"A FILTRATION UNIT"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a filtration unit and, in particular, a water filtration unit used for domestic swimming pools and spas and the like. However the invention should not be seen as so restricted and may be appropriate in other environments such as cooling towers and air conditioning systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Filtration systems used for domestic swimming pools are typically installed by a plumber by connecting a series of pipes between various elements of the system. The elements of the system may include a filter, a multi-port valve, a chlorinator and a pump. The pipes may then be welded together using a waterproof adhesive.

A problem with welding the pipes is that when repairs are required, the pipe must be cut in order to remove the old part, for example, the pump. In order to alleviate this problem, screw connectors are often provided at an interface between the pipe and the pump allowing the pump to be more easily removed and replaced. Although some users of the filtration system may be able to replace the pump in this way, the pumps are heavy and cumbersome to handle thus many users enlist the help of a plumber. Furthermore, care must be taken to ensure that screw threads at the interface between the pipe and the pump are not cross- threaded to prevent leaks. Also, over time, the pipes become brittle and are prone to cracking when handled. Quite often, the replacement pump does not have identical dimensions requiring modification to existing pipes. A further issue that arises relates to the aesthetically unappealing presentation of many conventional filtration units and associated plumbing and the fact that access to aspects of the filtration unit such as filtration baskets is often economically inappropriate. The dispersed nature of conventional filtration units leads to a need to dissemble a variety of components in order to fully service the system or to replace componentry. ·

In another aspect, the operation of a conventional filtration unit is often energy inefficient. This arises from the fact that the period of operation in systems including an electrolytic cell is often determined by the need for the production of chlorine. The simultaneous requirement to filter water through a filtration medium is often fulfilled in a significantly shorter time period. However, in existing arrangements, the operation of one process necessitates the operation of the other. That is, the system involves a flow path which includes both a filtration medium and the chlorinator permanently in line. This leads to the requirement of increased pressure in pump operation and wastage of power input as well as leading to earlier failure of pumps operating under peak load at all times.

A further issue that often arises in conventional arrangements is the development of a calcium based scale on plates of an electrolytic cell. Flakes of this scale may break off and are discharged through return outlets in a swimming pool. The insoluble material forms noticeable white or grey slag heaps on the floor of the pool creating the need for its removal by a vacuum system.

A further problem with conventional pool maintenance arises from the need for control of pH of the pool. Typically, this needs the addition of acid to lower the pH. Concentrated hydrochloric acid is the material of choice in this regard. This is a highly dangerous material with offensive fumes when used in the concentrated form. Typically, an owner will add the acid to a bucket of water to dilute it before dispersing it into the pool or otherwise adding to the body, of pool water. There are numerous occasions of risk to an operator from splashing and fumes during this process.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and/or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention resides in a filtration unit for a pool, the filtration unit including:

an inlet spigot providing an entry for water to be treated; and an outlet spigot providing an exit of treated water, the inlet and outlet spigot in fluid communication with each other; .

wherein;

the inlet spigot and the outlet spigot are adapted to slidingly engage a supply line from the pool and return line to the pool respectively. The filtration unit may further include a purrlp. The spigots may cooperate with one or more sealing washers to provide a water tight seal.

In a further aspect, the invention may reside in a filtration unit for a pool, the filtration unit including:

an inlet;

an intake chamber, preferably extending upwardly from the inlet; a pump in fluid communication with the intake chamber;

wherein: a strainer basket is positioned in the intake chamber to filter water flowing through the intake chamber prior to delivery, directly or indirectly, to the pump.

It should be understood that the expression "filtration unit" extends to a facility for filtering and/or sanitising water.

Preferably, an intake chamber delivery pipe extends upwards in the intake chamber, the intake chamber delivery pipe having one or more apertures formed in a terminal section of the intake chamber delivery pipe and wherein the strainer basket is mounted in working co-operation with the terminal section.

Preferably, the strainer basket has a receiving conduit to allow passage of the terminal section and a trap region adjacent the receiving conduit for collection of at least some filtered material.

The intake chamber may be in fluid communication with a primary filtration chamber preferably via the pump which collects water from an intake manifold, the intake manifold collecting and channeling water to the pump which in turn delivers the water to a valve inlet of a multi-port valve coupled to the primary filter chamber. The multi-port valve may be a conventional valve as is known for selectable positions which provide alternative functions such as filtering, discharge, backwash and flush. Water passing through the valve inlet is directed to a filter medium which may be any conventional medium such as sand, glass, a cartridge filter, or related and similar materials.

