Abstract:
Treating, sensing, diverting, measuring, and collecting devices for fluid such as water are described. When designed for use as chlorinators, the devices may divert water flowing in conduits into the devices for treatment and subsequent return to the flow stream. A return tube of the device may be designed to create vortex action, using a pressure differential to evacuate treated water from the device back into the conduit. When designed for use as feeders for supplying acid or other material to flowing water, the devices may include one or more channels communicating between the material and the flowing water. When designed for use as flow sensors or otherwise, the devices may include objects acted upon by flowing water to indicate that water indeed is flowing. Yet other sensors may be utilized to determine characteristics of water passing through the conduits.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
     This application is based on, claims priority to, and hereby refers to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/268,219, filed Jun. 10, 2009, entitled “Fluid Treatment and Sensing Devices,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to fluid treatment, sensing, diversion, measuring, sampling, and collection devices and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to chlorinators, chemical feeders, sensors, and other devices for use with circulating water utilized in swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, or other water-containing vessels. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,680,026 to Denkewicz, et al., discloses water-purification equipment useful especially in connection with swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs, where water recirculates. The equipment may provide “plug-in” forms of fluid-flow diverters “designed to penetrate, or fill, openings intermediate remote ends of conduits.” See Denkewitz, col. 2, 11. 3-4. As indicated in the Denkewicz patent:
         Embodiments of the invention contemplate diverting flowing fluid to purification equipment formed about or otherwise connected to such diverters, permitting diverted water to be purified before rejoining the flow. The . . . circulating nature of the water permits more of its volume ultimately to be diverted into the equipment for purification.
 
See id., 11. 13-15.
       

     Positioned within the equipment of the Denkewicz patent is water purification media such as “mineral-based pellets or other objects of silver-, zinc-, or copper-containing material.” However, other media alternatively may be used therein. According to the Denkewicz patent, “[c]hlorine or other chemicals which may be dissolved or contacted by the water being diverted are among suitable alternatives.” See id., 11. 57-59. 
     International (Patent) Publication No. WO 2006/110799 of Kennnedy, et al. [sic Kennedy, et al.] details additional equipment used to divert flowing fluid for purification. Diverted fluid may be treated by, for example, a salt water chlorinator (SWC) having an electrolytic cell. Treated water is then returned to the main flow stream via a series of fins, with the overall configuration of the equipment being designed to, among other things, cause the bulk of fluid experiencing pressure spikes to remain in the conduit. See, e.g., Kennedy, p. 12, 11. 4-10. Accordingly, housings detailed in the Kennedy publication may be “fabricated from less pressure-resistant materials, and need not be engineered in the same way as other pressure vessels.” See id., 11. 13-14. The contents of the Denkewicz patent and the Kennedy publication are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides additional equipment in the style of the diverters of the Denkewicz patent and the Kennedy publication. In some versions intended mainly for use as chlorinators, devices of the invention may divert water flowing in conduits into the devices for treatment and subsequent return to the flow stream. Separate, spaced inlet and return tubes may be utilized within the conduits. The return tube of the device additionally may be designed to create vortex action, using a pressure differential to evacuate treated water from the device back into the conduit. 
     Additional features of the invention may include a housing, upper and lower sections of a clamp, and a threaded locking collar. The sections preferably are snap-fit together about a conduit, with the locking collar thereafter engaging the lower section to enhance a fluid seal. By permitting the sections to connect via snap-fitting, the invention avoids any need to utilize secondary fasteners. 
     Another optional feature of the invention is inclusion of an adaptor sleeve. The sleeve especially is useful when the main conduit to which the device is to be connected is smaller than a nominal diameter. In these instances, the sleeve may be positioned between the upper and lower housing sections to reduce the spacing between the two. Finally, gas removal from the housing also may occur. 
     Alternate versions of devices of the present invention may treat water other than through chlorination; these versions additionally (or alternatively) may sense characteristics of the water as well. These versions typically replace one type of housing with a caddy or other type of housing functioning as an interface between other equipment and water flowing through the conduit. The caddies preferably include multiple ports allowing access to the conduit therethrough. Other versions allow measurements to be made under low-flow conditions, collection of water samples, feeding of chemicals into the circulating water, or separation of gaseous material from the water. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, a feed tube extends from one port into the conduit. The feed tube may be positioned within the return tube in some configurations. Alternatively, it may replace the return tube or extend into or connect to a breather outflow (feeder) port. In any situation, however, acid or other chemicals may exit the feed tube into the flowing water for treatment thereof. 
