Patent Publication Number: US-2023150842-A1

Title: System and method for detecting fluid flow in an electrolytic sanitizer generator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/279,887, filed Nov. 16, 2021, entitled “System and Method for Detecting Fluid Flow in an Electrolytic Sanitizer Generator” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Swimming pools may be treated with a sanitizing agent, such as chlorine, to maintain a clean swimming environment. The sanitizing agent may either be dispensed at a suitable rate into the water or generated by an electrolytic chlorinator positioned within a plumbing system of the swimming pool. For example, salt, such as Sodium Chloride, (“NaCl”), may be added to the swimming pool water at a tolerable or low level and the salted water may be circulated through the plumbing system and directed into the electrolytic chlorinator, which in turn generates the sanitizing agent, such as chlorine, through electrolysis. Water with the newly generated sanitizing agent may then be recirculated back into the pool. For safe operation of the electrolytic chlorinator, a continuous adequate flow of water across the electrodes or blades of an electrolysis cell of the electrolytic chlorinator is required. For example, no flow or an interrupted flow of water across the electrodes or blades of an electrolysis cell of the electrolytic chlorinator may result in a detrimental effect. Although mechanisms have been developed to monitor whether there is regular flow of water through the electrolysis cell of the electrolytic chlorinator or not, most use electromechanical switches to do so, which may be prone to frequent failures and safety concerns. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an environment employing an exemplary fluid flow detection system, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a diagrammatic representation of an electrolysis cell, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIGS.  3  through  7    illustrate graphical representations depicting a change in voltage per unit time across blades of the electrolysis cell, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a light fluid flow detection system, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a circuit diagram associated with the light fluid flow detection system, in accordance with some embodiments; and 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a method for detecting fluid flow in an electrolytic sanitizer generator, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments. 
     The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the description with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is related to electrolytic chlorinators, in particulars chlorinators configured to produce sanitizing agents, for example chlorine-based sanitizing agents. 
     In one aspect, a system for detecting fluid flow in an electrolytic sanitizer generator is described. The system includes an electronic fluid flow controller operatively coupled to the electrolytic sanitizer generator. The electronic fluid flow controller is configured to determine an operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator and determine a change in voltage per unit time across the blades of an electrolysis cell of the electrolytic sanitizer generator. The electronic fluid flow controller is further configured to detect a deviation of the change in voltage per unit time across the blades with respect to a threshold value for a predefined time duration and identify a fluid flow condition associated with the electrolytic sanitizer generator based on the detected deviation of the change in voltage per unit time. The electronic fluid flow is further configured to transmit an operating signal to operate the electrolytic sanitizer generator corresponding to the identified fluid flow condition and the determined operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator. 
     In another aspect, a method for detecting fluid flow in an electrolytic sanitizer generator is described. The method includes determining, by an electronic fluid flow controller, an operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator. The method further includes determining, by the electronic fluid flow controller, a change in voltage per unit time across blades of an electrolysis cell of the electrolytic sanitizer generator and detecting, by the electronic fluid flow controller, a deviation of the change in voltage per unit time across the blades with respect to a threshold value for a predefined time duration. The method further includes identifying, by the electronic fluid flow controller, a fluid flow condition associated with the electrolytic sanitizer generator based on the detected deviation of the change in voltage per unit time and transmitting, by the electronic fluid flow controller, an operating signal to operate the electrolytic sanitizer generator corresponding to the identified fluid flow condition and the determined operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator. 
