Patent Application
20240189783
The present invention relates to a fine bubble generator system.
According to the diameters of bubbles, it is possible to define different types of bubbles. A “microbubble” refers to a bubble having its diameter greater than 1 μm and smaller than 100 μm. An “ultra-fine-bubble” or a “nano-bubble” (an old term) refers to a bubble having its diameter smaller than 1 μm. It is noted that, 1 micrometer (μm) is equal to one thousandth of millimeter (mm). Nowadays, “microbubbles” and “ultra-fine bubble” are collectively called “fine bubbles”.
A fine bubble generator is mainly used to wash human bodies or pets, or clean objects, and it has a significant advantage in cleaning deep layers thereof. It is noted that, although there is a bathtub called bubble massage bathtub, what the bubble massage bathtub generates are big bubbles, so it belongs to another technical field different from the technical field of the present invention. A prior art bubble generator used for a bathtub includes a pump and a pressure tank. With the operation of the pump, the water can be suctioned from the water inlet port into the pipelines, and with the negative pressure come from the water flow, the air can be suctioned from the air inlet port into the water. Next, the water and the air will flow together into the pressure tank, and then the pressure tank mixes the water with the air and applies pressure onto them, such that the air is dissolved into the water, and they will be sent to the bathtub. Then, the bathtub will be filled in with milky-white bubble water. In the prior art bubble generator, the air and the water are flowing simultaneously, and it has a disadvantage that, it is difficult and even impossible to control the amount of air contained in the pressurized water, and as a result, when it is generating fine bubbles, there is a probability that it cannot generate fine bubbles efficiently because of insufficient amount of air.
The main principle of the present invention is to let the air from the air inlet port and the water from the water inlet port be suctioned into the pipelines by the operation of the pump respectively during different time intervals. The advantage of doing so is that, it can precisely control the respective suctioned amounts of air and water. For this purpose, in some embodiments, they introduce a valve controlling the air inflow (implemented by the first solenoid valve) and a valve controlling the water inflow (implemented by a direct control by the second solenoid valve or an indirect control by the first solenoid valve). By controlling these valves, it is possible to open the water channel while closing the air channel simultaneously, and then the pump can provide a “self-priming” function.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided:
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Different embodiments of the present invention are provided in the following description. These embodiments are meant to explain the technical content of the present invention, but not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. A feature described in an embodiment may be applied to other embodiments by suitable modification, substitution, combination, or separation.
It should be noted that, in the present specification, when a component is described to have an element, it means that the component may have one or more of the elements, and it does not mean that the component has only one of the element, except otherwise specified.
Moreover, in the present specification, the ordinal numbers, such as “first” or “second”, are used to distinguish a plurality of elements having the same name, and it does not mean that there is essentially a level, a rank, an executing order, or a manufacturing order among the elements, except otherwise specified. A “first” element and a “second” element may exist together in the same component, or alternatively, they may exist in different components, respectively. The existence of an element described by a greater ordinal number does not essentially mean the existence of another element described by a smaller ordinal number.
In the present specification, a description saying a feature A “or” or “and/or” a feature B means that the feature A exist alone, the feature B exists alone, or the features A and B coexist; a description saying a feature A “and” a feature B means that the features A and B coexist; the terms, such as “comprise”, “include”, “have”, or “contain”, mean that “include but not limited thereto” except otherwise specified.
Moreover, in the present specification, the terms, such as “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, or “middle”, as well as the terms, such as “on”, “above”, “under”, “below”, or “between”, are used to describe the relative positions among a plurality of elements, and the described relative positions may be interpreted to include their translation, rotation, or reflection.
Moreover, in the present specification, when an element is described to be arranged “on” or “above” another element, it does not essentially mean that the elements contact the other element, except otherwise specified. Such interpretation is applied to other cases similar to the case of “under” or “below”.
Moreover, in the present specification, the terms, such as “preferably” or “advantageously”, are used to describe an optional or additional element or feature, and in other words, the element or the feature is not an essential element, and may be omitted in some embodiments.
Moreover, in the present specification, when an element is described to be “suitable for” or “adapted to” another element, the other element is an example or a reference helpful in imagination of properties or applications of the element, and the other element is not to be considered to form a part of a claimed subject matter; similarly, except otherwise specified; similarly, in the present specification, when an element is described to be “suitable for” or “adapted to” a configuration or an action, the description is made to focus on properties or applications of the element, and it does not essentially mean that the configuration has been set or the action has been performed, except otherwise specified.