The filtration unit preferably also includes a base to support the primary filter. The base may include a hatch for location of the pump.

In yet a further aspect, the invention may reside in a filtration unit including: an electrolytic cell for production of a sanitising chemical such as chlorine;

a secondary filter chamber;

wherein:

the secondary filter chamber is adapted to receive a secondary filtering medium and is positioned downstream from the electrolytic cell.

The secondary filtering medium is preferably coarser than in the primary filter chamber, The secondary filter chamber is preferably formed as an elongate chamber with its longitudinal axis running substantially vertically. In a preferred embodiment the secondary filter is formed in an exhaust manifold which is a mirror image of and spaced from the intake chamber.

The intake chamber and secondary filter may be substantially similar in dimensions and spaced either side of an electrolytic ceil. Each may include an access port formed in the top end enclosed by an appropriate cap, removable to provide access.

In a further aspect, the invention may reside in a filtration unit for a pool, the filtration unit including:

an electronics bay;

one or more electronic control systems for controlling at least one of pH, temperature, chlorine level, turbidity and timing of operation or other appropriate parameter of a pool;

wherein:

an external surface of the electronics bay is at least partially washed by water transiting the filtration unit, in operation, to thereby cool the one or more electronic controls. The electronics bay may be formed as a removable bucket preferably positioned in an upper section of the secondary filter. The removable bucket may be sealed with a touch screen for operation of the electronic controls.

In yet another aspect, the invention may reside in a filtration unit for a pool, the filtration unit including a pump, the pump having variable speed of operation, preferably at least two different speeds of operation. Most preferably, the pump has a low speed and a high speed operation wherein, the high speed of operation provides greater pressure and volume in water flow. The filtration unit also may have a speed control for selecting a speed of operation of the pump.

Preferably, the filtration unit also includes a bypass manifold, the bypass manifold adapted to selectively channel water to a primary filter chamber or, alternatively to bypass the primary filter chamber. Most preferably the bypass manifold is adapted to channel filtration water into the primary filter chamber when the pump is on high speed and to channel water to bypass the filter chamber on low speed.

The bypass manifold may comprise a switch mechanism for channeling the water in one of the above alternative pathways. The switch mechanism may include a solenoid switch controlled by a bypass electronic control to divert water as appropriate. Alternatively, the switch mechanism may comprise a resiliently biased flap or door, the resiliently biased flap urged into an open position when the pump is on high speed and sufficiently biased to close when the pump is on low speed, channeling water through the primary filter when open and channeling water to bypass the primary filter when closed. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the filtration unit also includes a turbidity monitor to monitor the turbidity of incoming water from the pool to thereby activate the solenoid switch and/or change the speed of the pump when the turbidity crosses a preselected threshold limit or range, whereby, the primary filter is utilised when the turbidity is above the preselected threshold limit or range; and the primary filter is bypassed when the turbidity is below the preselected threshold limit or range.

In one aspect the invention may reside in the use of a turbidity monitor to control or influence the intensity and/or duration of filtering and/or sanistisation.

In still a further aspect, the invention may reside in a filtration unit for a pool, the filtration unit further comprising an acid storage tank adapted to store an acid such as hydrochloric acid for addition to water flowing through the filtration unit to thereby lower the pH of the pool,

Preferably, the filtration unit further includes an acid pump, the acid pump in fluid communication with the acid storage tank and with an acid introduction conduit communicating with a water flow path through the filtration unit. The acid pump is preferably a peristaltic pump.

The filtration unit preferably further comprises a pH monitoring sensor in electronic communication with a pH control device wherein the pH control device will activate the peristaltic pump to release a preselected amount or amounts of acid when the pH rises above a preset level or levels. The pH tank is preferably positioned in an upper region of the filtration unit and may be formed integrally with the primary filter housing In still a further aspect the invention may reside in the embodiment or embodiments shown in the attached figures and/or may include any one or more of the features identified above or below.

In still a further aspect, the invention resides in a filtration unit for a pool, the filtration unit including:

a pump;

an inlet in direct or indirect fluid communication with the pump through an intake of the pump;

an outlet in direct or indirect fluid communication with an outlet of the pump;

an intake chamber, preferably extending upwardly from the inlet; a strainer basket positioned in the intake chamber to filter water flowing through the intake chamber prior to delivery, directly or indirectly, to the pump.

an intake chamber delivery pipe extending upwards in the intake chamber, the intake chamber delivery pipe having one or more apertures formed in a terminal section of the intake chamber delivery pipe on/in which the strainer basket is mounted in working co-operation with the terminal section.

the strainer basket having a receiving conduit to allow passage of the terminal section and a trap region adjacent the receiving conduit for collection of at least some filtered material;

the intake chamber in fluid communication with a primary filtration chamber preferably via the pump which collects water from the intake manifold, the intake manifold collecting and channeling water to the pump which in turn delivers the water to a valve inlet of a multi-port valve coupled to the primary filter. The filtration unit preferably also includes a base to support the primary filter. The base may include a hatch for location of the pump.