     In yet another aspect, a sanitization system is described. The sanitization system includes an electrolytic sanitizer generator having an electrolysis cell for treating water and an electronic fluid flow controller operatively coupled to the electrolytic sanitizer generator. The electronic fluid flow controller is configured to determine an operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator and determine a change in voltage per unit time across blades of an electrolysis cell of the electrolytic sanitizer generator. The electronic fluid flow controller is further configured to detect a deviation of the change in voltage per unit time across the blades with respect to a threshold value for a predefined time duration and identify a fluid flow condition associated with the electrolytic sanitizer generator based on the detected deviation of the change in voltage per unit time. The electronic fluid flow controller is further configured to transmit an operating signal to operate the electrolytic sanitizer generator corresponding to the identified fluid flow condition and the determined operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an environment  100  employing an exemplary fluid flow detection system  106  in accordance with various embodiments. The fluid flow detection system  106  operating within a sanitization system  102  is configured to detect fluid flow in an electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  also operating within the sanitization system  102  in the environment  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the environment  100  is a swimming pool environment. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the fluid flow detection system  106  can be employed and operated in any other water-based environment, such as but not limited to, spas, hot tubs, bathtubs, therapeutic baths, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the environment  100  includes a water-based unit, such as a swimming pool  104 , configured to hold water. The environment  100  further includes a pump  108  coupled to the swimming pool  104  via one or more pipelines  112 . The pump  108  is configured to pump the water out of the swimming pool  104  and direct the water to the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  of the sanitization system  102  through the pipelines  112 . The pump  108  is further configured to recirculate the clean or sanitized water from the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  back to the swimming pool  104 . In some embodiments, the environment  100  further includes a filter  110 , coupled between the pump  108  and the sanitization system  102 , to filter out any particulate matter present in the water before the water is provided to the sanitization system  102 . 
     The sanitization system  102  in the environment  100  is configured to treat the water received from the swimming pool  104  while ensuring continuous adequate flow of water in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . To this end, the sanitization system  102  includes the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  that is configured to treat the water received from the swimming pool  104  with a sanitizing agent, such as chlorine, to maintain a clean swimming environment. The sanitizing agent may either be dispensed at a suitable rate into the water in the swimming pool  104  or generated by the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . A salt, such as Sodium Chloride or common salt, in some embodiments, is added to the water in the swimming pool  104  at a tolerable or low level and the salted water circulated through the pump  108  and directed into the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 , which in turn generates the sanitizing agent, such as chlorine. 
     The electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is configured to utilize electrolysis to generate the sanitizing agent. To this end, the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  includes an electrolysis cell  120  that is configured to electrolyze the salt dissolved in the water to produce the sanitizing agent and a controller  118  for controlling the operation of the electrolysis cell  120 . The controller  118  may include one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSPs (digital signal processors), state machines, logic circuitry, or any other device or devices that process information or signals based on operational or programming instructions. The controller  118  may be implemented using one or more controller technologies, such as Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) technology, Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) technology, etc. In an example, the controller  118  may comprise a printed circuit board (not illustrated), comprising one or more microcontrollers configured to facilitate the directing, as well as any suitable memory modules, sensors, output connectors, power connectors, etc., which may be necessary. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the electrolysis cell  120  includes a set of electrodes or blades  126  through which the salted water is passed. In an embodiment shown in  FIG.  2   , the set of electrodes or blades  126  are configured to be bipolar. It will be appreciated that the set of electrodes or blades  126  in other embodiments is configured to be monopolar or any other configuration now known or in the future developed. Alternatively, the polarity of the set of electrodes or blades  126  is varied in accordance with configuration of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . The controller  118  is configured to control the operation of the electrolysis cell  120  by operating the electrolysis cell  120  periodically in two different operating states, for example, a charging state and a discharging state. In accordance with some embodiments, the controller  118  is configured to operate the electrolysis cell  120  periodically in two different operating states for preset time periods. In an example, the preset time periods may be, but not limited to, sixty (60), one hundred twenty (120) seconds, or any other appropriate time period. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    along with  FIG.  2   , during the charging state, the controller  118  is configured to apply an electrical current across the set of electrodes or blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120 . The electrical current passing between the electrodes  126  and through the water converts chloride ions from the salted water into the sanitizing agent. The water with the newly generated sanitizing agent is then recirculated back into the swimming pool  104  by the fluid pressure supplied by the pump  108  via the pipelines  112 . During the discharging state, the controller  118  is configured to refrain from applying any electrical current across the set of electrodes or blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120 , thereby pausing the generation of the sanitizing agent. 
