FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to swimming pools and spas, and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to systems and methods for heating water of the swimming pool or spa.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Swimming pools and spas are commonly used for a variety of recreational and other purposes, and in some cases, it may be desirable to heat the water of the swimming pool or spa. Some pool installations include both a swimming pool and spa, and water flow through the swimming pool and spa is controlled by a single pump, heater, and filter by operating the system in one of two modes. In a normal pool mode of operation, water from the pool is circulated to both the swimming pool and spa, and in a spa made, the water from the pool is circulated to the spa, where the water commonly empties into the pool. In other words, in the spa mode, the water is indirectly circulated to the pool via the spa. The pool water entering the spa is typically at a relatively colder temperature compared to a desired water temperature for the spa. Gas heaters are commonly utilized to rapidly heat the cold pool water, but such heaters may be wasteful from both a cost and environmental perspective. Heat pumps have a slower heating time and limitations regarding sufficiently heating the cold pool water to the desired spa temperature.
SUMMARY
Embodiments covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.
According to certain embodiments, a system, method, and program code for heating a pool system with a swimming pool and a spa include operating the pool system with a circulation system comprising a single heater and a single pump by operating the pool system in a spa mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the spa, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool, operating the pool system in a pool mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the pool, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool, and automatically switching between the spa mode and the pool mode to maintain the swimming pool at a first set point temperature and the spa at a second set point temperature without substantially mixing water of the swimming pool and water of the spa.
According to some embodiments, a method of heating a pool system with a swimming pool and a spa includes operating the pool system at least in a spa mode and a pool mode. In the spa mode, water is only circulated through the circulation system and the spa, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool. In the pool mode, water is only circulated through the circulation system and the pool, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool.
Optionally, the pool system is automatically switched between the spa mode and the pool mode without mixing water of the pool with water of the spa. In certain embodiments, the pool system may be controlled to automatically switch between the spa mode and the pool mode to maintain and/or achieve a water temperature in the pool and spa, respectively, without substantially mixing the water from the pool with the water from the spa. In certain embodiments, automatically switching between the pool mode and the spa mode may allow the system to maintain temperature set points in two bodies of water (e.g., the pool and the spa) using one pump and one heating source.
Optionally, the method includes operating the pool system in a system mode in which water is circulated through a circulation system and both the swimming pool and the spa.
According to some embodiments, a pool control system for a swimming pool and a spa includes a circulation flow controller, a return flow controller, and a control system. The circulation flow controller may control a flow of water from a circulation system to the swimming pool and the spa, and the return flow controller may control a flow of water from the swimming pool and the spa to the circulation system. In various embodiments, the control system is communicatively coupled to the circulation flow controller and the return flow controller and may automatically control the circulation flow controller and the return flow controller such that a flow of water is through the circulation system and (a) only the pool, (b) only the spa, and/or (c) both the pool and the spa.
According to various embodiments, a pool control system for a pool system may be configured to automatically control a flow of water in the pool system pursuant to at least a spa mode and a pool mode, wherein: in the spa mode, water of the pool is isolated from water of the spa, and only the water of the spa is circulated through the pool system; and/or in the pool mode, water of the pool is isolated from water of the spa, and only the water of the pool is circulated through the pool system. Optionally, the control system is configured to control the flow of water in the pool system pursuant to a system mode in which water is circulated through both the swimming pool and the spa. Optionally, the pool system is automatically switched between the spa mode and the pool mode without mixing water of the pool with water of the spa.
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors, which, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions including operating the pool system in the pool mode, the spa mode, and optionally the system mode.
Various implementations described herein can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.
FIG. 1 illustrates a pool system according to embodiments.
FIG. 2 illustrates the pool system of FIG. 1 in a system mode.
FIG. 3 illustrates the pool system of FIG. 1 in a spa mode.
FIG. 4 illustrates the pool system of FIG. 1 in a pool mode.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Described herein are systems and methods for improved heating of swimming pools or spas. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may allow for isolation of spa water from pool water in a pool installation that includes both a swimming pool and spa while utilizing a single pump, heater, and filter. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may allow for preheating of the spa over a longer duration in a cost friendly and environmentally friendly manner compared to traditional approaches.
