Aquatic vessel chemical dosing systems, apparatuses, components, and methods

Abstract

An illustrative embodiment of an aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus includes a cartridge carrier and cartridges. The cartridge carrier includes a base wall, a fluid coupling wall extending away from the base wall and having cartridge carrier fluid couplings, and support walls extending away from the base wall and having coupling elements including cartridge carrier retention shoulders. The base wall includes an external surface, an internal surface, and cartridge carrier latching elements. The cartridges are removably carried by the cartridge carrier between the support wall and each of the cartridges include a housing.

Description

MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTAQUATIC VESSEL CHEMICAL DOSING SYSTEMS,APPARATUSES, COMPONENTS, AND METHODS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional application63 / 664,279 filed on June 26, 2024, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to aquatic vessels and, more particularly, tochemical dosing for aquatic vessels. BACKGROUND

[0003] Aquatic vessels, including spas, pools, and the like, typically include a maincontainer that holds water to be used for recreational, medical, or other purposes, a filterbucket that holds water to be filtered, and a pump that circulates water between the filterchamber and the main chamber. Maintaining quality of water in an aquatic vessel isimportant to users of the aquatic vessel. Water maintenance typically includes controlling sanitizer level, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and the like. Although sanitization is an important factor, pH greatly affects the function of the sanitizer and the water quality. Forexample, holding a pH level of 7.2 to 7.8, with an ideal range of 7.4 to 7.6, is desirable forgood water quality. Although pH is typically slow to change in water, there are manyactivities and chemical additives that can cause it to drift over time. Regular testing andwater quality adjustments are needed and are usually carried out manually by pouring liquidchemicals or dropping solid chemicals into the aquatic vessel. Although some automatic chemical dosing systems have been proposed as indicated in patent literature, closed loop water quality sensing and chemical dosing has yet to be widely commercialized. Such proposed dosing systems include dosing containers that contain either liquid chemicals or dry powder chemicals that are dosed out of the dosing containers using suitable mechanical devices. But liquid chemicals can be objectionable for some users to work with, and dry chemicals often clump or become gooey in a high humidity environment and, thus, cannot be dispensed as intended. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] An illustrative embodiment of an aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatusincludes a cartridge carrier and cartridges. The cartridge carrier includes a base wall, a fluidcoupling wall extending away from the base wall and having cartridge carrier fluid couplings,MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTand support walls extending away from the base wall and having coupling elements including cartridge carrier retention shoulders. The base wall includes an external surface, an internal surface, and cartridge carrier latching elements. The cartridges are removably carried by the cartridge carrier between the support wall and each of the cartridges include a housing. The housing includes side walls having cartridge retention shoulders corresponding to respective carrier retention shoulders of the support walls of the cartridge carrier, end walls, a housing base wall connecting the side walls and the end walls, and a cartridge latching element configured to be latched to a respective carrier latching element of the cartridge carrier latching elements. The end walls include a fluid coupling end wall having a cartridge fluid coupling corresponding to a respective one of the cartridge carrier fluid couplings. The housing base wall corresponds to the internal surface of the base wall of the cartridge carrier.

[0005] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided an aquaticvessel chemical dosing cartridge carrier including a base wall, a fluid coupling wall extending away from the base wall, and support walls extending away from the base wall and having coupling elements. The base wall includes an external surface and an internal surface. The fluid coupling wall includes an internal surface, an external surface, carrier fluid couplings carried by the internal surface, and conduit connectors carried by the external surface. The coupling elements of the support walls include cartridge carrier retention shoulders and cartridge carrier latching elements. The support walls include outboard support walls and at least one divider support wall between the side support walls.

[0006] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided an aquaticvessel chemical dosing cartridge including a housing. The housing includes side walls having cartridge retention shoulders, end walls having a fluid coupling front end wall with a first fluid coupling opening, a base wall connecting the side walls and the end walls, and a second fluid coupling opening in at least one of the side walls or end walls of the housing.

[0007] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided an aquaticvessel chemical pumping apparatus including a casing, pumps, and an electronics board. The casing includes a pump mounting wall, first and second end walls extending away from the pump mounting wall, side walls extending away from the pump mounting wall between the first and second end walls, and an open top established by upper edges of the side walls and the first and second end walls. The side walls include portions extending past the second end wall to partially establish an electronics pocket. The casing establishes a pump chamber.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTThe pump is carried in the pump chamber of the casing by the pump mounting wall. The electronics board is carried in the electronics pocket of the casing.

[0008] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided an aquaticvessel chemical pumping and dosing connecting apparatus including a bung and a pluralityof conduit connectors. The bung includes a base wall, a side wall, and a flange wall extending away from the base wall. The base wall includes a first side and a second side and a plurality of apertures therethrough. The side wall extends away from the second side of the base wall and includes an interior surface establishing a conduit connector well and a threaded exterior surface with one or more threads. The flange wall is of a diameter greater than that of the base wall. The plurality of conduit connectors corresponds to the plurality of apertures of the base wall. The plurality of conduit connectors includes first ends extending away from the base wall at the first side of the base wall and second ends extending away from the base wall at the second side of the base wall and into the conduit connector wall of the bung.

[0009] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided an aquaticvessel chemical dosing system including a dosing apparatus, a pumping apparatus, a pumping and dosing connecting apparatus, a plurality of outflow conduits, and another plurality of outflow conduits. The dosing apparatus includes a cartridge carrier and a pluralityof cartridges removably carried by the cartridge carrier. The pumping apparatus includes acasing establishing a pump chamber, a plurality of pumps carried in the pump chamber ofthe casing, and an electronics board carried by the casing. The plurality of pumps includesinlets and outlets. The pumping and dosing connecting apparatus includes a bung. The bung includes a base wall and a plurality of conduit connectors. The base wall includes a first side and a second side and a plurality of apertures therethrough. The plurality of conduit connectors corresponds to the plurality of apertures of the base wall. The plurality of conduit connectors includes first ends extending away from the base wall at the first side of the base wall and second ends extending away from the base wall at the second side of the base wall. The plurality of outflow conduits are in fluid communication between the first ends of the plurality of conduit connectors of the bung of the pumping and dosing connecting apparatus and the outlets of the pumps of the pumping apparatus. The other plurality of outflow conduits are in fluid communication between the second ends of the plurality of conduit connectors of the bung of the pumping and dosing connecting apparatus and inlet fluid couplings of the cartridge carrier of the dosing apparatus.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to an illustrative embodiment of an aquaticvessel including an illustrative embodiment of an aquatic vessel chemical dosing system.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the aquatic vessel chemical dosing system of FIG.1, including an illustrative embodiment of a dosing apparatus to dose chemicals, anillustrative embodiment of a pumping apparatus to pump water to / from the dosing apparatus,and an illustrative embodiment of a pumping and dosing connecting apparatus to connectthe dosing apparatus and the pumping apparatus through a wall of the aquatic vessel.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the aquaticvessel of FIG.1, illustrating the dosing apparatus of FIG.2 carried by a cover of a filter bucket of the aquatic vessel.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cartridge carrier of the dosing apparatus of FIG.2.

[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cartridge carrier of FIG. 4.

[0015] FIG.6 is an enlarged perspective view of the dosing apparatus of FIG.2, includingseveral dosing cartridges coupled to and carried by the cartridge carrier of FIG. 4.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 2.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a front view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 2.

[0018] FIG. 9 is an enlarged rear view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 2

[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cartridge carrier of FIG. 4 being coupled to afilter bucket cover by a tab and slot frictional connection therebetween.

[0020] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a solids dosing cartridge of the dosingapparatus of FIG. 6, including a container, a closure coupled to the container, an inletassembly, and an outlet assembly.

[0021] FIG. 12 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, assembled view of the cartridge of FIG.11.

[0022] FIG.13 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective, cross-sectional, assembled viewof the inlet assembly of FIG. 11.

[0023] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid dosing cartridge of the dosingapparatus of FIG. 6, including a container, a closure coupled to the container, an outletassembly, and a vent assembly.

[0024] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the outlet assembly of FIG. 14.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT

[0025] FIG. 16 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, assembled view of the liquid dosingcartridge of FIG. 14, showing an extended spring in the outlet assembly in a valve-closedcondition.

[0026] FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 6,including the liquid dosing cartridge of FIG. 14 installed to the cartridge carrier of FIG. 4,showing a compressed spring in the outlet assembly in a valve-open condition.

[0027] FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 6,including the solids dosing cartridge of FIG.11 coupled to and carried by the cartridge carrierof FIG.4.

[0028] FIG. 19 is an exploded side view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 6, illustratingcoupling of the solids dosing cartridge of FIG. 11 to the cartridge carrier of FIG. 4.

[0029] FIG. 20 is an exploded side view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 6, illustratinganother technique of coupling the solids dosing cartridge of FIG. 11 to the cartridge carrierof FIG.4.

[0030] FIG. 21 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 6,illustrating the solids dosing cartridge of FIG. 11 coupled to and carried by the cartridgecarrier of FIG. 4.

[0031] FIG. 22 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the dosing apparatustaken from rectangle 22 of FIG. 21.

[0032] FIG. 23 is an enlarged rear view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 6.

[0033] FIG. 24 is an enlarged front view of the liquid dosing cartridge of FIG. 14.

[0034] FIG. 25 is an enlarged front view of another solids dosing cartridge similar to thesolids dosing cartridge of FIG.11.

[0035] FIG. 26 is an enlarged front view of the solids dosing cartridge of FIG. 11.

[0036] FIG. 27 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of a portion of the aquaticapparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating the dosing apparatus of FIG. 3 coupled to the cover of FIG.3, and showing conduit between the dosing and connecting apparatuses of FIG. 2.

[0037] FIG. 28 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of the connecting apparatus ofFIG. 2 configured to be coupled to a filter bucket of the aquatic vessel of FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 29 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, assembled view of the connectingapparatus and filter bucket of FIG.28.

[0039] FIG. 30 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of the connecting apparatusof FIG.28.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT

[0040] FIG.31 is an exploded end view of the connecting apparatus of FIG.28, illustratingfailsafe assembly features.

