Water monitoring system using an optimized circular fluid flow path

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for automated testing, treatment, and maintenance of fluid such as water disposed in swimming pools, spas, and other bodies of water, wherein the water testing system includes precise control over the amount of reagent used in testing, and the frequency of testing of any measurable aspect of the test water, wherein the system is optimized for minimal power consumption and reduced complexity of a system for optimized testing and flushing of test water mixed with reagents from a testing reservoir using a fluid flow path system, and the use of fewer moving parts in the fluid flow path to reduce failure and increase the usable life of the water testing system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for minimizing power consumption of a fluid monitoring device having a replaceable reagent cartridge, said method comprising:
 providing the replaceable reagent cartridge that is separate from the fluid monitoring device, wherein the replaceable reagent cartridge has a plurality of reagent compartments;   providing a plurality of cartridge valves, each valve coupled to a reagent pump, wherein each of the plurality of cartridge valves is coupled to a different reagent compartment when the replaceable reagent cartridge is attached;   providing a circular fluid flow path coupled to each of the plurality of reagent pumps by a one-way pump valve disposed between each of the plurality of reagent pumps and the circular fluid flow path, a test chamber disposed in the circular fluid flow path, and a peristaltic mixing pump disposed in the circular fluid flow path;   inserting the replaceable reagent cartridge into the fluid monitoring device and thereby opening the plurality of cartridge valves;   drawing a desired amount of at least one reagent from the plurality of reagent compartments and through the one-way pump valve to the circular fluid flow path by activating at least one of the plurality of reagent pumps;   activating the peristaltic mixing pump to mix the at least one reagent with the fluid in the circular fluid flow path;   deactivating the peristaltic mixing pump; and   measuring the at least one characteristic of the mixture of the fluid and the at least one reagent in the test chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises:
 creating the reagent compartments with different volumes; and 
 disposing reagents into the reagent compartments. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2  wherein the method further comprises:
 providing a reagent expander that fits in top of the reagent cartridge; and 
 disposing the reagent expander on top of the reagent cartridge so that it is in fluid communication with the contents of the reagent cartridge, wherein the reagent expander increases a volume of each of the reagent compartments. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 3  wherein the method further comprises:
 maintaining the plurality of reagent cartridge valves closed until the replaceable reagent cartridge is inserted into the fluid monitoring device; and 
 opening the plurality of reagent cartridge valves to provide access between the reagent cartridge and the plurality of reagent pumps by inserting the replaceable reagent cartridge into the fluid monitoring device. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 4  wherein the method further comprises preventing a flow of fluid from the circular fluid flow path back into the replaceable reagent cartridge by using the one-way pump valves. 
     
     
         6 . A fluid monitoring device for testing a fluid and having an optimized circular fluid flow path to minimize power consumption, said fluid monitoring device comprised of:
 a replaceable reagent cartridge having a plurality of reagent compartments;   a plurality of reagent pumps, one for each of the plurality of reagent compartments;   a circular fluid flow path coupled to each of the plurality of reagent pumps;   a test chamber disposed in the circular fluid flow path;   a peristaltic mixing pump disposed in the circular fluid flow path; and   wherein the circular fluid flow path receives at least one reagent from at least one of the plurality of reagent pumps, mixes the at least one reagent with the fluid in the circular fluid flow path, and measures at least one characteristic of the mixture of the fluid.   
     
     
         7 . The fluid monitoring device as defined in  claim 6  wherein the reagent compartments have different volumes depending on the reagent disposed therein. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid monitoring device as defined in  claim 7  wherein the replaceable reagent cartridge is further comprised of a reagent expander, wherein the reagent expander is disposed on top of the replaceable reagent cartridge, and wherein the reagent expander increases a volume of each of the reagent compartments. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid monitoring device as defined in  claim 8  wherein the fluid monitoring device is further comprised of a plurality of reagent cartridge valves disposed between the reagent cartridge and the plurality of reagent pumps, wherein the plurality of cartridge valves are normally closed until the reagent cartridge is inserted into and coupled to the fluid monitoring device. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid monitoring device as defined in  claim 9  wherein the fluid monitoring device is further comprised of a plurality of pump valves disposed between the plurality of reagent pumps and the circular fluid flow path, wherein the plurality of pump valves are one-way valves that prevent a flow of fluid back into the replaceable reagent cartridge.