Abstract:
The present invention relates to systems that allow users to observe the operation of pool skimmers. In some embodiments, the system includes a flow sensor system, which may be located in a ring above the skimmer basket. The flow sensor system may include, for example a microphone or a paddle wheel. Optionally, the system may further include a remote computer (e.g., smart phone/tablet computer) that receives the inputs measured by the flow sensor system and displays on its display screen alerts based on the inputs (e.g., to notify the user to clean the skimmer basket or backwash the filter).

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/079,284, filed Nov. 13, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated hereby by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to systems configured to measure the flow of water in pool skimmers. 
     Background of the Invention 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , in the prior art, it is known to remove debris in swimming pools  110  through the use of skimmers  100 . Skimmers  100  generally include a rectangular skimmer opening  135  located in a sidewall  120  of the swimming pool  110 , a moveable weir  170  that pivots on a hinge  155  within the skimmer  100  and moves in response to changes in the water levels of the swimming pool  110 , and a skimmer basket  160 . The skimmer basket  160  sits in a well  198  located in the interior  137  of the skimmer  100 , collects debris and must be emptied. The skimmer basket  160  has a basket interior  167 , a basket exterior  168 , a floor  161 , a top/rim  162 , a height  165  extending from the floor  161  to the top/rim  162 , one or more sidewalls  163  extending upwardly from the floor  161 , and a plurality of apertures located in the floor  161  and/or the sidewalls  163 . The basket floor  161  and the basket sidewall  163  separate the basket interior  167  from the basket exterior  168 . The skimmer  100  has an access opening  197  that is removably closed by a lid  199  in order to empty the skimmer basket  160 . 
     Water enters the skimmer  100  through the opening  135 , flows through water passageway  196  and over the weir  170 , and through the skimmer basket  160 . Ultimately, the filtered water is then pumped back into the swimming pool  110  through water jets  175  located in the pool sidewalls  120  using a pump  190  and a series of pipes  180 ,  181 ,  182  and  193 . The capacity of pool pumps  190  is usually provided in gallons per minute (gpm), which refers to the amount of water that the pump  190  is able to circulate in a minute. The pump  190  is usually connected to a pool drain  195  in addition to the skimmer  100 , and in some cases the pool owner is able to adjust the rate at which the pump  190  pulls water into the skimmer  100  by closing the drain valve  194 . However, closing the drain valve  194  requires manual intervention by the pool owner. 
     Unfortunately, skimmer baskets  160  fill up quickly with debris, particularly in residential areas with many trees. If the skimmer basket  160  becomes too full with debris, water is cut off from the pump  190 , which can damage the pump  190 . Thus, skimmer baskets  160  are a constant maintenance issue. 
     Thus, there is a need for cheap devices that allow users to quickly and easily review the operation of swimming pool skimmers and notify users when the basket  160  needs to be emptied. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to systems for measuring the operation of swimming pool skimmers. In some embodiments, the system includes: 
     a skimmer basket, the skimmer basket configured to be placed in a pool skimmer and comprising a basket interior, a basket exterior, a floor, a top, a height extending from the floor to the top, a sidewall extending upwardly from the floor, and a plurality of apertures located in at least one of the basket sidewall and the floor, wherein the basket floor and the basket sidewall separate the basket interior from the basket exterior; 
     a first tube attached to the skimmer basket, the first tube comprising a top, a bottom comprising an opening, a first tube height extending from the bottom to the top, an interior, an exterior comprising a first flange extending from the first tube towards the basket sidewall, and a first tube slot configured to feed water from the first tube exterior to the first tube interior and the basket interior, the first tube slot located between the top and the bottom of the first tube, the first tube slot having a width perpendicular to the first tube height and a height parallel to the first tube height; and 
     a flow sensor system connected to the skimmer basket and configured to analyze water flowing through the system. 
