Portable salt chlorinator

Abstract

A portable salt chlorinator that can be installed in any pool, pond or the like in a practical, quick and easy way by immersing a saline chlorination module in the pool and fixing a control module anywhere outside the pool. The chlorinator of the invention determines the exact amount of kilograms of salt required based on the characteristics of each pool, thus avoiding future problems.

Description

[0001] PORTABLE SALT CHLORINATOR

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of devices, means or arrangements used for the sanitation and maintenance of water in swimming pools, ponds and the like, and more particularly refers to a portable saline chlorinator for the saline chlorination of swimming pool water, which allows for the necessary daily production of natural chlorine according to the characteristics of each pool. Although this description refers to a saline chlorinator for swimming pools, it should be clear that thanks to its portable structural configuration, the chlorinator of the invention can be used in any type of container, receptacle, swimming pool, pond or the like in which the conditions of the stored water must be maintained.

[0005] Description of prior art

[0006] As is known in the art, salt chlorination is a method for producing natural chlorine and treating pool water. It is an electronic system that, through a process of electrolysis, dissociates salt molecules (sodium chloride) and releases natural chlorine into the pool water. For this to happen, a minimum amount of common salt must be dissolved in the water, and the natural chlorine generated has the same disinfecting power as industrial chlorine. This process generates sodium (Na) and chlorine gas (Cl2). Chlorine gas reacts with water to form hypochlorous acid (HCl2), resulting in residual free chlorine that disinfects the pool with its biocidal properties.

[0007] Among the advantages of salt chlorination is that instead of adding chlorine directly to the water, it is generated on-site, eliminating the need to store and handle hazardous chemicals. Salt chlorination also does not introduce additional impurities into the water, is generally less irritating to the skin and eyes compared to traditional chlorine, and tends to reduce the chlorine odor and taste in water compared to conventional chlorination methods.

[0008] Generally, a saline chlorinator is used to carry out chlorination. This chlorinator is installed in a portion of the pool's water circulation circuit. It receives water from the pool and injects water with hypochlorous acid into the pool, allowing for the disinfection and sterilization of the water. To do this, the chlorinator is electrically powered and consists of electrodes and an electrolytic cell through which electrolysis is carried out, as mentioned above.

[0009] However, modern gilders must be installed along a portion of the pool's water circulation path, with the associated inconveniences. Since it's a fixed installation, the facility must be adapted to accommodate the gilder. This requires cutting pipes or tubing, moving equipment or other components to accommodate the gilder, and installing the electrical system. This isn't always possible due to limited space. It also takes time, as it must be done by a professional to avoid future problems.

[0010] Likewise, to perform salt chlorination, it is recommended to add 5g of salt per liter of water. This is a rough estimate that can be used for any pool. However, since it is an estimate, it is not specifically tailored to each pool, as the user will make rough calculations and, based on this, add the necessary amount of salt, taking into account the risks this could entail, as high salt levels could be harmful to human health.

[0011] Given the current state of the art regarding maintenance tasks for swimming pools, ponds, or similar, it would be highly desirable to have a new arrangement, device, or means that allows for saline chlorination of swimming pools, with a more practical and easier installation, and that can also determine the exact amount of salt to add depending on the characteristics of each pool.

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new portable salt gilder, which can be installed in any pool, pond or similar in a much more practical, quick and easy manner.

[0014] It is also another object of the present invention to provide a portable salt gilder that does not require specialized labor for its installation since anyone can carry it out.

[0015] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable salt gilder that allows the user to indicate the necessary amount of salt to add depending on the characteristics of each sink.

[0016] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable salt gilder that indicates whether the amount of salt added is correct.

