Electrolytic cell attaching apparatus

^: ,VERI.0 0 3VCA PATENT ELECTROLYTIC CELL ATTACHING APPARATUS

Background of the Invention Field of the Invention

The invention relates to attachment of swimming pool water purifiers in general, and more specifically to apparatus fastening a submerged electrolytic cell to a pool equipped with a piped water circulating system.

Description of Related Art

The invention is directed to water purifiers that are submerged in a swimming pool attached to existing piping and fittings. Prior art equipment typically utilizes electrolytic devices to produce a pH neutral sanitizer in the form of sodium hypochlorite are either integral with the piping in a flow-through manner or are designed to float on top of the pool water.

In U.S. Patent No. 4,790,923, an electrolytic cell for producing a halogen biocide and oxygen is placed in a liquid containing salt in a housing that is connected to a swimming pool filtering system external to the pool itself.

U.S. Patent No. 4,565,517 teaches an apparatus for converting solar energy into stored hydrogen that is immersed in the water or fresh water. The apparatus floats with hydrogen collection tubes that are vertically disposed below the solar cells.

U.S. Patent No. 4,525,253, on the other hand, employs a purification cell in line with a pump and filter using conventional piping in a watertight neighboring compartment adjacent to the swimming pool.

U.S, Patent No. 4,422,919 discloses a compact electrolytic cell in direct through-flow piping with liquid entering an in-line tubular-shaped housing and an outgasing container through an entrance tube. The gas outflows from the chamber and the liquid drains from another line.

In U.S. Patent No. 4,419,207, a halogen generator is submerged in water with the anode and cathode being separated

-12053073 toy a toed of salt, The chlorine is then collected by a hood. The only external connection is a cable for electrical power and a tube leading from a point below the anode to above the cell allowing liquid to enter when a bubble of gas is vented.

U.S. Patent No. 4,363,719 is the parent patent for the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 4,419,207 and functions in the same manner except the tube is lacking.

U.S. Patent No. 4,255,246 employs a closed loop piping system that uses wire wound electrodes within a separate housing. This chlorinator is coupled in the pump line of a swimming pool system all external to the pool generally above ground.

In U.S. Patent No. 4,100,052, an electrolytic cell is installed in the piping of a fluid system to generate halogen directly from a solution containing a very low salt concentration allowing placement in existing as well as new facilities. The cell includes planar electrode plates attached parallel across the entire cross-sectional area of an enclosure. The cell operation requires constant flow of fluid to prevent the buildup of hydrogen gas.

U.S. Patent No. 3,458,414 teaches a system including an electrolytic cell and a chemical injector for cleaning the cell and a control system for shut-down in the event of improper operating conditions. The integrated system is piped away from the swimming pool using only the suction line and return line interfacing with the pool.

It may be clearly seen that prior art employing an electrolytic cell is concerned with its basic function and structure, and little concern is given to the attaching structure itself, particularly to a cell that is totally immersed in the swimming pool itself.

Summary of the Invention

A pool sanitizing apparatus of the present invention comprises an electrolytic cell mounted in a swimming pool. The electrolytic cell includes a plurality of electrodes and is disposed within an internal cavity of a housing enclosure.

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The apparatus additionally comprises a coupling means attaching the housing to the pool. The housing is disposed within the pool in a position where a portion of the housing overlies a flow line of a water circulation system in communication with the pool. In this manner, water from the flow line flows into the cavity. An electrical wire connected to the electrodes extends from the cavity and through the flow line to connect the cell with a power source remote from the water within the pool.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling means comprises a first member positioned, at least partially, within the flow line and a second member engageable with both the first member and the housing. The first member has a passage way through which the electrical wire extends. The housing includes an aperture in communication with the flow line and an outlet opening to provide a flow path for water. Water from the flow line flows through the cavity and discharges into the pool. The second member includes an elongated body portion which extends at least partially through the aperture of the housing and a flared head which engages against the housing. The elongated body portion is releasably engageable with a portion of the first member.

The electrodes preferably include a bore extending through the juxtaposed electrodes and receiving the elongated body portion. The elongated body portion includes an axial flow passage and a radially extending flow passage to direct water flow between the electrodes.