Moreover, in the present specification, the terms, such as “system”, “apparatus”, “device”, “module”, or “unit”, refer to an electronic element, or a digital circuit, an analogous circuit, or other general circuit, composed of a plurality of electronic elements, and there is not essentially a level or a rank among the aforementioned terms, except otherwise specified.
Moreover, in the present specification, two elements may be electrically connected to each other directly or indirectly, except otherwise specified.
Regarding the components thereof, the fine bubble generator system 1 includes a pump 10, which has a pump inlet port 10_IN and a pump outlet port 10_OUT, an air inlet module 20, a water inlet module 30, an air-liquid tank set, a nozzle 43, and the control module 50. The air-liquid tank set may include at least one first air-liquid tank 41, and may further include a second air-liquid tank 42, and may include more air-liquid tanks. In the following description, the air-liquid tank set is assumed to include the first air-liquid tank 41 and the second air-liquid tank 42, only for the purpose of simplicity, but not limited thereto. The pump 10 may be a diaphragm pump, but not limited thereto.
The structure of the fine bubble generator system 1 is illustrated as follows:
The air inlet module 20 is connected between the air inlet port A_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN. The air inlet module 20 includes a first check valve 21 and a first solenoid valve 22 connected in sequence between the air inlet port A_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN. The “check valve” in the present description is also known as a “non-return valve” or a “one-way valve”, which only allows fluid such as air or liquid to flow in a one-way direction, but forbids the fluid to flow in an opposite direction. The check valve may be chosen from various suitable check valves commercially available, so the details are omitted here. The “solenoid valve” in the present description is a valve driven by a solenoid coil, and it opens or closes a pipeline according to power-on or power-off states of the solenoid coil. The solenoid valves may be chosen from various suitable solenoid valves commercially available, so the details are omitted here.
The water inlet module 30 is connected between the water inlet port W_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN. The water inlet module 30 includes a water inlet filter 31 and a second solenoid valve 32 connected in sequence between the water inlet port W_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN. The “filter” in the present description is used to remove foreign matters in the water from the water inlet port W_IN.
The first air-liquid tank 41, the second air-liquid tank 42, and the nozzle 43 are connected in sequence and locate between the pump outlet port 10_OUT and the water outlet port W_OUT1. The “air-liquid tank” is also known as a “air-liquid mixer”, which is a pressure tank that can push the gas (air) in the air-liquid tank into the liquid (water) with the thrust of the pump, sufficiently mix the gas (air) and the liquid (water), and therefore generate water containing a great amount of air, which is also knowns as “air-liquid-mixed water”; the structure and the principle of the air-liquid tank are illustrated in
It is noted that, at the side of the pump outlet port 10_OUT, the first embodiment further includes a first flow switch 45, arranged in a pipeline between the pump outlet port 10_OUT and the first air-liquid tank 41. The “flow switch” in the present description can detect and receive an operating state of the fine bubble generator system 1, for example, a state of water inflow in a pipeline, wherein the state of water inflow may refer to the water flow existence or no water flow existence.
The control module 50 includes a controller, which may be an electronic device, such as a control panel, a computer, a smartphone, capable of wired or wireless communication. The control module 50 may have an anti-toppling protecting mechanism, whereby when it is tilted beyond, for example, 30 degrees, the fine bubble generator system 1 will be forced to a shutdown. The control module 50 is electrically connected to the pump 10, and configured to control the pump 10 to operate. The control module 50 is also electrically connected to the air inlet module 20, in particular to the first solenoid valve 22, and configured to control the air inlet module 20 to let the air in from the air inlet port A_IN by controlling the first solenoid valve 22 to operate. Specifically, the fine bubble generator system 1 operates in a way that the air inlet module 20 lets the air in from the air inlet port A_IN during a first time interval, the water inlet module 30 lets the water in from the water inlet port W_IN during a second time interval, and the first time interval and the second time interval do not overlay.
The principle of the first embodiment is to let the air and the water be suctioned into pipelines by the operation of the pump 10 respectively during different time intervals. The advantage of doing so is that, it can precisely control the respective suctioned amounts of air and water. Furthermore, by opening the second solenoid valve 32 and closing the first solenoid valve 22, it is possible to open the water channel while closing the air channel simultaneously, and then the pump 10 can provide a self-priming function. In contrast, the prior art bubble generator uses the negative pressure come from the water flow to suction the air into the water, which means that, in the prior art bubble generator, the air and the water flow simultaneously, and as a result, it is not possible to precisely control the respective suctioned amounts of air and water, and accordingly it is not possible to generate fine bubbles efficiently.
