor.
[0035] Certain embodiments of pump control systems for modulating the flow
rate of a
body of water pumped through a conduit by a fixed speed pump may comprise a
pump
control device as described above, wherein the central processing unit may be
adapted to
receive information detected by a flow rate sensor and to receive instructions
for altering
the operation of the pump drive from a software application according to the
above aspect
of the invention.
[0036] Certain pump control systems according to the invention may comprise a
flow rate
sensor and a display, wherein the display may be located on a smart device
that may be
programmed to display the graphical user interface and the output display,
which may be
programmed by an application component downloaded to the smart device.
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[0037] Certain pump control devices according to embodiments of the invention
may
comprise a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, and an oxidation-reduction
potential sensor.
[0038] Preferred wireless communication boards according to the embodiments of
the
invention may be electrically connected to the central processing unit and a
wireless
adaptor for transmitting data between the central processing unit and the
software
application.
[0039] In one form of the invention, the pump control device may comprise a
flow rate
sensor and at least one auxiliary sensor which may be embodied as a pressure
sensor, a flow
rate sensor, a pH sensor, oxygen reduction potential (ORP) sensor, salt-
chlorinator sensor, a
temperature sensor, or the like. The sensor may provide feedback on the
efficiency of a pool
sanitation system. The sensor may also provide feedback on the overall energy
consumption
of the pool sanitation system.
[0040] The flow rate sensor, according to certain embodiments of the
invention, may be
connected to the central processing unit by a hard-wired electrical connection
to receive
information detected by the flow rate sensor.Flow rate sensors according to
the invention
may transmit a sensed signal via wireless means, well known to those skilled
in the art.
[0041] A signal sensed by the flow rate sensor may be transferred to the
central processing
unit. The information received by the central processing unit may be processed
and
transferred to a wireless device to be viewed by the user. The user may view
the
information sent by the central processing unit using the software
application. The user may
set the desired flow rate on the external device which may then be transferred
back to the
central processing unit. The information may then be processed by the central
processing
unit which then transfers the information to the drive converter. With
reference to the
input parameters set by the user, the drive converter may preferably alter the
waveform of
the single speed pump for enabling the single speed pump to operate as a
custom speed
pump.
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[0042] The signal may be transferred from the central processing unit to the
wireless device
either via the wireless connection (such as WiFi) or via a hard-wired
connection.
[0043] The flow rate sensor may be embodied as a turbine sensor wherein the
turbine
sensor may be electrically connected to the central processing unit for
calculating the flow
rate of water. The turbine sensor may comprise blades that turn against the
flow of water.
The flow rate of water may therefore determine the speed of rotation of the
turbine blades.
The turbine sensor may comprise a pulse counter to count the number of
rotations of the
blade. When the blades hit a counter, the number of blade rotations is counted
by the
central processing unit, which calculates the flow rate of the water.
[0044] The turbine sensor may perform a pulse count by converting the kinetic
energy from
the flowing water into rotational energy for rotating the blades. As the
blades rotate, the
rotational energy is converted into an electrical energy. The electrical
energy may be
received in the form of digital pulses. When the water flows at a faster flow
rate, pulses of a
higher frequency are generated. Therefore, slower flow rates of water, in
turn, generate
lower frequency of pulses. These pulses may be used to calculate the flow rate
of water via
the central processing unit.
[0045] Systems according to embodiments of the invention may comprise multiple
sensors,
whereby some of those sensors may be wirelessly connected to the central
processing unit
and others may be connected by fixed wires. In certain circumstances, a sensor
network
may be established via a central server. In turn, sensed signals may be
transmitted to the
central processing unit from the server. Thus, it may be possible that a
sensed signal may be
transmitted to the central processing unit via a combination of fixed, wired
and wireless
connections.
[0046] The pump control device may preferably be embodied as a set of
components within
a single housing. In such embodiments, the housing may enable ease of assembly
or
installation of the wireless device. For instance, the housing may comprise
the appropriate
ports, inlets or outlets for connecting the wireless device to an existing
pump, sanitation
unit, filtration unit, sensors, heating units, or dosing units.
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[0047] The pump control device may be formed with the flow rate sensor. The
housing of
the pump control device may comprise an aperture for allowing the flow rate
sensor to pass
therethrough. The housing of the pump control device may also comprise one or
more
apertures to allow a stream of water to pass from a pool system conduit to an
internal
component of the pump control device housing. The one or more apertures may
open into a
channel to enable the stream of water flowing through the aperture to
dissipate heat
generated by the pump control system, thereby keeping the system cool. The
pump control
device may therefore comprise a passive cooling system.
[0048] In one preferred embodiment, the pump control device may also comprise
a
conduit, of a known fixed diameter. Preferably, the conduit is affixed to one
side of the
pump control device housing. The conduit may be connected to another conduit
of a
corresponding diameter, connecting the other components of the pool sanitation
system.
The conduit may comprise a flow rate sensor with a lead, and a small aperture
to allow the
lead to pass through and form an electrical connection to the pump control
device internal
components, preferably located substantially within the pump control device
housing. The
small aperture may comprise a sealing means for securing the lead therein.
[0049] In an alternative form, the housing and the conduit may be formed
integrally.
