US20230066539A1

US20230066539A1 - Heater for pools and spas with improved sensor control

Info

Publication number: US20230066539A1
Application number: US17/887,831
Authority: US
Inventors: Curt Spivey; Hwa Heng; Dindo Uy
Original assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
Current assignee: Zodiac Pool Systems LLC
Priority date: 2021-08-17
Filing date: 2022-08-15
Publication date: 2023-03-02
Also published as: AU2022331242A1; EP4388252A1; WO2023022970A1

Abstract

A heater for a pool system, such as a swimming pool or a spa, includes a controller and a plurality of sensors for determining an operating condition of the heater. In some cases, the heater includes a gas sensor for determining at least one characteristic of gas supplied to the heater. The heater may also include a wiring sensor for determining a wiring configuration for an igniter of the heater. Additionally or alternatively, the heater may include a water inlet sensor, a water outlet sensor, and a vent sensor. The heater for the pool system may be provided with various other sensors or combination of sensors.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/234,098, filed on Aug. 17, 2021 and entitled HEATER FOR POOLS AND SPAS WITH IMPROVED SENSOR CONTROL, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to heaters for pools, spas, and other water containing vessels for recreation or therapy.

BACKGROUND

Heaters are commonly used to heat water in pools, spas, and other similar environments. Typically, heaters include a heat exchanger or heater that heats the water as the water flows or is circulated past the heat exchanger. Heaters may use a variety of energy sources to provide heat, including but not limited to solar energy, electric heat pumps, and gas heaters. Traditionally, heaters that are not operating properly or have failed may be difficult to troubleshoot or diagnose. For example, a heater may simply display an error code, but the error code may not be present when a service person is on hand, and the error code may only points to a problem without providing information about the heater's operation. As another example, improperly wired components may be difficult to troubleshoot and identify due to lack of access to the wiring and/or the false impression that the heater is working normally except for a feature that is not normally associated with wiring. Traditional heaters also are unable to account for and respond to actual operating conditions.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.
According to some embodiments, a heater for a pool system includes a gas supply inlet for receiving gas from a source such that gas flows into the heater and a sensor for detecting at least one characteristic of gas flowing in the heater.
According to certain embodiments, a heater for a pool system includes a circuit including a flame sense, means for detecting a polarity of the circuit, and means for sending a signal relating to a condition of the polarity.
According to various embodiments, a heater for a pool system includes a fluid inlet sensor for detecting a water inlet temperature of fluid flowing through an inlet of the heater and a fluid outlet sensor for detecting a water outlet temperature of the fluid flowing out of an outlet of a heat exchanger of the heater. The heater also includes a vent temperature sensor for detecting a vent temperature of the heater and a controller for determining a temperature rise based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature, and for determining a condition of the heater based on the temperature rise and the vent temperature.
According to certain embodiments, a method of controlling a heater for a pool system includes receiving a water inlet temperature, a water outlet temperature, and a vent temperature for the heater, and determining a temperature rise for the heater based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature. The method includes determining a heater condition based on the temperature rise and the vent temperature, and generating a control response based on the determined heater condition.
According to various embodiments, a heater for a pool system includes a fluid inlet sensor for detecting a water inlet temperature of fluid flowing through an inlet of the heater and a fluid outlet sensor for detecting a water outlet temperature of the fluid flowing out of an outlet of a heat exchanger of the heater. The heater also includes a controller configured to (i) determine a flow rate condition based on information from the fluid inlet sensor and the fluid outlet sensor and (ii) communicate the determined flow rate condition.
According to various embodiments, a method of troubleshooting a heater for a pool system includes receiving a water inlet temperature, a water outlet temperature, and a vent temperature for the heater, and comparing the water inlet temperature, the water outlet temperature, and the vent temperature. The method includes determining a miswiring condition of the heater based on at least one of (i) the vent temperature not being a greatest temperature of the water inlet temperature, the water outlet temperature, and the vent temperature; (ii) the water outlet temperature not being an intermediate temperature of the water inlet temperature, the water outlet temperature, and the vent temperature; or (iii) the water inlet temperature not being a minimum temperature of the water inlet temperature, the water outlet temperature, and the vent temperature. The method includes generating a control response based on the determined miswiring condition.
Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which can not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pool system with a heater according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heater for a pool system according to embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the heater of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic of the heater of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface of the heater of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of an electrical schematic of the heater of FIG. 2 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are heaters for pools, spas, and the like. The heaters include a controller and a plurality of sensors for determining operating conditions of the heater and performing various controls or actions based on the determined operating conditions. Non-limiting examples of sensors provided with the heaters described herein include gas sensors for determining at least one characteristic of gas supplied to the heater, wiring sensors for determining a polarity at the incoming voltage to the heater, water inlet sensors, water outlet sensors, vent sensors, various sub-combinations as desired, and/or any additional sensors or combinations of sensors as desired. The heaters described herein may improve performance of the heaters, facilitate troubleshooting and diagnostics of issues that the heaters may be experiencing, and provide improved safety compared to traditional heaters, among other potential benefits.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a pool system 100 according to various embodiments. The pool system 100 includes a pool 102 (or other water containing vessel(s) or structure(s)) and a heater 104 that selectively heats water for the pool 102 to a desired temperature. In certain aspects, and as discussed in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , some of the water for the pool 102 may be diverted (represented by arrow 106) to flow through the heater 104 and past a heat exchanger of the heater 104 before being returned to the pool 102 (represented by arrow 108). The heater 104 provided herein may use a variety of energy supplies 110 to provide the heat. In the embodiments illustrated, the heater 104 is a gas heater that receives a flow of gas 112 from a gas energy supply 110.
in some embodiments, the heater 104 includes a controller 114, which may be various suitable computing devices or components as desired with a processor and/or a memory. In certain embodiments, and as discussed in detail below, the controller 114 may be communicatively coupled to one or more sensors on the heater 104 and may control various aspects of the heater 104 based on information detected by the sensor(s). In various embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the controller 114 may include a communication module enabling communications with components external to the heater 104.
In certain aspects, the controller 114 may allow for the heater 104 to wirelessly communicate with a remote user device 116 via radio, LAN, Bluetooth®, network, Wi-Fi, and/or other suitable connections as desired. The user device 116 may be a personal device (e.g., phone, tablet, etc.) associated with one or more users (e.g., a pool owner, technician, etc.), although in other embodiments the user device 116 may be a device particularly associated with the pool system 100 (e.g., a remote control device, etc.). As such, the user device 116 illustrated should not be considered limiting on the disclosure.
Additionally or alternatively, the controller 114 may allow for the heater 104 to communicate with a remote communications system 118, including but not limited to a pool automation system or other centralized system, which in turn may be selectively accessed by a user device 116 (which may be the same as the user device 116 that can directly communicate with the heater 104 or a different user device 116 depending on a particular user and/or as otherwise desired). The communication with the communication system 118 may be the same as or different from the communications used to directly communicate with the user device 116. While two examples of communication connectivity with the heater 104 are illustrated, in other embodiments the heater 104 may have other communications and connections as desired. The different communications possible with the heater 104 may allow for improved connectivity between the heater 104 and users and/or other devices or systems, which in turn may improve performance of the heater 104.
FIGS. 2-4 illustrate another example of a heater 204 according to various embodiments that can be used with a pool system such as the pool system 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , in certain embodiments, the heater 204 includes a housing 222 having an interior 224. The heater 204 includes an inlet 226 and an outlet 228, each of which may be in fluid communication with the pool 102 such that water from the pool can be received into the heater 204 and subsequently returned back to the 102. A receiving area 232 for water within the interior 224 may include a heat exchanger 230 that selectively heats water as it flows through the inlet 226, into the receiving area 232, and out the outlet 228. As such, as referenced herein, the outlet 228 is the outlet for the heat exchanger 230. In certain embodiments, the heater 204 optionally may include an internal bypass system and the heater 204 includes an overall outlet from the heater 204, which is separate from and downstream from the outlet 228.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 , the heater 204 is a gas heater and includes a gas supply connection 234 having a gas inlet 235 that is connectable to a gas supply (e.g., a supply tank, gas connection from a commercial or residential building, etc.). A gas valve 237 may control the flow of gas through the gas supply connection 234. A burner assembly 236 having an igniter 239 and a burner 241 may burn the gas to generate heat, and a venting system 238 having various manifolds 240 and/or vents 242 as desired may vent or otherwise discharge any exhaust gas generated by the burner assembly 236 out of the heater 204. In certain embodiments, the igniter 239 may also function as a flame sense rod (e.g., for detecting the presence or absence of a flame of the burner 241), although it need not in other embodiments.
