Patent Grant
11725742
Aspects of this document relate generally to pool cycling valves, and more specifically to a pool cycling valve which is rotated selectively and incrementally by water flow through the valve.
Pools of water often have a variety of systems which require water flow to operate. For example, a pool of water might have various water features, such as waterfalls and fountains, as well as systems used for pool maintenance, such as water filters and cleaning systems. Existing pool valves are used to direct water through these systems. However, the structure of these pool valves causes high pressure loss. Existing pool valves are controlled through the use of turbines, gears, and other rotating parts which are rotated by the flow of water. This constant drag on the flow of water increases the pressure requirements of the system. Due to the increased pressure requirements, fewer water systems can be run by a single pump. Large amounts of energy are therefore consumed by running multiple pumps.
In addition to the lack of efficiency in energy use, existing pool valves also provide poor control over the system to the user. For example, existing pool valves do not allow for variable amounts of time spent on different outlets of the pool valve. This means that the user cannot choose to keep a specific water feature on, such as a fountain or a water slide, for an indefinite period of time if these features are controlled by the same pool valve. For this reason, many water features have a pump set aside just for that purpose. In addition, this lack of control means that, for a pool cleaning system, all of the cleaning heads must remain turned on for the same amount of time, even if that is not what is needed. For example, a specific area of the pool may need to be cleaned. With existing pool valves, the entire pool would have to be cleaned to use the installed cleaning system, instead of being able to focus on the specific area of the pool that requires cleaning. Thus, existing pool valves are inefficient, cause high pressure loss, and fail to give the user sufficient control over the pool systems.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a pool cycling valve system may comprise a first pool cycling valve having a first valve body with a first inlet port and a first plurality of outlet ports, wherein the first pool cycling valve is configured to move a first outlet port aperture to align with a first different outlet port of the first plurality of outlet ports in response to a change of water pressure within the first valve body, a first position sensor configured to determine a position of the first outlet port aperture, a first pausing arm configured to interfere with the movement of the first outlet port aperture when the first pausing arm is engaged, regardless of a change of water pressure within the first valve body, a first plurality of water zones each configured to fluidly couple with a respective outlet port of the first plurality of outlet ports, an interface configured to receive input from a user for a user-selected sequence for activating each water zone of the first plurality of water zones, a user-selected duration of activated time per water zone prior to activation of a subsequent water zone of the first plurality of water zones, and a number of water pressure cycles for a particular water zone to receive prior to the activation of the subsequent water zone, and a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the interface, wherein the interface is configured to communicate the input to the microcontroller and the microcontroller is configured to control the first pool cycling valve, the first outlet port aperture movement, and the first pausing arm to intelligently and selectively discharge water to each of the first plurality of water zones based on the input received from the interface.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The pool cycling valve system may further comprise a second pool cycling valve configured to move a second outlet port aperture to align with a second different outlet port of a second plurality of outlet ports of the second pool cycling valve in response to a change of water pressure within a second valve body of the second pool cycling valve, a second position sensor configured to determine a position of the second outlet port aperture, a second pausing arm configured to interfere with the movement of the second outlet port aperture when the second pausing arm is engaged, regardless of a change of water pressure within the second valve body, and a second plurality of water zones each configured to fluidly couple with a respective outlet port of the second plurality of outlet ports, wherein a second inlet port of the second pool cycling valve is configured to receive water flow from a connected first outlet port of the first plurality of outlet ports, and wherein the microcontroller is further configured to control the second pool cycling valve, the second outlet port aperture movement, and the second pausing arm to intelligently and selectively discharge water to each of the second plurality of water zones based on the input received from the interface. At least one of the duration of activated time and the number of water pressure cycles may be different for each water zone of the first plurality of water zones. The change of water pressure within the valve body may be a reduction of at least 50%. The pool cycling valve system may further comprise a pump communicatively coupled to the microcontroller and configured to supply water to the first inlet port of the first pool cycling valve, wherein the microcontroller is configured to control the pump to supply water to the first pool cycling valve based on the input received from the interface and a plurality of pool cleaning heads, each water zone of the first plurality of water zones fluidly coupled to a portion of the plurality of pool cleaning heads.