CA2145929A1 - Chlorinator system - Google Patents

Abstract

A metering apparatus, for distributing an aqueous chlorine solution into swimming pool water, comprising a flexible tubing member for carrying a flow of the chlorine solution therethrough, the flexible tubing member having a first end and a second end, a solenoid pinch valve having a closed configuration whereby the flexible tubing is pinched closed between the first and second ends so as to block flow of chlorine solution through the flexible tubing, and an open configuration whereby the chlorine solution is able to flow through the flexible tubing from the first end to the second end, the pinch valve normally being in the closed configuration, and means for causing the solenoid valve to pass from the normally closed configuration to the open configuration and for remaining in the open configuration for a predetermined period of time whereafter the solenoid pinch valve passes back to the normally closed configuration.

Description

` 21~29 ~T~RTNb~OR SYSTEM
Inventor: Robert Landry, BA~:~liKUUNU OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a chlorinator system, dispensing liquid chlorine into a swimming pool having a water circulation system; the system may be configured to run manually, semi-automatically or automatically.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various types of liquid chlorinators are used, but such apparatus have many disadv~ ges, such as: the use of metering pumps, which are expensive, expensive to maintain and install, and have a tendency to air-lock; the use of gravity feed tanks to supply chlorine into a pool, which are inconvenient, uneasy to fill, cumbersome and inaccurate due to the change in head pressure caused by the changing level of the chlorine in the tank; the use of solenoid valves used before or after the pool pump system also have the disadvantage of being expensive due to the inert material used in their design, since the chlorine solution is in direct contact with the solenoid valve inner body, and further, because of their low coefficient of flow rating, called Cv rating or ~e8~ULe drop and because of their flow path, the solenoid is susceptible to flow obstruction caused by dirt i~ 1 ation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a new and i ~,v~d automatic and semi-automatic liquid swimming pool chlorinator ~ ci~n~d for a pool having a water circulation system, capable of supplying liquid chlorine (e.g. a sodium hypochlorite solution) efficiently to the pool water, which is easy to operate, infitall and maintain, flexible, and furth~ ~ is reliable and safe.