With reference to FIG. 4 , the heater 204, similar to the heater 104, the heater 204 includes a controller 214 with communication modules, which may allow for the heater 204 to wirelessly communicate with one or more devices and/or systems as desired. The controller 214 may be communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors included with the heater 204 to perform various controls based on operating conditions of the heater 204 as discussed in detail below.
In certain aspects, the controller 214 optionally may be utilized to facilitate diagnosis of operating conditions of the heater 204. In such embodiments, the controller 214 may collect and store operating information about the heater 204 from the one or more sensors of the heater 204 based on a determination that the heater 204 is activated (e.g., being used to heat a pool) and may continue to collect and store such information until the heater 204 is deactivated (e.g., no longer being used to heat the pool). In some embodiments, the controller 214 may store the information based on the detected deactivation such that the operating information can be provided to a user and/or a technician if requested (e.g., using a user interface, remote user device, etc.). Such information may thus be used for troubleshooting and/or diagnostic purposes. In some examples, the stored information may be used to verify warranty claims or to diagnose a failure of the heater.
In various embodiments, based on a determination of a subsequent activation of the heater 204, the controller 214 may delete the previously stored operating information and then receive new operating information about the heater 204. In such embodiments, the memory storage requirements of the controller 214 may be minimized (i.e., only the operating conditions from the most recent operation may be stored and saved).
Optionally, and as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the heater 204 may include a user interface 254 that is communicatively coupled to the controller 214. The user interface 254 may include various features, including but not limited to a screen 256, buttons 258, visual indicators 260, and/or other features as desired. The user interface 254 may be used to convey information to a user and/or may be used by the user to access information and/or provide inputs and controls to the heater 204.
In certain embodiments, the heater 204 includes one or more sensors for detecting various operating conditions of the heater 204 and that are communicatively coupled with the controller 214. Examples of sensors are discussed in detail below, but the following description should not be considered limiting. In particular, in other embodiments, the heater 204 may include various sub-combinations of sensors and/or other sensors as desired.
In some embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the heater 204 includes a gas sensor 244 for detecting at least one characteristic of the gas flowing through the gas supply connection 234 of the heater 204. In the embodiment illustrated, the gas sensor 244 is a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the gas supplied to the heater 204. In certain embodiments, when the heater 204 is a gas heater, the heater 204 requires a minimum gas pressure in order to operate within predefined performance ranges (e.g., heat output, emission levels, etc.). The gas sensor 244 may provide a constant monitoring of the gas pressure and may send the detected gas pressure to the controller 214. The controller 214 may optionally provide the gas pressure to a user (e.g., via the user interface 254 and/or via wireless communication) for monitoring by the user. In certain embodiments, the gas sensor 244 and/or the controller 214 optionally may be controlled to send and/or receive the detected gas pressure when the gas pressure is outside of a predetermined range, and the predetermined range may likewise be adjustable as desired. In some embodiments, the controller 214 optionally may generate a control response based on the detected gas pressure being outside of the predetermined range. In some embodiments, the control response may be a response signal, including but not limited to, a signal for controlling one or more components of the heater and/or other equipment, a signal for a user (e.g., via an application to a user device), a signal for a third party (e.g., in cloud storage and/or third party device), and/or any other response signal as desired. As non-limiting examples, generating the control response may include generating a response signal sending a notification to a user, generating a notification on the user interface 254, controlling the gas valve 237, controlling an air intake valve for the burner assembly 236, controlling (e.g., enabling or disabling) the igniter 239, and/or other control responses as desired.
