Heater for pools and spas with improved sensor control

Abstract

A heater for a pool system, such as a swimming pool or a spa, includes a controller and a plurality of sensors for determining an operating condition of the heater. In some cases, the heater includes a gas sensor for determining at least one characteristic of gas supplied to the heater. The heater may also include a wiring sensor for determining a wiring configuration for an igniter of the heater. Additionally or alternatively, the heater may include a water inlet sensor, a water outlet sensor, and a vent sensor. The heater for the pool system may be provided with various other sensors or combination of sensors.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heater for a pool system, the heater comprising:
 a fluid inlet sensor for detecting a water inlet temperature of fluid flowing through an inlet of the heater;   a fluid outlet sensor for detecting a water outlet temperature of the fluid flowing out of an outlet of a heat exchanger of the heater; and   a controller configured to (i) determine a flow rate condition based on information from the fluid inlet sensor and the fluid outlet sensor and (ii) communicate the determined flow rate condition.   
     
     
         2 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine a temperature rise as the flow rate condition based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to estimate a system flow based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate a controlled response based on the determined condition being a predefined condition, and wherein the controlled response comprises generating response signal. 
     
     
         5 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 determine that the heater is in a good condition based on the a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being within a predefined range; and   determine that the heater is in one of a plurality of problem conditions based on the a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being being outside of the predefined range.   
     
     
         6 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine that the heater is in:
 a low flow problem condition based on the temperature rise being above the predefined water range and the vent temperature being within the predefined vent range;   a sooting problem condition or scaling problem condition based on the temperature rise being within the predefined water range and the vent temperature being above the predefined vent range; and   a longer duration low flow problem condition or a scaling problem condition based on the temperature rise being above the predefined water range and the vent temperature being above the predefined vent range.   
     
     
         7 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a circuit including a flame sense, means for detecting a polarity of the circuit, and means for sending a signal relating to a condition of the polarity. 
     
     
         8 . The heater of  claim 7 , wherein the means for sending the signal comprises a wireless communication module or a wired communication module. 
     
     
         9 . The heater of  claim 7 , wherein the means for detecting the polarity of the circuit comprises means for comparing a line voltage input to a ground input for the circuit and/or means for comparing a neutral voltage input to the ground input for the circuit. 
     
     
         10 . The heater of  claim 7 , wherein flame sense comprises a flame sense rod of the heater configured to detect a presence of a flame. 
     
     
         11 . The heater of  claim 7 , wherein means for sending the signal comprises means for generating a notification on an application or generating a notification on an on-board user interface of the heater. 
     
     
         12 . A method of controlling a heater for a pool system, the method comprising:
 i. receiving a water inlet temperature, a water outlet temperature, and a vent temperature for the heater;   ii. determining a temperature rise for the heater based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature;   iii. determining a heater condition based on the temperature rise and the vent temperature; and   iv. generating a control response based on the determined heater condition.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein generating the control response comprises generating a response signal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein determining the heater condition comprises determining the heater condition from a plurality of predefined conditions, and wherein the plurality of predefined conditions comprises a good condition, a low flow condition, a scaling condition, and a sooting condition. 
     
     
         15 . A heater for a pool system, the heater comprising a circuit including a flame sense, means for detecting a polarity of the circuit, and means for sending a signal relating to a condition of the polarity. 
     
     
         16 . The heater of  claim 15 , wherein the means for sending the signal comprises a wireless communication module or a wired communication module. 
     
     
         17 . The heater of  claim 15 , wherein the means for detecting the polarity of the circuit comprises means for comparing a line voltage input to a ground input for the circuit and/or means for comparing a neutral voltage input to the ground input for the circuit. 
     
     
         18 . The heater of  claim 15 , wherein flame sense comprises a flame sense rod of the heater configured to detect a presence of a flame. 
     
     
         19 . The heater of  claim 15 , wherein means for sending the signal comprises means for generating a notification on an application or generating a notification on an on-board user interface of the heater.