     The sanitization system  102  further includes the fluid flow detection system  106  for detecting fluid flow in the electrolysis cell  120  of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . As stated above, for safe operation of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 , it is required that there is continuous adequate flow of water across the electrodes or blades  126  during the charging state of the electrolysis cell  120 . The fluid flow detection system  106  herein described provides for an efficient detection of flow of water across the electrodes or blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120 . To this end, the fluid flow detection system  106  includes one or more of an electronic fluid flow detection (EFFD) system  128  and a light fluid flow detection (LFFD) system  132  operatively coupled to the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . The EFFD system  128  is configured to detect the fluid flow condition in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  by monitoring a change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . The LFFD system  132  is configured to detect the fluid flow condition in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  by using one or more light sensors, details of which are described further below with reference to  FIGS.  8  and  9   . In accordance with an embodiment, the LFFD system  132  is implemented along with the EFFD system  128  to detect the fluid flow condition in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 , which provides redundancy to the flow detection system. In yet other embodiments, the light fluid flow detection system  132  and the EFFD system  128  are each implemented independently to detect the fluid flow condition. 
     The EFFD system  128  includes an electronic fluid flow controller  130 , hereinafter referred to as EFF controller  130 , operatively coupled to the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . The EFF controller  130  includes, but is not limited to, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSPs (digital signal processors), state machines, logic circuitry, or any other device or devices that process information or signals based on operational or programming instructions. The EFF controller  130  in some embodiments is implemented using one or more controller technologies, such as Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) technology, Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) technology, etc. In an example, the EFF controller  130  comprises a printed circuit board (not illustrated), comprising one or more microcontrollers configured to facilitate the directing, as well as any suitable memory modules, sensors, output connectors, power connectors, and the like, as necessary. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine an operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . In the example as mentioned earlier, the operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  comprises one of the charging state or the discharging state. In some embodiments, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine the operation state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  by communicating with the controller  118  of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . In yet some alternate embodiments, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine the operation state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  by utilizing various other techniques known in the art or in the future developed. 
     In an embodiment, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine a change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . In an embodiment, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state, the change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  corresponds to an increase in change in voltage per unit time of the electrolysis cell  120 . In such cases, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine the increase in change in voltage per unit time of the electrolysis cell  120 . Similarly, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the discharging state, the change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  corresponds to a decrease in change in voltage per unit time of the electrolysis cell  120 . In such cases, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine the decrease in change in voltage per unit time of the electrolysis cell  120 . 
     In some embodiments, when the electrolysis cell  120  of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state, a charge is developed on the set of blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120 . Similarly, when the electrolysis cell  120  of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is in the discharging state, the charge on the set of blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  starts to discharge or drain. The embodiments herein described are directed towards monitoring this capacitive effect associated with the charging and discharging of the charge on the set of blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  based on the change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120 . Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  is configured to evaluate a charging slope based on the determined increase in change in voltage per unit time of the electrolysis cell  120 , when the operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is determined to be the charging state. In some embodiments, the EFF controller  130  is further configured to monitor the voltage charge rate value based on the charging slope. Similarly, the EFF controller  130  is configured to evaluate a discharging slope based on the determined decrease in change in voltage per unit time of the electrolysis cell  120 , when the operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is determined to be the discharging state. In some embodiments, the EFF controller  130  is further configured to monitor the voltage discharge rate value based on the discharging slope. In accordance with various embodiments, the charging slope corresponds to the rate at which the charge is developed on the set of blades  126  and the discharging slope corresponds to the rate at which the charge is discharged from the set of blades  126 . 
     In some embodiments, the EFFD system  128  further includes a signal conditioning circuitry (not shown) operatively coupled to the EFF controller  130 . The signal conditioning circuitry is configured to monitor the change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . In an example, the signal conditioning circuitry  131  includes a dual stage voltage divider and an Analog to Digital converter (not shown). The dual stage voltage divider monitors the change in voltage per unit time and provides feedback to the Analog to Digital converter. For example, an Analog to Digital converter pin is read at one millisecond (1 ms) rate during the charging state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  to evaluate the charging slope. Further in an example, the Analog to Digital converter pin is read at ten millisecond (10 ms) rate, for three (3) seconds right after the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  begins to operate in the discharging state to evaluate the discharging slope. It will be appreciated that the time periods exemplified herein are simply for illustrative purposes; and the scope of the present disclosure includes any appropriate time periods. 