The particular gas pressure sensor 244 illustrated includes a pressure tap 262 into the gas supply connection 234, a pressure tube 264, and a gas pressure switch 266. In other embodiments, other types of gas pressure sensors may be used as the gas sensor 244. Moreover, in other embodiments, the gas sensor 244 may be configured to detect various other characteristics of the gas flowing through the gas supply connection 234, including but not limited to a flow rate, a concentration of a particular gas, combinations thereof, and/or other characteristics as desired.
In some embodiments, in addition to or in place of the gas sensor 244, the heater 204 may include a temperature control system 246 having an inlet sensor 248, an outlet sensor 250, and optionally a vent sensor 252, each of which may be communicatively coupled to the controller 214. In various embodiments, the inlet sensor 248 may detect a temperature of the water flowing through the inlet 226 of the heater 204, the outlet sensor 250 may detect a temperature of the water flowing out the outlet 228 of the heater 204 (e.g., the temperature of the water flowing out of the heat exchanger, which may or may not be the ultimate outlet of the heater 204). When included, the vent sensor 252 may detect a temperature of the exhaust gas being discharged by the heater 204.
In certain embodiments, a useful parameter of heater 204 operation may be a difference between the inlet and outlet water temperatures (also known as temperature rise). In various embodiments, based on the difference between the inlet and outlet water temperatures, the system may determine a flow rate condition of the heater 204. The determined flow rate condition may be communicated and/or displayed using various techniques, mechanisms, etc. as desired, including but not limited to wired communication, wireless communication, displaying on the heater 204, and/or as otherwise desired. In various embodiments, the heater 204 may have predefined ranges for the water temperature to operate properly, and temperatures outside of those predefined ranges may cause premature failure and/or other problems with heater 204 operation.
In various embodiments, a useful parameter of the heater 204 operation may be the vent temperature. Optionally, the vent temperature may be used in combination with the inlet and outlet water temperatures, although it need not be. In various embodiments, the heater 204 may have predefined ranges for the vent temperature for the heater 204 to operate properly, and temperatures outside of those predefined ranges may cause premature failure and/or other problems with heater 204 operation.
The temperature control system 246 with the inlet sensor 248, the outlet sensor 250, and optionally the vent sensor 252 may allow for an improved determination of temperature rise and an improved ability to determine the state of the heater 204 compared to traditional heaters.
In some embodiments, the temperatures detected by the inlet sensor 248 and the outlet sensor 250 may be used by the controller 214 and/or a user to more accurately determine the temperature rise. In these embodiments, the controller 214 may perform a control response based on the determined temperature rise being outside of the predefined range of temperatures, including but not limited to generating a notification on the user interface 254, increasing the heat provided by the heat exchanger (e.g., increase gas flow to the burner assembly 236 by opening the gas valve 237), or decreasing the heat provided by the heat exchanger (e.g., decrease gas flow to the burner assembly 236 by closing the gas valve 237). In various embodiments, the temperatures detected by the inlet sensor 248 and the outlet sensor 250 may be used by the controller 214 and/or a user to estimate water flow through the heater 204. In these embodiments, the controller 214 may control various aspects of the heater 204 operation to improve and/or provide the desired water flow through the heater 204, including but not limited to controlling a blower of the heater 204, controlling the burner assembly 236, and/or as otherwise desired.
In various embodiments, the temperatures detected by the temperature control system 246 may be used to troubleshoot and/or diagnose miswiring or other operating conditions of the heater 204. Table 1 below illustrates a non-limiting example of how the detected temperature rise (using the sensors 248 and 250) and the detected vent temperature (using the vent sensor 252) may be used to determine an operating condition of the heater 204 by the controller 214 and/or a user. As mentioned, in other embodiments, flow rate conditions of the heater 204 may be based on the difference between the inlet and outlet water temperatures and need not include the vent temperature.
Referring to Table 1, in this example, Example 1 illustrates how a detected normal temperature rise (e.g., within the predefined range) and a detected normal vent temperature may be used to determine that the heater 204 is operating in a “good” or “normal” condition. Example 2 illustrates how a detected high temperature rise (e.g., above the predefined range) and a normal vent temperature may be used to determine that the heater 204 is operating in a “low flow” condition. Example 3 illustrates how a detected normal temperature rise and a detected high vent temperature may be used to determine that the heater 204 is operating in a “sooting” condition or a “scaling” condition. Example 4 illustrates how a detected high temperature rise and a detected high vent temperature may be used to determine that the heater 204 is operating in a “longer duration low flow” condition or a “scaling condition.” For any of the determinations made in Examples 2-4, the controller 214 may generate a notification to the user and/or may perform various control actions to address the determined condition.