In the case where the first embodiment further includes the third solenoid valve 44, the control module 50 is electrically connected to the third solenoid valve 44, and configured to control the third solenoid valve 44 to operate, such that the third solenoid valve 44 allows the auxiliary pipeline to be opened during an air inflow interval, so as to accelerate discharging the water in the air-liquid tank set. Furthermore, because the first embodiment includes the second solenoid valve 32, the control module 50 is further electrically connected to the second solenoid valve 32, and configured to control the second solenoid valve 32 to operate; and because the first embodiment includes the first flow switch 45, the control module 50 is further electrically connected to the first flow switch 45, and configured to receive an operating state of the fine bubble generator system 1 from the first flow switch 45.
The fine bubble generator system 1 may be powered by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) power line 51, the GFCI power line 51 may be plugged into, for example, a power socket on a wall, and the control module 50 is connected to the GFCI power line 51 via a transformer 52, but not limited thereto.
Optionally or preferably, if the water channel is arranged with the second solenoid valve 32 (for example, referring to the first to the third embodiments), it is possible to consider to integrate the “accelerating water outlet pipeline” which connects the accelerating water outlet port W_OUT2 to the water container 7 and the “water inlet pipeline” which connects the water container 7 to the water inlet port W_IN into a single pipeline. One integrating way may be implemented by using a three-way pipe 6, in particular illustrated in
The operating way of the fine bubble generator system 1 in the first embodiment is illustrated as follows:
It is possible to preset the fine bubble generator system 1 to operate for, for example, 14 minutes 50 seconds (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand) and then stop.
The pump 10 turns on, and the second solenoid valve 32 is opened simultaneously, while the first solenoid valve 22 and the third solenoid valve 44 are closed, the self-priming function of the pump 10 begins to suction the water. After the pump 10 turns on, at first, the first flow switch 45 will detect the state of water inflow, and if no water flows in within, for example, 5 seconds (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand), the fine bubble generator system 1 will be forced to a shutdown. If water flows in, the water will go sequentially through the water inlet filter 31, the second solenoid valve 32, the pump 10, and the first flow switch 45, and is injected into the first air-liquid tank 41 and the second air-liquid tank 42, and is finally released by the nozzle 43; meanwhile, the third solenoid valve 44 remains closed.
After the pump 10 turns on for, for example, 2 minutes (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand), the automatic air supplement function should be turned on, because during the 2 minutes, the fine bubble generator system 1 continues the water inflow process, generates the fine bubbles, and consumes the amount of air contained in the water, so the air supplement function should be periodically performed. The automatic air supplement function is performed as follows: (a) The first solenoid valve 22 is opened to allow the air to enter from the first check valve 21, the air goes sequentially through the first solenoid valve 22, the pump 10, and the first flow switch 45, and is injected into the first air-liquid tank 41 and the second air-liquid tank 42. (b) The first solenoid valve 22 and the third solenoid valve 44 are opened simultaneously, so that the air supplement function can be performed simultaneously with the water discharging process accelerated; meanwhile, the second solenoid valve 32 should be turned off. (c) After the air supplement function is performed for, for example, 10 to 12 seconds (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand), the first solenoid valve 22 and the third solenoid valve 44 are closed simultaneously, and then the air supplement function stops. (d) It is noted that, when the automatic air supplement function is turned on, the detection function of the first flow switch 45 should be turned off (but the water flow can still pass through it).
It is noted that, the flow switch used in some embodiments of the present invention is applicable to detect water flow, but not applicable to detect air flow, and it probably makes a false detection when it is used to detect air flow. Therefore, in the modes involving any air inflow process such as “automatic air supplement function” and “automatic water discharging function”, in order to avoid the occurrence of false detection, the control module 50 is configured to ignore the detection function of the flow switches, or in other words, stop the detection function of the flow switches in these modes. However, as long as a suitable controller (or a suitable program therein) is introduced, all of the embodiments of the present invention may still use a flow switch capable of detecting both of water flow and air flow.
During the operation period, it is possible to repeat several times the procedure from the water inflow process, the fine bubble generating process, until the automatic air supplement function. After the fine bubble generator operates for the preset time interval, the automatic water discharging function may be turned on for, for example, 15 seconds (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand). The automatic water discharging function is performed as follows: (a) The pump 10 continues to operate. (b) The first solenoid valve 22 and the third solenoid valve 44 are opened simultaneously to accelerate the water discharging process, and meanwhile, the second solenoid valve 32 should be closed. (c) It is noted that, when the automatic water discharging function is turned on, the detection function of the first flow switch 45 should be turned off (but the water flow can still pass through it).