     Other embodiments of the invention position an arm or other mechanical (or electrical or electromechanical) device within, preferably, the inlet tube. Force of water flowing through the conduit causes the arm to move, actuating an electrical switch or other means to indicate the presence or force of the flowing water. By contrast, absence of flowing water does not cause movement of the arm, thus indicating that absence. Further embodiments allow other sensors (e.g., oxidation-reduction potential [ORP], pH, etc.) or measurement devices to help ascertain other characteristics of water passing through the conduit. 
     It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide innovative fluid treatment, sensing, diversion, re-diversion, sampling, measuring, or collection devices. 
     It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide “plug-in” types of equipment particularly useful for, e.g., treating and sensing aspects of circulating water. 
     It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide devices in which a return tube creates vortex action to evacuate fluid from the devices and into conduits. 
     It is also optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide devices in which conduit clamps do not require secondary fasteners. 
     It is another an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide devices in which a locking collar may be used to enhance the integrity of a fluid seal between the clamp and the conduit. 
     It is, furthermore, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide devices in which an adaptor sleeve may facilitate accommodating smaller conduits when the devices are attached. 
     It additionally is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide devices in which an interface caddy may be substituted for a chlorinator housing (and vice-versa). 
     It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide devices in which one or more chemicals may be communicated, via the caddy, to fluid flowing within a conduit. 
     It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide devices in which flowing fluid may actuate a switch or other device indicating its presence in the conduit. 
     It is yet another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide devices in which sensors may be employed to help determine one or more characteristics of the fluid. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant fields with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  are elevational views of exemplary equipment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the equipment of  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of portions of the equipment of  FIGS. 1A-1B  shown in connection with a fluid conduit to which the equipment may attach. 
         FIG. 4  is another exploded view of portions of the equipment of  FIGS. 1A-1B  shown in connection with the fluid conduit of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5A  is an isometric, bird&#39;s-eye view of an upper housing section of the equipment of  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
         FIG. 5B  is an isometric, worm&#39;s-eye view of an upper housing section of the equipment of  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of alternate exemplary equipment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A-D  are various views of caddies useful as part of the equipment of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of equipment consistent with  FIG. 6  showing an acid feed tube. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of equipment consistent with  FIG. 6  showing a flow sensor. 
         FIG. 10A  is a cross-sectional view of equipment consistent with  FIG. 6  showing a water flow path through the caddy. 
         FIGS. 10B-C  are cross-sectional views of a variant of the equipment of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIGS. 11A-C  are perspective views of equipment consistent with  FIG. 6  showing aspects of an acid feeder, a flow sensor, and other sensors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 1A-2  is exemplary equipment  10  of the present invention. Equipment  10  preferably constitutes a fluid treatment device. Also illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4  is conduit C to which equipment  10  may attach. Conduit C preferably conveys liquid from one location to another. Even more preferably, conduit C conveys water circulating to or from a swimming pool, spa, hot tub, or similar vessel. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1B  and various of  FIGS. 3-5B  are components of equipment  10  including housing  14 , locking collar  18 , and clamp  22 . Clamp  22  may comprise upper section  26  and lower section  30  and is designed to encircle, or otherwise surround, a portion of conduit C. Further, upper section  26  is configured to communicate with (i.e. plug-into) conduit C to permit fluid to flow thereto and therefrom.  FIG. 1B  depicts inlet  34  through which fluid may flow from conduit C into housing  14  via upper section  26 . 
     Additionally shown in  FIGS. 3-4  is optional sleeve adaptor  38  as well as seal  42 , o-ring  46 , and outlet  50 . Sleeve adaptor  38 , if present, may be generally semi-cylindrically shaped and configured to nest in a similarly-shaped portion of lower section  30 . Adaptor  38  is, in essence, a spacer, intended to fill any gap between conduit C and lower section  30  when the two are attached. Use of adaptor  38  renders equipment  10  more versatile, as it may accommodate conduit C of different diameters. 
     Seal  42  and o-ring  46  prevent, or at least reduce, fluid leakage between and from conduit C and equipment  10 . Seal  42  preferably is an elongated object with concave lower surface  54  contacting outer surface  58  of conduit C. Seal  42  additionally may include two spaced openings  62  and  66 , the former receiving inlet  34  and the latter receiving outlet  50 . O-ring  46 , by contrast, beneficially fits between locking collar  18  and upper section  26 . 