     Optionally, the flow sensor system comprises a microphone configured to capture sound waves from water flowing through the system and transduce the sound waves into electrical signals, a microprocessor in communication with the microphone and configured to process signals received from the microphone, and a power source configured to power the microphone and the microprocessor. Optionally, the flow sensor system further comprises a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit signals from the flow sensor system to a remote computer. Optionally, the remote computer is a mobile telephone comprising a graphical user interface (touchscreen). Optionally, the flow sensor system is attached to the first tube. Optionally, the system further comprises a second tube adjacent to the first tube, the second tube configured to rotate relative to the first tube and at least partially cover the first tube slot, the second tube comprising a top, a bottom, a second tube height extending from the bottom to the top, and a second tube slot located between the top and the bottom of the second tube, the second tube slot having a width perpendicular to the second tube height and a height parallel to the second tube height. Optionally, the tops of the first and second tubes each comprise openings. Optionally, the first tube is located inside the second tube interior. Optionally, the width of the first tube slot is at least about 1 inch, the width of the second tube slot is at least about 1 inch, the height of the first tube slot is at least about 4 inches and the height of the second tube slot is at least about 4 inches. Optionally, the first tube and the second tube are generally cylindrical. Optionally, the first tube height is greater than the second tube height, the second tube is located above the first flange and the first tube comprises an upper flange extending about a perimeter of the first tube, the upper flange located above the first flange and the second tube, and the flow sensor system is attached to the upper flange. Optionally, the first flange comprises a groove adjacent to the first tube and extending about a perimeter of the first tube, further wherein the bottom of the second tube is located in the groove. Optionally, the system further includes a pool, the pool comprising a sidewall, the pool sidewall comprising a pool skimmer, the pool skimmer comprising a skimmer interior, a plurality of walls defining the skimmer interior and a skimmer opening leading from the pool to the skimmer interior and the basket is located in the skimmer interior. Optionally, the system further includes a pool, the pool comprising a sidewall, and a pool skimmer attached to the sidewall, the pool skimmer comprising a skimmer interior, a plurality of walls defining the skimmer interior and a skimmer opening leading from the pool to the skimmer interior and the basket is located in the skimmer interior. Optionally, the first flange and the skimmer basket are permanently attached to each other. Optionally, the first flange and the skimmer basket are mechanically attached to each other. Optionally, the first flange is pivotally attached to the skimmer basket by a hinge. Optionally, the first flange is removably attached to the skimmer basket by a fastener. Optionally, the fastener is at least about 3 inches in length and comprises threads. Optionally, the first flange and the basket comprise mating threads for removably attaching the first flange to the basket. Optionally, the first tube slot comprises a top and a bottom, and the bottom of the first tube slot is adjacent to a top of the first flange. Optionally, the system further comprises a washer attached to the first flange, the washer comprising a washer opening in fluid communication with the first tube bottom aperture. Optionally, the system is used in a method of measuring the velocity of water flowing into a skimmer basket, the method comprising the steps of: providing the system; flowing water through the slot of the first tube; and measuring the velocity of water entering through the slot of the first tube using the flow sensor system. 
     In some embodiments, the system is provided in a kit for measuring the velocity of water flowing into a skimmer basket that includes 
     a first tube, the first tube comprising a top, a bottom comprising an opening, a height extending from the bottom to the top, an interior, an exterior, an inner diameter perpendicular to said height, an outer diameter perpendicular to said height, a first tube slot having a width of at least about 1 inch and a height of at least about 4 inches, the first tube slot width parallel to the inner and outer diameters of the first tube, the first tube slot height perpendicular to the inner and outer diameters of the first tube, the first tube exterior comprising a first flange extending from the first tube, the first flange configured to attach to a skimmer basket; 
     a second tube, the second tube comprising a top, a bottom comprising a bottom opening, a height extending from the bottom to the top, an interior, an exterior, an inner diameter perpendicular to said height, an outer diameter perpendicular to said height, and a second tube slot having a width of at least about 1 inch and a height of at least about 4 inches, the second tube slot width parallel to the inner and outer diameters of the second tube, the second tube slot height perpendicular to the inner and outer diameters of the second tube; and 
     a flow sensor system connected to at least one of the first tube and the second tube and configured to measure water flowing through at least one of the first tube and the second tube. 
     Optionally, the flow sensor system comprises a microphone configured to capture sound waves from water flowing through the system and transduce the sound waves into electrical signals, a microprocessor in communication with the microphone and configured to process signals received from the microphone, and a power source configured to power the microphone and the microprocessor. Optionally, the flow sensor system further comprises a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit signals from the flow sensor system to a remote computer. Optionally, the remote computer is a mobile telephone. Optionally, the flow sensor system is attached to the first tube. Optionally, the kit further includes an upper flange extending about an outer circumference of the first tube. Optionally, the flow sensor system is attached to the upper flange. Optionally, the inner diameter of the second tube is between about 100% and about 120% of the size of the outer diameter of the first tube. Optionally, the first flange comprises a groove adjacent to the first tube and extending about an outer circumference of the first tube. 
     In some embodiments, the system includes: 
     a pool comprising a basin (swimming area); 
     a skimmer interior, a plurality of walls defining the skimmer interior and a skimmer opening leading from the pool basin to the skimmer interior; 
     a pump configured to pump water from the skimmer interior to the pool basin; 
     a remote computer; and 
     a flow sensor system configured to measure water flowing through the skimmer interior, the sensor system comprising a sensor configured to generate electrical signals in response to conditions in the system, a power source configured to power the sensor, and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit signals from the flow sensor system to the remote computer. 