[0017] It is also another object of the present invention to provide a portable saline chlorinator for the sanitization and maintenance of water contained in pools, ponds and the like, comprising: at least one removable control module provided internally with an electronic module that has at least one voltage regulator and at least one processing unit; and at least one mobile saline chlorination module submersible in a liquid medium and operatively connected to said removable control module, said mobile saline chlorination module being provided with an electrolytic cell.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] For greater clarity and understanding of the object of the present invention, it has been illustrated in several figures, in which the invention has been represented in one of the preferred embodiments, all by way of example, where:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the portable salt gilder according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 shows a side view of the portable gilder of the invention;

[0022] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the gilder according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 shows a front view of a front housing of a command module according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 shows a front view of a rear housing of a command module according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a salt chlorination module according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 shows a side view of an electrolytic cell arranged within said salt chlorination module and according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 shows a schematic and perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the invention and its electrical connection to a power cable;

[0028] Figure 9 shows a block diagram of an electronics module according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 10 shows an electrical connection diagram between an external power supply and the gilder of the present invention; and

[0030] Figure 11 shows a schematic view of the portable salt gilder of the invention installed in a pool according to the present invention.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Referring now to the figures, it can be seen that the invention consists of a new portable salt chlorinator that can be installed in any pool, pond, or similar in a practical, quick, and easy manner by immersing a salt chlorination module in the pool and attaching a control module anywhere external to the pool. The chlorinator of the invention determines the exact amount of kilograms of salt required based on the characteristics of each pool, thus avoiding future inconveniences.

[0033] Thus, and in accordance with Figures 1 to 11, the portable salt gilder of the present invention is indicated by the general reference 1 and comprises at least one removable control module 2 that will be installed on a wall or external part of the pool but close to it. It should be understood that the term pool is used as a synonym for swimming pool, pond, or the like. Said removable control module 2 comprises a front control module housing 3 that has an internal front housing housing 4 inside which an electronics module 5 is mounted, said internal front housing housing 4 also having a pair of lower through holes 6 for the passage of cables, and a front housing base 7 provided with a plurality of perimeter front housing holes 8 and housing reinforcing ribs 9.Likewise, said front casing of command module 3 has an opening or window 10 on the top.

[0034] In order to close the internal housing of front casing 4, it is provided with a front casing cover 11 which has a plurality of front cover fixing holes 12 that are aligned with a plurality of front housing fixing holes 13 provided in said internal housing of front casing 4 and through which respective fixing means 14 such as screws with nuts, etc. pass. Likewise, said front casing cover 11 has an LED cover plug 15 provided in an upper part thereof but not limiting for the invention. The LED cover plug 15 can be removable or fixed and through an LED it will indicate the operating status of the gilder of the invention.

[0035] On the other hand, the removable command module 2 further comprises a rear command module housing 16 having an internal rear housing housing 17 projecting beyond the thickness of said rear command module housing 16, said internal rear housing housing 17 having a rear housing base 18 provided with a plurality of rear housing perimeter holes 19 which are aligned with said plurality of front housing perimeter holes 8 and through which respective fixing means 20 pass which may be, but are not limited to, screws with nuts, etc., in order to carry out the assembly and coupling of the front 3 and rear 16 command module housings.

[0036] Likewise, a rear housing cover 21 of said internal rear housing housing 18 is provided, which has a plurality of rear cover fixing holes 22 which are aligned with a plurality of rear housing fixing holes 23 provided in said rear housing base 18 and through which respective fixing means 24 pass, which may be, but are not limited to, respective screws together with nuts. On the other hand, and in order to allow the mounting of the removable command module 2 on a wall or part external to the sink, a command module fixing support 25 is provided mounted on a portion of said command module rear housing 16 and fixed through respective fixing means 26.It is highlighted that, and like the front housing of the command module 3, said rear housing of the command module 16 has an opening or window 27 that together will facilitate the manipulation of the removable command module 2.

[0037] For its part, and in accordance with Figures 3 and 9, said electronic module 5 will allow the transformation of alternating power from the network to direct power, and is mounted in said internal housing of front casing 4 through respective fixing elements such as screws, but not limited to. Said electronic module is basically an electronic board that has a power input 28 operatively connected to an external power supply 29, a power output 30, a voltage regulator 31 connected to said power input 28 and power output 30, a processing unit 32 and a detection unit 33.Wherein, said processing unit 32 comprises a processor 34, a non-volatile memory 35, a user interface module 36 and a communication module via Bluetooth and WiFi 37, all of which are communicated with said processor 34 which commands the actions to be performed based on the information it receives from the detection unit 33. Whereas, said detection unit 33 comprises a set of MOSFET transistors 38 or PWM "gilder", an output current sensor 39 connected to said power output 30 of the electronics module 5, and a polarity inverting unit 40 connected to said input 28 and power output 30 of the electronics module 5.