[0041] FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the pumping apparatus of FIG. 2.

[0042] FIG. 33 is another exploded perspective view of a portion of the pumpingapparatus of FIG. 2, illustrating a pump configuration.

[0043] FIG. 34 is a bottom view of the pumping apparatus of FIG. 2, illustrating the pumpmounting configuration.

[0044] FIG. 35 is a rear perspective view of the pumping apparatus of FIG. 2, illustratingconduit connections to pumps.

[0045] FIG. 36 is a side view of the pumping apparatus of FIG. 2, illustrating electricalconnections to pumps.

[0046] FIG. 37A is a perspective view of a portion of the dosing system of FIG. 2illustrating a solids dosing conduit configuration.

[0047] FIG. 37B is a perspective view of a portion of the dosing system of FIG. 2illustrating a liquid dosing conduit configuration.

[0048] FIG. 38 is a system schematic.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In general, various aspects of aquatic vessel chemical dosing will be describedusing one or more examples of illustrative embodiments of systems configurations andoperation, apparatuses, components, and methods, all described with reference to use fordosing pH adjusters and phosphate reducers in an aquatic vessel such as a spa or hot tub.However, it will be appreciated as the description proceeds that the present disclosure isuseful in many different applications, including dosing other water treatment chemicals, scented chemicals, or any other chemicals suitable for dosing in an aquatic vessel, and may be implemented in many other embodiments, such as in swimming pools, swim spas, and the like.

[0050] As used in herein, the terminology “for example,” “e.g.,” for instance,” “like,” “suchas,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and the like, when used with a listing of one or moreelements, is to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing does not excludeadditional elements. As used herein, permissive terms like “may” and “can” are expedients merely to indicate optionality, for instance, of a disclosed embodiment, element, feature, or the like, and should not be construed as rendering indefinite any disclosure herein. Moreover, directional words such as front, rear, top, bottom, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, axial,MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTlateral, longitudinal, vertical, horizontal, transverse, and / or the like are employed by way of example and not necessarily limitation.

[0051] Referring specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment ofan aquatic vessel 10, which, in the illustrated embodiment is a hot tub or spa. But in otherembodiments, the aquatic vessel 10 may include a swimming pool, a swim spa, therapy tub, or any other aquatic vessel 10 suitable for recreational, medical, or any other suitablepurposes. In general, the vessel 10 may include a cabinet 12 to support other portions ofthe vessel 10, a shell 14 carried by the cabinet 12 to hold water, a filter compartment orbucket 16 that may be carried by the shell 14 to hold filter water, and utility equipment 18carried between the cabinet 12 and the shell 14 to provide utility functions for the vessel 10such as water pumping, filtration, dosing, lighting, controls, and the like. The cabinet 12 mayinclude a base 20 on which the vessel 10 rests, a frame 22 carried on the base 20, andexterior panels 24 carried by the frame 22. The frame 22 may include vertical framemembers 26 extending between lower and upper horizontal frame members 28, 30. Theshell 14 may carried by the frame 22 and / or the base 20, and establishes a tub or mainchamber 32 to hold water used for recreational, medical, or other purposes. The shell 14may include a bottom wall 34 that may have different elevations and contours, sidewalls 35,36, 37, 38 extending away from the bottom wall 34 that also may have different contours,and a top wall 39 that may extend radially outwardly from the sidewalls 35, 36, 37, 38 andthat also may have different elevations and contours and various upper surfaces. The filterbucket 16 holds water to be filtered and may be carried by the shell 14, for example, throughany suitable portion of the top wall 39. The filter bucket 16 may include a container 40 anda cover 42 for the container 40. The utilities may include one or more water pumps 44 andpump conduit 46 that circulate water from the main chamber 32 back to the main chamber32 directly, and indirectly through the filter container 40. The vessel 10 carries inlets 48 thatpermit water to flow into the pump conduit 46 toward the pump 44, and outlets 50 that mayinclude water jets 52 that permit water to flow out of the pump conduit 46 and into an interiorof the vessel 10. The aquatic vessel 10 also includes a dosing system 56 of FIG. 2 as willbe described in detail below.

[0052] With reference to FIG. 2, the dosing system 56 generally includes a dosingapparatus 58 to dose chemicals into the aquatic vessel 10, a pumping apparatus 60 to pumpwater to and from the dosing apparatus 58, a pumping and dosing connecting apparatus 62that fluidly connects the dosing apparatus 58 to the pumping apparatus 60, and conduit 64a,MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT64b, 64c coupled to and between the pumping apparatus 60 and the dosing apparatus 58 byway of the connecting apparatus 62. With reference to FIG. 3, the dosing apparatus 58 maybe configured to be carried by an undersurface 66 of the cover 42 of the filter bucket 16 andin an interior of the container 40 of the filter bucket 16. With reference again to FIG. 1, thepumping apparatus 60 may be configured to be mounted to the frame 22 of the aquatic vessel10 between the exterior panels 24 of the cabinet 12 and the container 40. And with referenceto FIG. 3, the connecting apparatus 62 is configured to be mounted in an aperture 70 of awall 72 between an interior of the filter bucket 16 and an exterior 74 of the filter bucket 16.

[0053] With reference to FIG. 2, the dosing apparatus 58 is configured such that thecartridges 78a, 78b, 78c may be assembled to the cartridge carrier 80 linearly and adjacent to one another in side-by-side arrangement. The cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c may be refillable and reusable, or may be disposable. In just one of many examples, the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c may contain pH reducers (e.g., muriatic acid, sodium bisulfate, or other like acidic materials), pH increasers (e.g., sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or other like basic materials), and water treatment products (e.g., phosphate reducers, scented liquids, and / or any other suitable water treatment products). At least two of the cartridges 78a, 78b may be nearly identical in features and configuration but different in size, and at least one other cartridge 78c may be different in features and configuration from at least one of the other cartridges 78a, 78b. For example, there may be two pH adjuster cartridges 78a, 78b, whichmay be solids dosing cartridges, and one phosphate reducer cartridge 78c, which may be aliquid dosing cartridge. One or more of the cartridges 78a, 78b, for instance, the pH adjuster cartridges 78a, 78b, may be configured for wetted dry chemicals, and another cartridge 78c, for instance, the phosphate reducer cartridge 78c, may be configured for liquid chemicals.

[0054] With continued reference to FIG.2, as an assembly interlock feature, the cartridges78a, 78b, 78c and the conduit 64a, 64b, 64c may be code coordinated to ensure the correctconduits 64a, 64b, 64c are coupled to the correct cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c. For example,each cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c may have a unique color or may have a unique indicia and thecorresponding conduit 64a, 64b, 64c for each cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c may bear the sameunique color or the same unique indicia either as part of the conduit 64a, 64b, 64c itself orcarrying a tag with the same color or indicia matching the corresponding cartridge 78a, 78b,78c. For example, cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c may be colored pink, blue, and green and theconduit 64a, 64b, 64c corresponding to the respective cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c also may becolored pink, blue, and green.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT

[0055] With reference again to FIG. 3, the dosing apparatus 58 generally includes acartridge carrier 80 to support other portions of the dosing apparatus 58 and that may beconfigured to be mounted to the undersurface 66 of the filter bucket cover 42, and thecartridges 78a, 78b, 78c removably carried by the cartridge carrier 80. The dosing apparatus58 includes cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c configured to hold liquid and / or wettable dry chemicalssuch as solid particles, powder, or the like, and that may be sealed and leak-proof or at least leak-resistant.

[0056] With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge carrier 80 includes a base wall82 including an external surface 84, an internal surface 86, and may include one or morecarrier latching elements 88a, 88b, 88c. The cartridge carrier 80 also includes a fluid couplingwall 90 extending away, preferably perpendicularly, from the base wall 82, and including aninternal surface 92, an external surface 94, carrier fluid couplings 96a, 96b, 96c carried bythe internal surface 92, and conduit connectors 98a, 98b, 98c carried by the external surface94. The cartridge carrier fluid couplings 96a, 96b, 96c may be cylindrical bosses or plugsextending inwardly as illustrated, or any other fluid coupling suitable for coupling to acartridge. The conduit connectors 98a, 98b, 98c may be barbed nozzles extending outwardlyas illustrated, or any other conduit connectors suitable for coupling to tube, hose, or otherfluid conduit. The cartridge carrier 80 further includes support walls 100a, 100b, 100c, 100dextending away from the base wall 82, having coupling elements including carrier retentionshoulders 102a, 102b, 102c, and establishing cartridge bays 106a, 106b, 106c. Thecartridges 78a, 78b, 78c are removably carried by the cartridge carrier 80 in the cartridgecarrier bays 106a, 106b, 106c between the support walls 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d.

[0057] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, each of the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c includehousings 108a, 108b, 108c, inlet assemblies 110a, 110b, 110c, and outlet assemblies 112a,112b, 112c. The housings 108a, 108b, 108c include side walls 114a, 114b, 114c, 115a,115b, 115c having cartridge retention shoulders 116a, 116b, 116c corresponding torespective carrier retention shoulders 102a, 102b, 102c of the support walls 100a, 100b,100c, 100d of the cartridge carrier 80. Also, the housings 108a, 108b, 108c have end walls118a, 118b, 118c, 120a, 120b, 120c including a fluid coupling end wall 120a, 120b, 120chaving a cartridge fluid coupling 122a, 122b, 122c (FIG.8) corresponding to a respective oneof the cartridge carrier fluid couplings 96a, 96b, 96c of the fluid coupling wall 90 of thecartridge carrier 80. Additionally, the housings 108a, 108b, 108c include a base wall 124a,124b, 124c connecting the side walls 114a, 114b, 114c, 115a, 115b, 115c and the end wallsMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT118a, 118b, 118c, 120a, 120b, 120c and corresponding to the internal surface 86 of the basewall 82 of the cartridge carrier 80. The housings 108a, 108b, 108c may be configured forfrictional or snap-fit engagement with the cartridge carrier 80 such that the cartridges 78a,78b, 78c may be snap-in cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c. For example, each housing 108a, 108b,108c may include a cartridge latching element 126a, 126b, 126c for coupling to a respectiveone of the latching elements 88a, 88b, 88c of the base wall 82 of the cartridge carrier 80.