In various embodiments, compared to traditional approaches the systems and methods described herein may allow for a pool system to have three modes of operation-a system mode, a spa mode, and a pool mode. The system mode may circulate water to both the swimming pool and spa, the spa mode may circulate water to only the spa (i.e., the water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool), and the pool mode may circulate water to only the pool (i.e., the water of the pool is isolated from the water of the spa). The systems and methods described herein may allow for isolation of the spa and/or the pool on-demand (or as otherwise desired). Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems and methods provided herein, and the aforementioned advantages should not be considered limiting.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a pool system 100 according to embodiments. The pool system 100 generally includes a pool 102, a spa 104, and a circulation system 106.
The pool 102 and spa 104 each may have various features, arrangements, shapes, and profiles as desired. In some optional embodiments, a size and/or volume of water of the pool 102 is greater than that of the spa 104. In various embodiments, the spa 104 may generally be kept at a higher temperature in use, although it need not be in other embodiments.
The circulation system 106 may include various inlets and outlets for receiving water from the pool 102 and/or the spa 104 and directing circulated water back into the pool 102 and/or the spa 104 as discussed in detail below. The arrows illustrated in FIG. 1 represent various flow paths of water within the pool system 100 and between components of the pool system 100. In particular, the flow paths may include a flow path 103 from the circulation system 106 to the pool 102 and a flow path 105 from the circulation system 106 to the spa 104.
In various embodiments, the circulation system 106 includes a pump 108, a filtration system or filter 110, and a heater 111.
The pump 108 may generally control a flow rate of water flowing through the circulation system 106 back to the pool 102 and/or to the spa 104 and may be any suitable type of pump 108. In certain embodiments, the pump 108 may be a variable speed pump operable in various modes such that the water may flow at various flow rates. In other embodiments, the pump 108 need not be a variable speed pump and may instead be “on” or “off.”
The filter 110 may be various suitable devices or systems for removing debris or other particulates from the water. As non-limiting examples, the filter 110 may be a sand filtration system, a cartridge filtration system, and/or a diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration system.
The heater 111 may include one or more heating sources or devices for heating water that is received from the pool 102 and/or the spa 104 and returning the water to the pool 102 and/or the spa 104 at a heated temperature. The heating devices may be various types and/or combinations of heating devices as desired, including but not limited to heat pumps, electric heaters, gas heaters, solar heaters, and/or other suitable heading devices.
In addition to the pump 108, the filter 110, and the heater 111, the circulation system 106 additionally includes a circulation flow controller 112 for controlling a flow of water from the circulation system 106 to the pool 102 and/or the spa 104. In various embodiments, the circulation system 106 may also include a return flow controller 114 for controlling a flow of water from the pool 102 to the circulation system 106 and/or from the spa 104 to the circulation system 106. While the flow controllers 112, 114 are illustrated as separate from other components in FIG. 1, they need not be in other embodiments, and in certain embodiments, the flow controllers 112, 114 may be integrated with other components. As a non-limiting example, the pump 108 may incorporate the return flow controller 114, and/or the heater 111 may incorporate the circulation flow controller 112. In certain embodiments, and as discussed in detail below, the system 100 is operable to be in various modes and such that water is circulated to the pool 102 and/or the spa 104 as desired.
The circulation flow controller 112 and the return flow controller 114 may be various suitable devices for selectively controlling a flow of water from the pool 102 and/or spa 104. In certain embodiments, the circulation flow controller 112 and/or the return flow controller 114 each may be one or more valves and/or other flow control devices suitable for controlling a flow of water. In some embodiments, the circulation flow controller 112 and/or the return flow controller 114 are digital and/or controllable by a control system 116. In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, for example, the circulation flow controller 112 may be controllable to direct water to both the pool 102 and the spa 104 (FIG. 2), to direct water to only the spa (FIG. 3), or to direct water to only the pool (FIG. 4). Similarly, the return flow controller 114 may be controllable to direct water to the circulation system 106 from both the pool 102 and the spa 104 (FIG. 2), from only the spa 104 (FIG. 3), or from only the pool 102 (FIG. 4).
Optionally, the circulation system 106 includes the control system 116 (one or more processing units and/or memory devices) communicatively coupled to one or more pieces of equipment of the circulation system 106 using various communication techniques as desired. In certain embodiments, the control system 116 is communicatively coupled to at least the circulation flow controller 112 and the return flow controller 114.