Thus, the present invention generally provides a metering apparatus, for distributing an aqueous chlorine solution into swimming pool water, comprising a flexible tubing member for carrying a flow of said chlorine solution therethrough, said fl~yihle tubing member having a f irst end and a second end, a solenoid pinch valve having a closed configuration whereby said flexible tubing is pinched closed between said f irst and second ends so as to block flow Or chlorine solution through said flexible tubing, and an open conriguration whereby said chlorine solution is able to flow through said flexible tubing from said first end to said second end, said pinch valve normally being in said closed conf iguration, and means for causing said solenoid valve to pass rrom said normally closed configuration to said open configuration and for ~ - ;n~n~ in said open configuration for a prPApterm~ nP~l period of time wherearter said solenoid pinch valve passes back to said normally closed conf iguration .
The flow obstruction problem mentioned above may be avoided by the present invention due, for example, to the high Cv flow rating (full bore tubing), straight flow path design and soft tubing used in with pinch valve.
In accordance with the present invention the solenoid pinch valve may be configured such that the valve is in the normally 2~ 29 , ~' closed configuration while in an un-energized state. For example, in the un-energized state some type of (known) spring bias r --hAn i F'~ may urge a retractable pinching stem toward a rest pin member with sufficient rOrce 80 as to pinch off the flexible tube rli~ros~/l therebetween. In this case, on energization of the solenoid, the solenoid would overcome the bias spring and retract the pinching stem away from the tube 80 as to open the tube up for lis[uid flow; on de-energization of the solenoid the pinch valve would return to the normally closed state. If desired, a contrary system may be used, namely a system wherein the pinch valve will stay in the closed position as long as the solenoid valve is energized and pass to the open configuration on de-energization of the solenoid valve, a spring bias memher in this latter case urge a pinch stem away form the fleYible tube.
In accordance with the present invention, the metering apparatus may, if desired, include first connection means for connecting the first end of the fl~yihle tuhing to a reservoir for containing said chlorine solution and second connection means for connecting the second end of the flexible tuhing to a swimming pool water circulation pump at a suction side of said pump.
In accordance with the present invention if the apparatus is connected to the suction side of a pool water circulation pump, the suction action of the pump may be exploited to urge solution in the reservoir to pass into the pool water.
In accordance with the present invention the means for causing said solenoid valve to pass from said normally closed configuration to said open configuration and for L~ inin~ in said open configuration for a pr~det~rm~n~d period of time whereafter said solenoid " ~.
pinch valve passes back to said normally closed conf iguration, may simply comprise a manually operated switch. In the case where the solenoid valve needs to be energized in order to cause the valve to pass from a closed to open configuration, the closing of the switch may energize the solenoid valve and as long as the switch remains closed the valve will remain open. After the desired time period has passed the switch may then be manually opened to de-energise the solenoid valve causing it to revert to the closed conriguration and stopping flow Or solutlon therethrough.
Alternatively, in accordance with the present invention a timer means may be employed with a manual switch (e.g. a push-button switch), the switch being used to trigger the timer which in turn would energize the valve for some predetPrminPd time period arter which the timer would automatically de-energize the valve 50 as to close orf rlow Or the solution.
Accordingly, an apparatus of the present invention may if desired include timing means for causing the solenoid valve to remain in said open configuration for a predetp~ninpd period of time whereafter said solenoid pinch valve passes back to said normally closed conriguration.