[0058] With reference to FIG. 10, the cartridge carrier 80 may be coupled to the filterbucket cover 42. In one embodiment, the base wall 82 of the cartridge carrier 80 may beadhered to the undersurface 66 of the filter bucket cover 42. For example, the base wall 82may include one or more bosses and one or more channels around the one or more bosses, and an adhesive initially applied to the one or more bosses. In this example, the filter bucketcover 42 may be pressed against the cartridge carrier 80 so that the adhesive on the one ormore bosses contacts the undersurface 66 of the cover 42, spreads outwardly into the oneor more channels, and maintains contact between the base wall 82 of the cartridge carrier80 and the filter bucket cover 42 to adhere the cover 42 to the cartridge carrier 80. In anotherembodiment, the filter bucket cover 42 may include a plurality of pegs 128 with shafts 130and heads 132 wider than the shafts 130, and the base wall 82 of the cartridge carrier 80may include a plurality of slots 134 with peg inlets 136 to receive the peg heads 132 andshaft slots 138 narrower than the peg inlets 136 to receive the peg shafts 130 in a frictionalfit. In a further embodiment, features of the aforementioned embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner to provide both adhesion and positive frictional engagement betweenthe filter bucket cover 42 and the cartridge carrier 80. In additional embodiments, thecartridge carrier 80 may be snap-fit to the filter bucket cover 42 with latches, tongue-and-groove couplings, dovetail couplings, and / or any other suitable means for coupling thecartridge carrier 80 to the filter bucket cover 42. In more embodiments, the various couplingfeatures of cartridge carrier 80 and the cover 42 can be reversed, such that the cover 42 maycarry the bosses and channels or such that the cartridge carrier 80 may carry the pegs 128and the cover 42 carries the slots 134, and the like.

[0059] With reference again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the support walls 100a, 100b, 100c, 100dof the cartridge carrier 80 may include outboard support walls 100a, 100d extending inwardlyfrom outboard sides 142, 143 of the base wall 82 and inwardly from outboard sides 144, 145of the fluid coupling wall 90, and divider support walls 100b, 100c extending inwardly fromthe base wall 82 and the fluid coupling wall 90 at locations spaced away from the outboardMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTsupport walls 100a, 100d. The cartridge carrier 80 also may include reinforcement ribs 148extending between the base wall 82 and the divider support walls 100b, 100c to reinforce thedivider support walls 100b, 100c. The cartridge carrier 80 further may include finger accessapertures 150a, 150b, 150c (FIG. 10) between the base wall 82 and the fluid coupling wall90 to provide finger access to facilitate removal of the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c from thecartridge carrier 80. The cartridge carrier fluid couplings 96a, 96b, 96c may include cylindricalbosses 152a, 152b, 152c extending inwardly from the fluid coupling wall 90 and that may becircumferentially grooved to carry O-rings 154a, 154b, 154c or other seals. The conduitconnectors 98a, 98b, 98c extend outwardly from the fluid coupling wall 90 and may includestrain relief collars 156a, 156b, 156c (FIG. 5)) coupled thereto to resist kinking of conduit 64(FIG. 5) coupled to the cartridge carrier 80. The cartridge carrier latching elements 88a, 88b,88c may include apertures 158a, 158b, 158c in the base wall 82, for example, at an outwardend 160 of the base wall 82 distal with respect to the fluid coupling wall 90. As used herein,the term “distal” means some thing that is further away from than closer to some other thing. Conversely, the term “proximate” means some thing that is closer to than further away fromsome other thing. In other embodiments, instead of apertures 158a, 158b, 158c or voids, thecartridge carrier latching elements 88a, 88b, 88c may include tongues, tabs, or other suchstructures. The cartridge carrier retention shoulders 102a, 102b, 102c may be carried by thesupport walls 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d distal with respect to the fluid coupling wall 90 andspaced away from the base wall 82.

[0060] With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the first pH adjuster cartridge 78a includes thehousing 108a, a closure 168a coupled to the housing 108a to close the housing 108a, theinlet assembly 110a, and the outlet assembly 112a. The pH adjuster cartridge 78a also maybe considered a solid chemical cartridge in that it may carry solid granules, tablets, pellets,or the like. The first pH adjuster cartridge 78a is basically the same as the second pH adjustercartridge 78b (FIGS. 6 and 9) albeit having different sizes and proportions. Although notshown, the pH adjuster cartridge 78a may also include a screen in the housing 108a tomaintain such chemical solids in a suitable position to avoid clogging the outlet assembly112a with solid particulates. For example, the screen may be placed just upstream of thecartridge outlet 112a.

[0061] The housing 108a includes a bottom or base wall 124a, side walls 114a, 115aspaced laterally apart and extending away from the base wall 124a, a front end wall 120aextending away from the base wall 124a and between the side walls 114a, 115a, a rear endMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTwall 118a extending away from the base wall 124a and between the side walls 114a, 115aand spaced longitudinally apart from the front end wall 120a, and a top opening 182aestablished by upper edges 183a, 184a, 185a, 186a of the side 114a, 115a and end walls118a, 120a. The housing 108a also includes a fluid coupling opening 187a, specifically, afluid coupling inlet 187a, for example, in the front end wall 120a and that may be proximatethe top opening 182a and distal the base wall 124a. Accordingly, the front end wall 120amay be a fluid coupling front end wall 120a. The housing 108a further includes an additionalfluid coupling opening, specifically, a fluid coupling outlet 190a, for example, in the rear endwall 118a and that may be proximate the base wall 124a and distal the top opening 182a.Accordingly, the rear end wall 118a may be a fluid coupling rear end wall 118a. The cartridgeretention shoulders 116a may be carried by the side walls 114a, 115a proximate the rear end118a and distal the front end 120a of the cartridges 78a, 78b. The front end wall 120a maybe stepped to have a stepped portion 194a to define an interior volumetric headspace 196aas will be described further herein below.

[0062] With reference now to FIG. 12, the housing 108a also may include a cantileveredlatch arm 198a at the rear end 118a of the housing 108a and that may carry cartridge latchingelements 126a and may extend to a terminal end 202a that projects beyond a planeestablished by one of the end walls 118a, 120a, for instance the rear end wall 118a. Forexample, the cantilevered latch arm 198a may have an orthogonal portion 204a extendingaway from the base wall 124a of the housing 108a and terminating in an oblique finger tab206a and carrying the cartridge latching elements 126a, which may be in the form of solidprojections 126a extending below the orthogonal portion 204a of the latch arm 198a such asbarbs 126a having an oblique lead in surface 208a and rearwardly facing shoulders 210a. Inother embodiments, instead of solid projections or barbs, the cartridge latching elements126a may include apertures, or other voids structures in cases where the cartridge carrier 80includes barbs or other solid latching elements.

[0063] With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the closure 168a includes a top wall 212a, sidewalls 214a, 215a extending away from the top wall 212a, and end walls 216a, 217a extendingaway from the top wall 212a, wherein the side 214a, 215a and end walls 216a, 217a may bestepped to define a shoulder 218a against which the top opening 182a of the housing 108alocates when the closure 168a is assembled to the housing 108a. The top wall 212a mayinclude finger indents 220a that may be tapered inwardly in a front to rear direction and maydefine finger shoulders 222a to assist a user in pulling the cartridges 78a, 78b away from theMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTcartridge carrier 80. The closure 168a may be coupled to the housing 108a in a removableor non-removable manner. For example, the closure 168a may be welded, adhered, or fixedto the housing 108a in any other suitable non-removable manner. In another example, theclosure 168a may carry gaskets or other seals and may be frictionally / interference fit to thehousing 108a, latched to the housing 108a using interlocking latching features (not shown),or coupled to the housing 108a in any other suitable removable manner.

[0064] With reference now to FIG. 13, the inlet assembly 110a may include an inlet cap224a, a one-way valve 226a, and a gasket 228a. The inlet cap 224a may include a basewall 230a having a central passage 232a and peripheral passages 234a around the centralpassage 232a, an internally threaded skirt 236a extending away from the base wall 230a ina first direction and having one or more internal threads 238a for coupling to one or moreexternal threads 240a of the container inlet 187a, and an other skirt 242a extending awayfrom the base wall 230a in a second direction and having a smooth inner sealing surfacecentral passage 244a. The one-way valve 226a may be an umbrella valve 226a with a stem246a extending through the central passage 232a of the cap 224a and an enlarged head248a normally covering the peripheral passages 234a in a normally closed position. Thegasket 228a may be located between the base wall 230a and the container inlet 187a.

[0065] With reference again to FIG. 13, the outlet assembly 112a may include an outletslip ring or cap 250a, and a one-way valve 252a. The outlet cap 250a may include a basewall 254a having a central passage 256a therethrough and an internally threaded skirt 258aextending away from the base wall 254a and having one or more internal threads 260a forcoupling to one or more external threads 262a of the container outlet 190a. The one-wayvalve 252a may be a duck bill valve 252a including a base wall 264a trapped between thebase wall 254a of the cap 250a and the container outlet 190a, a cylindrical skirt 266aextending away from the base wall 264a, and tapered walls 268a extending away from thecylindrical skirt 266a.

[0066] With reference now to FIG. 14, the phosphate reducer cartridge 78c includes thehousing 108c, a closure 168c coupled to the housing 108c to close the housing 108c, theoutlet assembly 112c, and the vent assembly 110c. The housing 108c includes the basewall 124c, the side walls 114c, 115c spaced laterally apart and extending away from the basewall 124c, the front end wall 120c extending away from the base wall 124c and between theside walls 114c, 115c, the rear end wall 118c extending away from the base wall 124c andbetween the side walls 114c, 115c and spaced longitudinally apart from the front end wallMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT120c, and a top opening 182c established by upper edges 183c, 184c, 185c, 186c of the side114c, 115c and end walls 118c, 120c. The housing 108c also includes a fluid couplingopening 187c, specifically, a vent inlet 187c, for example, in the front end wall 120c and thatmay be distal the rear end wall 118c. Accordingly, the front end wall 120c may be a fluidcoupling front end wall 120c. The cartridge retention shoulders 116c may be carried by theside walls 114c, 115c proximate the rear end 118c and distal front end 120c of the cartridge78c. The front end wall 120c may be stepped to establish a stepped portion 194c to definean interior volumetric headspace 196c (FIG. 16) as will be described further herein below.The housing 108c also may include a cantilevered latch arm 198c (FIG. 16) at the rear end118c of the housing 108c and that may carry the cartridge carrier latching elements 126c.For example, the cantilevered latch arm 198c may have an orthogonal portion 204cextending away from the base wall 124c of the housing 108c and terminating in an obliquefinger tab 206c and carrying the cartridge carrier latching elements 126c, which may be inthe form of solid projections extending below the orthogonal portion 204c of the latch arm198c and having an oblique lead in surface 208c and a rearwardly facing shoulder 210c.