The one or more processing units of the control system 116 may be any suitable processing device or combinations of devices including but not limited to one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units, and/or a combination thereof. The one or more memory devices of the control system 116 may be any machine-readable medium that can be accessed by the processor, including but not limited to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other storage medium, and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored. Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium,” “storage” or “memory” can represent one or more memories for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or other machine readable mediums for storing information. The term “machine-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels, and/or various other storage mediums capable of storing that contain or carry instruction(s) and/or data.
In certain embodiments, the control system 116 optionally includes an associated user interface, including but not limited to a human machine user interface, such that the control system 116 may obtain information from a user and/or provide information to the user via the user interface. When included, the user interface may be on the control system 116 itself or may be at a location remote from the control system 116 such as, but not limited to, another location within the pool system 100.
Additionally, or alternatively, the control system 116 optionally may include one or more communication modules such that the control system 116 may receive and/or send information to a user device and/or other location. Non-limiting examples of communication modules may include systems and mechanisms enabling wired communication and/or wireless communication (e.g., near field, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), low-power wide area network, cloud-based communication etc.). In one non-limiting example, the control system 116 may receive and/or send information to a user device via an application running on the user device.
In various embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the pool system 100 may include one or more temperature sensors 118 for detecting and/or monitoring a temperature of water in the pool system 100. In some embodiments, at least one temperature sensor 118 may be provided for measuring a temperature of water in the pool 102 (and/or provided to the pool 102 via flow path 103 and/or downstream from the pool 102 before the return valve 114), and at least one temperature sensor 118 may be provided for measuring a temperature of water in the spa 104 (and/or provided to the spa 104 via flow path 105 and/or downstream from the spa 104 before the return valve 114). As discussed in detail below, in certain embodiments, the control system 116 is communicatively coupled with the one or more temperature sensors 118 and may utilize temperature data from the temperature sensors 118 to provide improved control of the pool system 100.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, in various embodiments, the pool system 100 is controlled and/or operable (e.g., via control system 116) to be in one of three modes-a system mode (FIG. 2), a spa mode (FIG. 3), and a pool mode (FIG. 4). In certain embodiments, the pool system 100 may be controlled to be in one of the modes based on input from a user, based on an automatic determination by the control system 116 (e.g., factoring in current environmental conditions, cost considerations, water conditions, etc.), and/or as otherwise desired. In some embodiments, the pool system 100 may be controlled to automatically switch between the spa mode and the pool mode to maintain a water temperature in the pool 102 and a water temperature in the spa 104, respectively, without substantially mixing the water from the pool 102 with the water from the spa 104. In certain embodiments, automatically switching between the pool mode and the spa mode may allow the system to maintain temperature set points in the pool 102 and the spa 104 using one pump 108 and one heater 111 or other heating source.
Referring to FIG. 2, in the system mode, water flow (represented by arrows in solid lines) is through the circulation system 106 and both the pool 102 (flow path 103) and the spa 104 (flow path 105). In certain embodiments, in the system mode, the circulation flow controller 112 may allow for the flow of water from the circulation system 106 to the pool 102 and from the circulation system 106 to the spa 104. Similarly, in the system mode, the return flow controller 114 may allow for the flow of water into the circulation system 106 from both the pool 102 and the spa 104.
Referring to FIG. 3, in the spa mode, water flow (represented by arrows in solid lines) is through the circulation system 106 and the spa 104 (flow path 105). In the spa mode, the circulation flow controller 112 only allows water to flow along flow path 105 and prevents the flow of water along flow path 103 (a lack of water flow on flow path 103 is represented by arrows in dashed lines). Similarly, in the spa mode, the return flow controller 114 may allow for and/or may redirect water from the spa 104 to the circulation system 106 without receiving water from the pool 102. In certain embodiments, the pool system 100 operated in the spa mode may allow for isolation of water of the spa 104 from water of the pool 102, thereby allowing for targeted processing of the water for the spa 104. As non-limiting examples, in the spa mode, the circulation system 106 may cause the water to the spa 104 to flow at a particular flow rate, be filtered in a particular manner and/or to a particular level, and/or be heated to a particular temperature, any of which may not be needed and/or desired for the pool 102. As a non-limiting example, in the spa mode, the spa 104 may be preheated for a duration and/or to a temperature above a desired temperature of the pool 102.