[0050] The conduit may comprise another aperture wherein the aperture may form
an
opening into a channel, preferably formed within an interior surface of the
pump control
device housing. The aperture and channel enable pool water to pass through the
pump
control device to provide a passive cooling system. The conduit may comprise
another
aperture to receive the channel connected to the pump control device to allow
the water to
flow back into the conduit.
[0051] When the filtered pool water passes through the conduit to the pump
control
device, a small amount of water may be directed to the pump control device
through the
channel passing through one of the apertures on the conduit, for keeping the
pump control
device cool. The water may then flow back through the channel connected to the
conduit
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via the another aperture. The water may be recirculated through the pump
control device in
a similar fashion.
[0052] In an alternate embodiment, the pump control device may comprise an
attachment
for receiving a conduit of a known fixed diameter, whereby the conduit is
affixed to an
exterior surface of the pump control device, to maintain the conduit therein.
The conduit
affixed to the device may comprise an aperture to allow the flow rate sensor
with lead to
pass through. A sealing means may be provided to manually seal the aperture
once the flow
rate sensor is connected to the conduit. The lead may be electrically
connected to the pump
control device.
[0053] The lead may be electrically connected to the pump control device via
soldering or
by connected the lead to the auxiliary outlets of the pump control device.
[0054] The pump control device may comprise a housing to maintain the
electronic
componentry and a conduit therein. The pump control device may comprise two
openings
to allow the conduit to pass through the pump control device housing. The
conduit may
comprise an aperture to receive the flow rate sensor electrically connected to
the pump
controller device. The conduit may comprise a clear or transparent surface.
[0055] The auxiliary sensors may be connected to the pump control device and
the conduit
in a similar fashion to the above embodiments of the invention.
[0056] The flow rate sensor according to the above embodiments of the
invention, may be
embodied as a turbine sensor. The turbine sensor may be present in the housing
of the
pump control device or outside the housing of the pump control device.
[0057] The pump control device, according to the embodiments of the invention,
may
comprise a custom speed, drive controlled outlet. At least one programmable
outlet may
take the form of AUX 1, AUX 2, AUX 3 and/or AUX 4, at least one programmable
voltage free
output that may be present in the form of AUX 5, AUX 6, AUX 7, and/or AUX 8,
at least one
temperature sensor input (roof temperature and ambient temperature), a DC acid
dosing
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output, a pH sensor, an ORP sensor, a water temperature sensor, a solar
temperature
sensor, a pressure sensor with a backwash alert, a flow rate sensor measuring
water
turnover and velocity, an in-built in solar heating controller with an
additional heat source
control, a spa changeover for a combined pool and spa, in-built Wi-Fi
connectivity and a
software application control, an automatic dosing for pH and chlorine control,
a software
enabled calibration system, an in-built pH probe calibration system, real-time
monitoring of
pump power usage, pH, ORP, temperature, flow rate, pressure, pump power
(watts), and/or
real-time monitoring of cost savings.
[0058] The pump control device may comprise a cooling component for keeping
the
electrical components of the pump control device cool. The cooling component
may be
present in the form of a cooling plate. The plate may be made up of aluminium
or other any
suitable material for keeping the electrical components cool.
[0059] The cooling component may be present between the electrical components
and the
housing of the pump control device.
[0060] The cooling component of the pump control device may allow for thw
passive
cooling of the electrical components of the pump control device, as it does
not require any
other component, such as fans, to keep the electrical components of the pump
control
device cool.
[0061] The cooling component may comprise at least one or more apertures to
allow the
free flow of air through the electrical components of the pump control device,
thereby,
keeping the electrical components cool. The apertures of the cooling component
may also
be used to allow water to pass therethrough and thereby divert water into a
channel, for
keeping the electrical components cool.
[0062] As defined herein, the term fixed speed pump may also be referred to a
single speed
filter pump, a single speed pump, a single phase induction motor, a fixed
speed single phase
pump or a filter pump.
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[0063] The wireless device may be embodied as an internet enabled smart
device. The
smart device may be a mobile device or a smart watch or other device that may
operate
under the control of the software application. The wireless device,
preferably, may be in
communication with the central processing unit over a telecommunications
network, a
wireless network or a combination of both. Preferably, the wireless device may
establish
communications with a server over a telecommunications network, which in turn,
may
establish a wireless communication connection with the central processing
unit.
Alternatively, the wireless device may establish a direct wireless
communication connection
with the central processing unit.
[0064] The wireless device may preferably be capable of connection to a
wireless
communications network such as Wi-Fi, a telecommunications network and the
like.
[0065] In another preferred form, the wireless device may be capable of being
remotely
controlled by the user via the software application executed on the smart
device. It may
form a wireless user interface, in communication with a wireless communication
board
comprised within the pump control device.
[0066] Software applications according to embodiments of the invention may be
executed
on a device comprising a display capable of receiving user inputs via a touch
screen display
and displaying output information via the same display.
[0067] A graphical user interface may be used by the user to input fixed
variables, such as
the volume or dimensions of a pool, the sanitation system in use and the like.