[0038] It is highlighted that said power input 28, power output 30, processing unit 32 and detection unit 33 are communicated and operatively connected to each other so as to constantly send and receive information to adapt the saline chlorination conditions necessary for each type of pool. In turn, said voltage regulator 31 allows the input voltage to be adjusted to a constant value since there may be small deviations due to variations in the electrical network, variations in the power supply itself, etc. This stage ensures an accurate reference and the stability of the electrical signals within the electronics module 5 as well as the correct operation of its electronic components. For its part, said communication module 37 allows communications to and from the electronic board within the industry protocols and standards.It can establish Bluetooth connections to mobile devices through a proprietary application. It also allows Wi-Fi communication via an internet link to an online platform (server) set up by the product manufacturer.

[0039] Likewise, said processor 34 evaluates, makes decisions, and is responsible for managing communications and recording system data in the assembly's non-volatile memory 35. Said non-volatile memory is the system's storage bank. Parameters provided by the computer's various components are stored and updated in it. Records are kept of different values, such as timers, on-off schedules, current measurements, etc. Some of these will directly influence the system's internal behavior, while others will be reported to the user through the communications module. On the other hand, said set of MOSFET transistors 38 or PWM "gilder" are responsible for performing pulse-width modulation and adjusting the effective output voltage delivered to the electrolytic cell.Furthermore, the output current sensor 39 measures the current being supplied to the electrolytic cell (which will be described below) in real time. Meanwhile, said polarity reversing unit 40 may be, but is not limited to, a set of reversing relays arranged such that their switching allows the polarity of the output voltage to the electrolytic cell to be reversed.

[0040] With regard to the user interface 36, it is connected to said LED cap 15, which comprises an RGB LED 15 that indicates, according to a color code provided along with a user manual, the simplified operating status of the system. By way of example, but not limited to, with regard to the amount of salt present in the water, if the RGB LED 15 lights up yellow and is flashing, it implies that the amount of salt is very low. If it is yellow and fixed, the amount of salt is still low, while if the RGB LED 15 is green and fixed, the amount of salt is correct. In cases of amounts above the appropriate ones, the RGB LED 15 may light up orange, where if it is fixed it implies a high amount of salt, while if it is flashing it implies a very high amount of salt.Regarding the operation and status of the gilder itself, if the RGB LED 15 is solid blue, the Bluetooth connection module is active. If the RGB LED 15 is solid purple, the sink is ready for use. If the RGB LED 15 is flashing green, it means the gilder is in standby mode. If the RGB LED 15 is flashing red, it means it is overheating. Finally, if the RGB LED 15 is flashing white, it means the system is being updated. As mentioned above, the colors and operation of the RGB LED 15 are merely illustrative and can be modified without any problem.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to carry out the saline chlorination according to the present invention, at least one mobile saline chlorination module 41 is provided, which is submerged in the bottom of the pool and is operatively connected to said power output 30 of the electronics module 5 so as to receive regulated current and carry out the electrolysis process. To this end, the chlorination module 41 has a front chlorination module housing 42 which is provided with a plurality of front housing holes 43, a plurality of front housing side slots 44, and a plurality of front housing fixing holes 45.Likewise, it is provided with a rear housing of chlorination module 46 which is provided with a plurality of rear housing holes 47, a plurality of rear housing side slots 48 which are aligned with said plurality of front housing side slots 44 so as to jointly form lateral openings for the passage of water when both housings 42 and 46 are coupled. Likewise, said rear housing of chlorination module 46 has a plurality of rear housing fixing holes 49 which are aligned with said plurality of front housing fixing holes 45. It is highlighted that said plurality of front housing holes 43 and said plurality of rear housing holes 47, will allow the passage of water through an electrolytic cell 50 through which the saline electrolysis process is carried out.Said electrolytic cell 50 is located inside said front 42 and rear 46 housings, and comprises a plurality of resin-coated electrodes 51 that are retained superiorly by means of an upper cell housing 52. Wherein, each electrode 51 can be made of any similar metallic material (titanium, ruthenium, among others, but not limiting to the invention) and has a plurality of electrode holes 53 which are aligned between electrodes 51 to carry out the union between them by means of a set of rubber washers 54, screws 55 and nuts 56.Likewise, each electrode 51 will have an electrode fixing hole 57 that coincides with a pair of fixing holes of the front 45 and rear 49 housing aligned with each other, through which a fixing means such as a screw 58 will pass and secured by means of a nut 59 in order to mount the electrolytic cell 50 between said front 42 and rear 46 housings. It is highlighted that said front 42 and rear 46 housings are coupled together by means of respective fixing means 60 - 61 that can be, but are not limited to, screws - nuts respectively.