Referring to FIG. 4, in the pool mode, water flow (represented by arrows in solid lines) is through the circulation system 106 and the pool 102 (flow path 103). In the pool mode, the circulation flow controller 112 only allows water to flow along flow path 103 and prevents the flow of water along flow path 105 (lack of water flow on flow path 105 represented by arrows in dashed lines). Similarly, in the pool mode, the return flow controller 114 may allow for and/or may redirect water from the pool 102 to the circulation system 106 without receiving water from the spa 104. Similar to the spa mode, the pool system 100 operated in the pool mode may allow for isolation of water of the pool 102 from water of the spa 104, thereby allowing for targeted processing of the water for the pool 102 and/or preventing the influence of characteristics of the water of the pool 102 on the water of the spa 104. As non-limiting examples, in the pool mode, the circulation system 106 may cause the water to the pool 102 to flow at a particular flow rate, be filtered in a particular manner and/or to a particular level, and/or be heated to a particular temperature, any of which may not be needed and/or desired for the spa 104. Moreover, by isolating the water of the pool 102 from the water of the spa 104, characteristics of water of the pool 102 may not affect the water of the spa 104, and vice versa. As a non-limiting example, water of the pool 102 is typically at a lower or cooler temperature compared to water of the spa 104, and in the pool mode (or spa mode), the cool water does not mix with water of the spa 104 at elevated temperatures, thereby improving heating performance for the water for the spa 104. Such improved heating performance in turn may provide cost and energy savings.
In some embodiments, in addition to controlling the flow of water, operation of the heater 111 may be controlled and/or changed based on the pool system 100 being in the spa mode or the pool mode. As a non-limiting example, in the spa mode, the heater may be controlled to heat at a first level or temperature, and in the pool mode, the heater may be controlled to heat at a second level or temperature greater. As further non-limiting examples, in the spa mode, the heater 111 may be operated to rapidly heat the water, and in the pool mode, the heater 111 may be operated to gradually heat the water. Various other controls and/or changes in operation of the heater 111 may be implemented as desired.
In various embodiments, the control system 116 may control flow controllers 112, 114 to be in the system mode, the spa mode, or the pool mode based on various inputs, such as but not limited to an activation by the user on an application on a user device, a scheduled future use as determined by the control system 116 and/or provided by the user, and/or other inputs or combinations of inputs as desired. Additionally, or alternatively, the control system 116 may automatically control and/or determine a mode for the pool system. As a non-limiting example, the user may communicate with the control system 116 (e.g., wirelessly via an application running on a user device and/or via a user interface of the control system 116 and/or of the pool system 100) indicating that they only intend on using the spa and within the next hour. In such embodiments, the pool system 100 may be controlled to be in the spa mode and may further control heating performance of the heater 111 to provide a desired temperature of the spa (e.g., as heating and/or usage of the pool is not desired). As another non-limiting example, a usage schedule may be provided to and/or determined by the control system 116 indicating a planned usage in two days of both the spa and the pool in the morning and a planned usage of only the pool in the evening. In such embodiments, the control system 116 may control the pool system to be in the system mode at the scheduled time in the morning and in the pool mode at the scheduled time in the evening to provided desired heating of the pool and/or the spa. As yet another non-limiting example, based on environmental conditions such as but not limited to air temperature, weather, etc. (e.g., detected by a sensor and/or provided to the control system 116), the control system 116 may automatically control the pool system to be in the spa mode (not heating the pool) when the air temperature is above a threshold or set value and to be in the system mode (heating the pool) when the air temperature is below the threshold or set value.
In some embodiments, the control system 116 may automatically switch the pool system 100 between the pool mode and the spa mode to maintain water temperature set points in the pool 102 and the spa 104 without substantially mixing the water from the pool 102 with the water from the spa 104. In certain embodiments, the control system 116 may maintain different water temperature set points in each of the pool 102 and the spa 104 (e.g., the spa 104 may be maintained at a higher temperature) without substantially mixing the water from the pool 102 and the spa 104.
In such embodiments, the control system 116 may receive and/or obtain the water temperature of the pool 102 and the water temperature of the spa 104 and compare to the detected water temperatures to set points and/or desired water temperatures for each of the pool 102 and the spa 104. Such set points may be determined by the control system and/or may be set by a user. As non-limiting examples, a desired water temperature for the pool 102 may be from 78° F.-84° F., while a desired water temperature for the spa 104 may be from 90° F.-100° F. In various embodiments, the control system 116 may switch between the pool mode and the spa mode based on a detected water temperature not being the set point, outside of a threshold for the set point, trending away from the set point, and/or as otherwise desired to maintain the temperature in each of the pool 102 and the spa 104 without substantially mixing water from the pool 102 and the spa 104.