Specifically, in the second embodiment, the water inlet module 30 includes a water inlet filter 31, a second solenoid valve 32, and a pipeline with the second flow switch 33 arranged therein connected in sequence between the water inlet port W_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN. Accordingly, the control module 50 is electrically connected to the second flow switch 33, and configured to receive an operating state of the fine bubble generator system 1 from the second flow switch 33.
The fine bubble generator system 1 in the second embodiment has its operating principle and operating way similar to those in the first embodiment, so the details are omitted here.
Specifically, in the third embodiment, the water inlet module 30 includes a water inlet filter 31, a second solenoid valve 32, and a pipeline with the second flow switch 33 arranged therein connected in sequence between the water inlet port W_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN. At the side of the pump outlet port 10_OUT, there is further included the first water sensor 46, arranged in another pipeline between the pump outlet port 10_OUT and the first air-liquid tank 41. The first water sensor 46 is a contact water sensor. Accordingly, the control module 50 is electrically connected to the second flow switch 33, and configured to receive an operating state of the fine bubble generator system 1 from the second flow switch 33. The control module 50 is also electrically connected to the first water sensor 46, and configured to receive another operating state (for determining whether water exists or not) of the fine bubble generator system 1 from the first water sensor 46.
Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the water inlet module 30 includes a water inlet filter 31, the second check valve 34, and a pipeline with the second flow switch 33 arranged therein connected in sequence between the water inlet port W_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN. At the side the pump outlet port 10_OUT, there is further included the first water sensor 46, arranged in another pipeline between the pump outlet port 10_OUT and the first air-liquid tank 41. The first water sensor 46 is a contact water sensor. Accordingly, the control module 50 is electrically connected to the second flow switch 33, and configured to receive an operating state of the fine bubble generator system 1 from the second flow switch 33. The control module 50 is also electrically connected to the first water sensor 46, and configured to receive another operating state (for determining whether water exists or not) of the fine bubble generator system 1 from the first water sensor 46.
The principle of the fourth embodiment is that, when the first solenoid valve 22 is opened during the operation of the pump 10, and then the air is suctioned into the pump 10 through the first check valve 21 and the first solenoid valve 22; meanwhile, because the pump inlet port 10_IN is connected to the atmosphere, the pressure at the pump inlet port 10_IN is equal to the atmospheric pressure, so the water in the water channel arranged with the second check valve 34 can be blocked by the atmosphere, and therefore the water cannot be suctioned into the pump 10. When the first solenoid valve 22 is closed during the operation of the pump 10, the air is blocked by the first solenoid valve 22, while the water in the water channel is no more blocked by the atmosphere, and the water can be suctioned into the pump 10 through the second check valve 34 and the second flow switch 33. In other words, in the fourth embodiment, it can be understood that, the first solenoid valve controlling the air channel is indirectly controlling the water inflow operation in the water channel.
In those embodiments (for example, the fourth to the seventh embodiments of the present invention) where the water inlet module 30 lacks a solenoid valve or any other similar controllable component used to open or close the water channel, the aforementioned principle is applied to indirectly control the water inflow operation in the water channel.
On the other hands, during the air inflow interval, the effect of the second check valve 34 should be taken into consideration. When the fine bubble generator system 1 is installed in a position lower than the water level of the water container (for example, the bathtub), in the case where there is no second check valve 34, because the water level of the water container is higher than the fine bubble generator system 1, the water in the water container will flow toward the fine bubble generator system 1, and this is called the “siphon phenomenon”, which may result in incorrect operation of the fine bubble generator system 1; however, in the case where there is the second check valve 34, the internal structure of the second check valve 34 can provide sufficient resistance to block the water in the water container (for example, the bathtub) to flow toward the fine bubble generator system 1 as a result of the siphon phenomenon.
The operating way of the fine bubble generator system 1 in the fourth embodiment is illustrated as follows:
It is possible to preset the fine bubble generator system 1 to operate, for example, 14 minutes 50 seconds (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand) and then stop.