[0042] As can be seen in Figure 8, the electrodes 51 will have a positive terminal 62 and a negative terminal 63 which are connected to said power output 30 of the electronics module 5 by means of respective electric power cables 64. In order to allow the passage of the electric power cable 64, both said upper cell housing 52 and said front chlorination module housings 42 and rear 46, have respective openings 65, 66 and 67 respectively. In the case of the openings 66 and 67 of the front chlorination module housings 42 and rear 46, they comprise a half opening that when both parts are coupled, form a single upper opening. The electric power cable 64 can be coiled outside the internal housing of the rear housing 17 that remains protruding forming a base for the coiling of the same, as best illustrated in Figure 2.

[0043] In this way, and according to figure 10, the electronics module 5 is connected to said external power supply 29, and through its voltage regulator 31, it sends the necessary current and voltage to the mobile saline chlorination module 41 so that, through the electrolytic cell 50, it carries out the electrolysis process, forming hypochlorous acid and thus sanitizing the water. It is understood that the phenomenon of electrolysis in saline water is widely known by any expert versed in the subject and that for these reasons no further descriptive details will be entered into about it.

[0044] In this way, figure 11 , the user first fixes the command module 2 in an external part to the pool 68, and then submerges the mobile saline chlorination module 41 in the bottom of the pool 68. Salt is poured in an amount between 3 and 6 grams per liter, this not being limiting for the invention. Then, the user can carry out the activation of the equipment through a mobile application that the user can install on his cell phone in order to obtain real-time information on the conditions of the pool and the saline chlorination process.Through the information provided by the application, information from the electronics module 5, the user can know if the amount of salt is correct, as well as if the pool is ready to be used. Thus, through the internal algorithm of the processing unit 32, the invention sizes the specific treatment for each pool and proposes a usage profile to each user based on the data entered for each pool in the product's mobile application. This usage and operating information is recorded internally in the gilder and transmitted via the Internet (communication module 37) to the product's online platform hosted on the company's own server in the cloud.Through a unique digital user created on the platform for this purpose, the customer can access the operation of their equipment and receive system notifications whenever they wish, as configured through the mobile app. Thus, the customer can use the system without having to create a digital user or access the internet. Advanced and value-added features are disabled, and the system operates like a traditional salt gilder.

[0045] The invention proposes an electronic stage capable of delivering a controlled direct current to enable the electrolysis process in saline water. To this end, the electronic module measures the behavior of the load (electrolytic cell 50) and, based on the results obtained in real time, makes continuous decisions to attempt to achieve a nominal current value determined by the model. Within a certain operating range, the electronic stage's control mechanism can increase or decrease the effective output voltage to achieve the desired effect and regulate the delivered current.