As a non-limiting example, the control system 116 may determine that the water temperature of the pool is 80° F. (e.g., within a set range) and the temperature of the spa 104 has decreased from 95° F. to 91° F. (e.g., indicating a trend in the temperature which may result in the spa temperature being outside of the set range. In this example, the control system 116 may control the pool system 100 to be in the spa mode (heating the spa without heating the pool). Conversely, if the water temperature of the pool 102 is determined to be trending away from the set range while the water temperature of the spa 104 is determined to be steady, the control system 116 may control the pool system 100 to be in the pool mode (heating the spa without heating the pool). As another non-limiting example, the control system 116 may prioritize and/or otherwise control the modes of the pool system 100. As a non-limiting example, if both the pool 102 and the spa 104 are below and/or trending away from set points, the control system 116 may prioritize the spa 104 and control the pool system 100 to be in the spa mode for a first duration and/or until the spa 104 reaches its set point and then switch to the pool mode. In such embodiments, while in the pool mode, the control system 116 may continue to monitor the temperature of the spa 104 and may automatically switch to the spa mode responsive to the temperature of the spa 104 decreasing again, after a duration of being in the pool mode, and/or as otherwise desired. Various other controls for maintaining the water temperature in the pool 102 and the spa 104, particularly but not limited to at different temperatures, may be implemented using the systems and methods described herein, and the aforementioned examples should not be considered limiting. In various embodiments, maintaining the spa temperature at one setting and the pool temperature at another by automatically switching between a pool mode and a spa mode without substantially mixing the water may allow the system to maintain those set points with one pump and one heat source, thereby providing cost and energy savings among other benefits.
Various other combinations of control based on various combinations of input may be achieved with the systems described herein, and the aforementioned examples should not be considered limiting.
In some embodiments, the isolation of the pool 102 and the spa 104 in the spa mode and the pool mode may allow for the spa 104 to be preheated to a desired spa temperature over a longer duration (if desired) and/or in an energy friendly and cost friendly manner. As a non-limiting example, in the spa mode, a heat pump may be utilized as the heater 111 to preheat the spa 104 to a temperature over a duration of one or more days compared to traditional approaches (although heating over a duration less than a day, such as one or more hours, may be utilized). As another non-limiting example, the spa mode may allow for a gas heater as the heater 111 to be operated at a lower level to preheat the water of the spa 104 compared to traditional approaches. As another non-limiting example, the spa mode may allow for rapid heating of the spa 104 in a shorter duration using a gas heater as the heater 111 compared to traditional approaches.
Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems and methods provided herein, and the aforementioned advantages should not be considered limiting.
Exemplary concepts or combinations of features of the invention may include:
- A. A method of heating a pool system comprising a swimming pool and a spa, the method comprising:
- i. operating the pool system in a spa mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the spa, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool; and
- ii. operating the pool system in a pool mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the pool, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool;
- iii. wherein the pool system is automatically switched between the spa mode and the pool mode without mixing water of the pool with water of the spa.
- B. A method of automatically heating a pool system comprising a swimming pool and a spa, the method comprising:
- i. operating the pool system in a system mode in which water is circulated through a circulation system and both the swimming pool and the spa;
- ii. operating the pool system in a spa mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the spa, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool; and/or
- iii. operating the pool system in a pool mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the pool, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool.
- C. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising operating the pool system in a system mode in which water is circulated through the circulation system and both the swimming pool and the spa.
- D. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein operating the pool system in the system mode, the spa mode, and/or the pool mode is responsive to a trigger event, wherein the trigger event optionally comprises input from a user, a scheduled future use, an environmental condition, or a determination by a control system, combinations thereof, and/or other trigger events as desired.
- E. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the circulation system comprises a circulation flow controller for selectively controlling a flow of water from a circulation system to the swimming pool and the spa and a return flow controller for selectively controlling a flow of water from the swimming pool and the spa to the circulation system, and wherein automatically switching between the spa mode and the pool mode comprises controlling the circulation flow controller and the return flow controller.
