Pond filter and method for operating the pond filter

Abstract

Pond filter unit and a method for operating a pond filter unit (1). A control unit (12) controls the operation of the pond filter unit (1), including the cleaning cycle of the filter (2′, 2″, 2′″). The pond filter unit (1) further comprises one or more plugs (14) for connecting one or more auxiliary devices, such as a separate pump, one or more additional pond filter units, illumination devices/lamps, air pumps, and/or feed automats. The control unit (12) of the pond filter further controls the one or more auxiliary devices connected to the plugs (14), such as pumps, air pumps, automatic feeding devices based on input settings for each of the one or more auxiliary devices. The control unit (12) further controls the cleaning cycle for cleaning of the filter (2) in the vessel (3). The cleaning cycle comprises a sequence of backwash and/or a mechanical filter cleaning sequence where a filter cleaning motor unit (6) rotates the filter cleaning device (7) in the vessel. During backwash, the valve (8) directs the water to the waste water outlet (11). The filter unit allows to control the one or more auxiliary devices by the pond filter control unit (12), and to coordinate the control of the additional devices in relation to the control of the filter.

Claims

1. A fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit for pumping, circulating and purifying water, the pond biofilter unit comprising: a biofilter housed in a vessel and having a filter material on which a biofilm of microorganisms is grown, wherein the filter material in the pond biofilter unit comprises at least one or more blocks of flexible filter material, which is a polymeric open pored foam or a flexible block of fibrous filter material, at least one valve for controlling a water flow to and from the pond biofilter unit, a filter cleaning device for cleaning the filter material and/or for removal of surplus biofilm in the biofilter in the pond biofilter unit, an integrated control unit mounted on the vessel housing the biofilter and configured for controlling the operation of the pond biofilter unit, including a cleaning cycle of the biofilter, and one or more plugs mounted on the vessel housing the biofilter and to which one or more auxiliary devices are connectable, the one or more auxiliary devices selected from the group consisting of: one or more pumps, one or more additional pond filter units, one or more air pumps, one or more illumination units, and one or more feeder units for automated feeding of aquatic animals, wherein the integrated control unit further is configured to operate the one or more auxiliary devices based on input settings for each of the one or more auxiliary devices, and wherein the integrated control unit is configured to control each of the one or more auxiliary devices by controlling a power output in plug of the one or more plugs to which a respective auxiliary device is connected to the pond biofilter unit by turning on/off a power supply or varying an output electrical current or frequency to the plug of the one or more plugs.

2. The fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter cleaning device comprises a motorized cleaning device, wherein the filter material further comprises one or more compartments or drums with loose filter bodies, and wherein the motorized cleaning device comprises a rotatable longitudinal rod arranged in the periphery of the filter material, and wherein the rotatable rod presses against the outer surface of at least one of the one or more blocks of filter material and/or stirs the loose filter bodies inside the one or more compartments or drum.

3. The fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit according to claim 1, further comprising a UV lamp unit arranged to expose water that has flowed through the biofilter to ultraviolet radiation, and that the integrated control unit is configured to control the operation of the UV lamp unit according to at least one of input settings of duration of the ultraviolet radiation and intervals between activation of ultraviolet radiation or based on input from one or more sensors.

4. The fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit according to claim 1, wherein the integrated control unit is remote controllable by a remote control unit, by a wireless connection, selected from infrared, radio frequency, Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Long Range (LoRa), mobile phone network, local wired or WIFI network and a combination thereof.

5. The fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit according to claim 1, wherein a box with a number of identified plugs is connected to a particular plug on the pond biofilter unit and that the box is identified in the integrated control unit, wherein the box is configured to contain a plurality of plugs.

6. The fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit according to claim 1, wherein the input settings may be set on the integrated control unit by means of input devices, and wherein the integrated control unit comprises a display to display current settings for the pond biofilter unit and/or the one or more auxiliary devices.

7. A method for operating the fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit according to claim 1, comprising: controlling the operation of the pond biofilter unit, including the cleaning cycle of the biofilter.

8. The method for operating a fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit according to claim 7, wherein the one or more auxiliary devices includes the one or more pumps, wherein the cleaning cycle is carried out by the integrated control unit performing the following sequence: activating the at least one valve to direct an outlet flow from a recirculation outlet to a waste water outlet of the pond biofilter unit and redirect an inlet flow to backwash the filter material, activating a filter cleaning motor to rotate the filter cleaning device in the vessel for one or more predefined time intervals during the cleaning cycle, activating the one or more pumps for one or more predefined time intervals during the cleaning cycle to direct water to the waste water outlet, and terminating the cleaning cycle by activating the at least one valve to direct the outlet flow of the pond biofilter unit from the waste water outlet to the recirculation outlet.

9. The method for operating a fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit according to claim 7, wherein the integrated control unit further controls a UV lamp unit arranged to expose water that has flowed through the biofilter to ultraviolet radiation, based on input settings on at least one of the duration of the ultraviolet radiation and intervals between activation of the UV lamp unit.

