Pumping systems principally for swimming pools and spas

Abstract

Systems and techniques for guiding or advising users as to how to control motor speeds of pumping systems are detailed. The systems may solicit input from users and provide recommendations as to settings users may employ in connection with water-circulation systems of, principally, swimming pools and spas. The systems also may permit a user to retain control of both the duration the pool-filtration system will be active and the pump motor speed while providing suggestions to the user that may maximize efficiency of the system or minimize its power consumption (or both).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling a water-circulation system of a swimming pool or spa, comprising:
 a. receiving input settings from a human to an electronic device relating to operational characteristics of the water-circulation system, the received input settings comprising (i) an operating duration of the water-circulation system, (ii) an operating speed of a motor of a pump of the water-circulation system, (iii) absolute bounds for activation times of the water-circulation system, (iv) absolute bounds for operating speed of the motor of the pump of the water-circulation system, and (v) whether operation of the water-circulation system is to be paused during a pre-determined time period;   b. using the electronic device, providing recommendations to the human relating to the water-circulation system responsive to the received input settings, the recommendations comprising (i) a start time for operation of the water-circulation system, (ii) a stop time for operation of the water-circulation system, and (iii) an operating speed of the motor of the pump of the water-circulation system; and   c. displaying, on the electronic device, visual information responsive to the received input settings, the visual information comprising (i) a projected number of turns of pool water achievable by the water-circulation system and (ii) information as to projected efficiency of electricity usage of the water-circulation system.   
     
     
         2 . A method of controlling a water-circulation system of a swimming pool or spa, comprising:
 a. receiving at least one input setting from a human to an electronic device relating to at least one characteristic of the water-circulation system; and   b. using the electronic device, providing at least one recommendation to the human relating to the water-circulation system responsive to the at least one received input setting.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  in which the at least one recommendation comprises a start time for operation of the water-circulation system. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  in which the at least one recommendation further comprises a stop time for operation of the water-circulation system. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2  in which the at least one recommendation comprises an operating speed of a motor of a pump of the water-circulation system. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2  in which (a) the at least one received input setting comprises (i) operating duration of the water-circulation system and (ii) operating speed of a motor of a pump of the water-circulation system and (b) the at least one recommendation comprises (i) start and stop times for operation of the water-circulation system and (ii) an operating speed of the motor of the pump of the water-circulation system. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 2  further comprising displaying, on the electronic device, visual information responsive to the at least one received input setting. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  in which the visual information is selected from the group consisting of (a) a projected number of turns of pool water achievable by the water-circulation system or (b) information as to efficiency of electricity usage of the water-circulation system. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 6  in which the at least one received input setting further comprises (a) absolute bounds for activation times of the water-circulation system or (b) absolute bounds for operating speed of the motor of the pump of the water-circulation system. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 6  in which the at least one received input setting further comprises whether operation of the water-circulation system is to be paused during a pre-determined time period. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 2  further comprising receiving at least one revised input setting from the human. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  further comprising, using the electronic device, providing at least one revised recommendation to the human. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 2  in which the at least one received input setting comprises identification of a characteristic of a desired quality of water in the swimming pool. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  in which the desired quality of water in the swimming pool is clarity. 
     
     
         15 . A system for controlling a water-circulation system of a swimming pool or spa, comprising an electronic device comprising means for:
 a. receiving at least one input setting from a human relating to at least one characteristic of the water-circulation system; and   b. providing at least one recommendation to the human relating to the water-circulation system responsive to the at least one received input setting.