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a pool cycling valve system may comprise at least one pool cycling valve having a valve body with an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, a plurality of water zones each configured to fluidly couple with a respective outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports, an interface configured to receive input from a user for at least one of a user-selected sequence for activating each water zone of the plurality of water zones, a user-selected duration of activated time per water zone prior to activation of a subsequent water zone of the plurality of water zones, and a number of water pressure cycles for a particular water zone to receive prior to the activation of the subsequent water zone, and a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the interface, wherein the interface is configured to communicate the input to the microcontroller and the microcontroller is configured to intelligently and selectively discharge water to each of the plurality of water zones based on the input received from the interface.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The pool cycling valve may be configured to move an outlet port aperture to align with a different outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports in response to a change of water pressure within the valve body. The pool cycling valve system may further comprise a position sensor configured to determine a position of the outlet port aperture. The pool cycling valve system may further comprise a pausing arm configured to interfere with the movement of the outlet port aperture when the pausing arm is engaged, regardless of a change of water pressure within the valve body. The change of water pressure within the valve body may be a reduction of at least 50%. For each of the plurality of water zones, the duration of activated time and the number of water pressure cycles may be carried out without moving the outlet port aperture to align with a different outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports. At least one of the duration of activated time and the number of water pressure cycles may be different for each water zone of the plurality of water zones. The pool cycling valve system may further comprise a pump communicatively coupled to the microcontroller and configured to supply water to the inlet port of the at least one pool cycling valve, wherein the microcontroller is configured to control the pump to supply water to the at least one pool cycling valve based on the input received from the interface and a plurality of pool cleaning heads, each water zone of the plurality of water zones fluidly coupled to a portion of the plurality of pool cleaning heads.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method for operating a pool cycling valve system may comprise receiving input from a user at an interface for at least one of a user-selected sequence for activating each water zone of a plurality of water zones of the pool cycling valve system, a user-selected duration of activated time per water zone prior to activation of a subsequent water zone of the plurality of water zones, and a number of water pressure cycles for a particular water zone to receive prior to the activation of the subsequent water zone, communicating the input to a microcontroller of the pool cycling valve system configured to control at least one pool cycling valve of the pool cycling valve system having a valve body with an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, wherein each of the plurality of water zones is fluidly coupled with a respective outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports, and activating and deactivating the plurality of water zones by intelligently and selectively discharging water to each of the plurality of water zones based on the input received from the interface.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The method of operating a pool cycling valve system may further comprise engaging a pausing arm of the pool cycling valve system while discharging water from the valve body. Activating the plurality of water zones may comprise receiving a stream of water into the valve body through the inlet port of the valve body and discharging the stream of water from the valve body through the outlet port corresponding to the activated zone. Activating a water zone of the plurality of water zones may comprise aligning an outlet port aperture of the pool cycling valve system with the outlet port corresponding to the activated zone. The method of operating a pool cycling valve system may further comprise determining a rotational position of an outlet port aperture of the pool cycling valve system. The input may specify a different duration of activated time for each water zone of the plurality of water zones. The input may specify a different number of water pressure cycles for each water zone of the plurality of water zones.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method for operating a pool cycling valve, may comprise receiving a stream of water into a valve body of a pool cycling valve through an inlet port, wherein a ratchet assembly is disposed within and rotatably coupled to the valve body, and the ratchet assembly is in a closed position configured to interfere with the stream of water flowing through the inlet port, rotating the ratchet assembly by a predetermined angle from the closed position to an open position, directing the stream of water to a bottom plate having an outlet port aperture extending through the bottom plate and aligned with an outlet port of a plurality of outlet ports of the valve body, discharging the stream of water from the valve body through the outlet port aperture and the outlet port, rotating the ratchet assembly from the open position to the closed position, and aligning the outlet port aperture with a different outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports in response to a combination of an increase and a decrease in water pressure within the valve body.