The user may
also input selected parameters such as the desired temperature of the pool
water, a desired
energy efficiency range, a desired chemical balance and the like. The software
application
may contain pre-set parameters for certain conditions, such as the season of
the year, the
frequency of use for bathing, or the need for more intensive cleaning.
[0068] A signal input interface may be used to receive the signal inputs
detected by the flow
rate sensor via the software application. A signal interface may be used to
receive the input
signal detected by other auxiliary sensors.
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[0069] The computation module may perform a computation to determine the
performance of the pump control system with respect to any desired parameter.
These may
include, for instance, computation of the energy efficiency of the system, a
desired
temperature of the bathing water and the like. Alternatively, the computation
may be
performed in accordance with an optimised model whereby the computation may
provide
an instruction to correct for a deviation from a desired parameter.
Preferably, a desired
parameter may be provided by a range or a standard deviation from a set level.
A sensed
parameter may trigger an instruction or an alert where the parameter or the
result of a
computation may fall outside of the desired range or standard deviation from
the set level.
The instruction may, in turn, initiate an alteration of the operation of the
drive converter.
[0070] Alternatively, an alert may signal the user to intervene in the
operation of the pump
control system. For instance, it may call for the cleaning of the filtration
system (e.g.
backwashing of a sand filter) or it may call for the manual adjustment of set
parameters or
physical parameters, such as chemical dosing.
[0071] An output display may be used to view the information received by the
software
application on a wireless device. An output display may also be used to view
the information
that may automatically be adjusted by the software application based on the
predetermined
operational values, or the information that may manually be adjusted by the
user.
[0072] The output may be displayed in the form of a chart comprising a range
of variable
parameters. The chart may be used to view a comparison of using the fixed
speed pump at a
variable range of speeds with respect to cost savings per water turnover.
[0073] The calculations may be performed either automatically or manually
based on the
set predetermined parameters in the software application to control the
efficiency and
monitor cost savings of the pool sanitation system.
[0074] The invention now will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings
together with the examples and the preferred embodiments disclosed in the
detailed
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description. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and should
not be
construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments
are
provided by way of illustration only such that this disclosure will be
thorough, complete and
will convey the full scope and breadth of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0075] Figure 1 provides an operational diagram of pump control systems
according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0076] Figure 2 provides the physical components of pump control systems
according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0077] Figure 3 illustrates the mode of fixing and fitting an automation
controller according
to embodiments of the invention.
[0078] Figure 4 illustrates the external components of an automation
controller according
to embodiments of the invention, with Figure 4A showing a front view, Figure
4B showing a
left side view, Figure 4C showing a rear view and Figure 4D showing a right
side view.
[0079] Figure 5 provides the auxiliary inlets and auxiliary outlets of an
automation controller
according to embodiments of the invention.
[0080] Figure 6 illustrates the internal components of an automation
controller according to
embodiments of the invention.
[0081] Figure 7A illustrates the internal components comprising a wired data
connection
and the auxiliary inlets and outlets of an automation controller according to
embodiments
of the invention. Figure 7B illustrates the internal components comprising a
wireless data
connection and the auxiliary inlets and outlets of an automation controller
according to
embodiments of the invention.
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[0082] Figure 8 provides a chart showing pump flow vs pump speed, and pump
power vs
pump speed for pumping systems according to embodiments of the invention.
[0083] Figure 9 provides a chart showing the cost per water turnover and the
cost saving
per water turnover at different pump speed for pumping systems according to
embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0084] Embodiments of devices, applications and systems according to the
invention are
described in the following examples. The embodiments described herein
illustrate the
operation of a pump control system involving a controller, a pump and a
software
application. The following embodiments are exemplary in nature only and are
not intended
to be limited to a reduction to practice using the exemplified hardware or
components.
[0085] Typical pool sanitation systems include a suction pipe, a pool pump,
two or more
connecting pipes, a filter, a discharge pipe, a heater, a chlorinator and a
power centre.
[0086] In normal operation, the suction pipe of a typical pumping system
comprises two
open ends wherein the one end of the suction pipe is connected to the pool to
allow the
water from the pool to pass through the suction pipe. With the other end of
the suction
pipe connected to the inlet of the pool pump to pull the water from the pool
via the suction
pipe.
[0087] A connecting pipe is typically connected between the pool pump outlet
and one of
the openings of the filter. Once water reaches the pool pump outlet, it is
pushed through
the filter via the connecting pipe. The filter also typically comprises
another opening for
receiving another connecting pipe that allows the filtered water from the
filter to pass
through the next component, which may be a heater.
[0088] Once the water reaches the heater, the temperature of water is
monitored and
adjusted. Water is then passed through the next component, typically a
chlorinator, via the
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same connecting pipe for feeding chlorine into the water. Once the water is
chlorinated, the
clean water is returned to the pool. The pool pump and the power centre are
wired for
switching the pool system on and off in unison.
[0089] Typically, the temperature of the water and chlorine levels are
regulated based on
set pre-determined values. A pool operator, therefore, has no choice but to
adhere to those
values for the operation of the pumping system, which are typically not the
most efficient
way to operate the sanitation system in all conditions.
