Ultrasonic Transducers for Scale Removal in Pool Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swimming pool and spa devices face issues with scale formation due to mineral deposits like calcium carbonate, leading to increased hydraulic resistance, decreased heat transfer, and diminished electrolytic activity, which currently require offline mechanical or chemical cleaning.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic device comprising an ultrasonic generator and one or more ultrasonic transducers is integrated into the pool or spa device to produce vibrations that remove existing scale accumulation and prevent new scale formation by applying ultrasonic energy directly to components or the surrounding water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If offline mechanical or chemical cleaning is used to remove scale, then scale accumulation is removed, but device operation is interrupted and additional costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The pool or spa device performs self-cleaning through integrated ultrasonic transducers that continuously remove scale deposits from internal components during normal operation, eliminating the need for external manual or chemical cleaning services and maintaining continuous operational status
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cleaning methods (manual scrubbing, chemical treatments) with ultrasonic vibration technology that uses high-frequency acoustic waves to mechanically dislodge and remove scale deposits without physical contact or chemical intervention
2Reliability
If scale accumulation occurs on heating components, then heat transfer efficiency decreases, but the heating function continues to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic transducers continuously apply vibrations to heating components to prevent scale accumulation before it can significantly impair heat transfer, maintaining optimal thermal efficiency throughout the device's operation rather than waiting for performance degradation
3Reliability
If scale forms on electrode plates, then electrolytic activity diminishes, but the electrochemical process continues
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode plates are equipped with integrated ultrasonic transducers that continuously vibrate at frequencies designed to prevent calcium carbonate precipitation and remove existing deposits, maintaining consistent electrolytic activity in salt chlorine generators without external maintenance intervention
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ultrasonic device effectively removes scale accumulation and prevents scale formation, enhancing the performance of pool and spa devices by reducing hydraulic resistance, maintaining heat transfer efficiency, and ensuring continuous operation without the need for offline cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The first ultrasonic transducer is designed to produce ultrasonic vibrations in response to the at least one signal. The ultrasonic vibrations remove scale accumulation from the first component of the pool or spa device.
Implementation Method 2
An ultrasonic device comprising an ultrasonic generator and one or more ultrasonic transducers is integrated into the pool or spa device to produce vibrations that remove existing scale accumulation and prevent new scale formation by applying ultrasonic energy directly to components or the surrounding water.
Data Source
AI summary
A pool or spa device is provided in the form of a housing, a first component, an ultrasonic device, and a controller. The housing defines an interior of the pool or spa device. The first component is positioned within the interior of the housing. The ultrasonic device is provided in the form of an ultrasonic generator and a first ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic generator is designed to generate at least one signal in an ultrasonic frequency range. The first ultrasonic transducer is in communication with the ultrasonic generator. In some instances, the first ultrasonic transducer is designed to produce ultrasonic vibrations in response to the at least one signal. The controller is in communication with the ultrasonic device. In some instances, the ultrasonic vibrations removes scale accumulation from the first component of the pool or spa device.