Apparatus for monitoring and controlling halogen levels in a water treatment system

Claim 3

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of pulsing is further defined as pulsing the charge storage device with low voltage pulses.

Claim 4

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of adding halogen is further defined as pumping halogen into the liquid at a point downstream of the electrodes.

Claim 5

The method set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of detecting is further defined as generating a waveform having a duty cycle that is dependent upon the time that the halogen level is below the predetermined level, integrating the waveform to obtain a signal indicative of the halogen level, and recording halogen level in accordance with the integrated signal.

Claim 6

Apparatus for monitoring halogen content of a liquid, comprising: a pair of electrodes disposed in the liquid; a capacitor connected across said electrodes; means for periodically pulsing said capacitor to store a charge therein, the stored charge decaying between pulses via the liquid between said electrodes at a rate governed by the halogen content of the liquid; means for sensing the charge across said capacitor and operable to generate a halogen level indication signal; and display means operable in response to the halogen level indication signal to provide a visual display of the halogen content.

Claim 7

Apparatus for monitoring halogen content of a liquid, comprising: a pair of electrodes disposed in the liquid; a capacitor connected across said electrodes; means for periodically pulsing said capacitor to store a charge therein, the stored charge decaying between pulses via the liquid between said electrodes at a rate governed by the halogen content of the liquid; means for sensing the charge across said capacitor and operable to generate a halogen level indication signal; and display means operable in response to the halogen level indication signal to provide a visual display of the halogen content.

Claim 8

Apparatus for monitoring and controlling the halogen content of a liquid, comprising: a pair of electrodes disposed in the liquid; a capacitor connected to said electrodes; means for repetitively pulsing said capacitor to store charge therein, the voltage across said capacitor due to the charge decaying due to discharging by way of said electrodes and the resistance of the liquid therebetween; sensing means operable to generate a signal when the level of halogen, represented by the decaying voltage, reaches a predetermined level; and means operable in response to said signal to add halogen to the liquid.

Claim 9

Apparatus for monitoring and controlling the halogen content of a liquid, comprising: a pair of electrodes disposed in the liquid; a capacitor connected to said electrodes; means for repetitively pulsing said capacitor to store charge therein, the voltage across said capacitor due to the charge decaying due to discharging by way of said electrodes and the resistance of the liquid therebetween; sensing means operable to generate a signal when the level of halogen, represented by the decaying voltage, reaches a predetermined level; and means operable in response to said signal to add halogen to the liquid.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said means for repetitively pulsing comprises a switch connected between said capacitor and an electrical supply potential and an oscillator operable to periodically close said switch.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said sensing means comprises a trigger circuit including means for establishing a trigger level, means connected to said capacitor and operable to generate a pulse waveform whose duty cycle is dependent upon sensed voltages at said capacitor which are above and below a predetermined level, and means for integrating said waveform to provide said signal to add halogen.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said means operable to add halogen comprises a detector for detecting the halogen addition signal, a source of halogen, pump means for delivering halogen from said source to the liquid and switch means connected between said pump means and said detector for controlling the operation of said pump means upon detection of said halogen addition signal.

Claim 13

A water system having controlled chlorine content, comprising: a reservoir for holding water; a fluid passageway having a first end connected in fluid communication with said reservoir and a second end connected in fluid communication With said reservoir, and pump means operable to pump water through said passageway to form a water circuit; a pair of electrodes disposed in said passageway with the flowing water forming a unique electrical resistance between said electrodes in accordance with the chlorine content of the water; a charge storage device connected across said electrodes; means for periodically charging said charge storage device, the charge decaying via the unique electrical resistance of the flowing water; detecting means connected to said charge storage device operable to produce a chlorine addition signal upon detection of charge decay to a predetermined level; and chlorine addition means connected in communication with said water circuit and connected to said detecting means and operable in response to said chlorine addition signal to add chlorine to the water.

Claim 14

A water system having controlled chlorine content, comprising: a reservoir for holding water; a fluid passageway having a first end connected in fluid communication with said reservoir and a second end connected in fluid communication With said reservoir, and pump means operable to pump water through said passageway to form a water circuit; a pair of electrodes disposed in said passageway with the flowing water forming a unique electrical resistance between said electrodes in accordance with the chlorine content of the water; a charge storage device connected across said electrodes; means for periodically charging said charge storage device, the charge decaying via the unique electrical resistance of the flowing water; detecting means connected to said charge storage device operable to produce a chlorine addition signal upon detection of charge decay to a predetermined level; and chlorine addition means connected in communication with said water circuit and connected to said detecting means and operable in response to said chlorine addition signal to add chlorine to the water.

Claim 15

The water system set forth in claim 10, wherein said charge storage device includes a capacitor.

Claim 16

The water system set forth in claim 10, wherein said means for periodically charging said charge storage device comprises switching means connected between said charge storage device and an electrical supply, and an oscillator connected to operate said switching means at a frequency set sufficiently high to prevent decay to said predetermined level when at least the desired amount of chlorine is in the water.

Claim 17

The water system set forth in claim 10, wherein said detecting means comprises a trigger circuit connected to said charge storage device and operable to generate a waveform whose duty cycle is dependent upon time which the charge on said charge storage device is below said predetermined level, an integrator for integrating the waveform, and means for producing said chlorine addition signal when the integrated waveform represents chlorine content below said predetermined level.