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. Pausing the ratchet assembly in the open position by extending a pausing arm into the interior of the valve body to engage with the ratchet assembly and restrict its movement. Sensing a rotational position of the bottom plate. Rotating the ratchet assembly by a predetermined angle from the closed position to the open position may further comprise rotating the ratchet assembly as a result of exerting pressure on the ratchet assembly with the stream of water. Rotating the ratchet assembly from the open position to the closed position may further comprise rotating the ratchet assembly as a result of decreasing the pressure on the ratchet assembly.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method for operating a pool cycling valve may comprise aligning an outlet port aperture extending through a bottom plate of the pool cycling valve with a first outlet port of a plurality of outlet ports of a valve body of the pool cycling valve, receiving a first stream of water into the valve body through an inlet port, directing the first stream of water to the outlet port aperture, discharging the first stream of water from the valve body through the outlet port aperture and through the first outlet port, increasing water pressure within the valve body, decreasing the water pressure within the valve body, aligning the outlet port aperture with a second outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports in response to a first combination of the increasing and decreasing water pressure, receiving a second stream of water into the valve body through the inlet port, directing the second stream of water to the outlet port aperture, discharging the second stream of water from the valve body through the outlet port aperture and through the second outlet port, increasing the water pressure within the valve body after discharging the second stream of water, decreasing the water pressure within the valve body after discharging the second stream of water, and aligning the outlet port aperture with a third outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports response to a second combination of the increasing and decreasing water pressure.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. Aligning the outlet port aperture with the first outlet port may be in response to a change of water pressure within the valve body. The change of water pressure may be a reduction of water pressure within the valve body. The reduction of water pressure within the valve body may be a reduction of at least 50%. Holding the bottom plate stationary while increasing the water pressure within the valve body, receiving a stream of water into the valve body through the inlet port, directing the stream of water to the outlet port aperture, discharging the stream of water from the valve body through the outlet port aperture, and decreasing the water pressure within the valve body. Sensing a rotational position of the bottom plate. Aligning the outlet port aperture with the second outlet port and aligning the outlet port aperture with the third outlet port may be each taken immediately after decreasing the water pressure within the valve body.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method for operating a pool cycling valve may comprise aligning an outlet port aperture extending through a bottom plate with a first outlet port of a plurality of outlet ports of a valve body, receiving a first stream of water into the valve body through an inlet port, discharging the first stream of water from the valve body through the outlet port aperture and through the first outlet port, and aligning the outlet port aperture with a second outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports in response to a combination of a negative and a positive change in water pressure within the valve body.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. Aligning the outlet port aperture with the second outlet port may be taken after the negative change in the water pressure within the valve body. The positive change in the water pressure may occur after the negative change in the water pressure for the combination. Aligning the outlet port aperture with the first outlet port may be in response to a change of water pressure within the valve body. The change of water pressure may be a reduction of water pressure within the valve body. The negative change in the water pressure within the valve body may be a reduction in water pressure by at least 50%. Holding the bottom plate stationary while increasing the water pressure within the valve body, receiving a stream of water into the valve body through the inlet port, discharging the stream of water from the valve body through the outlet port aperture, and decreasing the water pressure within the valve body. Sensing a rotational position of the bottom plate.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a pool cycling valve may comprise a valve body having at least one inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, a ratchet assembly disposed within and rotatably coupled to the valve body, the ratchet assembly comprising an upper arm with a leading surface and at least one ratchet arm extending away from a perimeter of the ratchet assembly, an upper plate above the ratchet assembly within the valve body and rotationally fixed with respect to the valve body, the upper plate having a channel configured to receive a stream of water from the at least one inlet port and direct the stream of water toward a channel drain of the upper plate, wherein when the ratchet assembly is in a closed position, the upper arm extends into the channel and is configured to restrict water flow into the channel drain and when the ratchet assembly is in a