System for Controlling Water in an Aquatic Facility

Abstract

A system for controlling water within an aquatic facility includes a water chemistry controller, a variable rate water pump adapted to move water in the facility, and a variable rate motor driver operationally coupled to the water pump for variably energizing the water pump. The variable rate motor driver is coupled to the water chemistry controller to allow the water chemistry controller to manage the operation of the water pump.

1 . A system for controlling water within an aquatic facility comprising:
 a water chemistry controller;   at least one water chemistry sensor for sensing a chemical quality of the water, the water chemistry sensor providing a sensor signal to the water chemistry controller;   at least one water chemistry dispenser for feeding chemicals into the water, wherein the water chemistry controller controls the water chemistry dispensers based in part on the sensor signal from the water chemistry sensors;   a variable rate water pump adapted to move water in the facility; and   a variable rate motor driver operationally coupled to the water pump for variably energizing the water pump;   wherein the variable rate motor driver is coupled to the water chemistry controller to allow the water chemistry controller to manage the operation of the water pump.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the variable rate motor driver produces one or more pump status signals indicative of the operation of the associated water pump and wherein the water chemistry controller monitors the pump status signals and reports operational data to a user of the system. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a flow rate sensor for, sensing a rate of water flow through the water pump and producing a flow rate signal indicative of the water flow rate to the water chemistry controller. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the water chemistry controller produces a series of control signals that are provided to the variable rate motor driver to manage the operation of the water pump. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the water chemistry controller comprises a user interface to allow a user to modify the operation of the water pump by altering the control signals. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the variable rate motor driver produces one or more pump status signals indicative of the operation of the associated water pump and wherein the water chemistry controller monitors the pump status signals and reports operational data to a user of the system via the user interface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the water chemistry controller maintains a water management log that comprises water flow information derived from the pump status signals. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the water management log further comprises water chemistry information derived from the water chemistry sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the water chemistry controller provides access to the water management log via the user interface. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the water chemistry controller is networked to a remote access computer that provides the user with current operational status of the water pump derived from the pump status signals. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the remote access computer provides the user with access to the water management log. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising computer software for analyzing the information provided in the water management log via the remote access computer. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the variable rate motor driver produces an alarm if the associated water pump experiences an abnormal condition and wherein the variable rate motor driver includes an indication of the abnormal condition as part of the pump status signals. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the water chemistry controller notifies the user of the abnormal condition from the variable rate motor driver. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the water chemistry controller notifies the user of the abnormal condition using an indication selected from one of the following: the user interface, a visual alarm indication, an audible alarm indication, a signal to a cell phone or pager, and a message indicated via the remote access computer. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising pressure sensors located on an influent and an effluent stream of the water pump and producing pressure signals to the water chemistry controller and wherein the water chemistry controller calculates a total dynamic head of the water pump. 
     
     
         17 . A system for controlling water within an aquatic facility comprising:
 a water chemistry controller;   at least one water chemistry sensor for sensing a chemical quality of the water, the water chemistry sensor providing a sensor signal to the water chemistry controller;   at least one water chemistry dispenser for feeding chemicals into the water, wherein the water chemistry controller controls the water chemistry dispensers based on the sensor signal from the water chemistry sensors;   a plurality of variable rate water pumps adapted to move water in the facility; and   a plurality of variable rate motor drivers, each operationally coupled to one of the water pumps and adapted for variably energizing the water pump;   wherein the variable rate motor drivers are coupled to the water chemistry controller to allow the water chemistry controller to manage the operation of the water pumps.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a plurality of flow sensors for sensing a rate of water flow through each of the plurality of water pumps and producing a plurality of flow rate signals indicative of the water flow rates to the water chemistry controller. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the water chemistry controller coordinates the start/stop of the water pumps based on a desired startup/shutdown sequence. 
     
     
         20 . A system for controlling water within an aquatic facility comprising:
 a variable rate pump subsystem comprising a variable rate water pump adapted to move water in the facility, a variable rate motor driver operationally coupled to the water pump and adapted for variably energizing the water pump, and a variable rate pump controller associated with the variable rate motor driver to control the operation of the motor, the pump controller producing status signals indicative of the operation of the associated water pump;   a flow sensor for sensing a rate of water flow through the water pump and producing a flow rate signal indicative of the water flow rate to the variable rate pump controller, wherein the variable rate pump controller has the ability to manage the operation of the water pump based on the flow rate signal; and   a water chemistry controller coupled to the variable rate pump controller to override the variable rate pump controller and manage the operation of the water pump.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the status signals further comprise the flow rate signal and wherein the status signals are provided to the water chemistry controller. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the water chemistry controller produces a series of control signals that are provided to the variable rate pump controller to manage the operation of the water pump and wherein the water chemistry controller further comprises a user interface to allow a user to modify the operation of the water pump by altering the control signals. 
     
     
         23 . A method for controlling the operation of a plurality of variable rate water pumps used to move water through an aquatic facility comprising the steps of:
 connecting a variable rate pump driver to each of the plurality of water pumps to variably energize the pumps, wherein each variable rate pump driver has a control input for receiving a signal for controlling the operation and the speed of the water pump;   connecting a water chemistry controller to at least one chemical feeder to control the dispensing of chemicals into the aquatic facility;   connecting the water chemistry controller to each of the variable rate pump drivers;   generating, by the water chemistry controller, a control signal for each of the variable rate pump drivers and providing the control signal to the control input of each pump driver; and   controllably powering the speed of each water pump according to the control signal.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising the steps of:
 determining a desired startup/shutdown sequence for the plurality of water pumps; and   determining a speed profile for each of the plurality of water pumps;   wherein the water chemistry controller generates a control signal for each of the variable rate pump drivers in accordance with the desired startup/shutdown sequence and speed profiles.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising the steps of:
 repetitively sensing the flow rate of the water moving through each of the water pumps; and   adjusting the control signal for one or more of the variable rate pump drivers as necessary to maintain the desired speed profiles.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the water chemistry controller slows down the speed of the water pumps during a low usage period of the aquatic facility. 
     
     
         27  The method of  claim 26  wherein the water chemistry controller temporarily increases the speed of the water pumps during the low usage period during that portion of the low usage period that the chemical feeders are feeding chemicals into the aquatic facility. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the water chemistry controller directs the chemical feeders to intermittently dispense chemicals into the aquatic facility during the low usage period. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the water chemistry controller temporarily directs the chemical feeders to cease dispensing of chemicals into the aquatic facility during the low usage period. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising the steps of:
 collecting operational information from each variable rate pumps;   aggregating and displaying, by the water chemistry controller, the operational information.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the step of collecting operational information comprises collecting abnormal indications.