     Optionally, the sensor is a paddle wheel or microphone. Optionally, the flow sensor system comprises a microphone configured to capture sound waves from water flowing through the skimmer interior and transduce the sound waves into an electrical signal, a microprocessor in communication with the microphone and configured to process signals received from the microphone, and a power source configured to power the microphone and the microprocessor. Optionally, the remote computer is a mobile telephone. 
     In still further embodiments, the system includes: 
     a pool comprising a basin; 
     a skimmer interior, a plurality of walls defining the skimmer interior and a skimmer opening leading from the pool basin to the skimmer interior; 
     a pump configured to pump water from the skimmer interior to the pool basin; and 
     a flow sensor system comprising a microphone configured to capture sound waves from water flowing through the skimmer interior and transduce the sound waves into electrical signals, a microprocessor in communication with the microphone and configured to process signals received from the microphone, and a power source configured to power the microphone and the microprocessor. 
     In still further embodiments, the system includes: 
     a pool comprising a basin; 
     a microphone system comprising a microphone adjacent to the basin and configured to capture sound waves and transduce the sound waves into electrical signals, a microprocessor in communication with the microphone and configured to process signals received from the microphone, and a power source configured to power the microphone and the microprocessor; and 
     a pump configured to pump water from the skimmer interior to the pool basin, the pump in electronic communication with the microphone system. 
     For example, the microphone system may be in direct or indirect communication with the pump and the pump may be configured to turn on when the microphone system detects the presence of people in the pool basin. In a non-limiting embodiment, the microphone system may be located in the skimmer interior and the microphone may, for example, detect people moving in the pool basin and send an electrical signal directly to the pump or indirectly to the pump through the remote computer to tell the pump to turn on. 
     Optionally, the flow sensor systems include a camera and the microprocessor is in communication with the camera and is configured to transmit images taken from the camera to the remote computer. 
     Optionally, any of the flow sensor systems and/or remote computers are used to control mechanical devices associated with the swimming pool such as pumps, valve actuators, and robotic swimming pool cleaners. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front, perspective view of a prior art skimmer and pool sidewall. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the prior art skimmer of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic view of water circulating in a clockwise fashion in a swimming pool with a prior art skimmer. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front, perspective, exploded view of a system of one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a flow sensor system that attaches to a tube, which, in turn, is attached to a skimmer basket. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front, perspective, assembled view of the system of  FIG. 4  with a remote computer (e.g., phone). 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the system of  FIG. 4  located in a pool skimmer. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustrative graph showing decibel readings measured by the flow sensor system of  FIG. 6  over time in the pool skimmer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides a system  200  for measuring the operation of a pool skimmer  100 . In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing for the sake of clarity. It will be understood that references herein to the singular form of a term encompass plural forms. The system  200  may be used in conjunction with any suitable pool skimmer, and are preferably used with immobile skimmers that are located in swimming pool, pond, fountain, or spa sidewalls, such as the skimmer  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . As used herein, the term “pool” means a swimming pool, pond, fountain or spa. While, the system  200  may be used in spas, it will be appreciated that the system  200  is preferably used in swimming pools, given that spas generally have a small surface area and collect less debris than pools. 
     Referring further to the system  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the system  200  may include a skimmer basket  160  configured to be placed in the interior  137  of a pool skimmer  100 . The skimmer basket  160  has a basket interior  167 , a basket exterior  168 , a floor  161 , a top/rim  162 , a height  165  extending from the floor  161  to the top/rim  162 , one or more sidewalls  163  extending upwardly from the floor  161 , and a plurality of apertures  164  located in the floor  161  and/or the sidewalls  163 . The basket floor  161  and the basket sidewall  163  separate the basket interior  167  from the basket exterior  168 . In some embodiments, the basket  160  is generally cylindrical with the diameter of the cylinder decreasing from the top  162  to the floor  161  (e.g., a slight taper). In some embodiments, the basket floor  161  is substantially flat. However, the basket  160  can be any other suitable shape, such as rectangular. In some embodiments, the floor  161  is substantially flat. 