[0090] Figure 1 shows the general operation of a pump control system. The
operation of the
pump control system is performed by various components including a single
speed pump
101, a filter 103, an automation controller 110, one or more auxiliary
components such as a
heater 105, a chlorinator 106, a pH doser 107 and a solar pump 108.
[0091] The components of the pump control system are installed using the
components
shown in Figures 1 and 2. The physical components of the pump control system
include a
suction pipe 100 for forming a connection to the pool water and the pump 101,
a
multiprobe 120 connected to the automation controller 110 for monitoring the
pH of water
circulating through the pipe, a 25 ml pH 7.0 buffer solution 180 and a 25 ml
pH 10.01 buffer
solution 190, connecting pipes 102 for providing a connection between each
component,
screwed sockets 130 for fitting the connecting pipes 102 to the openings of
the component,
pipe adaptors 210 that form a coupling with the screwed socket 130 adjoining
the
connecting pipes 102, mounting bracket 140 for installing the automation
controller 110,
mounting screws 150 for fitting the mounting bracket 140, locking screws 170
for
maintaining the automation controller 110 on the mounting bracket 140, 10A
power leads
with two ends 220a, 220b and 10A plug adaptors with two ends 230a, 230b for
forming an
electrical connection between the components of the pump control system, a
temperature
sensor with a 5m lead 240 to monitor the temperature of water.
[0092] The pump control system is designed to be retrofittable to existing
pool pumps and
water sanitation systems. For retrofitting, the connecting pipes 102 that join
the automation
controller 110 and another component must be removed. A new connecting pipe
102
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between the component and the automation controller 110 is installed to
complete the
retrofitting. The automation controller 110 is typically retrofitted to a
single speed pump.
[0093] With reference to Figure 1, the single speed pump 101 is placed on a
plain floor such
that it is maintained in a fixed position. The single speed pump 101 operates
at a maximum
power setting of 2.2 KW. It controls the flow rate of water which further
determines the
power consumption and the cost of running the pump system. The single speed
pump 101
comprises a pump inlet, a pump outlet and a port (not shown) to receive one
end of the 10A
plug adaptor 230a.
[0094] The suction pipe 100 forms a connection with the single speed pool pump
101.
Multiple screwed sockets 130 are provided for connecting and fixing the pipes
to the
components of the pump system. One end of the suction pipe 100 is connected to
the pump
inlet using a screwed socket 130. The suction pipe 100 is curved at a 90-
degree angle such
that the other end of the suction pipe 100 reaches the pool. All the pipes are
joined by
gluing with the PVC cement (Type P).
[0095] The suction pipe 100 is fitted to the pump inlet using the pipe adaptor
210. One end
of a connecting pipe 102 is fixed to a pump outlet using a screwed socket 130
and the other
end of the connecting pipe 102 is fixed to the filter inlet 321 by introducing
a 90-degree
angle bend in the connecting pipe 102 as shown in Figure 1. One end of the 10A
plug
adaptor 230a is connected to the port of the single speed pump 101.
[0096] Once these connections are made, the pump 101 can pull water from the
pool via
the suction pipe 100, and then push it through the filter 103.
[0097] The filter 103 comprises one opening to receive an actuator valve 370.
The actuator
value 370 comprises a pressure sensor (not shown) for monitoring the pressure
of the filter
103. The actuator valve 370 further comprises three openings including a
filter inlet 321 for
receiving water from the pump 101, a filter outlet 322 for organic matter
wherein the filter
outlet 322 may be connected to a discharge pipe (not shown) for discarding the
filtered
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organic matter, and another filter outlet 323 for allowing the filtered water
to pass through
and reach the automation controller 110.
[0098] An automation controller 110 forms the central component of the pump
control
system. It is located between the filter 103 and the next component of the
pump control
system. The automation controller 110 forms a box like structure wherein the
electrical
components are secured within the controller 110, as described in detail
below. It is shaped
such that the rear side of the controller 110 provides an attachment that
allows the
connecting pipe 102 of a known fixed diameter to be fitted and maintained
therein. A flow
rate sensor is located on the automation controller 110 and is positioned such
that it is in
direct contact with the water to monitor the flow rate of water running
through the
connecting pipe 102.
[0099] Figure 3 shows the installation of the automation controller 110. A
connecting pipe
102 is first attached to the rear side of the automation controller 110 to
secure the pipe 102
therein. The wall bracket 140 is then installed by positioning the bracket 140
in a desired
location on the wall with the hanging hooks pointing up. The wall bracket 140
is levelled and
secured to the wall using the 4 x 50mm 316 stainless steel mounting screws
150. The
automation controller 110 is then obtained and the rear side of the automation
controller
110 is aligned with the three hooks on the wall bracket 140. The automation
controller 110
is hung on the three hooks to align the bottom two screw holes 171. The 2 x
supplied 15mm
316 stainless steel locking screws 170 are passed through the holes 171 in the
bottom of the
bracket 140 and screwed tightly to secure the automation controller 110 to the
bracket 140.
[0100] Once installed, one end of the connecting pipe 102 connected to the
controller 110
functions as a water inlet 111 for receiving the connecting pipe 102 from the
filter outlet
323. The other end of the automation controller 110 functions as a water
outlet 112 which
forms a further connection to the adjascent component of the pump control
system.