[0067] With continued reference to FIG. 14, the closure 168c includes a top wall 212c,side walls 214c, 215c extending away from the top wall 212c, and front and rear end walls216c, 217c extending away from the top wall 212c, wherein the side 214c, 215c and endwalls 216c, 217c may be stepped to define a shoulder 218c against which the top opening182c of the housing 108c locates when the closure 168c is assembled to the housing 108c.The closure 168c includes another fluid coupling opening, specifically, an outlet 190c, forexample, in the front end wall 217c and that may be proximate the top wall 212c of the closure168c. Accordingly, the front end wall 217c may be a fluid coupling front end wall 217c. Thetop wall 212c may include finger indents 220c that may be tapered inwardly in a front to rear direction and may define finger shoulders 222c to assist a user in pulling the cartridge 78caway from the cartridge carrier 80. The closure 168c may be coupled to the housing 108c ina removable or non-removable manner. For example, the closure168c may be welded,adhered, or fixed to the housing 108c in any other suitable non-removable manner. Inanother example, the closure 168c may carry a gasket or other seal and may befrictionally / interference fit to the housing 108c, latched to the housing 108c using interlockinglatching features (not shown), or coupled to the housing 108c in any other suitable removablemanner.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT

[0068] With reference now to FIG. 16, the outlet assembly 112c may include a valve body328 establishing a valve passage 330, a valve 332, a gasket 334, a valve seal 336, a valvespring 338, and a valve retainer 340. The valve body 328 may include a base wall 342 havinga through passage 344, and an externally threaded valve skirt 346 extending away from thebase wall 342 in a first direction and including a valve seat 348, one or more radial outletopenings 350, and one or more external threads 352. The valve body 328 also may includean externally threaded skirt 354 extending away from the base wall 342 in a second directionand having one or more external threads 356 for coupling to one or more internal threads358 of the closure outlet 190c and having a smooth inner sealing surface 360 and an externalseal groove 362 carrying the gasket 334 for sealing to the closure 168c, and a locating flange364 extending away from the externally threaded skirt 354. The valve 332 may be an oblongplunger valve 332 as illustrated, or may be a ball valve 332, or any other valve 332 suitablefor chemical dosing. The valve retainer 340 includes a base wall 366, and an internallythreaded skirt 368 extending away from the base wall 366 and having one or more internalthreads 370 for coupling to the one or more external threads 352 of the externally threadedvalve skirt 346 at an interior end 372 of the valve body 328. The valve 332 is carried betweenthe base wall 366 of the valve retainer 340 and the valve seat 348 of the valve body 328 suchthat a portion 374 of the valve 332 normally rests against the valve seat 348 in a normallyclosed configuration of the outlet assembly 112c, and such that the spring 338 is locatedbetween the valve head 376 and the retainer base wall 366 and such that the valve seal 336is radially between the retainer skirt 368 and the valve 332.

[0069] With reference again to FIG. 15, the vent assembly 110c may include a vent slipring or cap 378, and a one-way valve 380. The vent cap 378 may include a base wall 382having a central passage 384 therethrough and an internally threaded skirt 386 extendingaway from the base wall 382 and having one or more internal threads 388 for coupling to oneor more external threads 390 of the container vent 187c. The one-way valve 380 may be aduck bill valve including a base wall 392 trapped between the base wall 382 of the cap 378and the container vent 187c, a cylindrical skirt 394 extending away from the base wall 382,and tapered walls 396 extending away from the cylindrical skirt 394.

[0070] With reference again to FIG. 9, the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c may have differenttotal and / or target chemical volumetric capacities, for instance, in a range of 250-500 ml. Forexample, the pH adjuster cartridge 78a, 78b may have greater total and target volumetriccapacities than the pH increaser and phosphate reducer cartridges 78c, and the phosphateMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTreducer cartridge 78c may have a total volumetric capacity lesser than that of the pHincreaser cartridge. Although not separately illustrated, in orientations where the front endwalls 120a, 120b, are directly above the rear end walls 118a, 118b, the pH adjuster cartridges78a, 78b may have a liquid filling level measured from the rear walls 118a, 118b to the inlets187a, 187b of the front walls 120a, 120b such that a gas head space 196a (FIG. 12) isestablished between a free surface of the liquid and the stepped portions 194a, 194b of thefront end walls 120a, 12b.

[0071] The phosphate reducer cartridge 78c may have residual chemical volume that maybe less than twenty percent, and preferably less than fifteen percent of the total volumetriccapacity of the cartridge 78c. Once the liquid chemical in the cartridge 78c reaches theresidual chemical volume, the cartridge 78c will stop dosing the liquid chemical therefrom and the residual chemical should be drained out of the cartridge 78c before refilling thecartridge 78c.

[0072] With reference to FIG. 17, the phosphate reducer cartridge 78c is illustrated withreference to its assembly to the cartridge carrier 80. When the cartridge 78c is advancedtoward the fluid coupling wall 90 of the cartridge carrier 80 such that the front end 120c ofthe cartridge 78c locates against the fluid coupling wall 90 of the cartridge carrier 80, thecartridge carrier fluid coupling wall 90 has a boss 152c that seals inside the skirt 354 of thevalve body 328. The boss 152c has an outlet passage 398 in fluid communication with theconduit connector 98c of the cartridge carrier 80 and a plunger 400 that protrudes into thevalve body 328 to engage the valve 332 and displace the valve 332 away from the valve seat348 and toward the valve retainer 340 against the bias force offered by the valve spring 338.Liquid then may flow through the outlet openings 350 in the valve body 328 of the outletassembly 112c, through the valve seat 348 and central passage 344, and out of the conduitconnector 98c of the cartridge carrier 80. Conversely, when the cartridge 78c is removedfrom the cartridge carrier 80, the valve spring 338 pushes the valve 332 back toward thevalve seat 348 to seal the cartridge 78c so that it does not leak.

[0073] With reference to FIG. 18, the first pH adjuster cartridge 78a is illustrated withreference to its assembly to the cartridge carrier 80. When the cartridge 78a is advancedtoward the fluid coupling wall 90 of the cartridge carrier 80 such that the front end 120a ofthe cartridge 78a locates against the fluid coupling wall 90 of the cartridge carrier 80, thecartridge carrier fluid coupling 96a has a boss 152a that seals inside the skirt 242a of theinlet cap 224a and having an inlet passage 402 in fluid communication with the conduitMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTconnector 98a of the cartridge carrier 80. Water then may flow through the conduit connector98a of the cartridge carrier 80, through the inlet passage 402 of the boss 152a, through theperipheral openings 234a in the inlet cap 224a of the inlet assembly 110a, and past theenlarged head 248a of the inlet valve 226a and into the interior 404 of the cartridge 78a. Thisinflow of water pressurizes the interior 404 of the cartridge 78a such that the water mixeswith the wetted dry chemical and exits through the one-way outlet assembly 112a.Conversely, when the cartridge 78a is removed from the cartridge carrier 80, the valve 226aremains seated, blocking the peripheral passages 234a to seal the cartridge 78a so that itdoes not leak.

[0074] With reference to FIGS. 19-22, the cartridge 78a may be coupled to the cartridgecarrier 80, for example, according to a snap-fit connection. In a first example of FIG. 19, thecartridge 78a may be spaced vertically with respect to the cartridge carrier 80, aligned withits respective cartridge bay 106a oriented with respect to the cartridge carrier 80 such thatthe base wall 124a of the housing 108a faces the base wall 82 of the cartridge carrier 80,advanced with respect to the cartridge carrier 80 such that the base wall 124a of the housing108a contacts the base wall 82 of the cartridge carrier 80, and then slid toward the fluidcoupling wall 90 into engagement therewith until the latching element 126a of the cartridge78a latches to the latching element 88a of the cartridge carrier 80. In a second example ofFIG. 21, the cartridge 78a may be spaced longitudinally away from the cartridge carrier 80,aligned with its respective cartridge bay 106a, and then slid toward the fluid coupling wall 90into engagement therewith until the latching element 126a of the cartridge 78a latches to thelatching element 88a of the cartridge carrier 80. The same coupling techniques apply to theother cartridges 78b, 78c, of course.

[0075] With specific reference to FIG. 22, there is illustrated an example of the cartridgecarrier latching element 88a, the cartridge latching element 126a, and the latchingconfiguration thereof. As the cartridge 78a is slid toward the fluid coupling wall 90 of thecartridge carrier 80, eventually a cam surface 406 of the barb 126a on the cantilevered latcharm 198a engages a surface 408 of the base wall 82 of the cartridge carrier 80 to deflect thecantilevered latch arm 198a and, as the cartridge 78a reaches the fluid coupling wall 90, thebarb 126a falls into the corresponding latching aperture 88a of the base wall 82 of thecartridge carrier 80 and a rear shoulder 210a of the barb 126a engages an edge 410 definingthe aperture 88a to prevent the cartridge 78a from sliding back out. To remove the cartridge78a, a user lifts up on the cantilevered latch arm 198a to disengage the barb 126a from theMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTaperture 88a to allow the cartridge 78a to be slid away from the fluid coupling wall 90 of thecartridge carrier 80.