10. The method for operating a fish and/or garden pond biofilter unit according to claim 7, wherein the integrated control unit is remote controllable by a remote control unit, by a wireless connection, selected from infrared, radio frequency, mobile phone network, Near Field Communication (NFC), Long Range (LoRa), Bluetooth, local wired or WIFI network and a combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following Figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an automated pond filter according to embodiments of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an automated pond filter according to embodiments of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the control unit and top part of the automated pond filter according to embodiments of the present invention; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a top view of the top part, including the control unit and of the automated pond filter according to embodiments of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an automated pond filter according to embodiments of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIGS. 1-4 show a pond filter unit 1 according to embodiments of the present invention.

(8) The pond filter 1 comprises a filter body 1. The filter body 2 in the pond filter unit comprises at least one or more blocks 2′, 2″, 2′″ of flexible filter material, such as polymeric open pored foam or a flexible block of fibrous filter material that are arranged in a vessel 3. The one or more filter blocks 2′, 2″, 2′″ comprises a central hole which is arranged on a central tube 4 that defines an outlet. In this way the one or more filter blocks 2, 2′, 2′″ are arranged to be rotatable in the vessel 3.

(9) The motorized cleaning unit 5 comprises a rotatable longitudinal rod 7 arranged in connection with the periphery of the filter material 2. The rotatable rod 7 presses against the outer surface of the one or more blocks of filter material 2. The rotatable rod has a profiled surface that causes a mechanical action against the outer surface of the filter blocks when the rod 7 is rotated by the motor unit 6. The profiled rod shown in FIG. 2 comprises radially extending wings 7′ that are acting against the surface of the filter 2. Referring now to FIG. 5, the biofilter unit may comprise loose filter bodies 21 as discussed above. In embodiments, the rotatable longitudinal rod 7 stirs the loose filter bodies 21 to clean surplus biofilm and/or particulate material.

(10) The motorized cleaning unit is controlled by means of control signals from the control unit 12.

(11) In addition, the pond filter motorized cleaner the pond filter is equipped to provide backflushing of the filter 2. The backflushing means comprises a 3-way valve 8 that directs a reversed flow of pond water to a sewer when exiting the pond filter during the cleaning cycle. The 3-way valve 8 is valve is actuated to change the valve seat position based on control signals from the pond filter control unit 12. The 3-way valve 8 is a motorized magnetically actuated valve.

(12) The pond filter unit 1 comprises a UV lamp unit 16 arranged in the central tube 4 to expose a water outlet flow to ultraviolet radiation. The control unit 12 is configured to control the operation of the UV lamp 16 according to input settings as described above.

(13) The pond filter control unit is remote controllable by means of a remote-control unit as described above. The remote control unit may provide control signals by means of a wired or a wireless connection to the pond filter control unit, by providing an on/off/dimming of the current supplied through the one or more plugs 14 as described further above, or alternatively by a 0-10 V control signal supplied through a wired connection or a wireless connection, e.g. WIFI network, the mobile phone network, internet and/or a combination thereof. The remote control unit may thus be a conventional separately produced remote control unit based on short range wireless connection, in particular infrared connections. The remote control unit comprises a control application or program installed on a stationary or portable computer, a tablet and/or a cell phone, in particular a smart phone.

(14) When the remote-control unit is a control application installed on a e.g. mobile phone, in particular a smart phone, it becomes possible to control the pond filter and/or the one or more auxiliary devices that are connected to the one or more plugs from a remote distance as described above.

(15) In operation of the pond filter unit, a control unit 12 controls the operation of the pond filter unit, including the cleaning cycle of the filter 2. The pond filter unit further comprises one or more plugs 14 for connecting the power and/or control means or control of one or more auxiliary devices (not shown) via plugs 15. The control unit 12 of the pond filter then controls the one or more auxiliary devices based on set or preset stored input settings for each of the one or more auxiliary devices.

(16) The pond filter control unit 12 is configured to activate/deactivate the cleaning cycle of the pond filter unit, i.e. the motor 6 of the motorized filter cleaning unit 5 and/or the 3 way valve 8, the UV lamp 16 and/or one or more auxiliary devices, either by automated activation/deactivation by the control unit 12 and/or when a manual input is made on the remote control unit or the control buttons 12a or a touch screen display 12b on the pond filter control unit. 12.

(17) The control unit 12 may have indicators for displaying status (e.g. filtration mode; that a cleaning cycle is running; UV lamp on/off etc. of the pond filter, e.g. a number of LED indicators. Alternatively, status information may be displayed on the touch screen display.

(18) The input means or input 12a on the control unit 12 or the touch screen control display on the pond filter control unit and/or the remote-control unit can also be used for changing the settings for the UV lamp as described above.

(19) It may also be possible to identify in the control unit 12 that a box (not shown) with a number of identified plugs (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5 or more separate plugs) is connected to a particular plug 14 or other on the pond filter unit 1 for allowing the control unit 12 to perform individual and/or groupwise control of each device connected to the respective plugs in the box.