[0101] The automation controller 110 requires a total of 3 x 10A protected
socket outlets
350 to plug the components of pump control system and supply power to the
components.
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[0102] An earth bonding connection is provided by a 6mm bonding terminal on
the back of
the automation controller 110. All the exposed conductive parts of the
electrical
components in the defined zones must be bonded.
[0103] The automation controller 110 is connected to the heater 105 of the
pump control
system. The connecting pipe 102 which is connected to the water outlet 112 of
the
automation controller 110 is curved at a 90-degree angle for joining with one
of the
openings of the heater 105. When water flows from the automation controller
110 through
the connecting pipe 102 to the heater 105 of the pumping system, it regulates
the
temperature of the water using the automation controller 110.
[0104] A chlorinator 106 is further connected to the heater 105 to regulate
the chlorine
levels of the water. A connecting pipe 102 forms a connection between the
heater 105 and
the chlorinator 106. A heater 105 has another opening for receiving one end of
the
connecting pipe 102. The other end of the connecting pipe 102 is passed
through one of the
openings of the chlorinator 106. When water flows from the heater 105 to the
chlorinator
106 through the connecting pipe 102, the chlorinator 106 regulates the
chlorine level of
water by dispensing a desired amount of chlorine from the chlorine bottle 330.
[0105] The chlorinator 106 has a second opening for receiving a further
connecting pipe 102
to return the clean water to the pool. The clean water with a controlled
temperature and
appropriate dose of chlorine is returned to the pool.
[0106] The pH doser 107 controls the pH level of the water. A pH doser 107 is
connected to
the connecting pipe 102 that returns water from the chlorinator 106 to the
pool. The pH
doser 107 is further connected to an acid/base bottle 109 for releasing acid
or base
depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the water. For example, if the pH of
water is below
6.0, doser 107 releases a base to the water, or if the pH of water is above
7.0, the doser 107
releases acid to lower the pH of water. As described below, pH adjustment can
be
automated to ensure the optimum efficiency of water sanitation.
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[0107] A solar pump 108 is placed next to the pump 101 and is connected to the
pipes 102
recirculating water from the pump 101 to the solar heater (not shown). Water
is allowed to
pass through the solar pump 108 to heat the pool water to a desired
temperature. The
temperature sensor 240 located in the return pipe is connected to the
auxiliary inlet, as
described below, to provide feedback to optimise other sanitation variables,
in particular,
flow rate and chlorine dose. If the temperature sensor 240 detects a change in
temperature
of water out of a pre-determined range, the solar pump 108 is activated and
pool water
heated, as the temperature of the pool water will significantly alter the
sanitation efficiency
of the system.
[0108] The automation controller 110 is the central component of the pump
control system.
The operation of every other components of the pump control system is
typically controlled
by the automation controller 110.
[0109] Figure 4 shows the front (Figure 4A), left side (Figure 4B), rear
(Figure 4C), and right
side (Figure 4D) views of the automation controller 110. Figure 4A shows a
local pause or
resume button 250 to manually pause or resume the operation of the pump
control system.
Figure 4B shows a flow rate sensor 260 comprising a turbine based pulse
counter connected
to the central processing unit of the automation controller 110 for monitoring
the flow rate
of the water pumped into the pool system, and a multiprobe 120 connected to
the
automation controller 110 via a lead.
[0110] The multiprobe 120 regulates the pH of water and is installed in a
protective cap
which contains the storage solution. The storage solution keeps the pH probe
glass hydrated
and ensures that the probe 120 is ready to use as soon as it is installed.
Figure 4C shows a
pressure sensor 270 electrically connected to the automation controller 110,
for monitoring
the pressure of the filter 103 and alerts the user when the filter 103 needs
to be cleaned.
The pressure sensor 270 is present on the filter actuator valve and is
electrically connected
to the controller 110 via a lead. Figure 4C also shows an opening for air
exhaust 280 and an
opening for an air intake 290 for allowing the free flow of air through the
automation
controller 110 to keep the components of the controller 110 cool. Figure 4D
shows a cable
entry grommet 300 further comprising at least one or several 5 x 10A auxiliary
outlets for
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connecting at least one or more components to the automation controller 110 or
one or
more sensors and three auxiliary inlets wherein at least two inlets are
dedicated to filter
pump power supply, and a mounting bracket 310 that are used to mount the
automation
controller 110.
[0111] Any of the auxiliary outlets (AUX 1, 2,3 or 4), as shown in Figure 5,
may be used to
control the operation of the components connected to the automation controller
110.
Components may include a pump 101, a filter 103, a solar/gas heater 105, a
chlorinator 106,
or a pool, spa or garden lighting system.
[0112] The three auxiliary inlets AUX 1, 2 and 3, as shown in Figure 5, allow
current
requirements of the system to be shared across the three inlets, which is
advantageous
when the device is retrofitted to an existing pool sanitation system. If one
of the inlets is in
use, one end of the 10A power lead 220 may be connected to the protected 10A
240V
outlet and the other end may be connected to the main supply. The three inlets
allow the
pump control system to be connected to another component via a regular 10A
power
supply.