The electrolytic cell attaching apparatus provides superior descaling under adverse conditions. An apparatus was constructed according to this design and was operated for one year on a swimming pool with over 2 000 ppm total hardness and was never descaled. These results are even more impressive when the other scaling factors are considered. The pH was as high as 8.2 at times and alkalinity was consistently above 190 ppm. According to the Langlier Index, this pool had a factor of over +2. The +.5 to -.5 range is

32053073 generally regarded as in balance. There were at times visible piles of scale on the bottom of the pool which were easily removed by vacuuming or scooping with a skimmer net. Some scale did build up on the inlet nipple on which the cell is mounted to the wall of the pool but this was easily cleaned. As a comparison, a state-of-the-art unit, commercially known as Lectranator, was run under conditions of approximately 500 total hardness for less than 200 hours and developed scale on the leading edges of the electrodes which necessitated descaling. In fact, their instruction manual recommends only using this unit below a calcium hardness of 350 ppm. Calcium hardness is usually about 70% of total hardness. The apparatus also provides a superior attachment design. The attachment of an electrolytic cell purifier to a pool may appear to be a minor procedure. However, if the swimming pool itself must be modified or at least constructed differently in order to use this type of pool purifier, it becomes a major drawback to its use. Repiping or modifying any structure in a pool is difficult and expensive, and the integrity of the watertight seal is always in jeopardy. The inventor's previous application, Serial No. 07/424,305, now U.S. Patent No. 4,992,156, having a filing date of March 18, 1989, discloses an electrolytic cell for total submersion in the swimming pool. Its unique features include a method of supplying electrical power to the cell through the use of a wire that is pulled through the existing piping and exits through a newly drilled hole. The wire is sealed at the interface of the pipe with a compression fitting that clamps both the wires and the pipe with a resilient disc. The problem remaining is that the cell is located near the discharge pipe with the wire unsupported therebetween and the cell must be separately attached to the pool wall.

While the system functions properly, an improvement has been made that combines the attachment and covers the unsupported wires completely. Further, if the pool is piped

-453073 for a pool sweeping apparatus, an internally threaded fitting is already available at the interface with the pool. Additionally, the threaded fittings for a return line may also be used. It is therefore a primary object of the invention to employ the existing piping of the pool for the attachment of the purifier, minimizing and greatly simplifying the installation process. A physical replacement of the directional nozzle with an interchangeable nozzle containing a wire passage is required with the existing pool sweeping arrangement or it may be preferred to add this feature when the pool is built for ease of installation later. A second method of attaching is employing an adapter plate with a seal on one side and a threaded hole in the middle. The plate itself is attached to the pool wall or to a cover plate fitting over the discharge opening with the plate containing a slot that allows the wire to exist the water discharge conduit.

An important object of the invention allows the cell to fit flat against the wall of the pool. This positioning is particularly important because it precludes the possibility that an automatic pool sweeping may get behind the inventive apparatus and impede its progress. Additionally, a flat mounting lessens the probability of a swimmer hitting the purifier and being injured. Further, the size of the purifier cell with the enclosure is small enough to be inconspicuous and not detract from the appearance of the pool, particularly with no wires visible from the outside.

Another object of the invention is directed to accessories in the form of V-shaped edge spacers that attach to the back of the purifier enclosure and fill in the space where the installation is in an area of the pool where the sides are not flat. Any combination of spacers may be used on the sides, top and bottom to add to the safety and maintaining a consistent appearance of the purifier.

Still another object of the invention relates to the use of water flow directly through the cell. As the enclosed

-52053073 cell is positioned directly in front of the discharge line from the pump, the recirculated water impinges directly on the cells, forcing the gases and oligodynamic ions into the pool and reducing buildup of scale. Although this object is advantageous, the system by itself functions properly when the pump is not in operation as the entire cell is submerged, the chloride is dispensed within the pool due to the natural flow path created by the bubbles of gas seeking the surface. Further, the scale is loosened by reversing the polarity of the electrical power to the electrodes.

Yet another object of the invention is the use of a thermoplastic material for the enclosure and attaching accessories which is both electrically non-conductive and by its very nature non-corrosive. Most pool piping today uses plastic as the normal conduit for the water circuit? therefore, the purifier is also compatible with the material most frequently employed.

A further object of the invention is the use of a spiral insert placed inside the adapter mounting the purifier that increases the velocity and helping to remove scale from the inside of the pipe near the electrode cell.

In accordance with a preferred process of mounting an electrolytic cell in a swimming pool, the electrolytic cell is positioned beneath the surface of the pool water and in front of an outlet end of a water circulation flow line. The electrolytic cell is attached in this position so that water flow from the flow line will flow across the cell. An electrical wire is connected to the electrolytic cell and is threaded through at least a portion of the flow line. The opposite end of the electrical wire is connected to a power source to supply electrical power to the electrolytic cell.