     In an embodiment, the EFF controller  130  is configured to detect a deviation of the change in voltage per unit time (in other words, the charging/discharging slope) across the blades  126  with respect to a threshold value for a predefined time duration. In accordance with various embodiments, the threshold value corresponds to one or more delta voltage values. For example, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state, the threshold value corresponds to a maximum threshold delta voltage value associated with the charging state (hereinafter referred to as maximum voltage charge rate value (Vmax)). In an example, Vmax is two volts per minute (2V/min). Similarly, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the discharging state, the threshold value corresponds to a minimum threshold delta voltage value associated with the discharging state (hereinafter referred to as minimum voltage discharge rate value (Vmin)). In an example, Vmin is three fourths of a volt per second (0.75 V/sec). It will be appreciated that the values exemplified herein are simply for illustrative purposes; and the scope of the present disclosure includes any appropriate values. 
     In an embodiment, the EFF controller  130  is configured to identify a fluid flow condition associated with the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  based on the detected deviation. For example, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state and the increase in change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  is determined to be less than the maximum voltage charge rate value (Vmax), the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine that there is adequate continuous fluid flow (i.e., NORMAL FLOW state) in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . Similarly, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state and the increase in change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  is determined to be greater than the maximum voltage charge rate value (Vmax), the EFF controller  130  is configured to detect the fluid flow condition as a NO-FLOW state. 
     In yet another example, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator is operating in the charging state and the increase in change in voltage per unit time of the electrolysis cell is less than the maximum voltage charge rate value during a first time interval of the predefined time duration and the increase in change in voltage per unit time of the electrolysis cell is greater than the maximum voltage charge rate value during a second time interval of the predefined time duration, the EFF controller  130  is configured to detect the fluid flow condition as an INTERRUPTED-FLOW state. Further, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator is operating in the discharging state and the decrease in change in voltage per unit time of the electrolysis cell is less than the minimum voltage discharge rate value, the EFF controller  130  is configured to detect the fluid flow condition as an NO-FLOW state. 
     Further in an embodiment, the EFF controller  130  is configured to transmit an operating signal to operate the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  corresponding to the identified fluid flow condition and the determined operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . For example, when the fluid flow condition is detected as the NORMAL-FLOW in the charging state, the EFF controller  130  is configured to transmit the operating signal to continue operating the electrolytic sanitizer generator in the charging state. Similarly, when the fluid flow condition is detected as the NO-FLOW in the charging state, the EFF controller  130  is configured to transmit the operating signal to change the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator to the discharging state. Further, when the fluid flow condition is detected as the INTERRUPTED-FLOW in the charging state, the EFF controller  130  is configured to transmit the operating signal to change the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator to the discharging state. Further, when the fluid flow condition is detected as the NO-FLOW in the discharging state, the EFF controller  130  is configured to transmit the operating signal to maintain the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  in the discharging state. 
       FIGS.  3  through  7    illustrate example graphical representations depicting a change in voltage per unit time across blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  to identify fluid flow condition in accordance with the embodiments. For example,  FIG.  3    depicts a scenario in which the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state. In such cases, the EFFD system  128  periodically monitors the increase in change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120 . As can be seen in  FIG.  3   , the detected deviation of the increase in the change in voltage per unit time  300  does not rise above Vmax, and maintains a constant rate, for example two thirds volt per minute (0.6 V/min). It will be appreciated that the values exemplified herein are simply for illustrative purposes; and the scope of the present disclosure includes any appropriate values. Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine that there is adequate continuous fluid flow (i.e., Normal Flow) in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . The EFF controller  130 , in this scenario, transmits an operating signal to the controller  118  to continue operating the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  in the charging state. 