[0046] This adjustment mechanism is carried out using a classic feedback and automatic adjustment scheme, with precise digital control elements. The output current is measured through the output current sensor 39, sized for this purpose. This value is interpreted by the processor 34 of the assembly, which will make decisions and act on the output voltage through the MOSFET-type transistors 38 arranged in a digital pulse-width modulation (PWM) scheme, although this is not limiting for the invention. While the detection unit 33 and voltage regulator 31 assembly acts on the energy delivered to the load (electrolytic cell 50) automatically and continuously, other equally important processes occur for the final result of the product and the customer experience.

[0047] By way of example, but not limited to, various operating experiments were carried out using the electrolytic cell of the invention to obtain a chlorine production rate close to 10 g / h. The working solution used was tap water with 5 g / l of food-grade salt (conductivity 9.90 mS / cm - temperature 28.4°C). The average values ​​obtained were:

[0048] Chlorine Production: 9.7 g / h

[0049] Current efficiency: 73% (10 amp)

[0050] Cell voltage: 3.5 V

[0051] Thus, the portable salt chlorinator of the present invention is constructed and built. It is easy to install, as the control module only needs to be fixed to a wall or external part of the pool, and the mobile salt chlorination module is submerged to the depths of the pool. Salt is then poured in recommended quantities, and the amount is adjusted according to the information provided by the salt chlorinator of the invention. Thus, exact quantities of salt are obtained, the use of chlorination chemicals is avoided, and the equipment can be disassembled and used in any other pool without any inconvenience.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A portable saline chlorinator for sanitizing and maintaining water contained in pools, ponds, and the like, characterized in that it comprises: at least one removable control module provided internally with an electronic module that has at least one voltage regulator and at least one processing unit; and at least one mobile saline chlorination module submersible in a liquid medium and operatively connected to said removable control module, said mobile saline chlorination module being provided with an electrolytic cell.

2. portable salt gilder according to claim 1, characterized in that said removable command module comprises: a command module front housing having an internal front housing housing inside which said electronics module is mounted, said internal housing housing also having a pair of through lower holes, and a front housing base provided with a plurality of front housing perimeter holes and housing reinforcement ribs; and a front housing cover of said internal front housing housing which has a plurality of front cover fixing holes which are air-matched with a plurality of front housing fixing holes provided in said internal front housing housing.

3. portable salt gilder according to claim 1, characterized in that said removable command module further comprises: a rear housing of the command module having an internal housing of the rear housing projecting beyond the thickness of said rear housing of a command module, said internal housing of the rear housing having a rear housing base provided with a plurality of rear housing perimeter holes which are air-matched with said plurality of front housing perimeter holes; a rear housing cover of said internal housing of the rear housing which has a plurality of rear cover fixing holes which are air-matched with a plurality of rear housing fixing holes provided in said rear housing base; and a command module fixing support mounted on a portion of said rear housing of the command module.

4. portable salt chlorinator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronics module has a power input operatively connected to an external power supply, and a power output that is operatively connected to said mobile salt chlorination module.

5. portable salt gilder according to claim 1 and 4, characterized in that said voltage regulator of said electronic module is connected to said power input and to said power output.

6. portable salt gilder according to claim 1, characterized in that said processing unit of the electronic module comprises a processor, a non-volatile memory, a user interface module and a communication module via Bluetooth and Wifi.

7. Portable salt gilder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electronic module further comprises a detection unit comprising a MOSFET transistor array, an output current sensor connected to said power output of the electronics module, and a polarity inverter unit connected to said power input and output of the electronics module.

8. Portable salt gilder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said power input, power output, processing unit and detection unit are communicated and operatively connected to each other.

9. portable salt chlorination device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mobile salt chlorination module comprises: a front chlorination module housing which is provided with a plurality of front housing holes and a plurality of front housing side slots; and a rear chlorination module housing which is provided with a plurality of rear housing holes and a plurality of rear housing side slots which are aligned with said plurality of front housing side slots.

10. Portable salt chlorinator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electrolytic cell of said mobile salt chlorination module is housed within said front and rear housings of the chlorination module, and comprises a plurality of resin-coated electrodes retained at the top by means of an upper cell housing.

11. Portable salt gilder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said resin electrodes are connected to said power output of the electronic module by means of respective power supply cables.

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