[0076] With reference to FIG. 23, the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c and the cartridge bays106a, 106b, 106c may have different geometries and other configurations to ensure that eachcartridge 78a, 78b, 78c is unique to its own corresponding cartridge bay 106a, 106b, 106c toprovide failsafe assembly of the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c to the cartridge carrier 80. Forexample, at least some of the retention shoulders 102a, 102b, 102c of the cartridge carrier80 may be at different elevations than other of the retention shoulders 102a, 102b, 102c ofthe cartridge carrier 80 and, likewise, at least some of the cartridge retention shoulders 116a,116b, 116c of the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c may be at different elevations than other of thecartridge retention shoulders 116a, 116b, 116c of the other cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c. Morespecifically, carrier retention shoulders 102a, 102b, 102c of different support walls 100a,100b, 100c, 100d of the cartridge carrier 80 may be at different distances from the base wall82 of the cartridge carrier 80, and the cartridge retention shoulders 116a, 116b, 116c of thecartridges 78a, 78b, 78c may be at different distances from respective base walls 124a, 124b,124c of the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c.

[0077] With reference to FIGS. 23-26, in another example, at least some of the cartridgebays 106a, 106b, 106c may be of different widths and, likewise, at least some of thecartridges 78a, 78b, 78c may be of different widths than one or more other cartridges 78a,78b, 78c. Additionally, side walls 114a, 114b, 114c, 115a, 115b, 115c of at least some ofthe cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c may be offset more or less with respect to a longitudinalcenterline of the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c than one or more other cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c.

[0078] With reference again to FIGS. 7 through 9, in a further example, at least some ofthe fluid couplings 96a, 96b, 96c of the cartridge carrier 80 may be at a different distancefrom the base wall 82 of the cartridge carrier 80 from one or more other carrier fluid couplings96a, 96b, 96c of the cartridge carrier 80 and, likewise, at least some of the cartridge inlet110a, 110b, 110c or outlet assemblies 112a, 112b, 112c may be at different elevations thanone or more of the other inlet 110a, 110b, 110c or outlet assemblies 112a, 112b, 112c asmeasured between centerlines of the inlet 110a, 110b, 110c or outlet assemblies 112a, 112b,112c and the base walls 124a, 124b, 124c of the cartridge housings 108a, 108b, 108c.

[0079] With reference now to FIG. 27, the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c can be removed fromthe aquatic vessel 10 by removing and inverting the filter bucket cover 42, deflecting thecantilevered latches 198a, 198b, 198c (FIG. 6) to disengage the corresponding latchingMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTelements 88a, 88b, 88c (FIG. 4), and pulling the cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c away from thecartridge carrier 80.

[0080] With reference now to FIG. 28, the connecting apparatus 62 includes a bung 412,conduit connectors 414a-d configured to be coupled to the bung 412, and an outlet assembly416 configured to be coupled to one of the conduit connectors 414a-d. The connectingapparatus 62 also includes a fastener, for instance, a nut 418, configured to be coupled tothe bung 412 to fasten the bung 412 to the filter bucket 16 at the aperture 70 in the sidewall72, and a gasket 420 configured to be carried by the bung 412 and located between the bung412 and the nut 418 for sealing purposes.

[0081] With reference now to FIGS. 29 and 30, the bung 412 includes a base wall 422having a first side 424 and a second side 426 and a plurality of apertures 428 (FIG. 30)therethrough, a side wall 430 extending away from the second side 426 of the base wall 422and having an interior surface 432 establishing a conduit connector well 434 and a threadedexterior surface 436 with one or more threads 438, and a flange wall 440 extending awayfrom the side wall 430 and being of a diameter greater than that of the base wall 422. Thebung 412 also may include a tool engagement skirt 442 extending away from the flange 440,for instance, a hexagonal-shaped skirt that may have hexagonal facets 444 for engaging awrench. The conduit connectors 414-d correspond to the plurality of apertures 428 of thebase wall 422, and may be barbed or threaded nozzles as illustrated, or any other conduitconnectors 414a-d suitable for coupling to tube, hose, or other fluid conduit 64a, 64b, 64c.The conduit connectors 414a-d have first ends 446 extending away from the base wall 422at the first side 424 of the base wall 422 and second ends 448 extending away from the basewall 422 at the second side 426 of the base wall 422 and into the conduit connector well 434of the bung 412. The conduit connectors 414a-d may be provided in pairs connected bycross-members, for example, plates 450, 451, as illustrated. In other embodiments, theconduit connectors 414a-d may be individual components, or may be injection molded, co-molded, or overmolded with respect to the rest of the bung 412 to be unitary therewith. Theconduit connectors 414a-d may have barbed ends 452a, 452b, 452c for frictional coupling tothe conduit connectors 98a, 98b, 98c coupled thereto. One of the conduit connectors 414dmay include a threaded nipple 454 (FIG. 30) for coupling to the outlet assembly 416 (FIG.30). With reference to FIG.29, the outlet assembly 416 may include a slip ring or cap 456 having an open threaded skirt 458 for threading to the threaded nipple 454 and a one-waydosing valve 460, such as a duck bill valve trapped between the cap 456 and the threadedMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTnipple 454. The nut 418 includes a nut flange 462, and a skirt 464 extending away from thenut flange 462 that may be internally threaded, and the gasket 420 may be a flat gasket.

[0082] With reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, the connecting apparatus 62 may be coupledto any suitable wall of the shell 14 of the aquatic vessel 10, or the wall 72 of the filter bucket16. For example, the nut 418 may be inserted through the aperture 70 in the sidewall 72 ofthe filter bucket 16 and an adhesive may be applied between the nut flange 462 of the nut418 and a flat interior surface 470 of the sidewall 72 to adhere the nut 418 to the sidewall 72.Then the gasket 420 may be located around the externally threaded exterior surface 436 ofthe bung 412 and against the flange wall 440 of the bung 412, and thereafter the bung 412may be threaded to the nut 418. In another example not illustrated, the nut 418 may belocated against an exterior surface of the filter bucket sidewall 72 around the aperture 70 andthen the bung 412 carrying the gasket 420 may be located against the flat interior surface470 of the sidewall 72 so that the threaded exterior surface 436 extends through the aperture70 and threads to the nut 418. Although not illustrated, the bung 412 may be marked withindicia at locations 472 near the conduit 64a, 64b, 64c corresponding to the indicia. Forexample, pH-, pH+, Pin, Pout indicia is marked on the flange wall 440 of the bung 412 nearcorresponding fluid conduit connectors 414a, 414b of the connecting apparatus 62. Also,the conduit connectors 414a-d may be inserted into the base wall 422 of the bung 412 fromoutside the bung 412, and the outlet assembly 416 may be located at the inside of the bung412.

[0083] With reference to FIG. 31, as an assembly failsafe, a first pair of the conduitconnectors 414a-d may be connected by a semicircular shaped plate 450 corresponding toa semicircular shaped pocket 478 of the bung 412 and, likewise, a second pair of the conduitconnectors 414a-d may be connected by an oval shaped plate 451 corresponding to an ovalshaped pocket of the bung 412. Accordingly, the first and second pairs of conduit connectors414a-d may have differently shaped plates and the bung 412 may have differently shapedpockets corresponding to the differently shaped plates.

[0084] With reference now to FIGS. 32-34, the pumping apparatus 60 generally includesa casing 486, pumps 488a, 488b, 488c carried by the casing 486, an electronics board 490carried by the casing 486, and a cover 492 for the casing 486. The casing 486 includes apump mounting wall 494, first and second end walls 496, 498 extending in opposite directionsaway from the pump mounting wall 494, side walls 500, 501 extending in opposite directionsaway from the pump mounting wall 494 between the first and second end walls 496, 498 andMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENThaving portions 502, 503 extending past the second end wall 498 to partially establish anelectronics pocket 504, and an open top 506 established by upper edges 507, 508, 509, 510of the side walls 500, 501 and the first and second end walls 496, 498. The casing 486 alsoincludes a frame mounting flange 511 protruding away from the first end wall 496 at a firstend 512 of the casing 486. The casing 486 establishes a pump chamber 514. The pumps488a, 488b, 488c are carried in the pump chamber 514 of the casing 486 and are mountedto the pump mounting wall 494. The pumps 488a, 488b, 488c may be inserted throughcorresponding holes 516a, 516b, 516c in the pump mounting wall 494 of the casing 486 andfastened thereto. The pumps 488a, 488b, 488c may be relatively small peristaltic pumps488a, 488b, 488c for instance, 12 V DC, 0.1 - 0.5A pumps, with example flow rates of 1.79ml / second @ 0.1A and 1.43 ml / second @ 0.16A. Or the pumps 488a, 488b, 488c may berelatively large peristaltic pumps 488a, 488b, 488c for instance, 12 V DC, 0.5 - 0.9A pumps,with example flow rates of 7.14 ml / second @ 0.5A and 5.0 ml / second @ 0.9A. With briefreference again to FIG. 1, the casing frame mounting flange 511 is adapted to be coupled toa vertical frame member 26 of the frame 22 of the cabinet 12 of the aquatic vessel 10. Thecasing 486 may be mounted right side up or upside down. With reference now to FIG. 35,the pumps 488a, 488b, 488c have inlet nozzles 556 and outlet nozzles 552 barbed to receiveand retain anti-kink collars 156 for conduit 64 connected to the nozzles 552, 556.

[0085] With reference now to FIG. 36, the pumping apparatus 60 includes the electronicsboard 490 carried in the electronics pocket 504 of the casing 486. The electronics board 490may be coupled to the casing 486 with failsafe assembly features, although not shown, forexample, two diagonally opposed locating features and two oppositely diagonally opposedscrew bosses. The electronics board 490 may receive power and RS485 communicationfrom an aquatic vessel controller 570 via a single 4-wire cable 526, may have 12Vdc outputterminals for the pumps 488a, 488b, 488c and may carry small relays or solid-state switchessuitable for application for up to 120 seconds single operation. The cable 526 may includean electrical connector extending through the second end wall of the casing into the electronics pocket and coupled to a socket on the electronics board The electronics board490 may be configured to receive signals from the vessel controller 570, close particularpump control switches for specified duration, monitor pump voltage and current for pump performance and failure modes, and provide circuit protection and other system errordetection activities. Although not separately shown, the electronics board 490 may be ormay include a controller including memory and one or more processors in communicationMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTwith the memory to facilitate implementation of various aspects of presently disclosed system functionality and methodology.

