System and apparatus for determining and controlling water clarity

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for determining and controlling water clarity or water opacity especially useful in pools, spas, and contained bodies of water.

1 . A system for determining and controlling water clarity in a treatable body of water contained in a water containment apparatus comprising:
 a body of water contained in a water containment apparatus having a plurality of sides;   a first transparent window positioned within one side of the water containment apparatus and a second transparent window positioned within an opposite side of the water containment apparatus;   a light source capable of lighting up the water contained in the water containment apparatus wherein the light source is positioned outside of the water containment apparatus near the first transparent window;   a light sensitive detection circuit positioned outside of the water containment apparatus near the second transparent window; and   a control unit capable of receiving an output signal from the light sensitive detection circuit for determining a clarity level of the body of water.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a local indicator connected to the control unit and positioned close to the body of water for indicating the clarity level of the body of water based on the output signal from the light sensitive detection circuit. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a remote indicator connected to the control unit and positioned remotely from the body of water for indicating the clarity level of the body of water based on the output signal from the light sensitive detection circuit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the remote indicator is wirelessly connected to the control unit. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the water containment apparatus comprises at least one of a spa, a pool, a water trough, a water cistern, and a water tank. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a water treatment system connected to the body of water and the control unit wherein the control unit is also capable of computing and sending a target signal to the water treatment system to treat the body of water. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the control unit is capable of continually receiving signals from the light sensitive detection circuit and capable of continuously communicating with the water treatment system to maintain a predetermined level of an active disinfectant within said body of water wherein said predetermined level of active disinfectant is determined based on the clarity level of the body of water. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the water treatment system comprises a chlorine or bromine generator and the control unit continually communicates with the chlorine or bromine generator to maintain a specific free chlorine level within the body of water where the specific level of free chlorine or bromine is determined based on the clarity level of the body of water. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the water treatment system comprises at least one of a bromine generator, a chlorine generator, a filtration device, a chemical injection system, a UV treatment system, or another type of water treatment system or device. 
     
     
         10 . A method for determining and controlling water clarity in at least one of a spa and pool comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a water chamber having opposing open ends and a water inlet and water outlet located between the opposing open ends where the water inlet is located near one of the opposing open ends of the water chamber and the water outlet is located near the other of the opposing open ends of the water chamber, a first transparent lens covering one of the opposing open ends of the water chamber, and a second transparent lens covering the other of the opposing open ends of the water chamber;   b) directing water from said at least one of a spa and pool through the water chamber;   c) employing a light source positioned at one of the opposing open ends of the water chamber located near the water inlet to light up water contained within the water chamber;   d) providing a light sensitive detection circuit positioned at the other of the opposing open ends of the water chamber located near the water outlet; and   e) employing a control unit to receive an output signal from the light sensitive detection circuit to determine a clarity level of the water in the water chamber.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of f) utilizing the control unit to compute and send a signal to a water treatment system connected to said at least one of a spa and pool to treat water in said at least one of a spa and pool. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein steps b) through f) are continuously repeated to maintain a predetermined level of an active disinfectant within said at least one of a spa and pool wherein said predetermined level of active disinfectant is determined based on the clarity level of the water in the water chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of providing a local indicator connected to the control unit and positioned close to said at least one of a spa and pool for indicating the clarity of the water within said at least one of a spa and pool. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of providing a remote indicator connected to the control unit and positioned remotely from said at least one of a spa and pool for indicating the clarity of the water within said at least one of a spa and pool. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of utilizing the control unit to compute a signal to send to a water treatment system comprises the step of utilizing the control unit to compute and send a signal to at least one of a bromine generator, a chlorine generator, a filtration device, a chemical injection system, and a dissolved air floatation unit.