The pump 10 turns on, and the first solenoid valve 22 is closed, the self-priming function of the pump 10 begins to suction the water. After the pump 10 turns on, at first, the second flow switch 33 will detect the state of water inflow, if no water flows in within, for example, 3 seconds (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand), the fine bubble generator system 1 will be forced to a shutdown. If water flows in, the water will go sequentially through the water inlet filter 31, the second check valve 34, the second flow switch 33, the pump 10, and the first water sensor 46, and is injected into the first air-liquid tank 41 and the second air-liquid tank 42, and is finally released by the nozzle 43; meanwhile, the third solenoid valve 44 remains closed.
After the pump 10 turns on for, for example, 2 minutes and 30 seconds (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand), the automatic air supplement function should be turned on. The automatic air supplement function is performed as follows: First of all, when the automatic air supplement function is turned on, a state of no water existence in the pipelines should be confirmed by the detection of the first water sensor 46; if it detects a state of water existence, an error warning should be issued, and the fine bubble generator system 1 should be forced to a shutdown. Next, (a) The pump 10 continues to operate. (b) The first solenoid valve 22 is opened to allow the air to enter from the first check valve 34, the air goes sequentially through the first solenoid valve 22, the pump 10, and the first water sensor 46, and is injected into the first air-liquid tank 41 and the second air-liquid tank 42. (c) The first solenoid valve 22 and the third solenoid valve 44 are opened simultaneously, so that the air supplement function can be performed simultaneously with the water discharging process accelerated. (d) After the air supplement function is performed for, for example, 8 seconds (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand), the first solenoid valve 22 and the third solenoid valve 44 are closed simultaneously. (e) It is noted that, when the automatic air supplement function is turned on, the detection function of the second flow switch 33 should be turned off (but the water flow can still pass through it).
During the operation period, it is possible to repeat several times the procedure from the water inflow process, the fine bubble generating process, until the automatic air supplement function. After the fine bubble generator operates for the preset time interval, the automatic water discharging function may be turned on for, for example, 10 seconds (which may be adjusted depending on practical demand). The automatic water discharging function is performed as follows: (a) The pump 10 continues to operate. (b) The first solenoid valve 22 and the third solenoid valve 44 are opened simultaneously to accelerate the water discharging process. (c) It is noted that, when the automatic water discharging function is turned on, the detection function of the second flow switch 33 should be turned off (but the water flow can still pass through it), and the detection function of the first water sensor 46 should be turned on to confirm a state of no water existence in the pipelines.
Specifically, in the fifth embodiment, the water inlet module 30 includes a water inlet filter 31 and the second check valve 34 connected in sequence between the water inlet port W_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN.
Specifically, in the sixth embodiment, the water inlet module 30 includes a water inlet filter 31, the second check valve 34, and a pipeline with the second flow switch 33 arranged therein connected in sequence between the water inlet port W_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN. Accordingly, the control module 50 is electrically connected to the second flow switch 33, and configured to receive an operating state of the fine bubble generator system 1 from the second flow switch 33.
Specifically, in the seventh embodiment, the water inlet module 30 includes a water inlet filter 31, the second check valve 34, and a pipeline with the second flow switch 33 arranged therein connected in sequence between the water inlet port W_IN and the pump inlet port 10_IN. At the side of the pump outlet port 10_OUT, there is further included the second water sensor 46′, adjacent to the pump outlet port 10_OUT or the first air-liquid tank 41. The second water sensor 46′ is a non-contact water sensor. Accordingly, the control module 50 is electrically connected to the second flow switch 33, and configured to receive an operating state of the fine bubble generator system 1 from the second flow switch 33. The control module 50 is also electrically connected to the second water sensor 46′, and configured to receive another operating state (for determining whether water exists or not) of the fine bubble generator system 1 from the second water sensor 46′.
The fine bubble generator system 1 in the seventh embodiment has its operating principle and operating way similar to those in the fourth embodiment, so its detailed description is omitted here.
As shown in
The air-liquid tank is designed according to the following requirements:
The nozzle 43 is a component that can generate fine bubbles from the air-liquid-mixed water, and the nozzle 43 sequentially includes a nozzle nut 901, a first waterproof gasket 902, a transfer connector 903, a water column generating component 904, a second waterproof gasket 905, a first metal mesh 906, a first water separator 907, a second water separator 908, a second metal mesh 909, a third water separator 910, and a nozzle metal shell 911.