If desired, in accordance with the present invention the timing means may include means for causing the solenoid valve to pass from the closed to the open configuration at one or more pr~cletPrmin~rl times. For example, the timing means may be configured 6uch that the addition of solution to pool water may be triggered every hour, solution addition being set to continue after triggering for a time period of 1 to 40 minutes. The timing means may of course be configured in any suitable (known) fashion so that the number of triggering times per day, per week etc. may be adjusted as desired;

21~2g similarly timing means may be conf igured such that the duration of solution addition after any triggering time may also be adjustable.
An automatic or semi-automatic chlorinator feed system of the present invention may be used for chlorinating a swimming pool from a liquid chlorine reservoir. The swimming pool may for eYample compri~;e a filtration and circulation system having a skimmer system with a water intake from the pool, a filter for receiving and filtering water intake and a pump for returning the filtered water to the pool. The chlorinator system of the present invention may utilize an adjustable asymmetrical recycler timing circuit consisting of a 3 stage frequency divider circuit which ~l~t/-rmin~l3 the chlorine in~ection cycle at a pre-detormin~ setting, an adjustable oscillator circuit which determine the amount of chlorine to be injected, , L~ i~ing of a manual ~U~ LuLLon for semi-automatic chlorination operation and status indication lights to indicate such condition as: system in operation and chlorination in ~ s. The said circuit energises a output device which in terms energise~ a normally closed pinch valve, thus allowing the chlorine, taken from a reservoir, to be sucked up by the vacuum created by the intake pool circulation pump.
An apparatus of the present invention may, for example, comprise an attractive anti- corrosion plastic weather resistant modular enclosure, equipped with hinged glass door with lockable latches, allowing quick access to the 3 0 chlorinator controls, such as, for example i) an ad~ustable dosage control knob, which can be used to determine the amount of chlorine to be injected; once this control is set it will determine the time during which energising of the (normally closed) pinch valve will persist 80 as to allow full bore opening of the 21~92g flexible tube, allowing the liquid chlorine to be injected from a chlorine cnnt~in~r to the pool water, via the inlet Or the pool pump system, ii) a manual chlorinating push-button switch for semi-automatic chlorination, which once pressed, configures the device to in~ ect the same amount previously set by the ad~ustable dosage control knob, thus making the chlorinator totally flexible and safe.
The chlorinator may for example be provided with two status in~icator lights to indicate such conditions as system in operation and chlorination in ~)L~Jy 2SS, permitting a s~uick diagnostic is a glance. The chlorinator may as desired also includes an easy to install fitting installed on the water line before the intake pool circulation pump ( i . e. on the suction side of the pump), a clear tubing installed between the said fitting and the chlorinator, and a clear tubing installed between the chlorinator and the reservoir, thus making the installation simple and fast.
In accordance with the present invention, the flexible tubing may be made of any suitable material keeping in mind its function and environment of use, i.e. keeping in mind for example, that it must be flexible so that it may be pinched shut and then be able to recover an open nn1'~gnration for fluid flow therethrough; also keeping in mind that the tube is to carry a chlorine liquid, i.e. it may be resistant to attack by the chlorine solution. In accordance with the present invention, the flexible (chlorination) tube may, for example, be a Linvatec product called C-Flex.
These and other advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description and drawing.

