Pool Chlorinator

A chlorination device attaching directly to a water recirculation system that redirects a portion of the water flow stream in the water recirculating system through one or more flow indicators and control valves, into a chemical holding compartment, and then back into the water flow stream through a check valve. The chlorinator includes a chemical compartment located above and in direct fluid communication with a section of pipe, which in turn is attached directly to the water recirculation system of the pool, spa, hot tub, or other water bath. On the upstream end of the pipe, on the inside diameter, at least one intake scoop extends centrally from the pipe wall a certain distance toward the center of the pipe and redirects water flowing through the recirculation system into at least one side path that leads ultimately to the chemical compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the FIGS., the present invention is a chlorination device 10 that is part of a complete the water recirculation system 100 as shown in FIG. 9 . Water recirculation systems are used to treat and recirculate water in a swimming pool, spa, hot tub, or other water bath. Typically, water recirculation systems comprise pool 102 , pump 104 , filter 106 , settling tank 108 , chlorinator 110 such as the present device 10 , and associated connecting piping 112 . The present chlorinator generally is a device that redirects a portion of the recirculating water from the water flow stream through one or more flow indicators and control valves, into a chemical holding compartment, and then back into the water flow stream through a check valve. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 , the major external components of chlorinator 10 are shown. Chlorinator 10 comprises base 12 and lid 14 . Base 12 comprises upper portion 20 and lower portion 22 . Upper portion 20 provides support for control valve knob 24 and flow indicator 26 . Lower portion 22 provides support for pipe stem 28 , attachment collar 30 , mounting flange 32 , and associated piping 112 . Upper portion 20 and lower portion 22 preferably are a seamless unit. Lid 14 attaches to base 12 to create a generally leak-resistant seal between lid 14 and base 12 , and preferably is locked in place using at least one locking mechanism 16 . A leak-resistant seal is highly desirable to prevent chemically treated water from seeping out between lid 14 and base 12 . Lid 14 further can comprise handle 18 to assist in carrying chlorinator 10 or removing lid 14 . Referring now to FIGS. 3, 5 , 6 , 7 , and 8 , the internal structure of chlorinator 10 is shown. Chlorinator 10 comprises chemical compartment 34 located above and in direct fluid communication with pipe 36 . Pipe 36 is attached directly to the water recirculation system 100 of the pool, spa, hot tub, or other water bath. More specifically, attachment collar 30 connects pipe 36 to associated piping 112 on both upstream end 38 and downstream end 40 of pipe 36 . Facing upstream end 38 of pipe 36 , on the inside diameter 42 , at least one intake scoop 44 extends centrally from pipe 36 wall a certain distance toward the center of pipe 36 . Scoop 44 redirects water flowing through the water recirculation system into at least one side path 46 that leads ultimately to chemical compartment 34 . Side path 46 extends generally upwards from pipe 36 to a location proximal to the top of chemical compartment 34 . Control valve 48 and flow indicator 26 are located within side path 46 between pipe 36 and chemical compartment 34 . Water is redirected from the water circulation system by scoop 44 into side path 46 . Flow indicator 26 preferably is a common floating ball indicator situated horizontally within side path 46 . Water flowing through side path 46 causes indicator ball 50 to move upwards in the direction of the water flow, and the height to which indicator ball 50 moves indicates the quantity of water flowing through side path 46 . Side path 46 also may comprise bypass 52 to allow a greater quantity of water to flow through side path 46 . Bypass 52 preferably allows water to flow only around flow indicator 26 , and not around control valve 48 . Bypass 52 diverges from the water path to flow indicator 26 upstream from flow indicator 26 but within side path 46 downstream from scoop 44 . Bypass 52 then converges with the water path from flow indicator 26 downstream from flow indicator 26 but within side path 46 upstream from control valve 48 and chemical compartment 34 . Control valve 48 , which is user actuated by knob 24 on the outside of chlorinator 10 , allows the user to control the quantity of water flowing through side path 46 . Control valve 48 preferably is located above (downstream from) flow indicator 26 , and downstream of the convergence point 54 of the exit from flow indicator 26 and the exit point of bypass 52 . Thus, control valve 48 controls the entire flow from side path 46 , including the flow through flow indicator 26 and the flow through bypass 52 , into chemical compartment 34 , and can be used to increase, decrease, or stop the flow through side path 46 into chemical compartment 34 . Control valve 48 preferably is a rotary stem valve. Chemical compartment 34 is a generally funnel-shaped compartment dimensioned to hold an appropriate quantity of chemical 56 , such as chlorine tablets. Chemical compartment 34 specifically