US 12,093,008 B2
Systems, methods, and apparatus to monitor and control an aquatic facility
Mark G. Pleva, Woodward, IA (US); and Patrick D. Gasche, Perry, IA (US)
Assigned to SENTRY VALVE COMPANY, INC., Woodward, IA (US)
Filed by SENTRY VALVE COMPANY, INC., Woodward, IA (US)
Filed on Nov. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/059,829.
Application 18/059,829 is a continuation of application No. 16/948,848, filed on Oct. 2, 2020, granted, now 11,567,468.
Prior Publication US 2023/0168653 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G05B 19/042 (2006.01)
CPC G05B 19/042 (2013.01) [G05B 2219/2605 (2013.01); G05B 2219/2658 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automatic control system to monitor and control operation of an aquatic facility comprising:
(a) a swimming pool for holding pool water;
(b) a water circulation subsystem in operative connection to the swimming pool to circulate water to and from the swimming pool;
(c) water heater subsystem in operative connection to the water circulation subsystem to heat the pool water;
(d) water treatment subsystem in operative connection to the water circulation subsystem to clean and disinfect the pool water;
(e) a control subsystem comprising:
(1) a base controller including:
(a) a plurality of inputs;
(b) a plurality of outputs;
(2) a human-machine interface (HMI) operatively connected to the base controller;
(3) a plurality of sensors operatively connected to the inputs, to sense parameters related to the operation of the aquatic facility; and
(4) a plurality of actuators operatively connected to the outputs to actuate operations related to operation of the aquatic facility;
(f) wherein the base controller receives signals from the sensors and then automatically actuates the actuators in response to the signals without human intervention;
(g) wherein the HMI provides:
(1) quantification of the parameters in response to the sensor signals;
(h) wherein the control subsystem is customizable in a scalable manner such that one or more additional sensors and/or one or more additional actuators can be operatively connected to the base controller via one or more of the plurality of inputs and/or one or more of the plurality of outputs, further wherein corresponding programming is added to the base controller;
(i) wherein the base controller is programmable with a common programming format relative to:
(1) one or more configurable setpoints, values, or states for one or more sensors of the plurality of sensors; and
(2) actuation of one or more actuators of the plurality of actuators;
(i) wherein the HMI is programmable with the common programming format.