- F. A pool control system for a swimming pool and a spa, the pool control system comprising
- i. a circulation flow controller for selectively controlling a flow of water from a circulation system to the swimming pool and the spa; and
- ii. a return flow controller for selectively controlling a flow of water from the swimming pool and the spa to the circulation system, and
- iii. a control system communicatively coupled to the circulation flow controller and the return flow controller, the control system configured to automatically control the circulation flow controller and the return flow controller such that a flow of water is through the circulation system and (a) only the pool, (b) only the spa, and/or (c) both the pool and the spa.
- G. A pool control system for a pool system comprising a swimming pool and a spa, wherein the pool control system is configured to automatically control a flow of water in the pool system pursuant to at least a system mode, a spa mode, and a pool mode, wherein:
- i. in the system mode, water is circulated through both the swimming pool and the spa;
- ii. in the spa mode, water of the pool is isolated from water of the spa, and only the water of the spa is circulated through the pool system; and/or
- iii. in the pool mode, water of the pool is isolated from water of the spa, and only the water of the pool is circulated through the pool system.
- H. A pool control system for a pool system comprising a swimming pool and a spa and a heater, wherein the pool control system is configured to automatically control a flow of water in the pool system and operation of the heater pursuant to at least a system mode, a spa mode, and a pool mode, wherein operation of the heater changes based on the pool control system being in the spa mode or the pool mode, and wherein:
- i. in the system mode, water is circulated through both the swimming pool and the spa;
- ii. in the spa mode, water of the pool is isolated from water of the spa, and only the water of the spa is circulated through the pool system; and/or
- iii. in the pool mode, water of the pool is isolated from water of the spa, and only the water of the pool is circulated through the pool system.
- I. A pool control system for a pool system comprising a swimming pool and a spa, wherein the pool control system is configured to control a flow of water in the pool system pursuant to at least a spa mode and a pool mode, wherein:
- i. in the spa mode, water of the pool is isolated from water of the spa, and only the water of the spa is circulated through the pool system; and
- ii. in the pool mode, water of the pool is isolated from water of the spa, and only the water of the pool is circulated through the pool system,
- iii. wherein the pool system is automatically switched between the spa mode and the pool mode without mixing water of the pool with water of the spa.
- J. The pool control system of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, configured to perform the method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements.
- K. A pool system comprising the pool control system of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, a swimming pool, and a spa.
- L. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors, which, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions including:
- i. operating the pool system in a spa mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the spa, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool;
- ii. operating the pool system in a pool mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the pool, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool; and
- iii. optionally automatically switching between the spa mode and the pool mode without mixing water of the pool with water of the spa.
- M. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors, which, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions including:
- i. operating the pool system in a system mode in which water is circulated through a circulation system and both the swimming pool and the spa;
- ii. operating the pool system in a spa mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the spa, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool; and/or
- iii. operating the pool system in a pool mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the pool, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool.
- N. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions causing the one or more processors to perform the method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements.
- O. A method of heating a pool system comprising a swimming pool and a spa, the method comprising operating the pool system with a circulation system comprising a single heater and a single pump by:
- i. operating the pool system in a spa mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the spa, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool;
- ii. operating the pool system in a pool mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the pool, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool; and
- iii. automatically switching between the spa mode and the pool mode to maintain the swimming pool at a first set point temperature and the spa at a second set point temperature without substantially mixing water of the swimming pool and water of the spa.
- P. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising receiving or obtaining the first set point temperature for the swimming pool and the second set point temperature for the spa from a user.
- Q. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising:
- i. receiving a first detected temperature of the swimming pool from a first sensor; and
- ii. receiving a second detected temperature of the spa from a second sensor,
- iii. wherein automatically switching between the spa mode and the pool mode is based on at least one of the first detected temperature or the second detected temperature.
- R. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising:
- i. controlling the pool system to be in the spa mode when the second detected temperature is less than the second set point temperature; and
- ii. controlling the pool system to be in the pool mode when the first detected temperature is less than the first set point temperature and the second detected temperature is at least equal to the second set point temperature.
- S. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising:
- i. controlling the pool system to be in the pool mode when the first detected temperature is less than the first set point temperature; and
- ii. controlling the pool system to be in the spa mode when the second detected temperature is less than the second set point temperature and the first detected temperature is at least equal to the first set point temperature.
- T. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the circulation system comprises a circulation flow controller for selectively controlling a flow of water from a circulation system to the swimming pool and the spa and a return flow controller for selectively controlling a flow of water from the swimming pool and the spa to the circulation system, and wherein automatically switching between the spa mode and the pool mode comprises controlling the circulation flow controller and the return flow controller.