     The system  200  may further include a first tube  210  as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,721,881 (“the &#39;881 patent), the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. As described in the &#39;881 patent, when the system  200  is fully assembled, the first tube  210  optionally attaches to the skimmer basket  160  and is located above the basket floor  161 . The first tube  210  optionally includes a wall  211  that forms the first tube  210 , a top  214 , a bottom  216  that includes a bottom opening  217 , a first tube height extending from the bottom  216  to the top  214 , an interior  212 , an exterior  213  that includes a first flange  230  extending from the wall  211  towards the basket sidewall  163 , and a first tube longitudinal slot  221 . In some embodiments, there is no lip surrounding the bottom opening  217  so that the bottom opening  217  extends to the wall  211  forming the first tube  210 . In other embodiments, a small lip surrounds the bottom opening  217  and the bottom opening  217  has a width/diameter of from about 3 to about 4 inches. In use, water and debris from the first tube exterior  213  enters the first tube interior  212  through the first tube longitudinal slot  221 , flows through the bottom opening  217  and enters the basket interior  167 . Optionally, the top  214  of the first tube  210  includes a top opening  215  so that water and debris may enter the inner tube interior  212  through the top opening  215  when water and debris are located above the top  214  of the first tube  210 , which may occur when, for example, the water level in the skimmer  100  is particularly high. The first tube slot  221  preferably extends substantially the entire height of the first tube  210 . Preferably, the first tube height is at least about 4 inches (e.g., about 4 inches to about 15 inches). Preferably, the first tube slot  221  has a width perpendicular to the first tube height and a height parallel to the first tube height. In some embodiments, the first tube slot has a width of at least about 1 inch (more preferably about 2 to about 5 inches) and a height of at least about 1 inch (more preferably about 4 inches to about 15 inches, even more preferably about 6 inches to about 9 inches). For example, the first tube slot may have an average width of about 1 inch to about 3.5 inches, even more preferably about 1 inch to about 3 inches, and even more preferably about 2 inches to about 3 inches. Preferably, the first tube  210  is generally cylindrical and the first tube  210  has an inner diameter (measured as the distance between opposing interior surfaces of the wall  211 ) and an outer diameter (measured as the distance between opposing exterior surfaces of the wall  211 ) of at least about 2 inches (more preferably, about 3 inches to about 9 inches). In some embodiments, the first tube  210  is generally cylindrical with the inner and outer diameters of the cylinder gradually increasing from the top  214  to the bottom  216  (e.g., a slight taper) to facilitate injection of the first tube  210  during plastic injection molding. The first tube wall  211  may have any desired thickness depending on the strength desired and the cost of the material. In some embodiments, the first tube wall thickness is from about 0.05 inches to about 2 inches. Optionally, the first tube  210  includes a knurled surface at the top  214  of the first tube  210  for gripping. Preferably, the bottom of the first tube slot  221  is adjacent to (more preferably about co-planar with) the top of the first flange  230 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . Preferably, the first tube slot  221  extends from the first flange  230  to the top  214  of the first tube  210 . Preferably, the first tube  210  is immobile relative to the first flange  230 . 
     In some embodiments, the first flange  230  is configured so that it alone, or in combination with a washer  260  (which is described in the &#39;881 patent), inhibits (but does not necessarily prevents) water and debris from entering the basket  160  without first entering the slot  221  of the first tube  210 . To accomplish this, the first flange  230  alone, or the first flange  230  and the washer  260 , extends to or beyond the sidewall  163  of the basket  160  when the basket  160  is placed in the well  198  of the skimmer  100 . The first flange  230  and, if included, the first flange  230  and the washer  260 , are preferably adjacent to the top  162  of the skimmer basket  160 . The purpose of the washer  260  is that it may be desirable to provide a universal system  200  that works with a number of different sized skimmer baskets  160  and the washer  260  allows the system  200  to be used with larger skimmer baskets  160  and, in combination with the first flange  230 , the washer  260  substantially creates a seal to force water and debris into the slot  210 . In some embodiments, the length and width of the first flange  230  (i.e., the diameter of the first flange  230  if the first flange  230  is circular) is at least about 4 inches (e.g., about 4-10 inches) and the length and width of the washer  260  (i.e., the diameter of the washer  260  if the washer  260  is circular) is larger than the length and width of the first flange  230 —e.g., about 6 to about 14 inches—so that the washer  260  extends beyond the perimeter of the first flange  230 . The first flange  230  and washer  260  can be any suitable shape, including generally circular and generally rectangular, depending on the shape of the basket  160 . If included, the washer  260  includes a central opening  262  that is substantially aligned with the bottom hole  217  of the first tube  210  such that water and debris flows through the first slot  221 , through the bottom hole  217 , through the washer hole  262  and into the skimmer basket interior  167 . In some embodiments, the washer hole  262  has a width/diameter of from about 3 inches to about 6 inches. If included, the washer  260  may be placed above or below the first flange  230 . Preferably, the washer  260  is placed below the first flange  230  and the first tube  210  extends below the first flange  230  to assist in the positioning of the washer  260 . It will be understood that the first flange  230  and washer  260  inhibit but do not necessarily prevent water and debris from entering the basket interior  167  without first entering the slot  221  of the first tube  210  because the first flange  230  and washer  260  may each comprise small fastener apertures as described below and water and debris may enter the top opening  215  of the first tube  210  if the water level in the skimmer  135  is high, as described above. 