Preferably, the electrical wire is threaded through at least a portion of the flow line through the outlet end of the line. An end of electrical wire opposite for that connected to the electrolytic cell is subsequently withdrawn from the flow line and connected to the power supply.

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The electrolytic cell is attached to the pool by positioning a first coupling member in the flow line adjacent to an outlet end thereof and by positioning a second coupling member in operative engagement with the electrolytic cell. Attachment further requires engaging the first coupling member with the second coupling member. The electrical wire is threaded through an opening in the first coupling member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention a water purifier for mounting on a wall that at least partially defines a body of water having a water circulation system including a pipe which communicates with the body of water through a port positioned beneath the level of water in the body of water, said water purifier comprising:

an electrolytic cell having a plurality of electrodes; an enclosure forming a housing having an internal cavity, said electrolytic cell being disposed within said internal cavity; and a coupler attached to said enclosure and adapted to be secured to the wall at a position overlying the port of the water circulation system, said coupler including an inner conduit which defines a water flow path between the water circulation pipe and the enclosure.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method of installing a water purifier in a body of water having a water circulation system including a pipe which communicates with the body of water through a port positioned beneath the level of water in the body of water, said method comprising the steps of:

CA 02053073 2000-02-09 positioning said water purifier beneath the surface of the water in the body of water with an electrolytic cell of said water purifier positioned in front of the port of said circulation system; and attaching said electrolytic cell in said position so that water from said pipe flows across said cell.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention an apparatus for mounting an electrolytic cell in a swimming pool of the type having a water circulation system, including a pipe in flow communication with the pool beneath the level of water therein, said apparatus comprising:

an electrolytic cell having a plurality of electrodes; an enclosure forming a housing having an internal cavity, said electrolytic cell being disposed within said cavity;

coupling means for attaching said housing in a position within said pool where a portion of said housing overlies an outlet of said pipe to enable water ftom said pipe to flow into said cavity; and an elongated electrical wire connected to said electrodes of said cell and extending from said cavity through said pipe to connect said cell with a power source remote from said water within said pool.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention an apparatus for mounting an electrolytic cell in a swimming pool of the type having a water circulation system, including a pipe in flow communication with the pool beneath the level of water therein, said apparatus comprising:

an electrolytic cell having a plurality of electrodes, said electrodes being planar in configuration and being juxtaposed to one another in generally parallel relationship;

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CA 02053073 2000-02-09 an enclosure forming a housing for said electrolytic cell, said housing having a first portion disposed directly adjacent to a wall of said pool at a location where the pipe has its outlet end, said housing also having a second portion spaced at least partially away from said first portion to thereby form a cavity between said portions, and said electrodes being disposed within said cavity;

said housing further including mounting means within said cavity for holding said electrodes in position therein;

a coupler having a first member positioned at least partially within said pipe adjacent its outlet end and a second member engageable with both said first member and a portion of said housing, whereby, when said first and second members are engaged, said housing and thus said cell are maintained within said first portion of said housing at said location;

said electrodes having a central bore therethrough and said first surface of said housing having an aperture therein, said bore and said aperture both being coaxially aligned with said pipe to enable water flow from said pipe to pass through said aperture and said bore, into said cavity and across the surface of said electrodes there within;

said second portion of said housing having at least one opening therein to permit water flow which enters said cavity from said pipe to discharge into the water in said pool; and an elongated electrical wire connected to said electrodes of said cell and extending through said aperture into and at least partially through said pipe to enable said cell to be connected to a power source remote from the water within said pool.

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In accordance with a further aspect of the invention a method for counting an electrolytic cell in a swimming pool of the type having a water circulation line, including a pipe in flow communication with the pipe beneath the level of water therein, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning said electrolytic cell beneath the surface of the pool water and in front of an outlet of said pipe;

attaching said electrolytic cell in a position so that water flow from said pipe will flow across said cell;

providing an elongated electrical wire to connect said electrolytic cell to a power source remote from the water within said pool;

connecting one end of said wire to said electrolytic cell; threading the wire through a portion of said pipe; and connecting an end of said wire to said power source to thereby supply electrical power to said electrolytic cell.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention in a swimming pool of the type having a water circulation system including a pipe with an end in flow communication with the pool beneath the level of water therein, an apparatus for purifying the pool water comprising:

an electrolytic cell;

an enclosure housing said electrolytic cell, at least a portion of said enclosure being mounted beneath the level of water within said pool and overlaying the end of said pipe; and an electrical wire connected to said electrolytic cell and extended through said pipe to connect said electrolytic cell with a power source remote from said water within said pool.