is designed to hold a quantity of common pool chlorination tablets 56 , but generally can hold a quantity of other types of chemical. Water passing through control valve 48 is directed through port 58 into chemical compartment 34 , preferably at approximately the mid-height point of chemical compartment 34 . As the water gravity falls through chemical compartment 34 , the water contacts chemical 56 within chemical compartment 34 , thus dissoluting chemical 56 into the water resulting in chemically treated water. At least a portion of bottom wall 60 of chemical compartment 34 is the upper wall 62 of pipe 36 . Return port 64 is located through pipe upper wall 62 between chemical compartment 34 and interior 66 of pipe 36 , allowing the chemically treated water to exit chemical compartment 34 and return to the water recirculation system, Return port 64 is located downstream from scoop 44 so that the chemically treated water is not redirected from the water circulation stream into side path 46 . Check valve 68 is located within return port 64 and prevents water from entering chemical compartment 34 through return port 64 . The chemically treated water then mixes with the main flow of water in the recirculation system and returns to the pool, spa, hot tub, or other water bath 102 . FIG. 3 shows a side cross-section of chlorinator 10 and FIG. 7 shows a bottom cross-section of chlorinator 10 . Water W from water recirculation system 100 flows into chlorinator 10 through associated piping 112 and into upstream end 38 of pipe 36 . Water W encounters scoop 44 and is diverted into side path 44 . As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 5 , 7 , and 8 , it is preferable to have two scoops 44 each leading to independent side paths 46 . If only one scoop and side path 46 are desired, either one of scoops 44 shown in the FIGS. can be removed. Diverter valve 70 optionally can be mounted within interior 66 of pipe 36 proximal to scoop 44 if necessary or desired. Diverter valve 70 optionally is spring-loaded using spring 71 or a like device. Diverter valve 70 performs several functions. First, diverter valve 70 diverts additional water W to scoop 44 . Second, diverter valve 70 helps to prevents a backflow of treated water exiting chemical compartment 34 through check valve 68 into pipe 36 , or any treated water in pipe 36 downstream from diverter valve 70 , from backflowing upstream to the recirculation equipment. Third, diverter valve 70 helps to prevent a backflow of gases that may be present in pipe 36 , such as chlorine-containing gases generated by this type of recirculation system, from backflowing upstream to the recirculation equipment. Chlorine-containing water and gases, especially with high chlorine content, are corrosive and can damage the recirculation equipment used in this type of recirculation system. The spring-loading is biased in the closed position such that with no water W flowing through the recirculation system, such as when the recirculation system is off, diverter valve 70 will be in the closed or high diversion position, preventing backflow. When there is a small volume of water W flowing through the recirculation system, diverter valve 70 will be biased toward the closed or high diversion position, such that a relatively higher percentage of the water W will be diverted toward scoop 44 , thus ensuring that even in situations where the volume of water W flowing through the recirculation system is small, the water W will be treated in chlorinator 10 . When there is a large volume of water W flowing through the recirculation system, diverter valve 70 will be forced toward the open or low diversion position, such that water back pressure will be reduced and side path 46 will not be overburdened. FIG. 5 shows a front cross-section of chlorinator 10 and FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-section of chlorinator 10 . Water W redirected form pipe 36 by scoop 44 enters side path 46 . FIG. 5 shows two different types of side path 46 . Left combination side path 46 L comprises a flow indicator 26 path and a bypass 52 , while right single side path 46 R comprises only a flow indicator 26 path. Any combination of side paths 46 L, 46 R can be used, namely only one combination side path 46 L, only one single side path 46 R, two combination side paths 46 L, two single side paths 46 R, or one combination side path 46 L and one single side path 46 R. Water W entering side path 46 encounters flow indicator 26 and contacts indicator ball 50 , causing it to move in the direction of water flow. The greater the flow of water W through flow indicator 26 , the more indicator ball 50 will move. Sight glass 72 , shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , allow the user to view the height of indicator ball 50 and to determine the setting for control valve 48 . Indicator ball 50 is small enough to allow water W to pass by indicator ball and to leave flow indicator 26 , yet is large enough to be prevented from leaving flow indicator 26 by barriers 74 . When single side path 46 R is used, all of water W flows through flow indicator 26 . When combination side path 46 L is used, a portion of water enters bypass 52 and bypasses flow indicator 26 . Water W bypassing flow indicator 26 through bypass 52 recombines with water W flowing through flow indicator 26 at convergence point 54 . It is preferable to use at