The filtration unit may may include:

an electrolytic cell ; and

a secondary filter chamber;

wherein:

the secondary filter chamber is adapted to receive a secondary filtering medium and is positioned downstream from the electrolytic cell.

The secondary filtering medium is preferably coarser than in the filter chamber, the secondary filter chamber is preferably formed as an elongate chamber with its longitudinal axis running substantially vertically. In a preferred embodiment the secondary filter is formed in an exhaust manifold which is a mirror image of and spaced from an intake manifold.

The intake chamber and secondary filter may be substantially similar in dimensions and spaced either side of an electrolytic cell. Each may include an access port formed in the top end enclosed by a ^" n appropriate cap, removable to provide access.

The filtration unit may include:

an electronics bay;

one or more electronic control systems for controlling at least one of pH, temperature, chlorine level, turbidity and timing of operation or other appropriate parameter of a pool;

wherein:

an external surface of the electronics bay is at least partially washed by water transiting the filtration unit, in operation, to thereby cool the one or more electronic controls. The electronics bay may be formed as a removable bucket preferably positioned in an upper section of the secondary filter. The removable bucket may be sealed with a touch screen for operation of the electronic controls.

The filtration unit may include a variable speed pump, the pump having variable speed of operation, preferably at least two different speeds of operation. Most preferably, the pump has a low speed and a high speed operation wherein, the high speed of operation provides greater pressure and volume in water flow. The filtration unit also may have a speed control for selecting a speed of operation of the pump.

Preferably, the filtration unit also includes a bypass manifold, the bypass manifold adapted to selectively channel water to a primary filter chamber or, alternatively to bypass the primary filter chamber. Most preferably the bypass manifold is adapted to channel filtration water into the primary filter chamber when the pump is on high speed and to channel water to bypass the filter chamber on low speed.

The bypass manifold may comprise a switch mechanism for channeling the water in one of the above alternative pathways. The switch mechanism may include a solenoid switch controlled by a bypass electronic control to divert water as appropriate. Alternatively, the switch mechanism may comprise a resiliently biased flap, the resiliently biased flap urged into an open position when the pump is on high speed and sufficiently biased to close when the pump is on low speed, channeling water through the primary filter when open and channeling water to bypass the primary filter when closed.

The filtration unit may also include a turbidity monitor to monitor the turbidity of incoming water from the pool to thereby activate the solenoid switch and/or change the speed of the pump when the turbidity crosses a preselected threshold limit or range, whereby, the primary filter is utilised when the turbidity is above the preselected threshold limit or range; and the primary filter is bypassed when the turbidity is below the preselected threshold limit or range. The filtration unit may include a control to otherwise operate the speed of the pump.

The filtration unit may further comprise an acid storage tank adapted to store an acid such as hydrochloric acid for addition to water flowing through the filtration unit to thereby lower the pH of the pool.

Preferably, the filtration unit further includes an acid pump, the acid pump in fluid communication with the acid storage tank and with an acid introduction conduit communicating with a water flow path through the filtration unit. The acid pump is preferably a peristaltic pump.

The filtration unit preferably further comprises a pH monitoring sensor in electronic communication with a pH control device wherein the pH control device will activate the peristaltic pump to release a preselected amount or amounts of acid when the pH rises above a preset level or levels. The pH tank is preferably positioned in an upper region of the filtration unit and may be formed integrally with the primary filter housing

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper isometric view from the right-hand side of the first embodiment of the filtration unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an upper isometric view of the left-hand side of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a rear upper isometric view of the filtration unit of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a left hand view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is seen a filtration unit 10 which is an embodiment of the present invention. The filtration unit 10 has a support base 12 and a primary filter housing 14 mounted on and supported by the support base 12. In operation, primary filter housing 14 contains a filtration medium as appropriate. The filtration medium may, for example, be a sand type filtration medium, a glass type filtration medium or a cartridge filter arrangement. An inlet spigot 20 provides for the entry of water to be treated (treatment in this example is filtration + sanitation) by the filtration unit and an outlet spigot 22 provides for that treated water to exit the filtration unit 10. Treatment may comprise one or both of filtration and sanitising. The two spigots are in fluid communication with each other. The spigots 20, 22 are adapted to slidingly engage a supply ^" line from a pool and a return line to the pool respectively. In this specification, the expression "pool" is to be understood as including a spa and similar bodies of water. In operation, the spigots may slide into a pipe section with a sealing ring or washer which may, in a preferred embodiment, be elastomeric. Of course, the spigots may be formed on the supply line and the return line with an enlarged section adapted for sliding coupling formed at the presently shown spigots 20, 22. Therefore in this specification the term "spigot" will be understood to extend to both a pipe for insertion into another pipe and a pipe with an enlarged section for receiving another pipe.