[0086] With reference again to FIG.32, the pumping apparatus 60 further includes a cover492 having a transparent window 528 for alignment with indicator lights on the electronicsboard 490. The cover 492 includes a side wall 530, top and bottom walls 532, 534 extendingaway from the side wall 530, and an end wall 536 extending away from the side wall 530between the top and bottom walls 532, 534, and corresponding to the electronics pocket 504.Edges 537, 538, 539 of the top wall 532, bottom wall 534, and end wall 536 establish a coveropening 540 corresponding to the casing 486, wherein the cover 492 slides over a portion ofthe casing 486 from the side.

[0087] With reference again to FIG. 36, the pumping apparatus 60 also includes a pumpconnector 544, for instance, a six pin wire connector that is coupled to three twisted pairwires 546 that connect to terminals 548 on the pumps 488a, 488b, 488c and that is coupledto corresponding pads or traces on the electronics board 490.

[0088] With reference now to FIG. 37A, the aquatic vessel dosing system 56 includes thedosing apparatus 58, the pumping apparatus 60, and the pumping and dosing connectingapparatus 62 fluidly connecting the pumping apparatus 60 to the dosing apparatus 58.Additionally, although not separately illustrated, the aquatic vessel 10 may include an aquaticvessel controller 570, that may be in communication with the electronics board 490 (FIG.36)of the pumping apparatus 60 and that may be in communication with various aquatic vesselsensors 600 for instance for sensing water temperature, flow, chemical attributes, or anyother parameters suitable for dosing chemicals into an aquatic vessel 10. The controller maybe in communication with the pumps 488a, 488b, 488c directly or indirectly via the electronicsboard 490 (FIG. 36) of the pumping apparatus 60 to control operation of the pumps 488a,488b, 488c.

[0089] Solid Cartridge Connections – With continued reference to FIG.37A, a first pluralityof outflow conduits 64a, 64b is illustrated in fluid communication between the first ends 446of the plurality of conduit connectors 414a, 414b of the bung 412 of the pumping and dosingconnecting apparatus 62 and the outlets 552 of the pumps 488a, 488b of the pumpingapparatus 60, and another plurality of outflow conduits 64a, 64b is illustrated in fluidcommunication between the second ends 448 of the plurality of conduit connectors 414a,414b of the bung 412 of the pumping and dosing connecting apparatus 62 and the inlet fluidcouplings 98a, 98b of the cartridge carrier 80 of the dosing apparatus 58. Accordingly, a firstMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTcartridge 78a of the plurality of cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c has a first cartridge inlet 110a, anda first pump 488a of the plurality of pumps 488a, 488b, 488c has a first pump outlet 552 influid communication with the first cartridge inlet 110a. Likewise, a second cartridge 78b ofthe plurality of cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c has a second cartridge inlet 110b, and a secondpump 488b of the plurality of pumps 488a, 488b, 488c has a second pump outlet 552 in fluidcommunication with second cartridge inlet 110b.

[0090] Liquid Cartridge Connections – With reference now to FIG.37B, a plurality of inflowconduits 64d, 64e is illustrated in fluid communication with the inlets 556 of the pumps 488a,488b and with water from the filter container 40 of the filter bucket 16, or from a commonmanifold fed from a bypass / bleed line off of a vessel circulation system, or in any othersuitable manner. A first inflow conduit 64c is illustrated in fluid communication with an outletfluid coupling 98c of the cartridge carrier 80 of the dosing apparatus 58, and a second inflowconduit 64c is illustrated in fluid communication with a second end 448 of one of the pluralityof conduit connectors 414c of the bung 412 of the pumping and dosing connecting apparatus62 and with an inlet 556 of a third pump 488c of the pumps 488a, 488b, 488c of the pumpingapparatus 60. And a first outflow conduit 64f is illustrated in fluid communication with anoutlet 552 of the third pump 488c of the pumping apparatus 60 and with the dosing conduitconnector 414d of the bung 412 of the pumping and dosing connecting apparatus 62.Accordingly, a third cartridge 78c of the plurality of cartridges 78a, 78b, 78c has a thirdcartridge outlet 112c, and a third pump 488c of the plurality of pumps 488a, 488b, 488c hasa third pump inlet 556 in fluid communication with the third cartridge outlet 112c and a thirdpump outlet 552 in fluid communication with a one-way outlet conduit connector 416 of theplurality of conduit connectors 414a-d of the bung 412.

[0091] FIG. 38 shows an illustrative embodiment of an aquatic system 560 including anaquatic vessel 10 or spa that includes a housing 562, the main chamber 32 or tub, a space 564 between the main chamber 32 and the housing 562, and the filter compartment or bucket 16 in the space 564. The system 560 also includes a system or spa control panel 566 that may include a user interface and that may be carried by some suitable portion of the housing 562, a spa controller 570 in electrical communication with the control panel 566 and that may be carried in the space 564. The system 560 also may include a heater 572 that may be used to heat water for the main chamber 32, and the pump 44 that may pump water from the filter bucket 16 to the main chamber 32 via the heater 572 and independent to the filter bucket 16. The system 560 also includes the previously described dosing apparatus 58 to doseMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTchemicals into the main chamber 32, the pumping apparatus 60 to pump water to and from the dosing apparatus 58, the pumping and dosing connecting apparatus 62 that fluidly connects the dosing apparatus 58 to the pumping apparatus 60, and conduit 64a, 64b, 64c coupled to and between the pumping apparatus 60 and the dosing apparatus 58 by way of the connecting apparatus 62. The system 560 also may include one or more filters 574 to filter water flowing from the filter bucket 16 to the pump 44. The spa controller 570 also may be in electrical communication with the heater 572, the pump 44, and the pumping apparatus 60 to control those portions of the system 560.

[0092] In operation, and with general reference to FIGS. 36-38, the aquatic vesselcontroller 570 determines from some suitable input that the aquatic vessel 10 requiresaddition of one of the solid chemicals, activates one of the pumps 488a, 488b to draw aspecified amount water from the spa, through the respective pump hose, through therespective connector nozzle 556, through the respective conduit 64a, 64b, into the respectivecartridge 78a, 78b, where the specified amount of water mixes with the solid chemical, andflows out of the duck bill outlet 112a, 112b into the filter bucket 16. The solid chemical maybe granular, tablet, or of any other suitable solid form. Each chemical is loaded into individualcontainers. The pumps 488a, 488b are driven by the pump controller and directed by thespa controller to operate for a specified duration of time (e.g. between 5 and 120 seconds)when a dose is commanded. Water from the spa via the pump 44 will flow to a cartridge 78a,78b holding solid chemicals and dissolves at least a portion of the solid chemical into thewater until the water is saturated with the chemical and then a fluent chemical stream exitsthe cartridge 78a, 78b and into the filter bucket 16, low pressure return line, or the like. Inanother embodiment, dosing can be directed by a user who interacts with an input devicecoupled to the controller 570, which, in turn, commands operation of one or more desiredpumps 488a, 488b.

[0093] In the automatic embodiment, water quality may be monitored over a period (e.g.,24 hours) following dosing and, if at the end of that period more adjustement is needed, then the controller 570 can command additional dosing. Because pH adjustment is slow to takeeffect, it is desireable that initial fill water in the aquatic vessel 10 is manually balanced forpH. If after a dosing cycle, the sensor(s) do not measure any pH change after a time periodof several hours or days, it may be determined that the cartridge 78a, 78b may be out ofchemical. After one or two additional attempts to adjust the pH fail to result in a measurable change, the system will notify the user that they need to check the system and add moreMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTchemical to the affected cartridge 78a, 78b. The system can also track the number of cyclesperformed and recommend adding more chemical to the cartridge 78a, 78b after adesignated number of operations.

[0094] Likewise, the controller 570 determines from some suitable input that the aquaticvessel 10 requires addition of liquid chemical, activates a different pump 488c to draw aspecified amount of liquid out of the liquid cartridge 78c, through the respective conduit 64c,through the respective connector nozzles 556, through the respective pump hose, throughand out of the pump 44, and through the conduit 64f to the connecting apparatus 62 and outof the one-way outlet 416 into the filter bucket 16. A pump 44 driven by the pump controllerand directed by the spa controller will operate for a specified duration of time (e.g. between5 and 120 seconds) when a dose is commanded, such that liquid chemical is pumped out ofthe liquid cartridge 78c and is dosed into the spa filter bucket 16, low pressure return line, orthe like. In another embodiment, dosing can be directed by a user who interacts with aninput device coupled to the controller 570, which, in turn, commands operation of the pump44.

[0095] Operation may be limited to activating each pump 488a, 488b, 488c individuallyand independently and may result from a command from the aquatic vessel controller 570that may include a pump call out and pump operation time duration in seconds. The time period may vary depending on controller direction. Preferably, only one pump 488a, 488b,488c operates at a time, such that the vessel controller 570 may track system activation andlimit a user from making multiple dosing requests at the same time. The vessel controller570 also may limit the number of dosing requests per day depending on cartridgeconfiguration to prevent overdosing, allow time for certain chemicals to work and stabilize in the water, and / or set a regular scheduled dosing pattern for generic chemicals. Theelectronics board 490 may send diagnostic data back to the vessel controller 570, includinginformation to determine if there are any circuit faults, pump failures, and / or the like, such aspump current and voltage, circuit data, and cartridge empty sensor if a cartridge 78a, 78b,78c carries a level sensor. The vessel controller 570 may be configured to send dosingcommands for particular pumps / cartridges 488a, 488b, 488c, 78a, 78b, 78c and pumpduration, monitor dosing controller health and fault feedback, count number of doses / cyclesprovided for each cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c, allow only (1) pump activation at a time, allow onlya certain number of activations per period (hours / days / weeks) depending on cartridge type,notify a user when to add more chemical to a cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c based on the cycleMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTcount, maintain such notification as active until a user acknowledges that the user hasserviced the cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c, and schedule reminders based on historical dosingfrequency, and track dosing frequency - date and time - for a rolling interval (e.g., 3 months).