     As depicted especially in  FIG. 5B , spaced inlet  34  and outlet  50  preferably are generally tubular in shape and integral with upper section  26 . They need not necessarily be so shaped or integrally formed with upper section  26 , however. Instead, for example, inlet  34  and outlet  50  could engage or otherwise connect to corresponding portions of section  26 . 
     To employ equipment  10 , conduit C must include an opening in its upper wall. Such opening may be drilled or created in any other appropriate way. Advantageously, conduit C will include two openings, with the openings spaced and sized similar to spacing and sizing of inlet  34  and outlet  50  as well as spacing and sizing of openings  62  and  66  of seal  42 . Although not presently preferred, conduit C could, for example, include only one opening shaped and sized similar to seal  42 . 
     Lower section  30  may then be placed underneath conduit C with its saddle portion  70  opposite the upper wall openings of conduit C. (As noted earlier, adaptor  38  optionally may be employed as a spacer between conduit C and lower section  30 .) Seal  42 , by contrast, may be positioned in contact with the upper wall of conduit C so that fluid may communicate between the conduit C and openings  62  and  66 . Upper section  26  may be positioned atop seal  42  so that inlet  34  extends into conduit C through opening  62  and outlet  50  extends into conduit C through opening  66 . Upper section  26  beneficially includes one or more tabs  74  designed to engage apertures  78  of lower section  30  so as to connect (e.g. snap-fit) upper section  26  to lower section  30  about conduit C. Doing so forms clamp  22  and helps compress seal  42  against conduit C. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , upper section  26  may include channel  82  in which o-ring  46  may be placed. Thereafter, internally-threaded collar  18  may engage threads  86  of saddle portion  70  of lower section  30  so as to push it toward upper section  26 , further facilitating sealing of equipment  10  about conduit C. Collar  18  also connects housing  14  to upper section  26  as detailed in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
     Upper section  26  further may include baffle  90  positioned between inlet  34  and outlet  50 . Baffle  90  assists in preventing fluid entering housing  14  via inlet  34  from immediately exiting the housing  14  via outlet  50 . Although baffle  90  need not necessarily be present as part of upper section  26 , its presence currently is preferred. 
     Once connected about conduit C, equipment  10  may function to sanitize, purify, or otherwise treat fluid (such as water) travelling through the conduit C. In use, pressurized fluid flows though conduit C in the direction of arrows A. As it does so, the fluid encounters inlet  34 , with the pressure driving some of the fluid into the inlet  34  (while the remaining fluid continues to travel within conduit C). As depicted especially in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 - 3 , and  5 B, inlet  34  may include tapered end  92  whose trailing edge  93  extends farthest into conduit C. End  92  thus presents an open face to the flowing fluid, facilitating its entry into inlet  34 . From inlet  34 , fluid may then enter housing  14  in which treatment may occur. 
     Indeed, housing  14  may perform any desired type of fluid treatment. Preferably, however, housing  14  includes therein chlorinator  94 , which more preferably is an SWC. Through operation of chlorinator  94 , chlorine is added to water entering housing  14  via inlet  34  (i.e. hypochlorous acid is formed) before the water exits the housing  14  via outlet  50  to return to conduit C. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 2  using arrows B, D, and E is the major flow path of fluid within housing  14 . As depicted, fluid flows initially upward, in the direction of arrows B (which is generally perpendicular to arrows A), through plates  98  of chlorinator  94 . Under force of gravity, the fluid then travels generally in the direction of arrow D before flowing downward in the direction of arrows E. Note that some fluid flowing in the direction of arrows E is likely to travel again through plates  98 , whereas other fluid is not. Regardless, however, all fluid flowing in the direction of arrows E may be received by outlet  50  for return to conduit C. 
     Produced additionally by salt-water chlorination is hydrogen (and other) gas, which beneficially may be introduced into the circulating water to avoid its undesired build-up within housing  14 . Chlorinator  94  thus may include gas tube  102  extending from within housing  14  into outlet  50 . Via tube  102  and outlet  50 , gas such as hydrogen may be entrained with treated water exiting housing  14  and re-entering conduit C. 