     The purpose of using the first flange  230  alone or in combination with the washer  260  to inhibit water and debris from entering the basket  160  without first entering the slot  221  of the first tube  210  is that skimmer baskets in the prior art without the system  200  often lack a pump  190  with sufficient force to pull debris and water into the skimmer basket  160 . However, by providing a first tube  210  with the slot  221 , the present invention is able to take advantage of the Bernoulli principle, which holds that velocity of water increases when water flows through a narrow constriction. Thus, by constricting the flow of the water and debris into the basket  160  using the first tube slot  221 , it has been observed that water and debris flows into the basket  160  at a higher rate than without the system  200 . It has also been observed that offsetting the widthwise center of the slot  221  from the widthwise center of the skimmer opening  135  increases the flow of water and the debris into the basket  160  because the offset requires water and debris to travel around the first tube  210 , like water draining in a toilet, before entering the slot  221 . For example, if the widthwise center of the skimmer opening  135  is assigned the 6 o&#39;clock position, it has been observed that positioning the widthwise center of the slot  221  at the 2 o&#39;clock position is optimal in pools  110  that have a clockwise drain bias in the skimmer  100 . It would be deduced that positioning the slot  221  at the 10 o&#39;clock position would be optimal in pools  100  that a have counter-clockwise drain bias in the skimmer  100 . Preferably, the widthwise center of the slot  221  is offset from the widthwise center of the skimmer opening  135  by at least about 30 degrees (e.g., about 30 degrees to about 330 degrees—i.e., between the 7 o&#39;clock and 5 o&#39;clock positions if the widthwise center of the skimmer opening  135  is assigned the 6 o&#39;clock position). 
     The system  200  may further include a second tube  270  as described in the &#39;881 patent. The second tube  270  is adjacent to the first tube  210  and rotatable relative to the first tube  210 . The second tube  270  includes a wall  276  that forms the second tube  270 , an interior, an exterior, a top  271 , a bottom  274  that includes a bottom opening  273 , a second tube height extending from the top to the bottom, and a second tube longitudinal slot  283  located between the top  271  and the bottom  274  of the second tube  270 . Preferably, the second tube slot  283  has a width perpendicular to the second tube height and a height parallel to the second tube height. Preferably, the top  271  includes a top opening  272 . A function of the second tube  270  is that the second tube  270  can be rotated relative to the first tube  210  to partially cover the first tube slot  221  to increase the velocity of water and debris flowing into the skimmer basket  160  and another function is that the second tube  270  can be rotated relative to the first tube  210  to close the first tube slot  221  when a user desires to remove the system  200  from the skimmer interior  137  in order to remove debris from the first tube  210  and the skimmer basket  160  (i.e., empty the first tube  210  and the skimmer basket  160 ). It has been observed that the velocity of water entering skimmer baskets  160  varies from pool to pool depending on pump  190  horsepower and whether the pump  190  has been recently cleaned. Thus, the second tube  270  allows a pool owner to rotate the second tube  270  relative to the first tube  210  to partially cover the first tube slot  221  when the owner has a weak pump  190  and/or a pump system that has not been recently cleaned (so as to increase the velocity of water and debris entering the skimmer basket  160 ) and to leave the first tube slot  221  uncovered (i.e., leaving the first and second tube slots  221  and  283  aligned) when the owner has a strong pump  190  and/or a pump system that has been recently cleaned. Preferably, the second tube  271  has one or more apertures opposite the second tube slot  283 , which saves material cost, provides flexibility to the second tube  270 , and allows the manufacturer to include graphics such as the product&#39;s name. In some embodiments, the second tube slot  283  has a width of at least about 1 inch (more preferably about 2 to about 5 inches) and a height of at least about 1 inch (more preferably about 4 inches to about 15 inches). Preferably, the second tube slot  283  has the same size and shape as the first tube slot  221 . Preferably, the second tube  270  is generally cylindrical and the second tube  270  has an inner diameter (measured as the distance between opposing interior surfaces of the wall  276 ) and an outer diameter (measured as the distance between opposing exterior surfaces of the wall  276 ). Preferably, the second tube inner diameter is between 100 and 110% of the size of the first tube outer diameter so that the second tube  270  hugs the first tube  210 . In other words, preferably the connection is tight enough so that both tubes  210  and  270  move vertically when a user lifts the system  200  out of the skimmer  100  to empty the basket  160  but the user is able to rotate the second tube  270  relative to the first tube  210  to open and close the slot  221 . In some embodiments, the second tube inner diameter and the second tube outer diameter are at least about 2 inches (more preferably, about 3 inches to about 9 inches). Preferably, if the first tube  210  is tapered, as described above, the second tube  270  has a similar taper. The second tube wall  276  may have any desired thickness depending on the strength desired and the cost of the material. In some embodiments, the second tube wall thickness is from about 0.05 inches to about 2 inches. In some embodiments, the top surface of the first flange  230  includes a groove  235  that extends around a perimeter of the first tube  210  (more particularly, the circumference of the first tube  210  if the first tube  210  is cylindrical) to create a track for the second tube  270 . In some embodiments, the width of the first flange groove  235  is from about 100% to about 120% of the second tube wall thickness so that the bottom  274  of the second tube  270  fits snugly in the groove  235 . In some embodiments, the first tube  210  includes an upper flange  220  and the second tube is located between the first flange  230  and the upper flange  220 . In such embodiments, the first tube height is greater than the second tube height. Optionally, the second tube  270  includes a plurality of protrusions/ears located at the top of the second tube  270  to make it easier for a user to rotate the second tube  270 . 
