Systems and Methods for Providing Network Connectivity and Remote Monitoring, Optimization, and Control of Pool/Spa Equipment
Systems and methods for providing network connectivity and remote monitoring, optimization, and control of pool/spa equipment are provided. “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) functionality is provided for pool and spa equipment in a flexible and cost-effective manner. Network connectivity and remote monitoring/control of pool and spa equipment is provided by various components such as a network communication and local control subsystem installed in pool/spa equipment, and other components. Also disclosed are various control processes (“pool logic”) which can be embodied as software code installed in any of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.
1 . A heater system for a pool or a spa comprising:
a heater for heating water of a pool or a spa;
a processor in communication with the heater, said processor controlling operation of said heater;
a housing enclosing the heater and the processor; and
a network communication subsystem in communication with the processor, the network communication subsystem (i) assigning an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the heater system and establishing a network connection between the processor and a remote device; (ii) providing for remote monitoring of operational parameters associated with the heater system from the remote device over the network connection; and (iii) providing for remote control of the heater system from the remote device over the network connection.
2 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the network communication subsystem is positioned within the housing.
3 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the network communication subsystem establishes one or more of a wired or a wireless network connection with the processor.
4 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the remote device comprises one or more of a pump, a valve controller, a water feature, a chemical dispenser, a pool cover, or a pool/spa system controller.
5 . The heater system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors in communication with said processor, the one or more sensors including one or more of an air temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an ambient noise sensor, a pool chemistry sensor, a pressure sensor, an exhaust temperature sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, an oxygen sensor, a vibration sensor, or a bather detection sensor.
6 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the processor receives user input data from the remote device over the network connection and alters operation of the heater in response to the user input data.
7 . The heater system of claim 6 , wherein the user input data comprises one or more of a heating temperature setpoint, a cooling temperature setpoint, a heating or cooling mode, an identification of a second heater or cooler, or a countdown timer.
8 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the processor transmits operational data to the remote device over the network connection.
9 . The heater system of claim 8 , wherein the operational data comprises one or more of line voltage data, power consumption data, gas pressure data, air pressure data, vacuum pressure data, air temperature data, humidity data, flow rate data, water level data, operational state data, temperature setpoint data, duration setpoint data, or operating noise data.
10 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the processor transmits factory specification data to the remote device over the network connection.
11 . The heater system of claim 10 , wherein the factory specification data comprises one or more of gas heater input rating data, gas heater thermal efficiency data, heat pump output data, power consumption data, current draw data, or input voltage data.
12 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the processor stores configuration parameter data and transmits the configuration parameter data to the remote device over the network connection.
13 . The heater system of claim 12 , wherein the configuration parameter data includes one or more of an IP address, a GPS coordinate, or a Zip code.
14 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the processor receives remote data over the network connection including one or more of solar irradiance data, weather forecast data, fuel cost data, air temperature data, humidity data, wind speed data, cloud cover data, or energy cost data.
15 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the processor stores configuration parameters including one or more of pool surface area, pool volume, pool emissivity, pool absorptivity, pool solar exposure, wind speed at pool surface, desired water temperature, pump schedule, pool cover data, or pool cover use schedule.
16 . The heater system of claim 1 , wherein the processor transmits health monitoring data to the remote device, the health monitoring data including one or more of runtime data, operating temperature or profile data, power consumption data, predictive failure data, cycle data, degradation data, efficiency data, pool chemistry data, fuel gas pressure data, refrigerant pressure data, refrigerant temperature data, exhaust temperature data, carbon monoxide data, freeze warning data, condensation warning data, or motor speed data.
17 . A method for remotely monitoring and controlling a heater system for a pool or a spa, comprising the steps of:
assigning by a processor of the heater system an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the heater system, the heater system including a heater for heating water of a pool or a spa;
establishing a network connection between the processor of the heater system and a remote device;
providing for remote monitoring of operational parameters associated with heater system from the remote device over the network connection; and
providing for remote control of the heater system from the remote device over the network connection.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising controlling operation of the heater by the processor based on received factory specification data and detected line power operational data.
19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising controlling operation of the heater by the processor based on operational fuel data.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising controlling operation of a blower associated with the heater by the processor based on sensed air pressure.
21 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising controlling operation of the heater by the processor based on water temperature setpoint data and sensed operational data.
22 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising controlling operation of the heater and a pump of the pool or spa by the processor based on minimum flow rate data and sensed flow rate.
23 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising controlling operation of the heater by the processor based on runtime setpoint data and a timer executed by the processor.
24 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising controlling operation of the heater by the processor based on ambient noise setpoint data and sensed ambient noise.
25 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising calculating by the processor an average ambient noise setpoint and controlling operation of the heater by the processor based on the average ambient noise setpoint.
26 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving factory-specified data at the processor and controlling operating of the heater based on the factory-specified data and operational data sensed by the processor.
27 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising transmitting an alert if the operational data exceeds the factory-specified data.
28 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising attempting to retry operation by the processor of at least one feature of the heater or a pump associated with the heater if a maximum number of retries has not been exceeded.