     In another scenario, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state, however the detected deviation of the increase in the change in voltage per unit time  400  is greater than the maximum voltage charge rate value (Vmax). Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  is configured to detect the fluid flow condition as a NO-FLOW state. Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  transmits an operating signal to the controller  118  to change the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  to the discharging state. 
     In yet another example, shown in  FIG.  5   , the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state, however the detected deviation of the increase in the change in voltage per unit time  500  is less than the maximum voltage charge rate value (Vmax) during a first-time interval (T 1 ) and greater than the maximum voltage charge rate value (Vmax) during a second-time interval (T 2 ). Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine that the flow of the fluid/water in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is not continuous. In other words, the EFF controller  130  is configured to detect the fluid flow condition as an INTERRUPTED-FLOW state. Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  transmits an operating signal to the controller  118  to change the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  to the discharging state. 
     In yet another example, shown in  FIG.  6   , the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the discharging state and the detected deviation of the decrease in the change in voltage per unit time is less than the minimum voltage charge rate value (Vmin). In this case, the detected deviation of decrease in the change in voltage per unit time maintains a near constant rate, which is less than the minimum voltage charge rate value. This indicates that the charge developed on the blades  126  is decreasing at an optimum rate with the flow of fluid or water across the blades  126 . Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine that the flow of the fluid/water in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is continuous and detect the fluid flow condition as a NORMAL-FLOW state. Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  transmits an operating signal to the controller  118  to maintain the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  to the discharging state. 
     In yet another example, as shown in  FIG.  7   , the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the discharging state and the detected deviation of the decrease in the change in voltage per unit time is greater than the minimum voltage charge rate value (Vmin). This indicates that the charge developed on the blades  126  is not decreasing at the optimum rate as there is no flow of fluid or water across the blades  126 . Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  is configured to determine that the flow of the fluid/water in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is not proper and detect the fluid flow condition as a NO-FLOW state. Accordingly, the EFF controller  130  transmits an operating signal to the controller  118  to maintain the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  to the discharging state. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the LFFD system  132  in the fluid flow detection system  106  includes a light fluid flow (LFF) controller  140  configured to detect the fluid flow condition in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  by using one or more light sensors. The LFF controller  140  includes one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSPs (digital signal processors), state machines, logic circuitry, or any other device or devices that process information or signals based on operational or programming instructions. The LFF controller  140  may be implemented using one or more controller technologies, such as Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) technology, Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) technology, etc. In an example, the LFF controller  140  comprises a printed circuit board (not illustrated), comprising one or more microcontrollers configured to facilitate the directing, as well as any suitable memory modules, sensors, output connectors, power connectors, and the like. 
     The LFFD system  132  is configured to monitor a hydrogen bubble concentration of the swimming pool water, and accordingly identify a fluid flow condition associated with the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . As discussed above, the LFFD system  132  in some embodiments is associated with the EFFD system  128  or in other embodiments operates as a standalone system associated with the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . In another example, the LFFD system  132  is operative in case the EFFD system  128  fails or vice-versa. 
     The detailed functioning of the LFFD system  132  and the LFF controller  140  will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  8  and  9   . As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the LFFD system  132  includes an Infrared (IR) light source  134  configured to irradiate light on the water, for example, at an outlet opening of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  of  FIG.  1   . The LFFD system  132  further includes an IR transmitted light sensor  136  configured to capture direct light component of the irradiated light. The LFFD system  132  further includes an IR scattered light sensor  138  configured to capture scattered light component of the irradiated light. In an embodiment, the captured scattered light component is indicative of an amount of hydrogen bubble concentration in the water. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the LFF controller  140  is operatively coupled to the IR light source  134 , the IR transmitted light sensor  136 , and the IR scattered light sensor  138 . In an embodiment, the LFF controller  140  is configured to compare the captured scattered light component from the IR scattered light sensor  138  with a predefined threshold scattered light value. In accordance with some embodiments, as depicted in  FIG.  9   , the LFF controller  140  includes signal conditioning amplifiers to compare the captured scattered light component with the predefined threshold scattered light value. The amplifiers in some embodiments are instrumentation while in other embodiments are operational amplifiers as known to person skilled in the art. In accordance with various embodiments, the predefined threshold scattered light value is indicative of an optimum hydrogen bubble concentration in the water, which further is indicative of the presence or absence of optimum water flow in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a high hydrogen bubble concentration is indicative of poor or low water flow. 