TABLE 1

	Temperature	Vent
Example	Rise	Temperature	Condition

1	Normal	Normal	Good
2	High	Normal	Low flow
3	Normal	High	Sooting, Scaling
4	High	High	Low flow (longer
			duration) Scaling

In another embodiment, the temperatures detected by the temperature control system 246 may be used to troubleshoot and/or diagnose miswiring. As a non-limiting example, the controller 214 of the heater 204 may assume that when the sensors are properly wired, the vent temperature should be greater than the outlet temperature and the inlet temperature, and the outlet temperature should be greater than the inlet temperature. In other words, the controller 214 may assume that vent temperature>outlet temperature>inlet temperature. In various embodiments, if the temperatures detected by the sensors 248, 250, and 252 do not correspond to this predetermined logic, the controller 214 may determine that one or more sensors are miswired. As a non-limiting example, if the sensors 248, 250, and 252 return temperatures where outlet temperature>vent temperature>inlet temperature, the controller 214 may determine that the outlet sensor 250 and the vent sensor 252 have been miswired with each other. As a further non-limiting example, if the sensors 248, 250, and 252 return temperatures where inlet temperature>vent temperature>outlet temperature, the controller 214 may determine that all of the sensors are improperly wired. Based on a determination that one or more sensors are miswired, the controller 214 may provide a notification to the user (e.g., directly to the user device, on the user interface 254, etc.) that the sensors are miswired and/or an identification of the miswired sensors such that the miswiring can be corrected.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 , in certain embodiments, the heater 204 optionally includes a flame sense system or circuit 269. The flame sense circuit 269 generally includes a flame sense for detection of a flame, means for detecting a polarity of the circuit 269, and means for sending a signal relating to a condition of the polarity. In general, the flame sense circuit 269 may measure the polarity of the power to the circuit (e.g., to ensure that a flame sense/flame sensor will work), and send a signal and/or provide a notification regarding such a determination.
The flame sense may be various suitable devices, mechanisms, etc. suitable for detection of a flame. In the embodiment illustrated, the flame sense includes a flame sensor 268, which may be the flame sense rod/igniter 239, and which may be used for flame 273 detection to ensure the heater 204 is lit while the gas valve 257 is open for safety reasons.
In certain embodiments, the flame sense circuit 269 may have two or more connections 272, 274, 277 that are predetermined for a particular polarity in order for the heater 204 to function properly. As a non-limiting example, the flame sense circuit 269 may require the connection 272 be configured for line voltage, the connection 274 be configured for neutral if the heater 204 is wired for 120V, and the connection 277 configured as a ground connection. In such embodiments, an incorrectly wired flame sense circuit 269 may be difficult to diagnose because the heater 204 may operate normally other than not being able to fire or ignite, thus giving the impression that the problem is not in the wiring.
The means for detecting the polarity of the circuit 269 may be various means as desired suitable for detecting polarity. As non-limiting examples, the means for detecting polarity include a comparison of line (connection 272) to ground (connection 277) and/or a connection of neutral (connection 274) to ground (connection 277). As non-limiting examples, when the polarity of the circuit 269 is correct, line compared to ground should be high (e.g., 120 VAC in North America or 230 VAC in Australia), and neutral compared to ground should be zero. If the comparison of line to ground is not high and/or the comparison of neutral to ground is not zero, the means for detecting polarity may determine a polarity reversal and/or incorrect polarity.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6 , in one optional embodiment, the means for detecting polarity additionally, or alternatively, include at least one sensor or sensing means 270 for detecting the polarity of the voltage of the connections 272, 274, 277 for the igniter/flame sense rod 239. Referring to FIG. 6 , the flame sense rod 239 may detect the presence or absence of the flame 273 of the burner 241. The flame sense system 269 may include an ignition control 275 for the flame sense rod 239 (e.g., for controlling the flame sense rod 239 functioning as the igniter). The sensor 270 may detect if connections 272, 274, 277 are correctly wired. In such embodiments, the sensor 270 may detect the polarity of the voltage for each connection 272, 274, 277, and the controller 214 may use the detected polarities to determine if the detected polarities are the expected polarities (e.g., 120V, 230V, 0V, etc.). In some cases, if the detected polarities are not the expected polarities, the controller 214 may generate a notification to the user and/or otherwise generate a control response. In some embodiments, the controller 214 may cause the user interface 254 to display the detected voltages or polarities. Thus, when included, the wiring sensor 270 may facilitate installation and troubleshooting of the igniter/flame sense rod 239.
The means for sending the signal relating to a condition of the polarity may be various communication protocols or modules as desired, and may be dedicated to the circuit 269 and/or may be communication modules or protocols of the controller 214. In various embodiments, the means for sending the signal may include means for wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) and/or wired communication, and the signal may be sent to a user (e.g., via an application on a user device), to an external device (e.g., cloud storage, third party device, etc.), provided on a user interface of the heater 204, and/or as otherwise desired.
Exemplary concepts or combinations of features of the invention may include:

- A. A heater for a pool system, the heater comprising: a gas supply inlet configured to receive gas from a source such that gas flows into the heater; and a sensor configured to detect at least one characteristic of gas flowing in the heater.
- B. The heater according to statement A, further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the heater based on the at least one characteristic being outside of an acceptable range.
- C. The heater according to statement A or B, wherein the controller is configured to disable an igniter based on the at least one characteristic being outside of the acceptable range.
- D. The heater according to any one of statements A-C, further comprising a user interface communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the user interface to display information about the at least one characteristic of the gas flowing in the heater.
- E. The heater according to any one of statements A-D, further comprising a controller and a communication module, wherein the controller is configured to transmit information related to the at least one characteristic to a remote device via the communication module.
- F. The heater according to any one of statements A-E, wherein the communication module is a Bluetooth communication module.
- G. The heater according to any one of statements A-F, wherein the at least one characteristic is a gas pressure supplied to the heater.
- H. The heater according to any one of statements A-G, wherein the sensor is a gas pressure switch.
- I. The heater according to any one of statements A-H, further comprising a fluid inlet, a heat exchanger, and a fluid outlet for the heat exchanger, and wherein the heater is configured to heat water by directing water through the fluid inlet, past the heat exchanger, and out the fluid outlet of the heat exchanger.
- J. A heater for a pool system, the heater comprising a circuit including a flame sense, means for detecting a polarity of the circuit, and means for sending a signal relating to a condition of the polarity.
- K. The heater according to statement J, wherein the means for sending the signal comprises a wireless communication module or a wired communication module.
- L. The heater according to statement J or K, wherein the means for detecting the polarity of the circuit comprises means for comparing a line voltage input to a ground input for the circuit and/or means for comparing a neutral voltage input to the ground input for the circuit.
- M. The heater according to any one of statements J-L, wherein flame sense comprises a flame sense rod of the heater configured to detect a presence of a flame.
- N. The heater according to any one of statements J-M, wherein means for sending the signal comprises means for generating a notification on an application or generating a notification on an on-board user interface of the heater.
- O. A heater for a pool system, the heater comprising:
  - i. a fluid inlet sensor for detecting a water inlet temperature of fluid flowing through an inlet of the heater;
  - ii. a fluid outlet sensor for detecting a water outlet temperature of the fluid flowing out of an outlet of a heat exchanger of the heater;
  - iii. a vent temperature sensor for detecting a vent temperature of the heater; and
  - iv. a controller configured to determine a temperature rise based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature, and to determine a condition of the heater based on the temperature rise and the vent temperature.
- P. The heater according to statement O, wherein the controller is configured to estimate a system flow based on the difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature.
- Q. The heater according to statement O or P, wherein the controller is configured to generate a controlled response based on the determined condition being a predefined condition, and wherein the controlled response comprises generating a notification on at least one of an on-board user interface of the heater or in an application.
- R. The heater according to any one of statements O-Q, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the heater is in a good condition based on the temperature rise being within a predefined water range and based on the vent temperature being within a predefined vent range.
- S. The heater according to any one of statements O-R, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the heater is in one of a plurality of problem conditions based on at least one of the temperature rise being outside of the predefined water range or the vent temperature being outside the predefined vent range.