214~92~
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE nRDWTNr.~
The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description thereof when read in conjunction with the attached drawings, and wherein FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an eYample metering apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of an example timer electric circuit;
FIG. 3 is a frontal view showing the interior of a housing containing a flexible tube member and solenoid pinch valve of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view along 4-4 of the housing of figure 3;
FIG. 5 is a frontal view of the metering apparatus with front access door removed to expose the in~L- L panel;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a metering apparatus of the present invention connected to a liquid chlorine reservoir and a pool circulation pump;
FIG. 7A is a schematic L~Ies~.ll_ation of an example metering pump during a suction stroke;
FIG. 7B is a schematic ~ ,L~s~ llLation of an example metering pump during a discharge stroke;
FIG. 8A is schematic l~L-:s~ ation o~ a known type of solenoid valve showing the flow of fluid with no flow obstruction;
FIG. 8B is schematic I~L~sc~ ,ion of the solenoid valve of figure 8A showing flow obstruction.
FIG. 9A is exploded frontal schematic L~ s~:lll,ation of the pinch valve assembly.
FIG. 9B is exploded side view schematic representation showing the pinch valve assembly coupled to r ' ~n~
plate .

Re~erence will rir6t be made to figures 7A, 78, 8A and 8B.
As mentioned above the liquid chlorine solution may comprise water and sodium hypochlorite. It is in the nature of the sodium hypochlorite solution to release gases, thus causing the mentioned air-lock problem in with respect to metering pumps. In normal operation, the positive rl;~rl~ ~ metering pump performs the following task: Using oil 95a as hydraulic fluid, the plunger hydr;~ CA11Y moves a diaphragm alternately forward and backward. A ~ p~ from this diaphragm T ~, ~ in turn, takes in the liquid being pumped through a suction check valve on the suction stoke of the plunger and discharges a like amount of liquid through a discharge check valve on a forward or discharge stroke. However, as seen in figures 7A and 7B when is the presence of gas (i.e. gas bubbles 95) in the liquid chamber, the positive displa~- L
of the diaphragm will then ~ :~s~ the gas bubbles 95 and a no flow or impeded flow situation will eYist since the hydraulic ~es~-uLa is absorbed by the gas bubbles 95.
FIG. 8A shows a new solenoid valve with no flow oba~Lu~ion and FIG. 8B shows a used solenoid valve with solid sodium Hypochlorite deposit 96 on the inner surface of the solenoid body causing flow obstruction.
As mentioned above, because of their low Cv flow rating and complex flow path, a solenoid valve as shown in FIG. 8a and 8b will eventually flow ob~Ll-~;L due to formation of solid Sodium Hypochlorite deposit called " scaling " on the inner surface body of the solenoid valve. Therefore, the higher the restriction, the less flow of Sodium Hypochlorite will be injected into the pool, causing inaccurate chlorine dosage;
the chlorine flow may be very little if not absent, due to the low Cv flow rating and gas build-up in the solenoid. In some cases, this condition may be a~ L~Iv.lted due to the small ` 214~929 vacuum created by the pool pump, or ir the solution is gravity ~eed to the pool pump.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the apparatus circuitry.
The circuit includes a pulse shaper l receiving a 60Hz pulse 2 and outputting a 60Hz square wave signal to the frequency divider by 60 3 which outputs a 1 pulse/sec pulse to the frequency divider by 3600 4 which outputs a l pulse/hrs pulse to the 12 bit counter 5. The said 12 bit counter 5 provides a 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 or 24 hours pulse output, in cul.ju~u~ion with timing selector 6, to the P1U~L hle timer 7 which provides a pulse output to the output device 10 o~ a time duration of approximately 0 to 40 sec, ~l~r~-n~l;n~ of the adjustment of potentiometer 8, and can also be manually activated by the closing of bur~ll }/uL~on switch 9. The said output device 10 receives a 120Vac supply 13, thus outputting 120Vac to the pinch valve solenoid, allowing the opening of the ~lexible tubing 12, thus allowing chlorination. LED diode 14 receives the 1 pulse/sec signal from frequency divider by 60 3, thus emitting light every second, and light emitting LED 15 receives the 0 to 40 sec pulse signal ~rom frequency divider by 3600 4, thus emitting light for said chlorination period.
