Systems and methods for wireless monitoring and maintenance of pool pumps

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11025448-B2
Application number	US-201916248546-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 15, 2019
Priority date	Dec 15, 2015
Publication date	Jun 1, 2021
Grant date	Jun 1, 2021

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a system for adapting a pool pump for wireless communication. In some embodiments, a system for adapting a pool pump with a serial communication port for communication with a user via a remote server, an internet connection, and internet enabled device is provided, the system comprising: a wireless gateway device connected to a router; and a wireless adapter connected to the serial communication port, comprising: a gateway node; a transceiver; and a processor programmed to: establish a wireless connection with the wireless gateway; receive a first message from the pool pump; cause the gateway node to modify the first message; cause the first modified message to be transmitted to the remote server via the wireless gateway; receive a second message from the remote server; modify the second message for output to the pool pump; and transmit the second modified message to the pool pump.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of remotely monitoring a pump for a pool or a spa, the pump being coupled to a motor, the method comprising:
assigning an internet protocol address to the pump;
connecting a wireless adapter to a controller of the pump;
establishing a wireless connection between the wireless adapter and a cloud based server via a wireless gateway;
establishing communication between the cloud based server and a remote user device;
uploading a first parameter from the controller of the pump to the cloud based server, wherein the first parameter is indicative of a non-recoverable fault condition that includes at least one of a ground fault, over-voltage, over-current, short circuit, no motor start, or loss of prime;
providing for remote monitoring of the first parameter from the remote user device over the wireless connection;
determining whether the first parameter has exceeded a first predetermined value;
sending a first alert message to the remote user device, wherein the first alert message documents the non-recoverable fault condition and informs a user that maintenance is recommended when the first parameter has exceeded the first predetermined value; and
providing to the remote user device an option to contact a service provider when the first parameter has exceeded the first predetermined value.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
uploading a second parameter from the controller of the pump to the cloud based server, wherein the second parameter is at least one of run time, power, speed, and temperature;
providing for remote monitoring of the second parameter from the remote user device over the wireless connection;
determining whether the second parameter has exceeded a second predetermined value;
sending a second alert message to the remote user device to inform the user that maintenance is recommended when the second parameter has exceeded the second predetermined value; and
providing to the remote user device the option to contact the service provider when the second parameter has exceeded the second predetermined value.

3. The method of claim 1 and further comprising accessing a maintenance server to obtain at least one of a user profile and product registration data.

4. The method of claim 3 and further comprising filtering possible service providers based on at least one of product make, product model, installation, years in service, geographic location, distributor, and past maintenance.

5. The method of claim 1 and further comprising analyzing the first parameter to create a list of at least one of materials and replacement parts needed to perform maintenance.

6. The method of claim 5 and further comprising providing to the cloud based server a bill of material for maintenance.

7. The method of claim 6 and further comprising evaluating a stock list of replacement parts and automatically placing an order for replacement parts.

8. The method of claim 7 and further comprising pushing a message to the remote user device requiring a user to approve ordering replacement parts.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first predetermined value is a predetermined preventative maintenance value.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
uploading a second parameter from the controller of the pump to the cloud based server, wherein the second parameter includes at least one of a pump address, pool volume, a water temperature, a flow rate unit, a time unit, a temperature unit, a maximum priming flow rate, a maximum priming time, a clean filter pressure, turnovers per day, cycles per day, a set time, a contrast level, an activation set flow rate, a set start time, a set stop time, a backwash flow rate, a backwash duration, a rinse duration, a vacuum flow rate, or a vacuum duration;
providing for remote monitoring of the second parameter from the remote user device over the wireless connection;
determining whether the second parameter has exceeded a second predetermined value;
sending a second alert message to the remote user device to inform the user that maintenance is recommended when the second parameter has exceeded the second predetermined value; and
providing to the remote user device the option to contact the service provider when the second parameter has exceeded the second predetermined value.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
uploading a second parameter from the controller of the pump to the cloud based server, wherein the second parameter includes at least one of a run time, a date, a proportional gain, an integration time, a derivation time, a derivation limit, a boost differential, a boost delay, a password, a password time out, an internal setpoint, a motor power consumption, a motor phase current, a supply voltage, an external setpoint, a motor phase, a connection type, a motor type, a service factor, a speed, a minimum frequency, a maximum frequency, a maximum sensor value, a pipe break detection value, an excessive runtime detection value, an excessive run time, an automatic restart delay, a number of resets, a detection time, a pressure sensitivity value, a pool fill time, a digital input, a relay output, an over pressure value, a ground detection value, a factory reset, a software version, a software address, or a software update;
providing for remote monitoring of the second parameter from the remote user device over the wireless connection;
determining whether the second parameter has exceeded a second predetermined value;
sending a second alert message to the remote user device to inform the user that maintenance is recommended when the second parameter has exceeded the second predetermined value; and
providing to the remote user device the option to contact the service provider when the second parameter has exceeded the second predetermined value.

12. The method of claim 1 and further comprising determining if the first parameter has changed beyond a tolerance window.

13. The method of claim 1 and further comprising pushing the first alert message from the cloud based server to the remote user device when the first parameter has exceeded the first predetermine value.

14. The method of claim 1 and further comprising setting the first predetermined value using the remote user device.

15. The method of claim 1 and further comprising setting the first predetermined value inherently within the controller.

Assignees

• Pentair Water Pool & Spa Inc

Inventors

• Khalid Hassan
• Pasche Micheal
• Broga Brian
• Westphal Robert
• Boothe Brian

Classifications

• H04W4/80 Primary

  Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication · CPC title

• H04W88/16

  Gateway arrangements · CPC title

• H04L12/2818 Primary

  from a device located outside both the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007) · CPC title