- T. The heater according to any one of statements O-S, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the heater is in:
  - i. a low flow problem condition based on the temperature rise being above the predefined water range and the vent temperature being within the predefined vent range;
  - ii. a sooting problem condition or scaling problem condition based on the temperature rise being within the predefined water range and the vent temperature being above the predefined vent range; and
  - iii. a longer duration low flow problem condition or a scaling problem condition based on the temperature rise being above the predefined water range and the vent temperature being above the predefined vent range.
- U. A method of controlling a heater for a pool system, the method comprising:
  - i. receiving a water inlet temperature, a water outlet temperature, and a vent temperature for the heater;
  - ii. determining a temperature rise for the heater based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature;
  - iii. determining a heater condition based on the temperature rise and the vent temperature; and
  - iv. generating a control response based on the determined heater condition.
- V. The method according to statement U, wherein generating the control response comprises generating a response signal.
- W. The method according to statement U or V, wherein determining the heater condition comprises determining the heater condition from a plurality of predefined conditions, and wherein the plurality of predefined conditions comprises a good condition, a low flow condition, a scaling condition, and a sooting condition.
- X. A heater for a pool system, the heater comprising:
  - i. a fluid inlet sensor for detecting a water inlet temperature of fluid flowing through an inlet of the heater;
  - ii. a fluid outlet sensor for detecting a water outlet temperature of the fluid flowing out of an outlet of a heat exchanger of the heater; and
  - iii. a controller configured to (i) determine a flow rate condition based on information from the fluid inlet sensor and the fluid outlet sensor and (ii) communicate the determined flow rate condition.
- Y. The heater according to statement X, wherein the controller is configured to determine a temperature rise as the flow rate condition based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature.
- Z. The heater according to statement X or Y, wherein the controller is configured to estimate a system flow based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature.
- AA. The heater according to any one of statements X-Z, wherein the controller is configured to generate a controlled response based on the determined condition being a predefined condition, and wherein the controlled response comprises generating response signal.
- BB. The heater according to any one of statements X-AA, wherein the controller is configured to:
  - i. determine that the heater is in a good condition based on the a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being within a predefined range; and
  - ii. determine that the heater is in one of a plurality of problem conditions based on the a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being being outside of the predefined range.
- CC. A method of troubleshooting a heater for a pool system, the method comprising:
  - i. receiving a water inlet temperature, a water outlet temperature, and a vent temperature for the heater;
  - ii. comparing the water inlet temperature, the water outlet temperature, and the vent temperature;
  - iii. determining a miswiring condition of the heater based on at least one of:
    - a) the vent temperature not being a greatest temperature of the water inlet temperature, the water outlet temperature, and the vent temperature;
    - b) the water outlet temperature not being an intermediate temperature of the water inlet temperature, the water outlet temperature, and the vent temperature; or
    - c) the water inlet temperature not being a minimum temperature of the water inlet temperature, the water outlet temperature, and the vent temperature; and
  - iv. generating a control response based on the determined miswiring condition.
- DD. The method according to statement EE, wherein generating the control response comprises a response signal.

