Systems and Methods for Controlling Chlorinators

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling chlorinators for pools and spas are provided. A controller communicates with a processor positioned within a replaceable cell cartridge of a chlorinator, to allow for remote control and diagnosis of the chlorinator and/or cell cartridge. The cell cartridge stores, in non-volatile memory on board the cartridge, one or more parameters associated with the cartridge. The controller can obtain this information from the processor of the cell cartridge, and can use same to configure operation of the chlorinator. Information relating to remaining cell life can be updated by the controller and stored in the non-volatile memory of the cell cartridge. Electrical and software-based mechanisms are provided for ensuring operation of only compatible cell cartridges with the chlorinator. A system for remotely diagnosing errors associated with the chlorinator is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a chlorinator, comprising:
 a chlorinator including a body and a chlorinator cartridge, said chlorinator cartridge including a cartridge body, a cartridge cap having a connector, a plurality of electrolytic plates within the cartridge body, a memory, and a processor in electrical communication with the plurality of plates and the memory of the cartridge;   a controller in electrical communication with said chlorinator, said controller including a control panel for allowing a user to control operation of said chlorinator,   wherein said processor of said chlorinator cartridge communicates with said controller to authenticate said chlorinator cartridge, said controller prohibiting operation of said chlorinator cartridge if said chlorinator cartridge is not authenticated; and   wherein said cartridge houses said memory, said processor, and said plates.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said memory stores an authentication key, said processor transmitting said authentication key to said controller for subsequent authentication of said chlorinator cartridge. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said memory stores one or more parameters relating to said chlorinator cartridge. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said one or more parameters comprises one or more of a minimum electrical parameter associated with said chlorinator cartridge, a maximum electrical parameter associated with said chlorinator cartridge, a cell coating condition, a life expectancy associated with said chlorinator cartridge, a thermal operating parameter associated with operation of the chlorinator cartridge, a running time associated with said chlorinator cartridge, or a salinity operating parameter. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said processor transmits said one or more parameters to said controller for subsequent processing by said controller. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said control panel further comprises means for indicating operational, status, or diagnostic information relating to the chlorinator. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said control panel further comprises a control knob for controlling chlorination output of the chlorinator. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said control panel further comprises a plurality of switches for controlling operation of the chlorinator. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller further comprises a movable cover for covering the control panel. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control panel is mountable at a location remote from said chlorinator. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said chlorinator cartridge further comprises at least one sensor for sensing a condition relating to water being chlorinated by the chlorinator. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a flow switch, a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, or an ORP sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said chlorinator cartridge further comprises a shaped electrical connector for electrical connection to a cable interconnecting said chlorinator with said controller. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling a chlorinator, comprising the steps of:
 establishing a communications link between a chlorinator and a controller, the chlorinator including a body and a chlorinator cartridge, said chlorinator cartridge including a cartridge body, a cartridge cap having a connector, a plurality of electrolytic plates within the cartridge body, a memory, and a processor in electrical communication with the plurality of plates and the memory of the cartridge, wherein said cartridge houses said memory, said processor, and said plates;   retrieving an authentication key from the memory of the chlorinator cartridge;   transmitting the authentication key from said chlorinator to said controller;   processing the authentication key at the controller to determine whether the chlorinator cartridge is authenticated; and   operating the chlorinator using the controller if the cartridge is authenticated by the controller.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising prohibiting operation of the chlorinator if the cartridge is not authenticated by the controller. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising accessing one or more parameters stored in said memory of said chlorinator cartridge using said controller. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting operation of said chlorinator or said controller based upon said one or more parameters. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising reading run time information from said memory of said chlorinator cartridge using said controller and determining whether said run time exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising indicating to a user who is using the controller that said chlorinator cartridge should be replaced if said run time exceeds said threshold. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising sensing a condition relating to water being chlorinated by the chlorinator using a sensor of the chlorinator cartridge, the condition relating to at least one of flow rate, temperature, pH, or ORP. 
     
     
         21 . A cartridge for a chlorinator, comprising:
 a cartridge body;   a cartridge cap having a connector;   a plurality of electrolytic plates within the cartridge body;   a memory; and   a processor in electrical communication with the plurality of plates and the memory of the cartridge;   wherein the processor communicates with a controller to authenticate the cartridge, the controller prohibiting operation of the cartridge if the cartridge is not authenticated.   
     
     
         22 . The cartridge of  claim 21 , wherein the memory stores an authentication key, the processor transmitting the authentication key to the controller for subsequent authentication of the cartridge. 
     
     
         23 . The cartridge of  claim 22 , wherein the memory stores one or more parameters relating to the cartridge. 
     
     
         24 . The cartridge of  claim 23 , wherein said one or more parameters comprises one or more of a minimum electrical parameter associated with the cartridge, a maximum electrical parameter associated with the cartridge, a cell coating condition, a life expectancy associated with the cartridge, a thermal operating parameter associated with operation of the cartridge, a running time associated with the cartridge, or a salinity operating parameter. 
     
     
         25 . The cartridge of  claim 23 , wherein the processor transmits the one or more parameters to the controller for subsequent processing by the controller. 
     
     
         26 . The cartridge of  claim 23 , further comprising at least one sensor for sensing a condition relating to water being chlorinated by the cartridge. 
     
     
         27 . The cartridge of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a flow switch, a temperature sensor, a pH sensor or an ORP sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The cartridge of  claim 27 , further comprising a shaped electrical connector for electrical connection to a cable interconnecting the cartridge with the controller. 
     
     
         29 . A cartridge for a chlorinator, comprising:
 a cartridge body;   a cartridge cap having a connector;   a plurality of electrolytic plates within the cartridge body; and   at least one sensor for sensing a condition relating to water being chlorinated by the cartridge.   
     
     
         30 . The cartridge of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a flow switch, a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, or an ORP sensor.