Chemical controller system and method

Abstract

A chemical control system for an aquatic application is disclosed. The control system includes an enclosure having a graphic overlay and a reference chart disposed on a front cover thereof and a sensor in communication with the enclosure and designed to detect a level of a first chemical in the water of the aquatic application. A pump receives a signal to dispense at least one chemical into the aquatic application in response to feedback from the sensor to effectuate a change in the chemical composition of the aquatic application.

1 . A chemical control system for an aquatic application, the control system comprising:
 an enclosure having a graphic overlay and a reference chart disposed on a front cover thereof;   a sensor in communication with the enclosure and designed to detect a level of a first chemical in water of the aquatic application; and   a pump that receives a signal to dispense at least one chemical into the aquatic application in response to feedback from the sensor to effectuate a change in the chemical composition of the aquatic application.   
     
     
         2 . The chemical control system of  claim 1 , wherein the reference chart includes guidelines for water chemistry values for one or more of pH Range, Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) range, alkalinity levels, calcium hardness levels, or cyanuric acid/stabilizer values. 
     
     
         3 . The chemical control system of  claim 2  further including a backlit display that is designed to present system and status information to a user. 
     
     
         4 . The chemical control system of  claim 3 , wherein the display is programmable to allow for different display modes. 
     
     
         5 . The chemical control system of  claim 4 , wherein the display includes a first visual indicator that is designed to provide information about the chemical control system or one or more components of the aquatic application. 
     
     
         6 . The chemical control system of  claim 5 , wherein the first visual indicator is a flow indicator provided in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) that is included on the enclosure and can visually indicate when flow has been detected. 
     
     
         7 . The chemical control system of  claim 6 , wherein the flow indicator flashes or blinks during a flow delay or low flow condition, and is not illuminated during a no flow condition. 
     
     
         8 . The chemical control system of  claim 6 , wherein the flow indicator may be lit in a first color to indicate normal flow, may be lit in a second, different color from the first color, to indicate flow delay, and a third color, different from the first color and the second color, to indicate no flow. 
     
     
         9 . The chemical control system of  claim 5 , wherein the display further includes a second indicator provided in the form of an alarm indicator that can visually indicate if an alarm condition has occurred. 
     
     
         10 . The chemical control system of  claim 9 , wherein the alarm indicator is provided in the form of an LED and may be illuminated if an alarm condition is present. 
     
     
         11 . The chemical control system of  claim 10 , wherein the alarm indicator illuminates to indicate a problem with the aquatic application if a value of the first chemical in the aquatic application has exceeded a threshold level. 
     
     
         12 . The chemical control system of  claim 1  further including a pH settings button or an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) settings button, the pH settings button being used to access pH settings and parameters and the ORP settings button being used to access ORP settings and parameters to allow a user to override a previously programmed level with respect to the pH and ORP parameters of the aquatic application, respectively. 
     
     
         13 . The chemical control system of  claim 12 , wherein the pH settings button and the ORP settings button activate an override command to direct the chemical control system to distribute one or more chemicals that will impact the chemical composition of water of the aquatic application. 
     
     
         14 . The chemical control system of  claim 13  further including additional buttons provided on the enclosure to facilitate control of the chemical control system including a menu button, left and right arrow buttons, and up and down arrow buttons, the menu button providing access to a main menu of the chemical control system, and the left and right arrow buttons and the up and down arrow buttons providing for navigation through the main menu, as well as to adjust parameters or settings of the aquatic application. 
     
     
         15 . A chemical control system for an aquatic application, the control system comprising:
 an enclosure having a cover that is releasably secured to enable access to an interior thereof;   a primary controller having a first sensor in communication with the chemical control system;   a chemical controller having a second sensor configured to detect a chemical parameter within the aquatic application, the chemical controller designed to regulate the chemical parameter based on feedback from at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor; and   a chemical distribution mechanism coupled to the chemical controller, wherein the chemical distribution mechanism introduces at least one chemical into the aquatic application based on the feedback.   
     
     
         16 . The chemical control system for an aquatic application of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor is further configured to determine operational parameters including at least one of a flow rate and pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The chemical control system for an aquatic application of  claim 15 , wherein the first sensor may be at least one of a temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, or a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The chemical control system for an aquatic application of  claim 15 , wherein a first body of water has a first set of water chemistry parameters, and a second body of water has a second set of water chemistry parameters, wherein the first set of water chemistry parameters is different than the second set of water chemistry parameters and the chemical controller is configured to control a first aquatic application and a second aquatic application simultaneously. 
     
     
         19 . The chemical control system for an aquatic application of  claim 15 , wherein the chemical controller and the primary controller are in communication via a heartbeat signal. 
     
     
         20 . The chemical control system for an aquatic application of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor is configured to determine a type of body of water being regulated or to determine at least one of a flow rate or pressure.