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” among others, are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing. References to “pools” and “swimming pools” herein may also refer to spas or other water containing vessels or structures used for recreation or therapy.
The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described example(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims that follow.

Claims

That which is claimed is:

1. A heater for a pool system, the heater comprising:

a gas supply inlet configured to receive gas from a source such that gas flows into the heater; and

a sensor configured to detect at least one characteristic of gas flowing in the heater.

2. The heater of claim 1, further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the heater based on the at least one characteristic being outside of an acceptable range.

3. The heater of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to disable an igniter based on the at least one characteristic being outside of the acceptable range.

4. The heater of claim 2, further comprising a user interface communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the user interface to display information about the at least one characteristic of the gas flowing in the heater.

5. The heater of claim 1, further comprising a controller and a communication module, wherein the controller is configured to transmit information related to the at least one characteristic to a remote device via the communication module.

6. The heater of claim 5, wherein the communication module is a Bluetooth communication module.

7. The heater of claim 1 wherein the at least one characteristic is a gas pressure supplied to the heater.

8. The heater of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a gas pressure switch.

9. The heater of claim 1, further comprising a fluid inlet, a heat exchanger, and a fluid outlet for the heat exchanger, and wherein the heater is configured to heat water by directing water through the fluid inlet, past the heat exchanger, and out the fluid outlet of the heat exchanger.

10. A heater for a pool system, the heater comprising a circuit including a flame sense, means for detecting a polarity of the circuit, and means for sending a signal relating to a condition of the polarity.

11. The heater of claim 10, wherein the means for sending the signal comprises a wireless communication module or a wired communication module.

12. The heater of claim 11, wherein the means for detecting the polarity of the circuit comprises means for comparing a line voltage input to a ground input for the circuit and/or means for comparing a neutral voltage input to the ground input for the circuit.

13. The heater of claim 10, wherein flame sense comprises a flame sense rod of the heater configured to detect a presence of a flame.

14. The heater of claim 10, wherein means for sending the signal comprises means for generating a notification on an application or generating a notification on an on-board user interface of the heater.

15. A heater for a pool system, the heater comprising:

a fluid inlet sensor for detecting a water inlet temperature of fluid flowing through an inlet of the heater;

a fluid outlet sensor for detecting a water outlet temperature of the fluid flowing out of an outlet of a heat exchanger of the heater; and

a controller configured to (i) determine a flow rate condition based on information from the fluid inlet sensor and the fluid outlet sensor and (ii) communicate the determined flow rate condition.

16. The heater of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to determine a temperature rise as the flow rate condition based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature.

17. The heater of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to estimate a system flow based on a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature.

18. The heater of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to generate a controlled response based on the determined condition being a predefined condition, and wherein the controlled response comprises generating response signal.

19. The heater of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to:

determine that the heater is in a good condition based on the a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being within a predefined range; and

determine that the heater is in one of a plurality of problem conditions based on the a difference between the water inlet temperature and the water outlet temperature being being outside of the predefined range.

20. The heater of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the heater is in:

a low flow problem condition based on the temperature rise being above the predefined water range and the vent temperature being within the predefined vent range;

a sooting problem condition or scaling problem condition based on the temperature rise being within the predefined water range and the vent temperature being above the predefined vent range; and

a longer duration low flow problem condition or a scaling problem condition based on the temperature rise being above the predefined water range and the vent temperature being above the predefined vent range.