[0096] Detailed Operational Description of Dosing Steps – In accordance with the variousembodiments described above, an illustrative method involves various aspects of chemical dosing for an aquatic vessel. The method may or may not include all of the disclosed steps or be sequentially processed or processed in the particular sequence discussed, and the presently disclosed manufacturing process and marking methods encompass any sequencing, overlap, or parallel processing of such steps.

[0097] In operation, at step 1, a sensing and dosing process may be initiated, eithermanually by a user, or automatically by the aquatic vessel controller 570 as a function of timeor any other variable.

[0098] At step 2, the controller 570 receives signals corresponding to pH of water in thespa by any suitable water quality sensor(s) 600 in water communication with the aquaticvessel 10, either in the main chamber 32, or in the filter container 40, or both.

[0099] At step 3, the controller 570 determines whether the pH value associated with thepH signals is ok, high, or low.

[0100] At step 4, if the controller 570 determined that the pH value is ok, then no action istaken by the system and the method ends.

[0101] At step 5, if the controller 570 determined that the pH value is high (above a desiredpH value), then the controller 570 transmits an appropriate signal to an output device such as a display to inform a user that it is desirable to reduce pH of the aquatic vessel water.

[0102] At step 6, the controller 570 receives an input signal from a user such as via atouch screen or button to dose a pH decreaser.

[0103] At step 7, the controller 570 transmits an output signal to the output device toinform a user that the system is dosing the pH decreaser. Also, the controller 570 determineswhether the pH is normal high (yellow range) or exceptionally high (red range) and sends apump activation signal to the appropriate pump 488a, 488b, 488c to dose for a time inseconds that equals a dosing factor (e.g., 0.05) multiplied by a liquid volume of water in the aquatic vessel 10 for the normal / yellow high, or for a longer time in seconds that equals a higher dosing factor (e.g., 0.0733) multiplied by a liquid volume of water in the aquatic vessel10 plus an adjustment factor (e.g., 0.33) for the exceptional / red high.

[0104] At step 8, the method ends.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT

[0105] At step 9, if the controller 570 determined that the pH value is low (below a desiredpH value), then the controller 570 transmits an appropriate signal to the output device toinform a user that it is desirable to increase pH of the aquatic vessel water.

[0106] At step 10, the controller 570 receives an input signal from a user such as via atouch screen or button to dose a pH increaser.

[0107] At step 11, the controller 570 transmits an output signal to the output device toinform a user that the system is dosing the pH increaser. Also, the controller 570 determineswhether the pH is normal low (yellow range) or exceptionally low (red range) and sends apump activation signal to the appropriate pump 488a, 488b, 488c to dose for a time inseconds that equals a dosing factor (e.g., 0.05) multiplied by a liquid volume of water in theaquatic vessel 10 for the normal / yellow low, or for a longer time in seconds that equals a higher dosing factor (e.g., 0.0733) multiplied by a liquid volume of water in the aquatic vessel10 plus an adjustment factor (e.g., 0.33) for the exceptional / red low.

[0108] At step 12, the method ends.

[0109] In accordance with the various embodiments described above, an illustrativemethod involves various aspects of chemical dosing for an aquatic vessel 10. The methodmay or may not include all of the disclosed steps or be sequentially processed or processed in the particular sequence discussed, and the presently disclosed manufacturing process and marking methods encompass any sequencing, overlap, or parallel processing of such steps.

[0110] In operation, at step 1, a timed dosing process may be initiated, for example, via auser using a system input device.

[0111] At step 2, the controller 570 receives input from a user such as via a touch screen,including a chemical to be dosed and a dosing interval associated with that chemical.

[0112] At step 3, at an appropriate date and time associated with the dosing interval andthe chemical indicated in step 2, the controller 570 sends a signal to an appropriate pump488a, 488b, 488c corresponding to the chemical to operate for an appropriate time inseconds, for example, equal to a standard dosing factor (e.g., 0.05) multiplied by a liquidvolume of water in the aquatic vessel 10.

[0113] At step 4, the method ends.

[0114] In accordance with the various embodiments described above, an illustrativemethod involves various aspects of chemical cartridge refill tracking for an aquatic vessel 10.The method may or may not include all of the disclosed steps or be sequentially processedMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTor processed in the particular sequence discussed, and the presently disclosed manufacturing process and marking methods encompass any sequencing, overlap, or parallel processing of such steps.

[0115] In operation, at step 1, the method may be initiated, either manually by a user, orautomatically by the aquatic vessel controller 570 as a function of time or any other variable.

[0116] At step 2, the controller 570 tracks a quantity of doses since a particular cartridge78a, 78b, 78c was last refilled. This may be carried out by incrementing any suitable counterafter each dosing instruction transmitted by the controller 570 for the particular cartridge 78a,78b, 78c. In an alternative aspect, the controller 570 may track a total number of dosingseconds for the particular cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c since the cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c was lastrefilled and may compare that number with a desired number of dosing seconds for each chemical, for instance, 400 seconds for the pH increaser, 900 seconds for the pH decreaser,and 120 seconds for the phosphate decreaser.

[0117] At step 3, once the controller 570 determines that the quantity of the doses (ordosing time) associated with the particular cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c exceeds a desiredquantity, then the controller 570 transmits an output signal to an output device such as adisplay or light to refill the particular cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c.

[0118] At step 4, the controller 570 determines that the particular cartridge 78a, 78b, 78cwas refilled, either automatically via an appropriate sensor, or by manual input from a user via an input device.

[0119] At step 5, if at step 4 the controller 570 determined that the particular cartridge78a, 78b, 78c was not refilled, then the controller 570 sets a reminder according to a reminderinterval, e.g. three days, and loops back to step 3.

[0120] At step 6, however, if at step 4 the controller 570 determined that the particularcartridge 78a, 78b, 78c was refilled, then the refill counter is reset and the method ends.Additionally, the newly replaced cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c may be automatically primed oncethe controller 570 determined that the particular cartridge 78a, 78b, 78c was refilled. The pHadjuster cartridges 78a, 78b may be primed by activating the associated pumps 488a, 488bto pump water to the cartridge(s) 78a, 78b for a set time, e.g., 30 seconds. The phosphatedecreaser cartridge 78c may be primed by activating the associated pump 488c for a set time, e.g., 30 seconds.

[0121] According to another aspect of system operation and / or methodology, a shift in pHand / or oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) may be monitored to ensure a dose of a desiredMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTchemical was carried out. For example, when a pH adjusting dose is carried out, thecontroller 570 compares a post-dosing sensor reading against a pre-dosing pH value to lookfor a shift to indicate that the desired chemical was added to the water. If the new reading isnot different from the previous historical readings, the controller 570 flags that a refill isneeded to a user, for example, after three dosing instances showing no change. If, however,the comparison shows a movement contrary to the expected result, i.e. pH goes up with pH-dosed, then the controller 570 flags that the incorrect chemical was dosed and not the desiredchemical, for example, after three dosing instances showing incorrect movement triggeringincorrect chemical. In another example, if a phosphate decreaser is added, but there is nochange to pH or ORP, then the controller flags that the incorrect chemical was dosed and not the desired chemical, for example, after three dosing instances showing incorrect chemical added. In an example, when pH+ chemical is dosed, the pH will increase and theORP fall. ORP, chlorine, and / or pH shift may be calibrated against temperature history andfresh water salt generation activity to facilitate this functionality.

[0122] The aquatic vessel controller 570 may receive input data and instructions from auser, process the received input in light of stored software and / or data, and transmit output signals to appropriate devices of the system to communicate with the user or control aspects of the system. Conversely, in another example, the controller 570 may receive input signals from appropriate system sensors, process the received input signals in light of stored data and software, and transmit output data to appropriate devices of the system to communicate with the user or control aspects of the system.

[0123] The aquatic vessel controller 570 generally may include memory, a processorcoupled to the memory, one or more interfaces coupled to the processor, one or more input devices coupled to the processor, and / or one or more output devices coupled to the processor. Of course, the controller 570 further may include any ancillary devices, for example, clocks, internal power supplies, and the like (not shown). Although not shown, the controller 570 may be supplied with electricity by an external power supply, for example, an AC to DC transformer, one or more batteries, fuel cells, and the like. Although an example description of a controller is set forth herein, it is to be understood that various aspects of the presently disclosed system and the method may be at least partially performed by any electronic articles and / or devices capable of executing instructions corresponding to one or more steps of the disclosed method.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT

[0124] The input devices and output devices may be separate or integrated, and may beused to receive or transmit any suitable user input or output, whether tactile, audible, and / or visual. The input devices may include peripheral input devices or user input devices, for example, a touch screen, buttons, or the like. The input devices may be used to enter any suitable commands, instructions, data, information, signals, and the like into the processor. The output devices may include user output devices, for example, a touch screen, lights, or any other type of display devices.

[0125] The interfaces may include internal and / or external communication interfaces andmay include wired and / or wireless devices. The interfaces may include circuits, software, firmware, and / or any other device to assist or enable the computing apparatus in communicating internally and / or externally with other devices.

[0126] The processor may process data and execute instructions that provide at leastsome of the functionality for the system and aspects of the method. As used herein, the term instructions may include, for example, control logic, computer software and / or firmware, programmable instructions, or other suitable instructions. The processor may include, for example, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementinglogic functions on data signals, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) with suitablelogic gates, programmable or complex programmable logic devices, programmable or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or any other suitable type of electronic processing device(s).

[0127] The memory may include any computer readable medium or media configured toprovide at least temporary storage of at least some data, data structures, an operating system, application programs, program modules or data, and / or other computer software or computer-readable instructions that provide at least some aspects of the method and / or the functionality of the system and that may be executed by the processor. The data, instructions, and the like may be stored, for example, as look-up tables, formulas, algorithms, maps, models, and / or any other suitable format. It will also be appreciated that the instructions may be stored on different memory devices and / or executed by differentprocessors or computers of the controller 570, together causing performance of at least someaspects of the method and functionality discussed herein. The memory may be in the form of removable and / or non-removable, volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Illustrative volatile memory may include, for example, random access memory (RAM), static RAMMASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM) including synchronous or asynchronous DRAM, and / or the like, for running software and data on the processor. By way of example, and not limitation,the volatile memory may include an operating system, application programs, other memorymodules, and data. Illustrative non-volatile memory may include, for example, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), dynamic read / write memory like magnetic or optical disks or tapes, and static read / write memory like solid-state drives (SSDs), solid state hybrid drives (SSHDs), hard disk drives (HDDs), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), flash memory and / or the like, for storing software and data. Although not separately shown, the controller 570 may also include other removable / non-removable volatile / non-volatile data storage or media. For example, the other media may include dynamic or static external storage read / write device(s).