     In an embodiment, the LFF controller  140  is further configured to identify the fluid flow condition associated with the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  based upon the comparison. In an embodiment, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state, and when the captured scattered light component is less than or equal to the predefined threshold scattered light value, the LFF controller  140  is configured to determine that there is adequate continuous fluid flow (i.e., NORMAL FLOW state) in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . In an embodiment, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state, the LFF controller  140  is configured to identify the fluid flow condition as a NO-FLOW state when the captured scattered light component is greater than the predefined threshold scattered light value. Similarly, when the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is operating in the charging state, however when the captured scattered light component is less than or equal to the predefined threshold scattered light value during a first-time interval (T 1 ) and greater than the predefined threshold scattered light value during a second-time interval (T 2 ). Accordingly, the LFF controller  140  is configured to determine that the flow of the fluid/water in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is not continuous. In other words, the LFF controller  140  is configured to detect the fluid flow condition as an INTERRUPTED-FLOW state. 
     In an embodiment, the LFF controller  140  is further configured to transmit the operating signal to the controller  118  to operate the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  corresponding to the identified fluid flow condition. For example, when the fluid flow condition is detected as the NORMAL-FLOW in the charging state, the LFF controller  140  is configured to transmit the operating signal to continue operating the electrolytic sanitizer generator in the charging state. Further in an example, the LFF controller  140  transmits the operating signal to the controller  118  to change the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator to the discharging state when the fluid flow condition is detected as the NO-FLOW state in the charging state. Further, when the fluid flow condition is detected as the INTERRUPTED-FLOW in the charging state, the LFF controller  140  is configured to transmit the operating signal to change the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator to the discharging state. Further, when the fluid flow condition is detected as the NO-FLOW in the discharging state, the LFF controller  140  is configured to transmit the operating signal to maintain the operating state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  in the discharging state. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a method  1000  for detecting fluid flow in an electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . At Operation  1002 , the electronic fluid flow controller  130  determines the operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . At Operation  1004 , the electronic fluid flow controller  130  determines the change in voltage per unit time across blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . At Operation  1006 , the electronic fluid flow controller  130 , detects the deviation of the change in voltage per unit time across the blades  126  with respect to the threshold value for the predefined time duration and identifies the fluid flow condition associated with the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  based on the detected deviation of the change in voltage per unit time at Operation  1008 . At Operation  1010 , the electronic fluid flow controller  130  transmits the operating signal to operate the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  corresponding to the identified fluid flow condition and the determined operational state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . 
     The present disclosure provides an efficient and effective method to detect the fluid flow in the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . As explained in the foregoing description, the electronic fluid flow detection (EFFD) system  128  of the present disclosure actively monitors the charge related aspects of the blades  126  of the electrolysis cell  120  and determine the fluid flow condition based on the charge on the blades of the electrolysis cell  120 . The decision with respect to switching the operation state of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  is being taken based upon the evaluated deviation of the charge exceeding a threshold. This avoids the need to install any additional hardware, such as mechanical switches, to detect when there is continuous adequate fluid flow. 
     Moreover, by implementing the light fluid flow system  132  along with the EFFD system  128 , a fail-safe water-based environment can be provided. For example, the EFFD system  128  and light fluid flow system  132  are operated as overriding systems for each other, in case any one of the systems fails. Thus, the fluid flow detection system  106  as explained in the foregoing description advantageously detects a fluid flow condition associated with the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 , and accordingly helps avoiding the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114  to operate in a no fluid flow. The system  106  thereby ensures a safe operation of the electrolytic sanitizer generator  114 . 
     In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. 
     The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. 
     Moreover, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or stricture that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. 
     It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. 
     Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed. Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the description. This method is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.