least one combination side path 46 L. In one embodiment, side path 46 is designed to accommodate the typical range of flow through a recirculation system, namely between 20 gallons per minute and 220 gallons per minute. By increasing the cross-sectional area of side path, and by commensurate increases in the size of flow indicator 26 and control valve 48 , larger volumes of water can be accommodated. Water W exiting flow indicator 26 and/or bypass 52 encounters control valve 48 . Control valve 48 preferably is a variable flow rotary stem valve that the user can actuate to allow a determined flow of water W there through, or to stop the flow of water W altogether. Based on the amount of chlorine desired in the water W, the user can adjust control valve to allow more or less water into chemical chamber to contact chemical 56 . Water W flowing through control valve 48 exits side path 46 through port 58 and into chemical compartment 34 . If two side paths 46 are used, two control valves 48 are used, one in conjunction with each side path 46 . Each control valve 48 can be controlled independently, allowing a determined quantity of water W to flow through each side path 46 . However, it has been found that for ease of use, one control valve 46 can be left all the way open, allowing maximum water W flow through the respective side path 46 , and the other control valve 48 can be used to fine tune the amount of water entering chemical compartment 34 . FIG. 3 shows a side cross-section of chemical compartment 34 and FIG. 5 shows a front cross-section of chemical compartment 34 . Water W flowing through side path 46 flows through control valve 48 and port 58 into chemical compartment 34 . In chemical compartment 34 , water W contacts chemical 56 , dissoluting chemical 56 into water W resulting in chemically treated water. FIG. 3 shows chemical 56 filling the majority of chemical compartment 34 , which is the general filled position. FIG. 5 shows chemical 56 filling only a portion of chemical compartment 34 , which is the general position after an amount of chemical 56 has been dissoluted into water W. Alternatively, the user can put as much or as little chemical 56 into chemical compartment 34 as desired or needed. FIG. 5 shows in greater detail the preferred placement of port 58 relative to the height of chemical compartment 34 . This allows the user to place additional chemical 56 , that is more chemical 56 than is needed, in chemical compartment 34 . By doing so, there generally is a quantity of chemical 56 in chemical compartment 34 sufficient to last an extended period of time during treatment. FIG. 5 also shows control valve 48 in two different positions. Control valve 48 associated with combination side path 46 L is in a partially open position. Control valve 48 associated with single side path 46 R is in a closed position. This illustrates how control valves 48 can be independently positioned. FIG. 3 shows a side cross-section of return port 64 and check valve 68 , FIG. 6 shows a top view of check valve 68 , and FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of return port 64 . Water W exits chemical compartment 34 through return port 64 , which is located through the upper wall 62 of pipe 36 , which also is part of the bottom wall of chemical compartment 34 . Return port 64 is located downstream from scoops 44 . Check valve 68 prevents water in pipe 36 from entering chemical compartment 34 through return port 64 and comprises a vertical tube and internal ball. Back pressure from water in pipe 36 forces the ball upwards in check valve 68 , thus closing check valve 68 . Thus, when the water pressure in chemical compartment 34 is greater than the water pressure in pipe 36 , which is the case when water is flowing into chemical compartment 34 , chemically treated water can exit chemical compartment 34 into pipe 36 . When no water is flowing into chemical compartment 34 , the water pressure in pipe 36 is greater than the water pressure in chemical compartment 34 , and check valve 68 will close. Screen 76 is located on the op of check valve 68 to prevent undissolved particles of chemical 56 from passing through check valve 68 into the recirculating water stream. Check valve 68 is anchored into return port 64 using a twist and lock mechanism fitting through slots 78 . FIG. 8 is a schematic side cross-section of chlorinator 10 showing in schematic detail the various internal components of chlorinator 10 . FIGS. 1 and 2 show mounting flange 32 comprising mounting slots 80 . Chlorinator 10 can be mounted onto any flat surface by using screws, bolts or other mounting means. Chlorinator 10 is placed on the flat surface, and screws, bolts or other mounting means are placed within mounting slots 80 and secured to the flat surface. When mounting chlorinator, access to lid 14 must be available so that lid 14 can be removed and chemical 56 introduced to chemical compartment 34 . Chlorinator 10 can be mounted with or without complete access to both control valves 48 . If it is difficult to access one control valve 48 , that control valve 48 can be left in the full open position, and the flow of water into chemical compartment 34 can be regulated with control valve 48 that has greater access. While the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. All patents, applications and publications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.