     In some embodiments, the first tube  210  is located inside the second tube interior  281 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . In such embodiments, the inner diameter of the first tube  210  is different than the inner diameter of the second tube  270  and the outer diameter of the first tube  210  is different than the outer diameter of the second tube  270 . Preferably, the first tube interior  212  is hollow. In other embodiments, the second tube  270  is located in the first tube interior  212 . 
     Preferably, the first tube  210 , the second tube  270 , the washer  260  and the first flange  230  are comprised of plastic. 
     In some embodiments, the first flange  230  and the skimmer basket  160  are permanently attached to one another and the first and second tubes  210  and  270 , first flange  230 , and skimmer basket  160  are a single piece of plastic. In other embodiments, the first flange  230  and the skimmer basket  160  are mechanically attached to one another as described in the &#39;881 patent. For example, the system  200  may include two hinge pins and two hinges so that the basket  160  can pivot relative to the first flange  230  upon removal of one of the hinge pins. In other embodiments, the first flange  230  and the inner rim of the basket  160  include mating threads so that the first flange  230  can removably attach to the basket  160 . In such embodiments, the washer  260  may include threads that mate with threads located in the inner rim of the basket and the bottom surface of the first flange  230  may include one or more protrusions that mate with and lock into apertures in the washer  260  so that the washer  260  is removably attached to the first flange  230 . In some embodiments, the first flange  230  and the skimmer basket  160  may be removably attached by a fastener. In some such embodiments, the fastener includes a series of bolts, washers, and nuts. In some embodiments, the bolt includes threads and the bolt passes through the apertures located in the floor  161  of the basket  160 . Preferably, the bolt has a length of at least 3 inches (e.g., about 3 to about 12 inches). Preferably, the top end of the bolt passes through one or more fastener apertures located in the first flange  230  and one or more fastener apertures located in the washer  260 . Preferably, the washer fastener apertures substantially extend to the outer edge of the washer  260  and the first flange fastener apertures substantially extend to the outer edge of the first flange  230  which makes the system  200  easy to assemble. Alternatively, instead of a bolt, the system  200  may include a threaded rod that has a nut and washer at each end. In other embodiments, the interior of the first tube  210  includes a ledge and the top end of the bolt passes through an aperture located in the ledge, as seen in  FIGS. 15-19  of the &#39;881 patent. It has been observed that a stainless steel threaded rod or bolt having 4-40 thread is particularly well-suited for use with the present system  200 . In other embodiments, instead of a bolt or threaded rod, the fastener may be an O-ring that attaches to a post located in the first tube interior  212 , as shown in  FIGS. 20-22  of the &#39;881 patent. 
