Systems and methods for sanitizing pool and spa water

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12157686-B2
Application number	US-202117187233-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 26, 2021
Priority date	Mar 21, 2017
Publication date	Dec 3, 2024
Grant date	Dec 3, 2024

Abstract

Systems and methods for sanitizing pool and spa water are provided. An electrolytic chlorinator is provided which includes a combined flow, temperature, and salt concentration sensor. The electrolytic chlorinator could include an acid tank for in-situ cleaning of the electrolytic chlorinator or acidification of pool/spa water where needed. A delayed polarity reversal technique is provided for de-scaling and managing passivation of the blades of an electrolytic chlorinator. The electrolytic chlorinator could include a sacrificial anode for protecting components of the chlorinator as well as other pool/spa components. The electrolytic chlorinator could include an integral, electrically-controlled acid generator, a brine tank for periodically superchlorinating and/or shocking pool/spa water, and/or a plurality of chemical tanks/feeds for periodically injecting chemicals into the chlorinator. A combined ultraviolet (UV)/Ozone and salt (electrolytic) chlorine generator is provided, as well as: filters having integral UV sanitizers; reflective linings for UV sanitization systems; means for injecting bubbles into pool/spa water; and a system for acquiring and analyzing samples of pool/spa water using an unmanned aircraft (drone).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sanitization system, comprising:
an electrolytic chlorinator having a plurality of electrolytic plates for generating free chlorine from salt through electrolysis; and
a replaceable sacrificial anode removably positioned in a chamber of the electrolytic chlorinator, the sacrificial anode mitigating against galvanic corrosion damage to a pool or spa component, wherein the replaceable sacrificial anode comprises a removable plug removably positionable within the chamber of the electrolytic chlorinator through an aperture formed in the electrolytic chlorinator.

2. The sanitization system of claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial anode is formed from zinc.

3. The sanitization system of claim 2 , wherein the zinc provides an algistat to water of a pool or a spa.

4. The sanitization system of claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial anode mitigates against corrosion caused by stray currents in water of the pool or spa.

5. The sanitization system of claim 4 , wherein the stray currents are caused by insufficient equipment bonding.

6. The sanitization system of claim 4 , wherein the stray currents are caused by insufficient grounding.

7. The sanitization system of claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial anode provides cathodic protection for a pool or a spa.

8. The sanitization system of claim 1 , wherein water flows past the sacrificial anode prior to flowing past electrolytic plates of the electrolytic chlorinator.

9. The sanitization system of claim 1 , wherein water flows past electrolytic plates of the electrolytic chlorinator prior to flowing past the sacrificial anode.

Assignees

• Hayward Ind Inc

Inventors

• Denkewicz Jr Raymond P
• Johnson Iii Arthur W
• Murdock James
• Carter James

Classifications

• B64C39/02

  characterised by special use · CPC title

• B64U2101/00

  UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications · CPC title

• C02F1/4672

  by electrooxydation · CPC title

• C02F1/325

  Irradiation devices or lamp constructions · CPC title

• C02F1/78

  with ozone {(C02F1/4672 takes precedence)} · CPC title