FIG. 2 illustrntes a detailed circuit schematic diagram of the apparatus. In this figure, AC power is supplied to the primary winding of transformer 19. A fuse 18 is in series with the primary winding of the transformer 19, thus protecting the circuit. A fuse 17, which one leg is also connected to the AC supply, supplies AC to relay 51, thus protecting relay circuit.
The sF~cf~nrl~ry winding of ~L~ fo 19 supplies the stepped down AC voltage to 20 and 21 diodes, which provides a full wave recti~ied output voltage regulated by regulator 24 in conjunction with its filtering capacitor 22 and 23, thus 214~g29 supplying the voltage VDD to the L~ ~ ndf-r of the circuit .
Transistor 30 i5 configured as a saturated transistor providing a 60Hz output pulse to pin 5 of 32 in conjunction with rectifier diode 25 which rectifies the 60Hz AC sine wave from transformer 19 s~cnn~l~ry winding, resistor 26 which limits the current to the base of transistor 30, resistor 27 and capacitor 28 are coupled forming an AC circuit shaping the square wave signal, diode 29 acting as clipping diode and resistor 31 which limits the current to the saturated transistor 30.
Device 32 is a RED60 rL_~ue~;y divider by 60, receiving the 60Hz square wave pulse from transistor collector 30, and producing a 1 pulse/sec output signal to the input of RED3600 rLe:~ue~ y divider by 3600 33 which produces a 1 pulse/hours output signal to the input of MC14040 12 bit binary counter 34. The said MC14040 12 bit binary counter 34 produces a 1, 2, 4 and 8 hour pul6e timing period at pin 9, 7, 6 and 5 respectively and by comoining output Q4 and Q5, pln 5 and 3 respectively, with MC14081 AND gate, 36 a 24 hour pulse is accomplished at output pin 4 of 36. The time period is selected by means of switch 44 and routed to OR gate 35 input pin 5, and to AND gate 36 input pin 2. A low state signal is also added to switch 44 at pin 6 and 7 for 0 timing period coupled with protection resistor 45. Output of OR gate 35 pin 4 goes high when receiving high ~;ignal from switch 44, which sends a high signal to master reset input pin 6, thu6 resetting and latching the internal counters of 37 . The pin 8 output of 37 goes high sending the high state signal to AND
gate 36 pin 1 input and since a high condition still exist at pin 2 input of 36, the output of pin 3 36 goes high sending a high state signal to pin 1 of OR gate which 35 sends a high signal to pin 11 of 12 bit counter 34, thus resetting 12 bit counter 34 output to a low state.
Timing _ ~ onts potentiometer 40, capacitor 39 and 35 resi6tor 38 are coupled to ~L~yL hle timer 37 to control 2~ 45929 , ~
the desired width output pulse of 37 in relationship with the adjustment of potentiometer 40. By momentarily closing the switch contact 43, coupled with RC circuit . --ed of resistor 41 and capacitor 42, a positive pulse is applied to pin 6 input of OR gate 35, thus re-triggering the timing period of 37.
When circuit is first energised, timer NE555 59, configured as a monostable one shot timer, provides an positive output pulse at pin 3 having a pulse width of typically 1 sec, controlled by timing - ~ resistor 61 and capacitor 60. ~he one shot pulse is then routed to pin 2 of frequency divider by 3600 33 and to pin 11 of 12 bit counter 34 via pin 2 input-output pin 3 of OR gate 35, c~n~ ntly r~f~ett i n~ the internal counter of frequency divider by 3600 33 and 12 bit binary counter 34.
~rwo LED indicators are present to enable the operation of the circuit to be monitored . LED 55 energises upon the switching of transistor 56 which occurs when the pin 1 output of frequency divider by 60 32 is high via current limiting resistor 57 in series with the base of transistor 56 and current limiting resistor 54 in series with LED 55, connected to VDD supply. LED 47 energises upon the switching of transistor 48 which occurs when the pin 8 output of ~r.,yL hle timer 37 is high, via current limiting resistor 46 in series with the base of 48 and current limiting resistor 49 in series with LED 47, connected to VDD supply. Relay 51 has a normally open contact associated with it and also energized by transistor 48 coupled with back emf protection diode 50 across coil of 51, connected to VDD. one side of relay contact 51 is connected to ruse 17, providing the hot AC
supply to pinch valve solenoid 53 coupled to emf protection capacitor 52. ~rhe other side o~ pinch valve solenoid 53 is connected to neutral AC supply of the primary winding of transformer 19, which upon closing of relay 51 contact, pinch valve solenoid 53 energises, thus allowing chlorination.