     The system  200  further includes an electronic flow sensor system  300  located in the skimmer interior  137  and configured to analyze water flowing through the skimmer interior  137 . In other words, the flow sensor system  300  uses a sensor  301  to sense a property of the water flowing through the skimmer interior  137  and the flow sensor system  300  analyzes this information to, for example, determine the velocity of water flowing through the skimmer interior  137  or to determine other disturbances in the skimmer interior  137  (such as a splash associated with a person jumping into the pool  110 ). For example, in some embodiments, the sensor  301  is a microphone configured to capture sound waves from water flowing through the skimmer interior  137  and transduce these sound waves into electrical signals, and the flow sensor system  300  further includes a microprocessor  302  in communication with the microphone  301  and configured to process the microphone  301  signals, and a power source (e.g. a battery)  303  to power the microphone  301  and microprocessor  302 . Preferably, the system  300  includes a memory to 1) store an executable program to control the microprocessor  302 , 2) store a baseline sound level (as described below) and 3) store data until the remote computer  306  is in range. Optionally, the flow sensor system  300  further includes a transmitter  304  (e.g., a transceiver) to transmit the data/processed signals to a remote computer  306 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the microphone  301 , microprocessor  302 , power source  303  and transmitter  304  may be located in a waterproof ring  305  that attaches to the first tube  210  or second tube  270 . Alternatively, the microphone  301 , microprocessor  302 , power source  303  and transmitter  304  may be attached to the access lid  199 . To illustrate use of the system, a Hayward SP1082 skimmer basket  160  (Hayward Industries, Elizabeth N.J.) and the SKIMDOCTOR product (Totally New Technologies, Goodlettsville Tenn.) were placed in an in-ground pool skimmer  100  servicing an in-ground pool  110 . (The SKIMDOCTOR is the commercial embodiment of the &#39;881 patent and includes a first tube  210 , a first tube flange  230  that bolts to the skimmer basket  160 , and a second tube  270  that is exterior and rotates relative to the first tube  210 ). The SOUND METER ANDROID application (Smart Tools Co., Seoul, Korea) was loaded onto a SAMSUNG GALAXY tablet computer (KOREA) and then the tablet computer was placed inside the pool skimmer interior  137  above the first and second tubes  210  and  270 . A first pump  190  connected to the skimmer  100  was turned on. The SOUND METER application then displayed the decibel level using the tablet&#39;s microphone  301  as the input. It was observed that a clean (e.g., debris free) skimmer basket  160  gave a reading of 55 to 65 decibels. As debris was added to the skimmer basket  160 , the decibel level steadily rose. (This was surprising and unexpected as it was believed that a more full basket  160  would cause the decibel level to decrease). A second pump  190  connected to the skimmer  100  was turned on, and the agitation inside the skimmer interior  137  increased and the decibel level measured by the microphone  301  increased. 
     As another demonstration, the system  200  was tested in a rectangular aquarium, the aquarium measuring 2 feet in height by 2 feet in width by 2 feet in length. The rear wall of the aquarium included a Hayward SP1082 skimmer  100 . The system  200  also included a Hayward SP1082 skimmer basket  160  and the SKIMDOCTOR product. A microphone  301  was placed below the top access lid  199  of the skimmer  100  and the lid  199  was closed (so that it closed opening  197 ). The microphone  301  was connected to a laptop computer  306  running the Raven Interactive Sound Analytics software program (Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology). A one horsepower pump  190  connected to the skimmer  100  was turned on. The decibel level was measured with a clean skimmer basket  160  and with a skimmer basket  160  filled with debris, and it was seen that the decibel level increased when the skimmer basket  160  was filled with debris. Also, a water bottle was dropped into the aquarium (outside of the skimmer  100 ), and the sound level in decibels temporarily spiked upon the drop of the water bottle. 
     The above demonstrations show that a microphone  301  can be used to detect when the basket  160  should be emptied and when a person has fallen into the pool  110 . 
     To illustrate this further a hypothetical graph is shown in  FIG. 7  where db on the y-axis represents decibels. At time  0 , we have a clean basket  160 , a clean sand filter and the decibel level in the skimmer interior  137  is 50 db (decibels). The decibel level slowly increases over time as the basket  160  gets more filled with debris and the sand filter gets dirtier. A person jumps into the pool  110  and the decibel level spikes. The user empties the basket  160  and the decibel level quickly goes to 55 decibels. The user then backwashes the sand filter and the decibel level goes to the starting level, namely 50 decibels. 
     Instead of a microphone  301 , another type of sensor  301 , such as a paddle wheel or a weir connected to a microprocessor  302 , can be used to determine flow inside the skimmer interior  137  and report such findings to the remote computer  306 . 
     Preferably, information is transferred from the flow sensor system  300  to the remote computer  306  wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth or Wifi protocol). 
     Preferably, if the sensor  301  is a microphone, the microphone  301 , microprocessor  302 , power source  303  and transmitter  304  are located in a ring  305  that snaps onto the upper flange  220  of the first tube  210  (e.g., using a clip  308 ) and the first tube  210  acts like a megaphone to transmit the sound waves to the microphone  301 . The ring  305  may include additional features such as buttons  309  or a display to allow a user to control the flow sensor system  300  without using the remote computer  306 . Optionally, the remote computer  306  is a mobile telephone comprising a display/graphical user interface  307  (e.g., a touchscreen). Optionally, the data packets transmitted from the flow sensor system  300  to the remote computer  306  are time stamped. 