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Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a pictorial schematic of the attaching 10 apparatus illustrating the pool and decking in cross section and the purifier in partial cutaway view; arrows depict water flow direction.

Figure 2 is a partial isometric view of the preferred embodiment shown from the front.

Figure 3 is a partial isometric view of the preferred embodiment shown from the back.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the enclosure with attaching nipple installed.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the enclosure with 20 attaching nipple installed.

Figure 6 is a side view of the enclosure with attaching nipple installed.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7—7 of Figure

2.

Figure 8 is a partial isometric view of the attaching nipple completely removed from the invention for clarity.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the spiral insert completely removed from the invention for clarity.

Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the spiral insert 30 completely removed from the invention for clarity.

Figure 11 is a cross section of a pool, including the preferred embodiment of installation where a pool sweeper fitting is employed for connection.

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Figure 12 is a partial isometric view of a unmodified 35 pool sweeper well nozzle shown separately for clarity.

Figure 13 is a cross—sectional view taken along lines

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13-13 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a front view of an unmodified pool sweeper wall fitting directional nozzle.

Figure 15 is a side view of an unmodified pool sweeper well fitting directional nozzle.

Figure 16 is a partial isometric view of a substitute pool sweeper well nozzle shown separately for clarity.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 17-17 of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a front view of a substitute pool sweeper well fitting directional nozzle.

Figure 19 is a side view of a substitute pool sweeper well fitting directional nozzle.

Figure 20 is a cross section of a pool illustrating a second embodiment of installation where a discharge wall fitting with cover is employed for connection.

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines

21- 21 of Figure 20 illustrating the wall fitting with the cover removed.

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines

22- 22 of Figure 20 illustrating the attaching plate of the invention in the second embodiment attached to the wall fitting.

Figure 23 is a front partial isometric view of the wall plate shown removed from the invention for clarity.

Figure 24 is a rear partial isometric view of the wall plate shown removed from the invention for clarity.

Figure 25 is a front partial isometric view of the 0ring plate shown removed from the invention for clarity.

Figure 26 is a plan view of the enclosure mounted onto a curved pool surface.

Figure 27 is a partial isometric view of the invention with four flanged brackets shown separated from the attaching surfaces at the rear.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The best mode for carrying out the invention is

-82053073 presented in terms of a preferred and a second embodiment. Both embodiments are primarily designed alike except for the adapter that interface with the existing pool piping.

The preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1-19 and 27, is comprised of an electrolytic cell 30 with a circular aperture 32 in the center. This cell 30 is basically the same as disclosed in the inventor’s application, Serial No. 07/424,305 having a filing date of March 18, 1989, except for the aperture 32 which does not effect the function; however, it is unique in that the attachment is made through this opening and recirculated water flows through the cell when the pump is turned on.

The cell 30 is housed in an enclosure 34 that completely encompasses the cell and it likewise contains a bore 36 in direct alignment with the cell aperture 32, allowing full penetration through both elements simultaneously. The housing further contains opening 38 in the top and bottom for the pressurized water to exit when the pool pump is in operation. The openings 38 in both the top and bottom have directional diffusers 40 that guide water flow away from the edge of the pool.

The enclosure 34 also contains one or more, preferably two, flanged brackets 42 integrally mounted onto the back as shown in Figure 3. These brackets 42 allow edge spacers 44 to be wedged between the enclosure 34 and the side of the pool when the pool inner surface is contoured or otherwise not flat. Figures 26 and 27 illustrate this arrangement with four spacers 44 furnished, the proper combination or all of the spacers may be used according to the shape and contour of the pool. The spacers 40 may also be altered, if required for an exact fit. The spacers 44 also take up the difference between the enclosure and pool wall when the attachment is not parallel to the side wall.

A threaded nipple 46 is used for attachment to the pool. Since most pools already have water piping in a conventional recirculating system, usually in conjunction with a filter

-92053073 and heater, the invention employs the fitting already at hand, eliminating the necessity of costly installation procedures for attachment of the purifier.