21~32~
In FIG. 3, a front and inside view of the chlorinator i5 shown with access door, front plate, printed circuit board assembly (containing timer circuit~ and AC cord not shown for the purpose of this drawing. In this figure, the normally closed pinch valve assembly i5 shown in an open configuration;
a closed configuration is shown in figure 1. The pinch valve assembly shown comprises a solenoid 63, spring 64, stem 65, retaining pin 66, and rest pin 69 screwed to mounting plate 72. The flexible (i.e. collArfiihle) chlorination tube 67 is coupled to hose barb fittings 71 on each end of the tube and secured with hose clamps 70; the tube 67 is configured such that it has a springy nature whereby it to may expand 80 as to be open to solution flow. An optional flexible protection tube 68 i8 6hown as covering the chlorination tube 67 and is also secured with hose clamps 70. The said protection tube 68 has two 0.125" opening oriented towards the bottom of the chlorinator enclosure, allowing the chlorine solution to exit enclosure via drain ventilator 76, if chlorinator tube 67 ~U~ULe:S as shown in FIG. 4. The chlorinator enclosure 62 is suitably formed by injection moulding from a suitable plastic material .
In FIG. 4, a cross-section side view of the chlorinator is shown. The printed circuit board assembly ~ ^nts however are not shown for the purpose of this illustration except for "control" - ^ntS ~ 1 nc~rl later in FIG. 5 description. In this figure, a side view of the pinch valve assy. is shown , as ~ i n~d in previous FIG. 3 description.
Fur~h-~ -Le illustrated, a side view of the front plate 73 and p.c.b. assy. 74, which are retained by screws 77 and supported by male/female threaded standoffs 75 are shown. A spacer 81 is also inserted between front plate 73 and p.c.b. assy. 74, allowing space for p.c.b. - ~ and proper alignment. As shown, solenoid 63 is held on mounting plate 72 threaded screws 78. A 3ide view of the LED magnifying lens 78, potentiometer knob 79 and injection push-button 80 is also 214a92 .~
ahown but i8 better viewed and explained in FIG. 5 description .
FIG. 5, illustrates the apparatus with the front access door removed, thus showing a better view of the controls and status indication lights with the following functions. The "adjustable dosage" control knob 79 is a variable control allowing setting of the precise amount of the sodium hypochlorite solutions to be injected every 1, 2, 4, 8 or 24 hours. Although the preferred and default setting is 24 hours. The control knob 79 is coupled to potenti~ r 40, as ; n~ in FIG . 2 description .
The manual injection ~u~ uLLon switch 80 allows an additional/semi-automatic chlorination period, which once pressed, injects the same amount previously set by control knob 80. The manual injection push-button switch is reference as 43 in FIG. 2. If desired, the chlorinator can be set for an semi-automatic operation only, simply by setting the chlorination cycle to zero hours, as mentioned in FIG. 2 description, and be manually activated by the "manual injection" push-button only.
A IED magnifying lens 78 shows a steady illuminated LED
when in chlorination period. The "chlorination in ~UyLe:d~
LED 47 is illustrated and explained in FIG. 2 description. A
LED magnifying lens 78 shows a i~ h ~ n~ LED showing that the chlorination system is in operation. The "system in operation" LED 55 is also illustrated and explained in FIG. 2 description. As illustrated, FIG. 6 refers to the typical installation of the chlorinator system using an above-ground pool for the purpose o~ this illustration.
In an example installation, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the chlorination system 87 is positioned adjacent to the pool pump system 93 near the chlorine container 85. As illustrated, one side of the tubing 86 is coupled to one side of the chlorinator system 87 fitting and inserted in the chlorine 2~4~2~
container 85 via the container cap 89 which i8 peLroLc.ted to accept the said tubing. Tubing 91 i8 coupled to a "by- pass"
fitting 94 which is inserted in the intake pool pump 93 line 92 of the pool 83/skimmer 84 via a 0 . 375" hole made in the line 92 and also coupled to the other side of chlorinator system 87 fitting. The said "by-pass" fitting used i8 a Hayward Product no. CL220G. In accordance with the example - ir - L, tubing 86 and 91 may be made of Sort clear PVC
with a inner diameter of 0 . 25" and in outer diameter of 0. 375" . The chlorinator system 87 can be mounted on a vertical surface via 4 mounting feet, one on each corner. As shown, the chlorinator system 87 requires a supply of 117Vac via power cord 90 at a frequency of 60Hz to operate, taken from a protected AC outlet 88. Upon receipt of AC power, the chlorinator system 87 will enter in a chlorination period mode, thus supplying sodium hypochlorite to the pool's water, and will re-chlorinate at the time cycle setting, preferably every 24 hours which will be the "factory" default setting.
Due to the hight Cv flow rating of the pinch valve as a whole, 2 0 a relatively high velocity of sodium hypochlorite will be rushed in the pool's water, thus ~ahorlr~n~ the pool's water, destroying the bacteria. Since a high velocity of chlorine is injected, injection time is kept to a minimum, thus eliminating abnormal corrosion to the pool's eq~7;, L.
Although corrosion is no longer a c~naiderable factor since new pool Pqlli, -nt are now made of plastic.
FIG. 9A is an exploded frontal schematic ~e~esellLation of the pinch valve, ~ ed of solenoid body 63 having a circular opening as shown in doted lines allowing solenoid plunger 63a to penetrate freely in solenoid body. Stem 65 is inserted in rec~n~l ~ opening of solenoid plunger 63a with plunger and stem pin holes aligned. ~Pt~ining pin 66 is then press fitted into solenoid plunger 63a aligned with equal space on each extremity of retaining pin, thus holding 6tem 65 in place.