[0113] The external components, such as the flow rate sensor, multiprobe 120,
pressure
sensor 270 and the auxiliary components connected to the cable entry grommet
300, of the
automation controller 110 are controlled by the internal components of the
automation
controller 110.
[0114] Figure 6 shows the internal components of the automation controller 110
comprising a communication board 113 including a CPU and a connecting port 114
to
establish a wired data connection (as shown in Figure 7A) or a wifi adaptor
115 to establish
a wireless data connection (as shown in Figure 7B), a motor control board
including a
custom speed drive (CSD) 116 to convert a single speed pump to a custom speed
pump, a
flow rate sensor comprising a turbine based pulse counter connected to the CPU
of the
automation controller 110 and one or more auxiliary sensors to gather
information from at
least one or more components (not shown) connected to the automation
controller 110.
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[0115] The automation controller 110 also comprises an aluminium cooling plate
117
beneath the electrical componentry of the controller 110. The plate 117 is
used to keep the
electrical componentry resting thereon cool as pool water passes beneath the
aluminium
cooling plate 117, through a channel formed within the interior surface of the
controller
cousing, ensuring that the electrical componentry does not overheat.
[0116] In the present embodiment, the communication board 113 of the
automation
controller 110 includes a CPU and a connecting port 114 for forming a wired
connection, as
shown in Figure 7A, between the automation controller 110 and a display.
However, in an
alternate embodiment, as also shown in Figure 7B, a wireless connection is
formed between
the communication board 113 and a smart device; either a mobile phone or a
tablet via the
wifi adaptor 115. The display includes an LCD screen and a keypad. Figure 7A
and7B further
provides the flow rate sensor 241 to detect the flow rate of water and a CSD
116 to enable
the operation of a single speed pump 101 as a custom speed pump. An auxiliary
inlets and
outlets are provided on the automation controller 110 to perform the function
as described
above.
[0117] The smart device is programmed with a software application for viewing
the
information processed by the CPU. It allows the user to set input parameters
to manually or
automatically regulate the operation of any component connected to the
automation
controller 110.
[0118] The automation controller 110 comprises a flow rate sensor 241 and
other auxiliary
sensors. The auxiliary sensors are either installed within the automation
controller 110 box
or connected to the automation controller 110 as an auxiliary component,
wherein the
sensor is connected to one of the auxiliary outlets of the automation
controller 110 via a
lead. An auxiliary sensor may be an additional flow rate sensor, a temperature
sensor, a pH
sensor, an ORP, a water quality sensor, a pressure sensor or others or several
sensors.
[0119] The single speed pump 101 controls the flow rate of water. Any
fluctuation in the
flow rate of water in the pool sanitation system is sensed by the flow rate
sensor 241. A
signal sensed by the flow rate sensor 241 is transferred to the CPU of the
communication
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board 113. The information received by the CPU is processed and transferred to
an external
device to be viewed by the user. The signal can be transferred from the CPU to
the external
device either via the wireless connection (such as WiFi) or via a hardwired
connection. The
user views the information sent by the CPU using the software application
described in
further detail below. The user sets the desired flow rate on the external
device which is then
transferred back to the CPU. The information is then processed by the CPU
which then
transfers the information to the CSD 116. With reference to the input
parameters set by the
user, the CSD 116 alters the waveform of the single speed pump 101 for
enabling the single
speed pump 101 to operate as a custom speed pump.
[0120] Typically, a single speed pump 101 consumes between 3000-5000 KWh per
year,
operating at regular intervals at full speed. By enabling the single speed
pump 101 to
operate as a custom speed pump, adjusted on the basis of sensed sanitation
requirements,
energy consumption by the pump 101 is reduced on average to 1800 W.
[0121] A temperature sensor with lead 240 is connected to any one of the
auxiliary outlets
of the automation controller 110. It senses a change in the temperature of
water and
transmits the temperature reading to the CPU of the automation controller 110
where the
information is processed by the CPU. The processed information is then sent to
the smart
device to be viewed by a user using the software application installed on the
smart device.
For example, if the water temperature rises to 40 C, the increase in
temperature can be
viewed by the user via the software interface on the device. The user views
the information
i.e. a change in the temperature of water and manually sets the input
parameters to a
desired temperature; for example, the user may change the temperature to 32 C
or as
desired while the flow rate of the sanitation system is automatically adjusted
by the
software to operate at optimum efficiency. The new temperature parameter is
then
received and processed by the CPU. The CPU instructs the heater 105 to switch
on or off
depending on whether the sensed temperature is greater than or less than the
user's input
selection. The heater 105 receives the information and the temperature of
water is
regulated accordingly whilst the flow rate continues to be adjusted according
to the actual
temperature of the pool water.
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[0122] A multiprobe 120 is connected to one of the auxiliary outlets of the
automation
controller 110 to monitor the pH of the water. When the pH of the water varies
from the
desired pH (6.0- 7.0), multiprobe 120 detects the variation and sends a signal
to the CPU.