Next, the aforementioned components can be assembled referring to
The principle about how the nozzle 9 generates fine bubbles is illustrated as follows: With the water column generating component 904 connected to the transfer connector 903, the air-liquid-mixed water passing through the small holes having a reduced diameter of the water column generating component 904 can have an increased flow speed and thus form a strong water column. The water column is cut by the first metal mesh 906 and hits at the center of the first water separator 907, which can provide splashing and stirring effects. The water column is broken up by the first water separator 907 and is injected into the air chamber formed by the first water separator 907, the second water separator 908, and the third water separator 910 (wherein, the second water separator 908 can seal its periphery, such that the air chamber has a suitable space), and it will experience the impact and cutting actions in the air chamber, in particular the further cutting action due to the second metal mesh 909 in the air chamber, and finally the fine bubbles are generated.
Various optional and preferable functions applicable in the fine bubble generator system of the present invention, which may be chosen by the skilled person depending on practical demand, are described as follows.
As previously mentioned, if the water channel is arranged with the second solenoid valve 32 (for example, referring to the first to the third embodiments), it is possible to consider to integrate the “accelerating water outlet pipeline” which connects the accelerating water outlet port W_OUT2 to the water container 7 and the “water inlet pipeline” which connects the water container 7 to the water inlet port W_IN into a single pipeline. One integrating way may be implemented by using a three-way pipe 6.
The purpose and the operating way of the “flow switch” and the “water sensor” are illustrated as follows. The flow switch is used to detect whether there is fluid flowing in a pipeline. The water sensor may be a contact water sensor or a non-contact water sensor, which are both used to detect whether water exists in the pipeline or not.
During the water inflow interval: (a) When the flow switch detects that there is water flowing, and the water sensor detects the water existence, the control module can determine a normal operating state of the fine bubble generator system. (b) When the flow switch detects that there is something flowing (actually, air flowing), and the water sensor detects no water existence, the control module can determine an abnormal operating state of the fine bubble generator system, wherein this situation means that the water inlet port is suctioning the air, probably because the water inlet port has left from the water surface. (c) When the flow switch detects that there is nothing flowing, and the water sensor detects the water existence, the control module can determine an abnormal operating state of the fine bubble generator system, wherein this situation means that a problem occurs in the water inlet module, probably because the flow switch malfunctions and cannot detect the water flowing. (d) When the flow switch detects that there is nothing flowing, and the water sensor detects no water existence, the control module can determine an abnormal operating state of the fine bubble generator system, wherein this situation means that a problem occurs in the water inlet module, probably because the water inlet module has an obstruction, for example, the water inlet filter has a jam.
During the air inflow interval, (a) When the flow switch detects that there is something flowing (actually, air flowing), and the water sensor detects no water existence, the control module can determine a normal operating state of the fine bubble generator system. (b) When the flow switch detects that there is something flowing (actually, air flowing), and the water sensor detects the water existence, the control module can determine an abnormal operating state of the fine bubble generator system, wherein this situation means that the water sensor malfunctions and makes a false detection of water existence. (c) When the flow switch detects that there is something flowing (actually, water flowing), and the water sensor detects no water existence, the control module can determine an abnormal operating state of the fine bubble generator system, wherein this situation means that the flow switch malfunctions and makes a false detection of water flowing. (d) When the flow switch detects that there is something flowing (actually, water flowing), and the water sensor detects the water existence, the control module can determine an abnormal operating state of the fine bubble generator system, wherein this situation means that the air inlet module has an obstruction, or the second check valve malfunctions, or the first solenoid valve malfunctions.
Optionally and preferably, after using the fine bubble generator system and before turning off it, it is preferably to perform an automatic forcible water discharging to completely discharge the water in all of the water-related devices such as the pipelines, the pump, the air-liquid tank, the nozzle, so as to avoid the mold growing in the internal of the fine bubble generator system, which can influence the user's health. Furthermore, optionally and preferably, a blower may be arranged at the water inlet port of the fine bubble generator system. After the completion of the automatic forcible water discharging, the blower may be turned on to dry the water-related devices.
When the control module finds out any abnormality (for example, a jam) in the pipelines, component failure, or deviation (for example, excessive tilt) from the correct position where the fine bubble generator system should be, based on the detections by various detection devices (for example, a flow switch, a water sensor, or a tilt sensor), the control module may immediately turn off the power supplied to all of the loads (for example, the pump and the solenoid valves), force the pump to stop its operation, and force the solenoid valves to be closed. For this purpose, in the present invention, each solenoid valve can be of a normally closed configuration or a normally open configuration, which may be chosen by the skilled person depending on practical demand.
Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
This application claims the benefit of filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/353,893, entitled “MICRO BUBBLE GENERATOR SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND NOZZLE STRUCTURE” filed Jun. 21, 2022 under 35 USC § 119(e)(1).
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63353893 | Jun 2022 | US |