- U. The method of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the first set point temperature is less than the second set point temperature.
- V. A pool control system for a pool system comprising a swimming pool and a spa, wherein the pool control system is configured to control a flow of water in the pool system to maintain the swimming pool at a first set point temperature and the spa at a second set point temperature with a circulation system comprising a single heater and a single pump by:
- i. operating the pool system in a spa mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the spa, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool;
- ii. operating the pool system in a pool mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the pool, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool; and
- iii. automatically switching between the spa mode and the pool mode to maintain the swimming pool at a first set point temperature and the spa at a second set point temperature without substantially mixing water of the swimming pool and water of the spa.
- W. The pool control system of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the first set point temperature is less than the second set point temperature.
- X. The pool control system of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising:
- i. a first temperature sensor configured to detect a first temperature of the water of the swimming pool; and
- ii. a second temperature sensor configured to detect a second temperature of the water of the spa,
- iii. wherein the pool control system is configured to automatically switch between the spa mode and the pool mode is based on at least one of the first temperature or the second temperature.
- Y. The pool control system of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the pool control system is configured to:
- i. control the pool system to be in the spa mode when the second detected temperature is less than the second set point temperature; and
- ii. control the pool system to be in the pool mode when the first detected temperature is less than the first set point temperature and the second detected temperature is at least equal to the second set point temperature.
- Z. The pool control system of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the pool control system is configured to:
- i. control the pool system to be in the pool mode when the first detected temperature is less than the first set point temperature; and
- ii. control the pool system to be in the spa mode when the second detected temperature is less than the second set point temperature and the first detected temperature is at least equal to the first set point temperature.
- AA. The pool control system of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, further comprising:
- i. a circulation flow controller for selectively controlling a flow of water from the circulation system to the swimming pool and the spa; and
- ii. a return flow controller for selectively controlling a flow of water from the swimming pool and the spa to the circulation system,
- iii. wherein the pool control system is configured to automatically control the circulation flow controller and the return flow controller such that the pool system is in the spa mode or the pool mode.
- BB. The pool system comprising the pool control system of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, the swimming pool, and the spa.
- CC. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors, which, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions including:
- i. operating a pool system in a spa mode in which water is only circulated through a circulation system and the spa, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool, the circulation system comprising a single heater and a single pump;
- ii. operating the pool system in a pool mode in which water is only circulated through the circulation system and the pool, and water of the spa is isolated from water of the pool; and
- iii. automatically switching between the spa mode and the pool mode to maintain the swimming pool at a first set point temperature and the spa at a second set point temperature without substantially mixing water of the swimming pool and water of the spa.
- DD. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions causing the one or more processors to receive or obtain the first set point temperature for the swimming pool and the second set point temperature for the spa from a user.
- EE. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions causing the one or more processors to perform actions including:
- i. receiving a first detected temperature of the swimming pool from a first sensor; and
- ii. receiving a second detected temperature of the spa from a second sensor,
- iii, wherein automatically switching between the spa mode and the pool mode is based on at least one of the first detected temperature or the second detected temperature.
- FF. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions causing the one or more processors to perform actions including:
- i. controlling the pool system to be in the spa mode when the second detected temperature is less than the second set point temperature; and
- ii. controlling the pool system to be in the pool mode when the first detected temperature is less than the first set point temperature and the second detected temperature is at least equal to the second set point temperature.
- GG. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions causing the one or more processors to perform actions including:
- i. controlling the pool system to be in the pool mode when the first detected temperature is less than the first set point temperature; and
- ii. controlling the pool system to be in the spa mode when the second detected temperature is less than the second set point temperature and the first detected temperature is at least equal to the first set point temperature.
- HH. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of any preceding or subsequent statement or combination of statements, wherein the first set point temperature is less than the second set point temperature.
These examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive in any way, and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of any claims ultimately drafted and issued in connection with the invention (and their equivalents). For avoidance of doubt, any combination of features not physically impossible or expressly identified as non-combinable herein may be within the scope of the invention. As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. Further, although applicant has described devices and techniques for use principally with swimming pools and spas, persons skilled in the relevant field will recognize that the present invention conceivably could be employed in connection with other objects and in other manners. Finally, references to “pools” and “swimming pools” herein may also refer to spas or other water containing vessels used for recreation, training, or therapy.
Patent Application
20250198185