The CPU then processes the information and transmits it to the external
device. The
information is then viewed by the user through the software interface. The
user sets the
input parameters to control the pH, for example, to a pH of 7.1, and sets the
dosing time to
30 seconds or an automatic dose setting. The information is then sent back to
the CPU. The
CPU then transfers the information to the connected dosing component 107 which
is
further connected to an acid/base buffer feed 109. Depending on the
information set by the
user, the dosing component 107 releases acid or base to the pool water to
regulate the pH
level of water.
[0123] An ORP sensor is connected to one of the auxiliary outlets of the
automation
controller 110 to monitor the chlorine levels of the water. When a fluctuation
in the
chlorine levels of water is sensed by the ORP sensor, a signal is sent to the
CPU. The CPU
then processes the information and transmits the information to a smart
device. The
information is then viewed by the user through the software interface. The
user either
manually or automatically sets the desired chlorine level of the water in the
software
application, for example the user may set ORP level to 600mV and dosing time
to 60 second,
and the information is then sent back to the CPU. The CPU then transfers the
information to
the chlorinator 106 which is further connected to a chlorine bottle 330.
Depending on the
information set by the user, the chlorine bottle releases chlorine to water
flowing through
the chlorinator 106, thereby controlling the chlorine levels of water.
[0124] A pressure sensor 270 is fitted either at the actuator valve of the
filter 103 or within
the internal componentry of the automation controller 110 to alert the user
when a
backwash or a filter clean is required. A user can set a pressure value, for
example at 100
kPa, for alerting the user of a rise in pressure via the pressure sensor 270.
For example, if
pressure levels at the filter 103 rise to 100kPa, the pressure sensor detects
the change in
pressure, and sends a signal to the CPU. The CPU processes the information and
sends the
information to the smart device configured with the software application. The
information
can be viewed by the user from the software interface. The user sets the
desired
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parameters to control the pressure in the filter 103 either automatically or
manually
backwash. The set information is then transferred back to the CPU which then
communicates the information to the filter 103 to perform a backwash and clean
the filter
103.
[0125] Similarly, other sensors can be connected to the automation controller
110 to
control various other parameters of the pool water as explained above.
Automation Using Intelligent Software
[0126] A downloadable software application is downloaded and installed on a
smart device.
The device, thus configured, allows information received from the automation
controller
110 to be viewed via the software application user interface, and it allows
the user to
control the operation of any component connected to the automation controller
110. It also
provides the user with the option to set pre-programmed parameters for
automated
control.
[0127] There are two general communication modes in which information can be
communicated to the user via the software application. The first mode is a Wi-
Fi mode
wherein information is channelled through the automation controller 110 and
transmitted
to a remote server using the MQTT protocol. The information is computationally
processed
at the server and the software application provides the user with a dashboard
to view the
information at the server. This mode avoids the need for frequent software
application
updates at the device and allow the user to integrate more complex algorithmic
processing
for complete automation of all parameters of the system.
[0128] The second mode is a direct mode used as a backup in instances where no
internet
connection is available. The user can connect to automation controller 110 via
their device
when it is in Wi-Fi range (e.g. when at home).
[0129] The user can control the operation of the pump system via the software
application
simply by setting input parameters. For example, if the user sets the
frequency parameter
between 20-60 Hz, the automation controller 110 alters the input waveform
allowing the
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input frequency to be altered between 20-60Hz thereby enabling the single
speed pump
101 to operate at custom speeds.
[0130] The software application can be also used to accurately monitor the
pressure within
the system and to alert the user when a backwash or filter clean is required.
Users can set
the alert pressure level to suit their individual requirements. A clean system
will use less
energy to maintain pool hygiene.
[0131] Real-time monitoring of the filter 103 is enabled by a built-in
pressure sensor within
the automation controller 110. Whether the user uses a sand filter or a
cartridge filter, once
connected, the software application alerts the user when the filter 103 needs
to be cleaned
or when a backwash needs to be performed, as described above.
[0132] The software application together with the automation controller 110
enhances the
efficiency of sanitation of the pool sanitation system.
[0133] The software application in either mode, operates the pump system more
efficiently
by optimising parameters such as flow rate and energy usage, which determine
pump
efficiency. Depending on the capacity of the pool, the software application
may have set
pre-programmed parameters such as pool volume (for example 50,000 litres),
cost per KWh
(for example $0.36 per KWh), pump power (for example 2000W) and pump flow rate
(for
example 400LPM). Based on these set pre-programmed parameters, the user can
determine
the speed of pump 101 and manage efficiency of operation.
[0134] Figure 8 provides a graphical representation of pump flow rate and pump
energy
usage with respect to the pump speed. The output values are shown in Table 1.
[0135] When a user sets the pump speed to 25%, the power generated by the pump
101
will be 31W to circulate water with a flow rate of up to 100LPM. If a pump
speed is set to
50% via the software application, more power, up to 250W, will be generated
for circulating
water with a flow rate of up to 200LPM. If a user sets the pump speed to 75%
using the
software application, up to 844W of power will be generated to circulate water
with a flow
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rate of up to 300LPM. Similarly, if pump speed is set to 100%, up to 2000W
will be
generated to circulate water with a flow rate of up to 400LPM.