     One advantage of using the microphone  301  in conjunction with the first and second tubes  210  and  270  is that the first and second tubes  210  and  270  increase agitation in the skimmer interior  137 , as a Bernoulli effect is achieved. In addition, the first and second tubes  210  and  270  act as a megaphone to amplify the sound waves as they are carried to the microphone  301 . Thus, the sound waves can be readily picked up by the microphone  301 . 
     The same system  300  can also be used in different pool systems, as the system preferably compares the sound level at a particular point of time against the system&#39;s  300  baseline for a particular skimmer environment. In particular, although two pools  110  may have different decibel levels in their skimmer interiors  137  (due to, for example, the fact that the pools  110  have different horsepower pumps  190  and/or pumps  190  that are located at different distances from the skimmer  100 ), the flow measure system  300  compares the decibel level at a particular point of time against the baseline stored in the flow measure system&#39;s  300  memory for a clean skimmer basket  160  and a clean sand filter. For example, as described above, the baseline in  FIG. 7  is 50 decibels; thus, in this case, the system  300  alerts the user to empty the basket  160  and backwash the filter when the decibel level has increased a certain percentage or amount above the 50 decibel baseline. In another pool, the baseline may be 30 decibels, for example, and in this case, the system  300  alerts the user to empty the basket  160  and backwash the filter when the decibel level has increased a certain percentage or amount above the 30 decibel baseline. To establish and store this baseline, the user may press a button  309  on the ring  305  and the system  300  may then collect and analyze the sound waves to establish the baseline decibel level. 
     The system  300  and/or software running on the remote computer  306  may also account for the fact that additional pumps  190  have turned on. For example, although adding pumps  190  may increase decibel level if they are in communication with the same skimmer  100 , it has been observed that the decibel level when a pump  190  has been added increases very quickly (whereas decibel level gradually increases slowly over time when a basket  160  gets more filled with debris and the sand filter gets dirtier). In addition, pumps  190  are usually operated on a timer and a software program running on the remote computer  306 , for example, may know to ignore increases during the daily time interval that the additional pump  190  is turned on. Further, the software program may have different baselines for different time intervals during the day. 
     Optionally, the ring  305  includes a clean basket button for the user to push when the basket  160  is emptied. Optionally, the system  300  estimates when the user needs to backwash the filter. For example, assume that the baseline level for a clean filter and clean/empty basket  160  for a particular system is 30 decibels and the threshold for a dirty filter (i.e., a filter that is so dirty that it must be backwashed) is 60 decibels if the basket  160  is empty. Next assume that the user has emptied the basket three times over five weeks and, upon emptying the basket  160  at the end of the five weeks, the decibel level is 36 decibels. Thus, the decibel level has risen 6 decibels over 840 hours (5 weeks) on account of the filter becoming dirtier, or 1 decibel (db) every 140 hours. Because the filter must be backwashed when the level rises  24  more decibels to the 60 decibel threshold, the program on the remote computer  306  can alert the user that the filter should be backwashed in about 140 days (24 decibels*140 hours*1 day/24 hours). 
     Optionally, the flow sensor systems  300  include a camera (not shown), located for example on the ring  305 , and the microprocessor  302  is in communication with the camera and is configured to transmit images taken from the camera to the remote computer  306 . A purpose of the camera is that it may be used to verify that the basket  160  needs to be emptied. 
     Optionally, instead of being used in a skimmer  100  that is located in a pool sidewall  120 , the system  200  is used in a skimmer  100  that attaches to the sidewall  120  using an arm. Skimmers  100  attached to the pool sidewall  120  are known in the art and include the INTEX Deluxe Wall Mount Swimming Pool Surface Skimmer and are described in, for example,  FIG. 36  of the &#39;881 patent. 
     In still further embodiments, the system  300  includes: 
     a pool  110  comprising a basin; 
     a microphone system comprising a microphone  301  adjacent to the basin and configured to capture sound waves and transduce the sound waves into electrical signals, a microprocessor  302  in communication with the microphone  301  and configured to process signals received from the microphone  301 , and a power source  303  configured to power the microphone  301  and the microprocessor  302 ; and 
     a pump  190  configured to pump water from the skimmer interior  137  to the pool basin, the pump  190  in electronic communication with the microphone system. 
     For example, the microphone system may be in direct or indirect communication with the pump  190  and the pump  190  may be configured to turn on when the microphone system detects the presence of people in the pool basin. In a non-limiting embodiment, the microphone system may be located in the skimmer interior  137  (e.g., attached to the ring  305  as described above) and the microphone  302  may, for example, detect people moving in the pool basin and send an electrical signal directly to the pump  190  or indirectly to the pump  190  through the remote computer to tell the pump  190  to turn on. 
     Terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies. 
     Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will understand how to make changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined and limited solely by the following claims.