(20) The filter cleaning cycle is carried out by the control unit performing at least the following sequence: Activate the at least one valve 8 means or valve to direct the outlet flow from a recirculation outlet 10 for filtered water to a waste water outlet 11 of the pond filter unit 1 and optionally simultaneously reverse the flow through the filter 2 to provide for backflush of the filter. Then the filter cleaning motor unit 6 is activated to rotate the filter cleaning rod member 7 in the vessel 3.

(21) The pumping means or pump (not shown) is activated for one or more predefined time intervals, e.g. 30 seconds for every 2 minutes, during the cleaning cycle to direct water to the waste water outlet 11. This may also provide a backflushing of the filter 2.

(22) The cleaning cycle is terminated by activating the at least one valve means or valve 8 to direct the outlet flow of the pond filter unit from the waste water outlet 11 to the recirculation outlet 10. This will most often also mean that the pumping direction of the pump is reversed from the backflush direction to the filtering direction.

(23) The method for operating a pond filter also comprises that the control unit 12 controls each of the one or more auxiliary devices. This allows that the control of the one or more auxiliary devices, e.g. external pumps, is to be coordinated with the control of the pond filter. For example, it also becomes possible to ensure that an automatic feeding device is not dispensing feed into the pond during a filter cleaning cycle as mentioned above.

(24) The control of the one or more auxiliary devices are in one variant performed by controlling the power output in the plug 14 to which the additional device is connected to the pond filter 1. By turning on/off the power supply or varying the output current to the relevant plug 14, thus providing the simple and effective control of e.g. a light unit used near or in the pond, an automatic feeding device or an air pump to be activated by a simple on/off control of the current supplied to the device through the plug 14 on the pond filter unit 1 to which the device is connected. Similarly, the effect of the auxiliary device can be easily adjusted by between a predefined minimum and maximum by adjusting, i.e., increasing or lowering the current supplied to the auxiliary device through the relevant plug 1 on the pond filter 1. Alternatively, the control of the one or more auxiliary devices is obtained by providing a control signal to the one or more additional device by a wired connection, such as a low voltage control, e.g. 0-10 V control signal.

(25) The frequency and/or duration of the cleaning cycle, the UV radiation and/or the operation of the one the control unit of the one or more auxiliary devices can easily be adjusted on a remote-control unit, as described above.

(26) The method for operating a pond filter unit 1 comprises that the control unit 12 further controls the UV lamp unit 16 arranged to expose a water flow through the filter unit 1 based on input settings such as the of duration of the ultraviolet radiation and/or intervals between activation of UV lamp 16.

(27) The control regime of the UV lamp 16 may depend on whether or not a cleaning cycle is activated, the season, the temperature and similar parameters that were already described above.

(28) Sensors may be applied to provide input to the control unit as already explained above.

(29) The special function and design make the pond filter unit 1 ideal for garden ponds, fountains, aquaculture ponds, aquaria, reservoirs and other aquatic applications.

(30) In the simplest version of the filter unit, the control unit 12 is provided without remote control means or remote control. In this variant, the control unit is controlled by means of preset settings and/or settings that are input to the control unit via the buttons 11a or a touch screen display 12b.

(31) This will conduct the following cleaning process: Optional pump switch off or reversing pumping direction, change position of the 3-way valve 8 to redirect flow from the recirculation outlet 10 for filtered water to the waste water outlet 11. Starting rotation of the filter cleaning rod 7 for cleaning of filter foam plates 2, 2″ etc., Optional pump switch on (if off) for backwashing, in reversed flow mode. Optionally a Combined rotation of the rod 7 filter cleaner 5 and backwash sequence may be performed together or in sequence. This sequence is defined by a setting for a timer. The cleaning sequence is ended by changing the position of the 3-way valve 8 to redirecting the water from waste water outlet 11 the recirculation outlet 10. In addition, the water flow through the filter unit is reversed from backflushing direction to filtering direction. This procedure can also be applied in the remote controllable variant.

(32) Further the backwash sequence of the cleaning sequence may comprise a possibility for providing settings that identify a programmed scheduled water change at certain intervals by guiding a certain amount of water to the waste water outlet 11 while a similar amount of water is supplied to the pond from another source, e.g. common tap water supply. This regular renewal of water is especially important for particularly polluted environments/ponds with heavy feeding causing waste—like aquaculture or other heavily stocked ponds, or during periods with heavy rain—in the latter case to avoid flooding of the pond.

(33) Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

(34) For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements. The mention of a “unit” or a “module” does not preclude the use of more than one unit or module.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(35) 1. Pond filter 2. Filter 3. Vessel 4. Central tube 5. Motorized filter cleaning unit 6. Motor 7. Longitudinal rod. 8. Valve 9. Water inlet 10. Filtered water outlet 11. Cleaning cycle water outlet 12. Control unit a. Display panel b. Input buttons 13. Power supply 14. Outlet plug for auxiliary device 15. Male plug for auxiliary device 16. UV lamp unit