Table 1
Speed (%) Flow Rate (LPM) Power (W)
25 100 31
50 200 250
75 300 844
100 400 2,000
[0136] The software application can also receive electricity tariffs and
thereby monitor cost-
savings in real-time. For example, a user may set the temperature to 25 C, the
speed of the
filter 103 to 48% and the pH to 7.1 and then enter the status on the software
application to
'filter' and view the total cost savings from setting these parameters. The
user may change
the parameters as desired, or to reduce the cost of running the pool
sanitation system.
[0137] A user may also set values for speed, power and flow rate to view costs
and savings
per water turnover. Table 2 shows the cost per water turnover and savings per
water
turnover with respect to various values for the speed, power and flow rate of
a pump 101.
For example, if a user sets the pump 101 to run at a speed of 25%, a power
setting of 31W
and a flow rate of 100LPM, the cost per water turnover will be $0.09 and
savings per water
turnover will be $1.41. Similarly, if the pump 101 is set to run at a speed of
50%, a power
setting of 250W and a flow rate of 200LPM, the cost per water turnover will be
$0.38 and
the cost saving will be $1.13, if the pump 101 is set to run at a speed of
75%, a power setting
of 844W and a flow rate of 300LPM, the cost per turnover will be $0.84 and
cost saving will
be $0.66, and if a pump 101 is set to run at a speed of 100%, a power of 2000W
and a flow
rate of 400LPM, the cost per water turnover will be $1.50 with zero cost
saving.
Table 2
Speed (%) Flow Rate Power (W) Cost per Saving
per
(LPM) turnover ($) turnover ($)
25 100 31 0.09 1.41
50 200 250 0.38 1.13
75 300 844 0.84 0.66
100 400 2,000 1.50
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[0138] Figure 9 provides a graphical representation of a change in the cost
per water
turnover and savings per water turnover with respect to the speed of the pool
pump 101.
Figure 9 shows the use of the software application to determine the costs and
savings per
turnover. For example, if a user sets the pump 101 to run at a speed of 25%,
the costs per
turnover will be $0.09 and savings per turnover will be $1.41, and the costs
and savings per
turnover for running the pump 101 at a speed of 50% will be $0.38 and $1.13,
respectively.
Similarly, if a pump 101 is set to run at a speed of 75%, the cost per
turnover will be $0.84
and the cost saving will be $0.66, and if a pump 101 is set to run at a speed
of 100%, a user
will not save any money but will incur a cost per turnover of $1.50.
[0139] The software application can also be used to manage the most common
scenarios
for the pump control system to maintain pump efficiency year-round without
compromising
water sanitation and aesthetic qualities of the pool water.
[0140] For example, a Boost (high use) mode can be provided in a software
application
which is perfect for visual appeal (e.g. prior to entertainment) or when the
water needs to
be turned over more frequently than usual. Similarly, a Summer (regular use)
mode can be
programmed to the most efficient setting for general swimming during warmer
weather
conditions, and Winter (minimal/no use) mode can be used when the pool or spa
isn't in use
either over winter or even if the user is away on holidays.
[0141] The software application holds a number of scheduling options under
each pre-
programmed mode to set the operating start and finish time of the connected
component
which could be modified or adjusted remotely.
[0142] If the output of the automation controller 110 is connected to the
garden lights, the
software application can allow the lighting to come on at dusk, pool cleaning
may activate
overnight (when energy tariffs are off-peak), and water features may switch on
during the
day.
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[0143] If the user owns both a pool and a spa, an additional pre-programmed in-
built spa
mode is present within the software application to allow the user to easily
switch between
pool or spa use.
[0144] If the automation controller output 112 is connected to an automated
sanitising
doser, the software application can be used to set the ORP level or measure
the chemical
mix (chlorine and pH) in real-time and monitor as well as control its dosing
to the water.
[0145] If the automation controller output 112 is connected to a solar heater,
gas heater or
electric heater pump, the software application can be user to set, monitor
and/or regulate
the water temperature.
[0146] If connected to the in-floor, robotic or suction cleaning component,
the software
application allows the component to run or turn on/off automatically.
[0147] The software application can be controlled by multiple users for one
system. It is also
possible for one user to control multiple automation controllers 110 (e.g.
when monitored
or controlled by a third party service provider) via one software application.
The installer
will also have a login to remotely manage, monitor and analyse whether any
maintenance is
required or to remotely modify or adjust the parameters in case of any changes
in weather
conditions.
[0148] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such
as "comprises"
or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
element, integer or
step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any
other element,
integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
[0149] All publications mentioned in this specification are herein
incorporated by reference.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like
which has been
included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a
context for the
present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of
these matters form
part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field
relevant to the
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present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority
date of each
claim of this application.
[0150] While the invention has been described above in terms of specific
embodiments, it is
to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed
embodiments. Upon
reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other
embodiments of the
invention will come to the mind of those skilled in the art to which this
invention pertains,
and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the
appended
claims.
[0151] It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be
determined by proper
interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal
equivalents, as
understood by those skilled in the art relying upon the disclosure in this
specification and
the attached drawings.
LIST OF CITATIONS
1. US Department of Energy, Measure Guideline: Replacing Single-Speed Pool
Pumps with
Variable Speed Pumps for Energy Savings
<https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/54242.pdf>.
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