The inlet spigot 20 communicates with an inlet chamber 24. A delivery pipe 25 continuous with the inlet spigot 22 extends upwardly in the chamber 24 to a terminal section 26 which is shown with a plurality of apertures 27. In an alternative embodiment, the delivery pipe may simply have an open terminal end to discharge waste. A strainer basket 28 is positioned over the terminal section 26 via a receiving conduit 29. The receiving conduit 29 forms a gutter 30 with the basket 28 for collecting at least some of the material filtered by the strainer basket 28.

An end cap 31 closes the intake chamber 24. The end cap 31 preferably sealingly engages a top open end of the strainer basket 28 when locked down into position. In operation, the end cap may be removed for removal and cleaning of the strainer basket 28. The intake chamber 24 communicates via an intake manifold 33, with a pump (not shown) located in hatch 41. The pump collects water and passes it through an impeller to intake valve inlet 34. and then multi-port valve 35. The pump is preferably a two-speed pump which is located behind hatch 41. The multi-port valve 35 may be moved to selectively variable positions for operation of the primary filter housing 14 and filter materials for filtering purposes as well as for backwashing, waste disposal, flushing and other operations as is well-known in the art.

A bypass manifold 36 is provided and is better described below. Once filtered, the water passes through valve outlet 38 and through chlorinator 40 which is an electrolytic cell provided to produce chlorine. It should be noted however that the present filtration unit, with appropriate modifications, may be utilized with a pool to which chlorine is otherwise added and does not have an electrolytic chlorinator. It may also be used in other situations where treatment of water is required such as cooling towers for air conditioning and water remediation. A flip cap 45 is positioned on top of the secondary filter 44 and may be operated to provide access to a touch screen for the electronic controls which are preferably assembled in a programmable processing means. The flip cap may be transparent. Other forms of end cap may be used. For example the end cap may be screw threaded

An electronics bay in the form of bucket 46 (FIG 3) is provided and is water impervious and adapted to house electronics components for control of the filter unit 10. The secondary filter 44 has a filtration medium 47 which is preferably of a coarser grade than that in the primary filter housing. The purpose of the secondary filter is to trap any calcium based flakes that are produced on discharge from the chlorinator 40. The electronics bay 46 sits in water pumped into the secondary filter 44 and is washed and therefore cooled by that water. The filter bucket 46 is designed for modular removal through cap 45 for servicing, resetting and adjustment as required. The bucket couples with electronic and electrical inputs in a sliding releasable manner in a preferred embodiment. Water is then pumped through outlet spigot 22 and returned to the pool.

An acid storage tank 50 is provided to store acid for addition to water after it is filtered. The acid storage tank 50 connects to the water flow line around the outlet spigot 22 via a peristaltic pump (not shown). In operation, a pH sensor is located on an inlet or around the electrolytic cell of the filter unit and connected to an electronic control in the control bay. If the pH falls below a threshold, the electronic control activates the discharge of a preselected amount of acid into the pool via the peristaltic pump. The amount may be varied according to the size of the pool and the desired pH change. For example a 50, 000 litre tank may have a rise in pH which requires the addition of 1 litre of acid to bring it back into the preferred range. The electronics control will activate the peristaltic pump to deliver the appropriate amount. The acid tank 50 may be filled by an access port (not shown) with a concentrated form of acid. After addition of the preferred amount of acid, the acid adding electronics may be suspended for a set period (e.g., four hours) for dissemination of the acid through the body of the pool water before retesting. The acid tank is positioned high on the filtration unit for easy & safe access as well as for gravity-assisted feeding into the water system. The filtration unit may be formed as a substantially integrally moulded housing with addition of suitable componentry such as the electrolytic cell, caps, the pump and similar.