2~ 29 Stem 65 i8 held in place firmly but can still pivot on retaining pin 66, thus ~ --~~-ting for any mi~ L of rest pin 69. Spring 64 rests on solenoid plunger 63a and i8 retained by solenoid body 63 and retaining pin 66.
Chlorinating tube 67 and protection tube 68 rests against stem 65 and rest pin 69 and is held in place by hose clamps 70 and hose barb fitting 71 on each side of the chlorinator as shown in FIG. 3. Since chlorinator tube 67 has exceptional tensile and tear ~L~lly~l the said tubing is cut a little shorter 80 it can stay straight on rest pin 69. The solenoid, -sed of solenoid body 63 and solenoid plunger 63a may be a Guardian product no. 3HDI. FIG. 9B is an exploded side view schematic representation showing the pinch valve assembly as shown in FIG. Aa coupled to mounting plate 34 which is bored allowing the mounting threaded screws 78 to be screwed in solenoid body 63. Rest pin 67 is threated and is screwed to threated mounting plate 34.

~ ~ 2~ 2~
Ref . No . C ~. 1 17 Fuse la 18 Fuse 1/8a 19 Transformer 16V C. T.
Diode lN4005 21 Diode lN4005 2 2 Capacitor 2 2 0uF, 3 5V
23 Capacitor 0. luF, 35V
24 Regulator 7812A
Diode lN4148 26 Resistor 12KOhm 27 Resistor 1. 2KOhm 28 Capacitor luF, 35V
29 Diode lN4148 Transistor 2N2222A
31 Resistor 30KOhm 32 I . C RED60 33 I.C RED3600 34 I.C MC14040B
I.C MC14071B
36 I.C NC14081B
37 I.C MC14541B
38 Resistor 10KOhm 39 Capacitor 0.47uF, 35V
Potentiometer 10KOhm 41 Resistor 390KOhm 42 Capacitor 0. 01uF, 35V
43 Switch N.O
44 Switch 6 positions Resistor 10KOhm 46 Resistor 1.2KOhm 47 L.E.D yellow 48 Transistor 2N2222A
49 Resistor 5600hm Diode lN4148 51 Relay 12VDC
52 Capacitor luF, 200V, N.P
53 Solenoid 120VAC
54 Resistor 5600hm L.E.D green 56 Transistor 2N2222A
57 Resistor 1. 2KOhm 58 Capacitor 0 . 01uF, 35V
59 I. C LM555 Capacitor luF, 35V
~ 61 Resistor lMOhm 17

Claims (5)

1. A metering apparatus, for distributing an aqueous chlorine solution into swimming pool water, comprising a flexible tubing member for carrying a flow of said chlorine solution therethrough, said flexible tubing member having a first end and a second end, a solenoid pinch valve having a closed configuration whereby said flexible tubing is pinched closed between said first and second ends so as to block flow of chlorine solution through said flexible tubing, and an open configuration whereby said chlorine solution is able to flow through said flexible tubing from said first end to said second end, said pinch valve normally being in said closed configuration, and means for causing said solenoid valve to pass from said normally closed configuration to said open configuration and for remaining in said open configuration for a predetermined period of time whereafter said solenoid pinch valve passes back to said normally closed configuration.

2. A metering apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes first connection means for connecting the first end of the flexible tubing to a reservoir for containing said chlorine solution and second connection means for connecting the second end of the flexible tubing to a swimming pool water circulation pump at a suction side of said pump.

3. A metering apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes timing means for causing said solenoid valve to remain in said open configuration for a predetermined period of time whereafter said solenoid pinch valve passes back to said normally closed configuration.

4. A metering apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said timing means includes means for causing said solenoid valve to pass from said closed to said open configuration at one or more predetermined times.

5. A metering apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said apparatus includes first connection means for connecting the first end of the flexible tubing to a reservoir for containing said chlorine solution and second connection means for connecting the second end of the flexible tubing to a pool water circulation pump at a suction side of said pump.