[0128] The methods or parts thereof can be implemented in a computer program productincluding instructions carried on a computer readable medium for use by one or more processors to implement one or more of the method steps. The computer program product may include one or more software programs comprised of program instructions in source code, object code, executable code or other formats; one or more firmware programs; or hardware description language (HDL) files; and any program related data. The data may include data structures, look-up tables, or data in any other suitable format. The program instructions may include program modules, routines, programs, objects, components, and / or the like. The computer program product can be executed on one computer or on multiple computers in communication with one another.

[0129] Finally, the subject matter of this application is presently disclosed in conjunctionwith several explicit illustrative embodiments and modifications to those embodiments, using various terms. All terms used herein are intended to be merely descriptive, rather than necessarily limiting, and are to be interpreted and construed in accordance with their ordinary and customary meaning in the art, unless used in a context that requires a differentinterpretation. And for the sake of expedience, each explicit illustrative embodiment andmodification is hereby incorporated by reference into one or more of the other explicit illustrative embodiments and modifications. As such, many other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereto, either exist now or are yet to be discovered and, thus, it is neither intended nor possible to presently describe all such subject matter, which will readily be suggested to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTRather, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such embodiments and modifications of the subject matter of this application, and equivalents thereto, as fall within the broad scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTCLAIMS 1. An aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus, comprising: a cartridge carrier including a base wall including an external surface, an internal surface, and cartridge carrier latching elements, a fluid coupling wall extending away from the base wall and having cartridge carrier fluid couplings, and support walls extending away from the base wall and having coupling elements including cartridge carrier retention shoulders; and cartridges removably carried by the cartridge carrier between the support walls andeach of the cartridges including a housing including side walls having cartridge retention shoulders corresponding to respective carrier retention shoulders of the support walls of the cartridge carrier, end walls including a fluid coupling end wall having a cartridge fluid coupling corresponding to a respective one of the cartridge carrier fluid couplings, ahousing base wall connecting the side walls and the end walls, andcorresponding to the internal surface of the base wall of the cartridge carrier, anda cartridge latching element configured to be latched to a respective carrier latching element of the cartridge carrier latching elements.

2. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus of claim 1, wherein each housing ofthe cartridges includes a cantilevered latch arm extending away from the base wall of the housing at a rear end of the housing and carrying the cartridge latching element.

3. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising conduitconnectors extending away from and unitary with the fluid coupling wall of the cartridgecarrier and in fluid communication with the cartridge carrier fluid couplings.

4. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising strainrelief collars coupled to the conduit connectors.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT5. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge carrierretention shoulders of different support walls are at different distances from the base wall of the cartridge carrier, and wherein the cartridge retention shoulders are at different distances from respective base walls of the cartridges.

6. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge carrierfluid couplings are at different distances from the base wall of the cartridge carrier, and wherein cartridge fluid couplings of the cartridges are at different distances from respective base walls of the cartridges.

7. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge carrierlatching elements include latching apertures, and wherein the cartridge latching elements ofthe cartridges include barbs for acceptance into respective latching apertures when thecartridges are latched to the cartridge carrier.

8. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge fluidcoupling of at least one of the cartridges includes avalve body coupled to a fluid coupling opening of the cartridge carrier andincluding a valve passage including a valve seat, a valve retainer coupled to an interior end of the valve body and including an end wall, a valve carried between the valve seat of the valve body and the end wall of the valve retainer, and a spring to bias the valve toward the valve seat of the valve body.

9. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one fluidcoupling of the fluid coupling wall of the cartridge carrier includes a plunger to displace thevalve when the at least one of the cartridges is coupled to the cartridge carrier.

10. An aquatic vessel chemical dosing cartridge carrier, comprising:a base wall including an external surface and an internal surface,MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTa fluid coupling wall extending away from the base wall and including aninternal surface, an external surface, carrier fluid couplings carried by the internal surface,and conduit connectors carried by the external surface, and support walls extending away from the base wall and having coupling elements including cartridge carrier retention shoulders and cartridge carrier latching elements,wherein the support walls include outboard support walls and at least one divider supportwall between the outboard support walls.

11. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing cartridge carrier of claim 10, wherein the carrierfluid couplings are located at different distances from the base wall, and the cartridge carrierretention shoulders are located at different distances from the base wall.

12. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing cartridge carrier of claim 10, wherein the basewall carries cartridge latching elements.

13. An aquatic vessel chemical dosing cartridge, comprising:a housing including side walls having cartridge retention shoulders, end walls including a fluid coupling front end wall having a first fluid coupling opening, a base wall connecting the side walls and the end walls, a second fluid coupling opening in at least one of the side walls or end walls of the housing.

14. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing cartridge of claim 13, wherein the first fluidcoupling opening is a fluid coupling inlet and the second fluid coupling opening is a fluid coupling outlet.

15. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing cartridge of claim 13, wherein the first fluidcoupling opening is a fluid coupling outlet and the second fluid coupling opening is a fluidcoupling vent inlet in a fluid coupling rear end wall of the end walls.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT16. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing cartridge of claim 13, wherein the housing alsoincludes a cantilevered latch arm extending away from the base wall and carrying a barb.

17. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing cartridge of claim 16, wherein the cantileveredlatch arm extends to a terminal end that projects beyond a plane established by one of the end walls.

18. An aquatic vessel chemical pumping apparatus, comprising:a casing including a pump mounting wall, first and second end walls extending away from the pump mounting wall, side walls extending away from the pump mounting wall between the first and second end walls and having portions extending past the second end wall to partially establish an electronics pocket, and an open top established by upper edges of the side walls and the first and second end walls, wherein the casing establishes a pump chamber; pumps carried in the pump chamber of the casing by the pump mounting wall; and an electronics board carried in the electronics pocket of the casing.

19. The aquatic vessel chemical pumping apparatus of claim 18, further comprising anelectrical connector extending through the second end wall of the casing into the electronics pocket and coupled to a socket on the electronics board.

20. The aquatic vessel chemical pumping apparatus of claim 18, further comprising acover having a transparent window for alignment with indicator lights on the electronics board.

21. The aquatic vessel chemical pumping apparatus of claim 18, further comprising acover including a side wall, top and bottom walls extending away from the side wall,MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENTan end wall extending away from the side wall between the top and bottom walls, and corresponding to the electronics pocket, wherein edges of the top, bottom, and end walls establish a cover opening corresponding to the casing, wherein the cover slides over a portion of the casing.

22. The aquatic vessel chemical pumping apparatus of claim 18, wherein thepumps have inlet and outlet nozzles barbed to receive and retain anti-kink collars.

23. The aquatic vessel chemical pumping apparatus of claim 18, wherein the casing alsoincludes a frame mounting flange protruding away from the first end wall at a first end of the casing.

24. An aquatic vessel chemical pumping and dosing connecting apparatus, comprising:a bung including a base wall having a first side and a second side and a plurality of apertures therethrough, a side wall extending away from the second side of the base wall and having an interior surface establishing a conduit connector well and a threaded exterior surface with one or more threads, and a flange wall extending away from the side wall and being of a diameter greater than that of the base wall; and a plurality of conduit connectors corresponding to the plurality of apertures of the base wall, and having first ends extending away from the base wall at the first side of the base walland second ends extending away from the base wall at the second side of the base wall andinto the conduit connector well of the bung.

25. The aquatic vessel chemical pumping and dosing connecting apparatus of claim 24,wherein the bung also includes a hexagonal-shaped skirt extending away from the flange wall.

26. The aquatic vessel chemical pumping and dosing connecting apparatus of claim 24,wherein at least one of the plurality of conduit connectors carries a one-way dosing valve.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT27. The aquatic vessel chemical pumping and dosing connecting apparatus of claim 24,further comprising: anut having an internally threaded skirt coupled to the threaded exterior surface ofthe side wall of the bung and a nut flange extending radially outwardly from the internally threaded skirt; and agasket carried by the bung and trapped to the flange wall of the bung by the nut.

28. An aquatic vessel chemical dosing system, comprising:a dosing apparatus, including a cartridge carrier, and a plurality of cartridges removably carried by the cartridge carrier; a pumping apparatus, including a casing establishing a pump chamber, a plurality of pumps carried in the pump chamber of the casing and having inlets and outlets, and an electronics board carried by the casing; a pumping and dosing connecting apparatus, including a bung including a base wall having a first side and a second side and a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a plurality of conduit connectors corresponding to the plurality of apertures of the base wall, and having first ends extending away from the base wall at the first side of the base wall and second ends extending away from the base wall at the second side of the base wall; a plurality of outflow conduits in fluid communication between the first ends of the plurality of conduit connectors of the bung of the pumping and dosing connecting apparatus and the outlets of the pumps of the pumping apparatus; and another plurality of outflow conduits in fluid communication between the second ends of the plurality of conduit connectors of the bung of the pumping and dosing connecting apparatus and inlet fluid couplings of the cartridge carrier of the dosing apparatus.MASCO / WATKINS 188-3601-U PATENT29. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing system of claim 28, wherein a first cartridge of theplurality of cartridges has a first cartridge inlet, and a first pump of the plurality of pumps has a first pump outlet in fluid communication with the first cartridge inlet.

30. The aquatic vessel chemical dosing system of claim 29, wherein an additionalcartridge of the plurality of cartridges has an additional cartridge outlet, and an additional pump of the plurality of pumps has an additional pump inlet in fluid communication with the additional cartridge outlet and an additional pump outlet in fluid communication with a one- way outlet conduit connector of the plurality of conduit connectors of the bung.

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