     Similar to inlet  34 , outlet  50  may include a tapered end  106  extending into conduit C. Unlike end  92  of inlet  34 , however, end  106  opens opposite to the direction of fluid flow within the conduit C. Stated differently, end  106  opens opposite the direction indicated by arrows A, with its leading edge  110  extending farthest into conduit C. This configuration of end  106  allows the flowing fluid to create a lower-pressure area within outlet  50 , creating vortex action facilitating removal of treated water from housing  14 . Selecting a lesser diameter for tube  102  than for outlet  50  enhances ability of the lower-pressure region to remove gas from housing  14  too. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 6  is exemplary equipment  10 ′ of the present invention together with conduit C to which equipment  10 ′ may attach. Equipment  10 ′ may comprise any or all of locking collar  18 , clamp  22 , sleeve adaptor  38 , seal,  42 , o-ring  46 , inlet  34 , and outlet  50 . Unlike equipment  10 , however, equipment  10 ′ preferably lacks housing  14 , replacing housing  14  with caddy  114  (or any other suitable housing) instead. Caddy  114 , in use, functions as an interface between various equipment and water (or other fluid) flowing within conduit C. 
       FIGS. 7A-D  illustrate various examples of caddy  114 . Caddy  114 A, for example, includes four ports  118 A-D, whereas caddies  114 B and  114 C include two ( 118 A-B) and three ( 118 A-C) ports, respectively. Those skilled in the relevant art will, of course, recognize that caddy  114  may comprise fewer than two or more than four ports  118  as appropriate or desired, however. Any of ports  118  additionally may be configured to receive adaptor  120  as needed or, if unused, to receive plug  121  ( FIG. 6 ). Check valves or other items also may be received by any of ports  118 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , feeder  122  may plug into or otherwise communicate with port  118 D. Such communication allows acid to flow from a source thereof into outlet  50  for deposit into water within conduit C. In some embodiments of equipment  10 ′, feeder  122  may comprise tube  126  positioned within outlet  50 , although tube  126  need not necessarily be present. Alternatively, one or more chemicals other than acids (and in any of solid, liquid, or gaseous forms) may be supplied by feeder  122  or otherwise. Yet alternatively, an SWC or other device may constitute feeder  122 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates aspects of flow sensor  130  that may plug into or otherwise communicate with port  118 C of caddy  114 . Preferred versions of flow sensor  130  position pivoting arm  134  within inlet  34 . Arm  134  normally assumes a first position absent fluid flowing through conduit C. However, whenever fluid flow through the conduit C exerts at least a predetermined amount of force on arm  134 , the arm  134  pivots (or otherwise moves) to a second position. Movement of arm  134  to the second position changes the state of a switch or otherwise operates to indicate the presence of fluid flowing through the conduit C. 
     Shown in  FIG. 10A  is that fluid may flow into and through volume V defined by caddy  114 . In at least this respect caddy  114  may function like housing  14 , in that fluid may enter caddy  114  via inlet  34 , pass through volume V (at a rate less than the rate at which it passed through conduit C immediately prior to entering caddy  114 ), and then reenter conduit C via outlet  50 . This flow path through caddy  114  may occur regardless of which ports  118 A-D are in use, although any unused ports should be closed—or a caddy with fewer ports selected—to ensure fluid does not exit caddy  114  through any unused port. This path thus may provide a low-flow region in which water (or characteristics thereof) may be treated, sensed, measured, collected, sampled, re-diverted, or otherwise acted upon. 
       FIGS. 10B-C  depict a presently-preferred variant of equipment  10 ′ of the invention. Included as part of caddy  114  is weeping tube, or breather outflow (or feeder) port  135 , with which tube  126  communicates. Feeder port  135  may be near or adjacent, but preferably is isolated from (and thus does not communicate with), outlet  50 . Separation of port  135  and outlet  50  reduces the possibility that acid or other chemicals injected via tube  126  and port  135  would affect water in volume V. When not being utilized to supply acid to the water in conduit C, port  135  also may function to bleed air from the conduit C in some circumstances. 
       FIGS. 11A-C , finally, illustrate various non-limiting options available for configuring equipment  10 ′. In  FIG. 11A , for example, caddy  114 B is employed to allow water from conduit C to communicate with sensors  138  and  142 . These sensors  138  and  142 , if present, may provide information relating to ORP, pH, salt concentration, cyanuric acid concentration, total alkalinity, chlorine level, temperature, pressure, flow rate, turbidity, or other characteristics of the water.  FIG. 11B  depicts caddy  114 C together with sensors  138  and  142  and flow sensor  130 , while  FIG. 11C  shows caddy  114 A together with sensors  138  and  142 , flow sensor  130 , and feeder  122 . 
     The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.