Patent ID: 7722746
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: C02F,C25B

Abstract:
1. A self-cleaning chlorine generator that forms a part of a circulation system for water in a main body of water, comprising: an electrolytic chamber; said electrolytic chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a circulation pump adapted to pump water from a main body of water to said inlet and through said electrolytic chamber; said outlet of said electrolytic chamber being in fluid communication with a return line that returns water to said main body of water; a control means for isolating the electrolytic chamber from water in said circulation system and in said main body of water; a plurality of electrolytic plates disposed within said electrolytic chamber comprising a plurality of anodes and a plurality of cathodes; a reservoir containing a pH-reducing agent disposed in selective fluid communication with said electrolytic chamber; an infusion means positioned between said reservoir and said electrolytic chamber; said control means controlling flow of said pH-reducing agent from said reservoir through said infusion means and into said electrolytic chamber; said control means adapted to enable said pH-reducing agent to flow into said electrolytic chamber to clean mineral deposits from said anode and cathode when said circulation pump is not operating; said control means adapted to prevent flow of said pH-reducing agent into said electrolytic chamber when said circulation pump is operating; said control means including a normally closed one-way valve and a valve actuator connected to said normally closed one-way valve; said valve actuator adapted to open and close said normally closed one-way valve; and said control means including a signal-generating means that generates and sends an “open” signal to said actuator means when said normally closed one-way valve is to be opened to release a pH-reducing agent from said reservoir into said electrolytic chamber; said control means including said signal-generating means that generates and sends a “close” signal to an actuator means when said normally closed one-way valve is to be closed; said control means comprising a pH sensor disposed in said body of water, said pH sensor including said signal-generating means adapted to generate and send said “open” signal to said actuator means when said sensor detects that the pH of said body of water is below a predetermined threshold, said “open” signal causing said actuator means to open said normally closed one-way valve; said signal-generating means also adapted to generate and send said “close” signal to said actuator means upon expiration of a predetermined amount of time, said “close” signal causing said actuator means to close said normally closed one-way valve; said circulation pump being in a deactivated state when said signal generating means sends said “open” and “closed” signals to said actuator means so that pH-reducing agent admitted into said electrolytic chamber dwells within said electrolytic chamber until said circulation pump is activated; whereby said pH-reducing agent in said electrolytic chamber cleans mineral deposits from said anode and cathode when said circulation pump is not operating; and whereby said pH-reducing agent in said electrolytic chamber is introduced into said body of water when said circulation pump is activated.