open position, the upper arm is retracted within the channel to open the channel drain, and a bottom plate beneath the ratchet assembly within the valve body, the bottom plate having an outlet port aperture extending through the bottom plate and aligned with one of the plurality of outlet ports, and at least one ratchet tooth operably aligned with the at least one ratchet arm, wherein when the ratchet assembly rotates from the closed position to the open position, the at least one ratchet arm flexes and rotates without rotating the bottom plate, and when the ratchet assembly rotates from the open position to the closed position, the at least one ratchet arm engages with the at least one ratchet tooth and rotates the bottom plate to align the outlet port aperture with a different one of the plurality of outlet ports, wherein the ratchet assembly is rotationally biased toward the closed position and wherein the ratchet assembly rotates from the closed position to the open position in response to pressure exerted on the leading surface of the upper arm by the stream of water.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. A cartridge body may be disposed within and fixedly coupled to the valve body, wherein the bottom plate rests on top of the cartridge body, the cartridge body having a plurality of ramps arranged around a center of the cartridge body, wherein when the bottom plate is lifted by the plurality of ramps, the outlet port aperture is offset from each of the plurality of outlet ports and when the bottom plate is positioned off of the plurality of ramps, the outlet port aperture is aligned with one of the plurality of outlet ports. At least one pushdown arm may be fixedly coupled to the valve body, the at least one pushdown arm in contact with the bottom plate and configured to bias the bottom plate toward a position in which the outlet port aperture is aligned with an outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports. A pausing arm may extend through a side wall of the valve body, wherein, when engaged, the pausing arm protrudes into the interior of the valve body and locks the ratchet assembly in the open position. A position sensor may be located on a side wall of the valve body and a magnet fixedly coupled to the bottom plate, wherein the position sensor is configured to sense the magnet when the magnet is adjacent the position sensor.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a pool cycling valve may comprise a valve body having at least one inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, a ratchet assembly disposed within and rotationally coupled to the valve body, a bottom plate disposed within and rotationally coupled to the valve body, the bottom plate having an outlet port aperture extending through the bottom plate and aligned with an outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports, and an interface between the ratchet assembly and the bottom plate, the interface having at least one ratchet arm extending into the interface and at least one ratchet tooth operably aligned with the at least one ratchet arm, wherein one of the at least one ratchet arm and the at least one ratchet tooth is fixedly coupled to the ratchet assembly and the other of the least one ratchet arm and the at least one ratchet tooth is fixedly coupled to the bottom plate, wherein when the ratchet assembly rotates in a first direction, the bottom plate remains in place, and when the ratchet assembly rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction, the at least one ratchet arm engages with the at least one ratchet tooth and aligns the outlet port aperture with a different outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports, and wherein the ratchet assembly rotates in one of the first direction and the second direction in response to pressure exerted on the ratchet assembly by a stream of water.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The ratchet assembly may be rotationally biased to rotate in one of the first direction and the second direction. A cartridge body may be disposed within and fixedly coupled to the valve body, wherein the bottom plate rests on top of the cartridge body, the cartridge body having a plurality of ramps arranged around a center of the cartridge body, wherein when the bottom plate is lifted by the plurality of ramps, the outlet port aperture is offset from each of the plurality of outlet ports and when the bottom plate is positioned off of the plurality of ramps, the outlet port aperture is aligned with one of the plurality of outlet ports. At least one pushdown arm may be fixedly coupled to the valve body, the at least one pushdown arm in contact with the bottom plate and configured to bias the bottom plate toward a position in which the outlet port aperture is aligned with an outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports. A pausing arm may extend through a side wall of the valve body, wherein, when engaged, the pausing arm protrudes into the interior of the valve body and locks the ratchet assembly in position. A position sensor may be located on a side wall of the valve body and a magnet fixedly coupled to the bottom plate, wherein the position sensor is configured to sense the magnet when the magnet is adjacent the position sensor.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a pool cycling valve may comprise a valve body having at least one inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, and a bottom plate disposed within and rotationally coupled to the valve body, the bottom plate having an outlet port aperture extending through the bottom plate and aligned with an outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports, wherein the outlet port aperture of the bottom plate is configured to align with a different outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports in response to a change of water pressure within the valve body.
Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The change of water pressure may be a reduction of water pressure within the valve body. The reduction of water pressure within the valve body may be a reduction of at least 50%. The outlet port aperture may be configured to sequentially align with each of the plurality of outlet ports, and each alignment of the outlet port aperture with each of the plurality of outlet ports occurs after both a rise in water pressure within the valve body and a reduction in water pressure within the valve body. The outlet port aperture may be configured to rotate by discrete intervals, and at each interval, the outlet port aperture is aligned with a different outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports. The outlet port aperture may have a first position aligned with a first outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports, a second position aligned with a second outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports, and a third position aligned with a third outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports, wherein the outlet port aperture only moves from the first position to the second position after both a rise in water pressure within the valve body and a reduction in water pressure within the valve body, and wherein the outlet port aperture only moves from the second position to the third position after both a rise in water pressure within the valve body and a reduction in water pressure within the valve body. A position sensor may be configured to sense the rotational position of the bottom plate. A pausing arm may be configured to restrict rotation of the bottom plate such that the bottom plate is rotationally stationary regardless of a change of water pressure within the valve body. A ratchet assembly may be disposed within and rotationally coupled to the valve body, wherein when the ratchet assembly rotates in a first direction, the bottom plate remains in place, and when the ratchet assembly rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction, the ratchet assembly rotates the bottom plate to align the outlet port aperture with the different outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports.
The foregoing and other aspects, features, applications, and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the specification, drawings, and the claims. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that he can be his own lexicographer if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.
The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.
Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for”, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are invoked to define the claimed aspects, it is intended that these aspects not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the disclosure, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.
The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the specification, drawings, and the claims.
Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of implementations.
This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific material types, components, methods, or other examples disclosed herein. Many additional material types, components, methods, and procedures known in the art are contemplated for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any components, models, types, materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation.
The word “exemplary,” “example,” or various forms thereof are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of this disclosure in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad of additional or alternate examples of varying scope could have been presented, but have been omitted for purposes of brevity.
While this disclosure includes a number of implementations that are described in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail particular implementations with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems, and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the implementations illustrated.
In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration possible implementations. It is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural, as well as procedural, changes may be made without departing from the scope of this document. As a matter of convenience, various components will be described using exemplary materials, sizes, shapes, dimensions, and the like. However, this document is not limited to the stated examples and other configurations are possible and within the teachings of the present disclosure. As will become apparent, changes may be made in the function and/or arrangement of any of the elements described in the disclosed exemplary implementations without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
As illustrated in
For pools with a higher number of water-flow-dependent systems, additional pool cycling valves 100 may be fluidly coupled and operated using one pump 10, as illustrated in
As shown in
The ratchet body 120 may have at least one ratchet arm 150 extending away from a perimeter of the ratchet body 120 (see
The ratchet assembly 154 may be rotationally biased toward the closed position (
As a result of the interface 152 between the ratchet assembly 154 and the bottom plate 118, when the ratchet assembly 154 rotates from the closed position (
In some embodiments of the pool cycling valve 100, the upper plate 128 is located above the ratchet assembly 154 within the valve body 102, as illustrated in
Returning to
Based on the above disclosure, the pool cycling valve 100 may be operated using the following steps. The stream of water 164 may be received into the valve body 102 through an inlet port 104, with the ratchet assembly 154 in the closed position (
In another embodiment, the pool cycling valve 100 may be operated using the following steps. The outlet port aperture 146 may be aligned with a first outlet port 106 of the plurality of outlet ports 106 of the valve body 102. This step may be taken in response to a change of water pressure within the valve body 102, such as a reduction of water pressure within the valve body 102. The reduction of water pressure may be a reduction of at least 50%. The water pressure within the valve body 102 may be increased. A first stream of water 164 may be received into the valve body 102 through an inlet port 104. Rotational energy from the first stream of water 164 may be stored within the pool cycling valve 100, such as in a spring 126. The first stream of water 164 may be directed to the outlet port aperture 146 and discharged from the valve body 102 through the outlet port aperture 146 and through the first outlet port 106. The water pressure within the valve body 102 may be decreased. The outlet port aperture 146 may be aligned with a second outlet port 106 of the plurality of outlet ports 106 in response to a reduction of water pressure within the valve body 102. The stored rotational energy from the first stream of water 164 may be used to align the outlet port aperture 146 with the second outlet port 106. The water pressure within the valve body 102 may be increased. A second stream of water 164 may be received into the valve body 102 through the inlet port 104. Rotational energy from the second stream of water 164 may be stored within the pool cycling valve 100. The second stream of water 164 may be directed to the outlet port aperture 146 and discharged from the valve body 102 through the outlet port aperture 146 and through the second outlet port 106. The water pressure within the valve body 102 may be decreased. The outlet port aperture 146 may be aligned with a third outlet port 106 of the plurality of outlet ports 106 in response to a reduction of water pressure within the valve body 102. The stored rotational energy from the first stream of water 164 may be used to align the outlet port aperture 146 with the second outlet port 106.
The method outlined above may also include steps such as holding the bottom plate 118 stationary while repeating the steps of increasing the water pressure within the valve body 102, receiving a stream of water 164 into the valve body 102 through the inlet port 104, directing the stream of water 164 to the outlet port aperture 146, discharging the stream of water 164 from the valve body 102 through the outlet port aperture 146, and decreasing the water pressure within the valve body 102. Additionally, the method may include sensing the rotational position of the bottom plate 118. Aligning the outlet port aperture 146 with the second outlet port 106 and aligning the outlet port aperture 146 with the third outlet port 106 may each occur immediately after decreasing the water pressure within the valve body 102. In addition, increasing the water pressure may occur after aligning the outlet port aperture 146 with the first outlet port 106.
Generally, the ratchet assembly 154 is cocked upon initiation of water flow to the valve 100. The ratchet assembly 154 may also be cocked upon cessation of water flow to the valve 100. Thus, during operation of the valve 100 when the stream of water 164 flows through the valve 100, the ratchet assembly 154 and the bottom plate 118 are stationary. Thus, no water flow is used during operation of the valve 100 to cause the ratchet assembly 154 or the bottom plate 118 to rotate. This decreases the head loss, allowing the pump 10 to function more efficiently. In addition, because the position of the outlet port aperture 146 only changes when little or no water pressure is present within the valve body 102, there is very little loss of water flow or pressure when the outlet port aperture 146 is in a position between two adjacent outlet ports 106. In other words, the valve 100 is configured to provide all of the water flow through one outlet port 106 at any given time, instead of occasionally splitting the water flow between two different outlet ports 106. This improves the performance of the valve 100 in operating the cleaning system 20.
Additionally, because the pool cycling valve 100 does not involve turbines, gears, or other mechanical devices that require energy from the water flow to function, the pump 10 does not need to expend energy in driving mechanisms that exert such resistance. This reduces the energy required to run the pool systems, and removes the need for maintenance that is typically required to keep the turbines, gears, and other mechanical devices running, as these components often experience significant wear over time.
Using the interruption of water flow to operate the valve 100 as disclosed above allows for a number of benefits. First, each outlet port 106 can be run for as long as needed, and various outlet ports 106 can be skipped as desired. Any pattern or sequence can be selected. In addition, a smaller system pump 10 can be used due to the lower pressure loss as explained above, leading to significant energy savings. A further use of the valve 100 disclosed herein is with a cleaning system 20 which implements cleaning heads or devices 40 that require cycles of water flow to function, such as those which rotate or are directionally controlled. The valve 100 may be paused on a specific outlet port 106, and then turned on and off repeatedly. This allows the cleaning heads 40 to clean the first zone 30 of the pool before the cleaning system 20 moves on to the next zone 30. In this way, debris can be swept toward the drain of the pool, rather than simply stirring the debris up into the water.
Causing the bottom plate 118 to rotate, such as by interrupting water flow to the pool cycling valve 100, may be accomplished using a number of methods, either within the valve 100 or at any location from the pump 10 to the valve 100. For example, water flow may be interrupted by cycling or changing the speed of the pump 10. The pump 10 may be a soft start pump, a variable speed pump, or a multiple speed pump. The pump 10 may be cycled or flow may be reduced. A valve or similar device to stop or reduce flow to the pool cycling valve 100 may also be utilized. In addition, the water flow may be switched or redirected to another valve 100, or a bypass method may be implemented to pause the flow. Bypass methods include passing the water flow to the pool or using a cleaning system pump return.
Using the structure and system identified above, a unique system for intelligently and selectively operating a cleaning system for a pool may be implemented. Using particular embodiments of the structure and system identified herein, a controller for the pool cycling valve system may be configured by a user to selectively control new and unique features not previously controllable in a pool cycling valve and cleaning system. These features include at least: 1) sensing and remembering which specific pool cycling valve zone is active for the system at any particular time; 2) pausing on a selected pool cycling valve zone for a user-defined period of time that can be different for each zone; and 3) selectively repeating or skipping a pool cycling valve zone for a user-defined number of cycles that can be different for each zone. The combination of these new features enables pool cycling valve zone capabilities previously unknown in the industry and a unique system for intelligently and selectively operating the pool cycling valve and cleaning system in ways not previously possible.
The valve 100 disclosed above may be implemented into a pool cycling valve system 200, as shown in
As mentioned above, the interface is configured to receive input from a user. The input may be for a user-selected sequence for activating each water zone 30, including the first plurality of water zones 204. In other words, the user may indicate the order in which the user desires the water zones 30 to be activated using the interface. Activation of a water zone 30 occurs when the outlet port aperture 146 is aligned with the outlet port 106 that corresponds with that water zone 30. The input may also be for a user-selected duration of activated time per water zone 30 prior to activation of a subsequent water zone 30. This allows the user to indicate an amount of time during which the outlet port aperture 146 remains aligned with each specific outlet port 106. The input may also be used for a number of water pressure cycles for a particular water zone 30 to receive prior to the activation of the subsequent water zone 30. Thus, the input from the user indicates the parameters required to determine how the pool cycling valve system 200 is to be operated.
For each of the plurality of water zones 30, the duration of activated time and the number of water pressure cycles may be carried out without moving the outlet port apertures 146 to align with a different outlet port 106. In addition, each of these parameters may be different for each of the water zones 30. For example, the duration of activated time may be different for each of the water zones 30. In addition, or alternatively, the number of water pressure cycles may be different for each water zone 30. The interface is configured to communicate the input to the microcontroller and the microcontroller is configured to implement the indicated parameters by controlling the first pool cycling valve 202, the movement of the first outlet port aperture 146, and the first pausing arm 174. The microcontroller thus intelligently and selectively discharges water to each of the first plurality of water zones 30 based on the input received from the interface.
The pool cycling valve system 200 may also comprise a second pool cycling valve 206 with the same features of the valve 100, a second position sensor 182, a second pausing arm 174, and a second plurality of water zones 208 of the water zones 30, as shown in
In embodiments with a first pool cycling valve 202 and a second pool cycling valve 206, the same microcontroller may be used to control both valves 202, 206. The microcontroller thus may be further configured to control the second pool cycling valve 206, the movement of the second outlet port aperture 146, and the second pausing arm 174 to intelligently and selectively discharge water to each of the second plurality of water zones 208 based on the input received from the interface.
The pool cycling valve system 200 may also comprise a pump 10 and a plurality of pool cleaning heads 40. The pump 10 may be communicatively coupled to the microcontroller and configured to supply water to the first inlet port 104 of the first pool cycling valve 202. In addition, the microcontroller may be configured to control the pump 10 to supply water to the first pool cycling valve 202 based on the input received from the interface. For example, the microcontroller may turn the pump 10 on and off to create the desired water pressure cycles, and to create the necessary changes in water pressure to align the outlet port aperture 146 with a different outlet port 106. Each water zone 30 may be fluidly coupled to a portion of the plurality of pool cleaning heads 40.
A method for operating the pool cycling valve system 200 is explained below. Input may be received from a user at the interface for at least one of a user-selected sequence for activating each water zone 30, a user-selected duration of activated time per water zone 30 prior to activation of a subsequent water zone 30, and a number of water pressure cycles for a particular water zone 30 to receive prior to the activation of the subsequent water zone 30. The input may specify a different duration of activated time for each water zone 30. In addition, the input may specify a different number of water pressure cycles for each water zone 30. The input may be communicated to the microcontroller configured to control at least one pool cycling valve 100 of the pool cycling valve system 200. The plurality of water zones 30 may be activated and deactivated by intelligently and selectively discharging water to each of the plurality of water zones 30 based on the input received from the interface. Activating the plurality of water zones 30 may comprise receiving a stream of water into the valve body 102 through the inlet port 104 and discharging the stream of water from the valve body 102 through the outlet port 106 corresponding to the activated zone 30. Activating a water zone 30 may comprise aligning the outlet port aperture 146 with the outlet port 106 corresponding to the activated zone 30. The pausing arm 174 may be engaged while discharging water from the valve body 102. The rotational position of the outlet port aperture 146 may be determined.
It will be understood that implementations of a pool cycling valve are not limited to the specific assemblies, devices and components disclosed in this document, as virtually any assemblies, devices and components consistent with the intended operation of a pool cycling valve may be used. Accordingly, for example, although particular pool cycling valves, and other assemblies, devices and components are disclosed, such may include any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of pool cycling valves. Implementations are not limited to uses of any specific assemblies, devices and components; provided that the assemblies, devices and components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a pool cycling valve.
Accordingly, the components defining any pool cycling valve implementations may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a pool cycling valve implementation. For example, the components may be formed of: polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; glasses (such as quartz glass), carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, lead, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, brass, nickel, tin, antimony, pure aluminum, 1100 aluminum, aluminum alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination of the foregoing thereof. In instances where a part, component, feature, or element is governed by a standard, rule, code, or other requirement, the part may be made in accordance with, and to comply under such standard, rule, code, or other requirement.
Various pool cycling valves may be manufactured using conventional procedures as added to and improved upon through the procedures described here. Some components defining a pool cycling valve may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another, while other components may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled with the integral components. Various implementations may be manufactured using conventional procedures as added to and improved upon through the procedures described here.
Accordingly, manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components.
It will be understood that pool cycling valves are not limited to the specific order of steps as disclosed in this document. Any steps or sequence of steps of the assembly of a pool cycling valve indicated herein are given as examples of possible steps or sequence of steps and not as limitations, since various assembly processes and sequences of steps may be used to assemble pool cycling valves.
The implementations of a pool cycling valve described are by way of example or explanation and not by way of limitation. Rather, any description relating to the foregoing is for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, and implementations may also be used with similar results for a variety of other applications employing a pool cycling valve.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/160,985 entitled “Pool Cycling Valve” to Goettl et. al. that was filed on Jan. 28, 2021, now pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.
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| 4592379 | Goettl | Jun 1986 | A |
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| Webb, Scott, Save the backwash! A new invention conserves the thousands of gallons of water lost each year in a pool's sand filter backwash. If adopted, cit ould save billions, Aqua Magazine, Oct. 2020, pp. 83-88, Madison, WI, USA. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17160985 | Jan 2021 | US |
| Child | 17219856 | US |