The nipple 46 contains a number of notches 48 in one end, preferably four, allowing system pressurized water to flow inside the hollow nipple and be dispersed through the notches. On the same end as the notches 48, a solid flange 50 is permanently attached. The flange 50 is larger in diameter than the aperture 32 in the cell and also the bore

36 in the enclosure 30, and the enclosure contains a recess

52, the same basic size, allowing the flange 50 to fit flush with the outside surface of the enclosure when the nipple penetrates the bore 36. In order to rotate the nipple 46 during assembly and to allow the flange 50 to fit flush in the recess, the outside face of the flange 50 contains two or more cavities 54 that may be matched with a special tool having mating pins positioned in line with the cavities 54.

In order to prevent scale from accumulating inside the piping adjacent to the purifier, a spiral insert 56, shown in

Figures 9 and 10, is positioned inside the nipple 46, increasing the velocity of the water and dispersing it through the notches 48 in a spiral direction. This device is not mandatory for the invention but acts to improve the durability and longevity of the system as scale may be removed from the pipe when the pump is in operation and augments, the reverse polarity cleaning of the power to the cell.

The preferred embodiment of the attaching apparatus utilizes a pool piping adapter 58 shown in Figure 11 that is basically used for attaching pool sweeping equipment. This type of adapter 58 normally contains an eyeball-shaped discharge directional nozzle 60 having internal pipe threads for attachment to the sweeping equipment. The adapter 58 is installed at the end of the discharge line of pool piping beneath the water line of the pool. Figure 13 illustrates this unmodified nozzle 60 in cross section and by itself in

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Figures 14 and 15. This fitting makes an ideal connecting point for the apparatus? however, there is no way to feed the wires 62 needed to operate the purifier through the inside. The preferred embodiment of the invention therefore replaces this nozzle 60 with a substitute nozzle 64 having a threaded offset hole 66 and a wire passageway 68 as shown in Figures 16-19. The substitute nozzle 64 is completely interchangeable and is held in place by an existing retaining sleeve permitting the nozzle 64 to be rotatably aligned in the socket of the adapter 58. The wire passageway 68 is outside of the threaded hole 66 permitting the wires 62 to pass freely from the inside of the pipe and be routed easily inside the enclosure for connection to the electrolytic cells 30.

Installation of the attaching apparatus consists of replacing the substitute nozzle 64 in the pool adapter 58, bringing the wires through the passageway 68 and attaching the wires to the electrolytic cell housed in the enclosure 34. The enclosure is then placed on the wall of the pool directly over the adapter 58 and the threaded hollow nipple 46, complete with flange 50 and spiral insert 56, is inserted into the bore 36 through the aperture in the cell 30 and threaded into the offset hole 66 of the nozzle 64 with a tool that is inserted into the cavity 54 in the flange 50. The nipple 46 is tightened securely; however, if the pool wall is cured, an appropriate edge spacer 49 is placed against the flanged brackets 42 prior to tightening. it will be noted that if necessary, the edge spacer or spacers 44 may be trimmed or contoured to fit.

The second embodiment illustrated in Figures 20-25 employs the same elements as the preferred embodiment except for the pool piping adapter 58. Instead of the pool sweeping type, the adapter is the end of an open pipe surrounded by a wall fitting 70 shown in Figures 20 and 21. If the wall fitting contains a grill or diffuser, it is removed and not used and in its place, a plate 72 is attached either directly

-112053073 to the wall or to the fitting itself as depicted m Figures 21 and 22. Figure 21 illustrates the fitting 70 with the cover removed and Figure 22 with the plate 72 in place.

The plate 72 itself is preferably constructed of thermoplastic and contains a threaded centrally located hole 74 and an offset wire receiving slot 76 near the hole. An Oring 78 mounted into a groove partially encircles the hole 74 terminating at the slot 76, permitting the wires 62 to leave the wall fitting 70 and enter the purifier.

The installation is the same as previously described except for the plate 74 which is securely fastened to the pool wall. The nipple 46 is threaded into the hole 74 and the entire purifier is compressibly retained therebetween with the 0-ring 78 maintaining a compacting seal.

The invention also discloses a method of using a water circulating pipe as a conduit for a cable for energizing the electrolytic cell. This is unconventional since a water pipe has sharp 90° bends contrasted with an electrical conduit which has long radius sweeping 90° bends to facilitate pulling of the wire through the conduit. This novel approach was successful because of the specialized reel assembly and the construction of the wire cable.

While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited to such details, such many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. For example, a pin and slot connector 46a, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, may be used in lieu of the preferred threaded fasteners. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.