The pump provided for powering of the flow of water through the filtration unit is preferably a two-speed pump. The higher speed provides more volume flow and/or pressure. On operation, it drives water through the primary filter. Direction or channeling of the water to the primary filter may be provided by a bypass manifold which can direct water either into the primary filter housing or divert it past the primary filter housing to the chlorinator line. The bypass manifold may be formed from a resiliency biased valve which may be plate-like, and which under the pressure of the high speed of the pump is opened to allow water into the filter housing, but under pressure from the low speed of the pump is sufficiently biased to close, thereby providing access to a bypass line (not shown) which delivers water to the electrolytic cell. Alternatively, an electronic control such as a solenoid-type valve may be provided with control being a remote electronic control in the central electronic control positioned in the electronics bay. Other methods known to a skilled addressee may be utilised. These include a sliding plate/s to close entry to the filter chamber and open a by-pass, or a poppet valve or similar.

Activation of the bypass manifold may be in response to monitoring of turbidity of the water. When turbidity rises above a preselected threshold such as 5 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units), the solenoid valve, pump control or alternative arrangement is activated to direct water through the primary filter housing. The threshold of 5 NTU may be selected since it is the limit for drinking water recommended by the World Health Organization.

When turbidity drops below the threshold indicating clarity of water, the bypass manifold may be closed directing water away from the primary filter or alternatively, or additionally, the pump may be switched to a second speed thereby allowing for closure of the bypass manifold. This results in a lower flow rate and pressure from the pump, thereby decreasing the power requirements while still providing water to the chlorinator for production of chlorine. This is a very effective outcome of the device in that it saves power and decreases filtration time when not needed. The central control may be programmed to run the high speed for other operations such as vacuuming the pool. This may be for a preselected time.

The secondary filter may be positioned in an exhaust manifold for preferred aesthetics.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the present invention, the filtration unit is provided having a base 12 and a primary filter 14. Water is provided through inlet spigot 20 and intake chamber 24 with delivery pipe 25 urging water through its aperture 27 through the strainer basket 28. Water is collected to the pump (not shown) behind hatch 41 and located in the base 12. via intake manifold 33 and then directed to the primary filter control valve 35. Filtered water is collected and directed to an electrolytic cell 40 Water is then urged through exhaust manifold 52 containing secondary filter 44. The water in the process bathes electronics bucket 46 and cools electronic controls therein before exiting through outlet spigot 22. The intake and exhaust manifolds have longitudinal axes which are substantially parallel to the long axis of the primary filter chamber 14. The electrolytic cell is mounted between the two manifolds to thereby provide a condensed substantially vertical arrangement with easy ergonomic access to all working components. The pump is preferably a two-stage pump and inserted into the hatch 41.

An acid tank 50 is provided which is positioned in a largely circular fashion around the top of the primary filter and contains refillable concentrated acid which is released into outlying water in response to pH changes and for the purpose of lower pH into the preferred range. The preferred pH range is 7.4 to 7.6 but 7.2 to 7.8 is acceptable.

Water may be pumped through the primary filter or around the primary filter depending on the need for filtering which is best indicated by the turbidity level of the water. The turbidity level may be controlled from the electronics bay so that when turbidity rises, as identified by a sensor, indicating high particle content, water is passed through the primary filter.

FIG. 6 provides a rear view of the filtration unit 10 with the acid storage tank 50 readily apparently. . FIG, 7 also highlights the advantage of a spiral or helical electrolytic cell 40.

FIG. 8 highlights the compact nature of the present invention. The transparent cap 45 is readily visible providing visual and physical access to touch screen controls of the central control or computer.

FIG. 9 shows the spigots 21 , 22 ready for insertion with sealing elastomeric rings 56 located in each.

In operation, the entire unit may be lifted onto an upstanding pipe outlet and inlet respectively of pool plumbing into sliding engagement. Alternatively, screw-threaded conventional fittings may be used. The orientation of the components of the present filter unit provide great advantages over the prior art.

The unit is freestanding and requires little or no extra protection. The pump may be slid, cassette like, in the hatch 41 thereby providing sound deadening. Acid dosing is rendered much safer and the tank is permanently fixed in position. The two speed or otherwise variable pump allows for significant power saving and increase in the working life of components.

While the preferred application is for pools and spas, it is clear to a skilled person that the present invention may have wider applications. For example, a similar or modified version may be used to sanitise water for cooling towers. It may be also used on water features, public or private. Appropriate changes to electronic control parameters could render the device suitable for fish ponds, marine ponds and other aquaculture pursuits. Without imposing a limit, it is envisaged the filtration unit is especially suitable for volumes up to 200,000 litres and especially 100,000 litres or less. Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention.