MODULAR SALT CHLORINE GENERATOR

Abstract

An electrode blade carrier for a salt chlorine generator is provided. The electrode blade carrier includes a first carrier member and a second carrier member. The first carrier member and the second carrier member are detachably couplable. The first carrier member and the second carrier member are couplable in a first orientation to define a first receiving cavity for retaining a first electrode blade pack. The first carrier member and the second carrier member are couplable in a second orientation to define a second receiving cavity for retaining a second electrode blade pack. The first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity are different sizes.

Claims

1. An electrode blade carrier for a salt chlorine generator, the electrode blade carrier comprising: a first carrier member; and a second carrier member, wherein the first carrier member and the second carrier member are detachably couplable, the first carrier member and the second carrier member are couplable in a first orientation to define a first receiving cavity for retaining a first electrode blade pack, the first carrier member and the second carrier member are couplable in a second orientation to define a second receiving cavity for retaining a second electrode blade pack, and the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity are different sizes.

2. The electrode blade carrier of claim 1, wherein the first carrier member comprises a first base and the second carrier member comprises a second base, the first base defining a first end of the electrode blade carrier and the second base defining a second end of the electrode blade carrier, and wherein the first end defines an inlet aperture and the second end defines an outlet aperture.

3. The electrode blade carrier of claim 2, wherein the first base defines a first front side and a first rear side and the second base defines a second front side and a second rear side, each of the first front side, the first rear side, the second front side, and the second rear side includes a pair of arms, and the pair of arms on the first front side and the second front side are engageable with one another and the pair of arms on the first rear side and the second rear side are engageable with one another to selectively retain the first electrode blade pack or the second electrode blade pack.

4. The electrode blade carrier of claim 3, wherein the pair of arms on the first front side and the pair of arms on the second front side are engageable with a snap fit, and the pair of arms on the first rear side and the pair of arms on the second rear side are engageable with a snap fit.

5. The electrode blade carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a third carrier member; and a fourth carrier member, wherein the first carrier member and the second carrier member are spaced apart and substantially parallel, the first carrier member defines an inlet end and the second carrier member defines an outlet end, the third carrier member and the fourth carrier member are spaced apart and substantially parallel, the first carrier member is coupled to the third carrier member and the fourth carrier member at the inlet end, and the second carrier member is coupled to the third carrier member and the fourth carrier member at the outlet end.

6. The electrode blade carrier of claim 5, wherein both the third carrier member and the fourth carrier member comprise a plurality of corresponding slots, and wherein the first carrier member and the second carrier member are received in corresponding slots of the third carrier member and the fourth carrier member.

7. A salt chlorine generator, comprising: a salt cell body; a control unit; a sensor module; and an electrode blade carrier having a first carrier member and a second carrier member, wherein the first carrier member and the second carrier member are couplable in a first orientation to define a first receiving cavity for retaining a first electrode blade pack, the first carrier member and the second carrier member are couplable in a second orientation to define a second receiving cavity for retaining a second electrode blade pack, and the first electrode blade pack and the second electrode blade pack are different sizes.

8. The salt chlorine generator of claim 7, wherein the electrode blade carrier further comprises: a third carrier member; and a fourth carrier member, wherein the first carrier member and the second carrier member are spaced apart, the third carrier member and the fourth carrier member are spaced apart, the first carrier member is coupled to the third carrier member and the fourth carrier member, and the second carrier member is coupled to the third carrier member and the fourth carrier member.

9. The salt chlorine generator of claim 8, wherein the third carrier member comprises a first slot and a second slot, the fourth carrier member comprises a third slot and a fourth slot, the first carrier member is received into the first slot and the third slot, and the second carrier member is received into the second slot and the fourth slot.

10. The salt chlorine generator of claim 7, wherein the sensor module is coupled to a cavity on the salt cell body.

11. The salt chlorine generator of claim 10, wherein the sensor module further comprises: a temperature sensor for measuring a fluid temperature within the salt cell body; a flow switch for measuring a fluid flow within the salt cell body; and a conductivity sensor for measuring a fluid conductivity within the salt cell body.

12. The salt chlorine generator of claim 11, wherein the first electrode blade pack and the second electrode blade pack each include at least one electrical terminal, and wherein the control unit is in communication with the sensor module and one of the first electrode blade pack or the second electrode blade pack.

13. The salt chlorine generator of claim 12, wherein the at least one electrical terminal is arranged colinearly with an electrode blade of one of the first electrode blade pack or the second electrode blade pack.

14. The salt chlorine generator of claim 12, wherein the at least one electrical terminal extends outwardly at approximately 90 from an electrode blade of one of the first electrode blade pack or the second electrode blade pack.

15. The salt chlorine generator of claim 12, wherein the control unit includes a user interface for receiving one or more user inputs from a user.

16. A modular salt chlorine generator, comprising: a salt cell body defining an interior cavity and having a top opening; an electrode blade carrier mounted within the interior cavity; a control unit including a housing defining a slot for receiving a retention clip; and a sensor module having an upper portion and a lower portion, the sensor module coupled to the top opening such that one or more sensors on the lower portion are positioned within the interior cavity, wherein insertion of the retention clip through the slot facilitates selective coupling of the salt cell body, the control unit, and the sensor module.

17. The modular salt chlorine generator of claim 16, wherein the salt cell body comprises a pair of eyelets, and the retention clip is insertable into the pair of eyelets.

18. The modular salt chlorine generator of claim 16, wherein the sensor module is sealably mounted to the top opening such that a watertight seal is formed between the sensor module and the salt cell body.

19. The modular salt chlorine generator of claim 16, wherein the interior cavity includes one or more ribs, and the electrode blade carrier engages the one or more ribs to maintain a fixed position within the interior cavity.

20. The modular salt chlorine generator of claim 16, wherein one or both of the control unit or the sensor module are removable from the modular salt chlorine generator without removing the electrode blade carrier.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a modular salt chlorine generator;

[0026] FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 1A;

[0027] FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 1A with a control unit removed;

[0028] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A of the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 1A;

[0029] FIG. 3A is an exploded view of an electrode blade carrier of the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 1A;

[0030] FIG. 3B is an isometric view of a first part of the electrode blade carrier of FIG. 3A;

[0031] FIG. 3C is an isometric view of a third part of the electrode blade carrier of FIG. 3A;

[0032] FIG. 3D is an isometric view of a second part of the electrode blade carrier of FIG. 3A;

[0033] FIG. 3E is an isometric view of a fourth part of the electrode blade carrier of FIG. 3A;

[0034] FIG. 3F is an isometric view of the electrode blade carrier of FIG. 3A assembled in a first position;

[0035] FIG. 3G is an isometric view of the electrode blade carrier of FIG. 3A assembled in a second position;

[0036] FIG. 3H is an isometric view of the electrode blade carrier of FIG. 3E, with an electrode blade pack therein having a plurality of electrical terminals;

[0037] FIG. 3I is an isometric view of the electrode blade carrier of FIG. 3A in a fully expanded position;

[0038] FIG. 4A is an isometric view of an alternative blade carrier that can be installed into the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 1A;

[0039] FIG. 4B is a partial isometric view of the electrode blade pack of FIG. 3H;

[0040] FIG. 5A is a bottom isometric view of a sensor module of the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 1A;

[0041] FIG. 5B is a top isometric view of the sensor module of FIG. 5A;

[0042] FIG. 5C is a partial cross-sectional view of the sensor module of FIG. 5A;

[0043] FIG. 5D is a partial cut away view of the modular salt chlorine generator with a paddle of the sensor module of FIG. 5A in a first position;

[0044] FIG. 5E is a partial cut away view of the modular salt chlorine generator with the paddle of the sensor module of FIG. 5A in a second (e.g., rest/home) position;

[0045] FIG. 5F is an isometric view of an electrode of a conductivity sensor of the sensor module of FIG. 5A;

[0046] FIG. 5G is an isometric view of a shroud of the sensor module of FIG. 5A for retaining at least one electrode;

[0047] FIG. 6A is an isometric view of a first part of the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 1A having one or more ribs therein for retaining the electrode blade carrier of FIG. 3A;

[0048] FIG. 6B is an isometric view of a second part of the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 1A having one or more ribs therein for retaining the blade carrier of FIG. 3A;

[0049] FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 1A;

[0050] FIG. 7A is an isometric view of an alternative configuration of a modular salt chlorine generator; and

[0051] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7B-7B of FIG. 7A of the modular salt chlorine generator of FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms mounted, connected, supported, and coupled and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, connected and coupled are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0053] The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the disclosure. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the disclosure. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the disclosure. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the disclosure.

[0054] A modular salt chlorine generator to generate chlorine according to an embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. The modular salt chlorine generator 100 can include a salt cell body 102 for retaining a plurality of electrode blades 108 therein, and a sensor module 110 coupled to the salt cell body 102. The plurality of electrode blades 108 can be referred to, in some embodiments, as an electrode blade pack. The electrode blades can comprise matched sets of anode and cathode blades/plates comprising suitable materials for providing an electrical current sufficient for electrolysis whereby chlorine can be separated from a sodium molecule to provide chlorination. Also, a control unit 104 can be removably coupled to and in electronic communication with the salt cell body 102 and/or the sensor module 110. The salt chlorine generator 100 can be designed to be installed in line with an existing plumbing system (not shown), such as piping of a pool or spa system, to supply a fluid (e.g., water) to the salt chlorine generator 100. The salt chlorine generator 100 is designed to use electrolysis to produce chlorine gas or its dissolved forms, such as hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite. Generally, the control unit 104 and sensor module 110 work in conjunction with the electrode blade pack 108 such that the electrical current is supplied to the individual electrode blades/plates to facilitate electrolysis, thereby chlorinating the fluid. The general process of electrolytic chlorination in this fashion is well known in the art.

[0055] Turning to FIGS. 1B, 2A, and 2B, the modular salt chlorine generator 100 can include the salt cell body 102, which can be provided in the form of a first body member 102A defining an inlet end and a second body member 102B defining an outlet end. The salt cell body 102 defines an interior cavity 107 for receiving an electrode blade carrier 106 that retains the electrode blade pack 108 designed to produce chlorine. The salt chlorine generator 100 can also include the sensor module 110 designed to measure a number of characteristics, discussed herein, of the salt chlorine generator 100 and electronically communicate the measurements to the control unit 104 and/or a network 105. Also, the salt chlorine generator 100 can include a retention or an engagement clip 112 designed to facilitate coupling the sensor module 110, the control unit 104, and/or the salt cell body 102 together.

[0056] The salt cell body 102 is provided with an interior surface 109A and an exterior surface 109B. The interior surface 109A refers to a surface of the salt cell body 102 that is internal and encloses (e.g., forms the interior cavity 107) or accommodates the electrode blade carrier 106 having the electrode blade pack 108. The exterior surface 109B refers to a surface of the salt cell body 102 that is exposed to the environment or surroundings. The exterior surface 109B can define the external aesthetics and/or the design of the salt cell body 102, for example, by illustrating a direction of flow through the salt cell body 102. A bottom side 111 of the salt cell body 102 can touch the ground or platform on which modular salt chlorine generator 100 is installed.

[0057] The first body member 102A and/or the second body member 102B of the salt cell body 102 can be (e.g., removably) coupled together to form the interior cavity 107 therein. The interior cavity 107 is sized and shaped to retain the electrode blade pack 108 and/or the electrode blade carrier 106. In one instance, the first body member 102A is a left-side part of the salt cell body 102, and the second body member 102B is a right-side part of the salt cell body 102. The first body member 102A is coupled to the second body member 102B of the salt cell body 102 with at least one coupling mechanism, such as fasteners, nuts and bolts, adhesive, a combination thereof, and/or another suitable coupling mechanism. In one instance, each of the first body member 102A and the second body member 102B has a flange 113A/113B with an opening therein. Each flange 113A/113B is designed to be detachably connected to one or more pipes (not shown) of the existing plumbing system. Additionally, each flange 113A/113B can include threading around the outside of the flange 113A/113B to facilitate engagement with the plumbing system and to allow fluid to enter the salt chlorine generator 100 through the flange 113A/113B. For example, flange 113A of the first body member 102A acts as an inlet for the salt cell body 102, allowing the fluid to flow into the interior cavity 107, through the blade back 108, and then exit the salt cell body 102 through the flange 113B of the second body member 102B, which acts as an outlet of the salt cell body 102. Moreover, the first body member 102A can include an opening 114 sized and shaped to receive the sensor module 110.

[0058] An upper portion 115 of the sensor module 110 can be coupled to the top side of the first body member 102A of the salt cell body 102, and a lower portion 116 of the sensor module 110 can extend through the opening 114 into the first body member 102A of the salt cell body 102. Accordingly, the lower portion 116 of the sensor module 110 is positioned within the interior cavity 107 of the first body member 102A of the salt cell body 102. Continuing with FIG. 2B, one or more electrical (e.g., blind mate) connectors 206 facilitate an electrical connection between the control unit 104 and the sensor module 110 and the electrode blade pack 108.

[0059] The sensor module 110 is coupled to and inserted into the interior cavity 107 of the salt cell body 102 with a seal (e.g., an O-ring) therebetween. Further, a plurality of (e.g., threaded) fasteners can couple the sensor module 110 to the salt cell body 102 and compress the seal to create a watertight seal. In some instances, the plurality of threaded fasteners can be provided in the form of a stainless steel.

[0060] The sensor module 110 also is compact and modular and includes a plurality of sensors (e.g., a flow switch paddle, a temperature sensor, a conductivity sensor, and/or other electronic circuitry, discussed herein) in one place (e.g., inside the sensor module 110). When service is to be performed (e.g., repair, replacement, and/or maintenance) for the sensor module 110, the sensor module 110 can be detached from the modular salt chlorine generator 100 by removing the fasteners.

[0061] Further, a housing 118 of the control unit 104 can be removably coupled to, or integrally formed with, the top side of the salt cell body 102 such that the control unit 104 may not be in line with the salt cell body 102. The position of the control unit 104 improves access to and serviceability of the control unit 104 because the control unit 104 is separate from the electrode blade pack 108, which allows the control unit 104 and/or the electrode blade pack 108 to be serviced independently, lessening the chance of damage. In some forms, the sensor module 110 and the control unit 104 are removed from the salt cell body 102 independently from the electrode blade carrier 106 for ease of maintenance.

[0062] In one instance, the control unit 104 can include a user interface 120 on the top side of the housing 118. The user interface 120 can comprise a touchscreen, buttons, switches and combinations thereof for allowing a user to control and/or program the operation of the salt chorine generator 100. Further, the control unit 104 can be provided in a size and shape designed to house at least a portion of the sensor module 110 therein. Additionally, the housing 118 of the control unit 104 can include a slot 122 for the retention clip 112.

[0063] Continuing with FIG. 1A, the salt chlorine generator 100 can also include an optional network 105. The control unit 104 may be communicatively coupled to the salt chlorine generator 100 to control, receive, and/or store data from the salt chlorine generator 100. For example, the control unit 104 may be in wireless communication or wired communication with a remote device, server, or database via the network 105 to directly or indirectly communicate and/or operate one or more components of the salt chlorine generator 100.

[0064] Specifically, the control unit 104 may intelligently manage and/or measure the fluid flowing through the salt chlorine generator 100. The control unit 104 can be provided in the form of a data-processing device configured to transmit and receive data from the salt chlorine generator 100. For example, the control unit 104 may receive information at a receiver (not shown). A processor (not shown) included in the control unit 104 may analyze the received data and determine instructions to be sent back to the salt chlorine generator 100. A transmitter (not shown) of the control unit 104 may send the instructions from the processor to one or more components of the salt chlorine generator 100. The control unit 104 can further include a memory (not shown). The memory can be configured to store data received from the salt chlorine generator 100. The memory can be implemented as a stand-alone memory unit and/or as part of a processor included in the control unit 104. Further, in one non-limiting embodiment, the network 105 may be coupled to the memory, which may include program instructions that are stored in the memory and executable by the processor to perform one or more of the methods described herein.

[0065] The network 105 can be provided in the form of a network interface, a local network, or another communication connection and is not limited to the plurality of communication connections. One skilled in the art will recognize that a communication connection can transmit and receive data using a plurality of communication protocols, including but not limited to wired, wireless, Bluetooth, cellular, satellite, GPS, RS-485, RF, MODBUS, CAN, CANBUS, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Ethernet TCP/IP, RS-232, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Firewire, Thread, proprietary protocol(s), or other communication protocol(s) as applicable. In some embodiments, the network 105 is located proximate to one or more components of the salt chlorine generator 100. The network 105 can include the Internet, intranets, extranets, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wired networks, wireless networks, cloud networks, or other suitable networks, or any combination of two or more networks, Ethernet networks, and other types of networks. The network 105 may be configured to communicate directly or indirectly with the salt chlorine generator 100 and/or a remote user device (not shown), such as a mobile phone having an application or a display.

[0066] Continuing with FIG. 2A, the modular salt chlorine generator 100 is shown with the control unit 104 removed for clarity. The sensor module 110 is removably coupled to the salt cell body 102 with one or more fasteners 202. A lower portion 116 of the sensor module 110 is inserted (e.g., through the top opening 114 in the first body member 102A) into the interior cavity 107 of the salt cell body 102 and can be sealed using a gasket, such as an O-ring. The fasteners 202 can compress the gasket to create a watertight seal.

[0067] Also shown in FIGS. 1B, 2A, and 2B, the retention clip 112 also facilitates removably coupling at least one of the salt cell body 102, the control unit 104, and/or the sensor module 110 together. In one instance, the retention clip 112 is provided in a U-shape 124 having at least three sides. The retention clip 112 can be provided in the form of any polymer or plastic (e.g., Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The retention clip 112 can snap in and out of place for insertion and removal without additional tools, and can flex, similar to a spring, during insertion and/or removal. In one instance, the retention clip 112 is inserted through the slot 122 of the control unit 104, is further inserted through a pair of eyelets 124A, 124B within a flange 126 of the salt cell body 102, and engages the sensor module 110. The retention clip 112 is designed to retain the bottom side of the control unit 104 in place on the top side of the salt cell body 102 and is further designed to maintain the electrical connections/contacts between the control unit 104 and the salt cell body 102, which in turn facilitates maintaining contact between the sensor module 110 and the control unit 104. In one instance, the retention clip 112 engages the bottom side of the control unit 104 with the external/exterior surface of the top side of the salt cell body 102.

[0068] When the retention clip 112 and/or one or more fasteners 202 are removed from at least one of the salt cell body 102, the control unit 104, and/or the sensor module 110, the control unit 104 can be removed or decoupled from the salt cell body 102, which improves the access to the control unit 104 to remove, replace, service, or repair the control unit 104 and/or components of the control unit 104.

[0069] Referring now to FIG. 3A, the electrode blade carrier 106 of the modular salt chlorine generator 100 is designed to retain the electrode blade pack 108 therein. The electrode blade carrier 106 can be provided in the form of a plurality of components or sides designed to removably couple to one another. In one instance, the electrode blade carrier 106 has at least four parts or sides that form a rectangular shape when coupled together. In other instances, the electrode blade carrier 106 can form any other suitable shape for retaining the electrode blade pack 108. The plurality of components can include a first carrier member 302 and a third carrier member 304 that can be positioned at an angle (e.g., substantially perpendicular) with respect to the first carrier member 302. The plurality of components further can include a second carrier member 306 substantially parallel to and spaced a distance from the first carrier member 302, and the second carrier member 306 can be positioned at an angle (e.g., substantially perpendicular) with respect to the third carrier member 304. Additionally, the plurality of components can include a fourth carrier member 308 substantially parallel to and spaced a distance from the third carrier member 304, and the fourth carrier member 308 can be positioned at an angle (e.g., substantially perpendicular) with respect to at least one of the first carrier member 302 and the second carrier member 306. In one instance, the first carrier member 302 and the second carrier member 306 can be provided in substantially the same shape (e.g., rectangular or square) and/or substantially the same size. Similarly, in one instance, the third carrier member 304 and the fourth carrier member 308 can be provided in substantially the same shape and substantially the same size. In other instances, each carrier member 302, 304, 306, and/or 308 can be provided with the same and/or different shapes and sizes. Each carrier member 302, 304, 306, 308 can be arranged in varying positions to accommodate varying sizes of the electrode blade pack 108. In one instance, each carrier member 302, 304, 306, 308 is positioned in a first position or a second position (shown in FIGS. 3F and 3G).

[0070] In one instance, the electrode blade carrier 106 is provided in the form of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material. In other instances, the electrode blade carrier 106 can be another suitable material or combination of materials. It is to be understood that the electrode blade carrier 106 can be formed of a water resistant material.

[0071] Turning to FIGS. 3B and 3C, the first carrier member 302 and second carrier member 306 can be provided in substantially the same shape. For example, each of the first carrier member 302 and second carrier member 306 can have at least two surfaces, a first surface 309A and an opposing second surface 309B. In one instance, each of the first surface 309A and the second surface 309B has four corners 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D, and four edges or sides 312A, 312B, 312C, 312D extending between the corners 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D. In one instance, the first surface 309A may be an exterior or external or outside surface, and the second surface 309B may be an interior or internal or inside surface.

[0072] Continuing with FIGS. 3B and 3C, each of the first carrier member 302 and/or the second carrier member 306 can have a plurality of slots imparted therein, such as a first slot 314A, a second slot 314B, a third slot 314C, a fourth slot 314D, a fifth slot 314E, a sixth slot 314F, a seventh slot 314G, and an eighth slot 314H. In one instance, slots 314A, 314B, 314E, and/or 314F corresponds to corners 310A, 310B, 310C, and/or 310D. Additionally, each carrier member 302 and/or 306 can include one or more tabs, such as six tabs 316A, 316B, 316C, 316D, 316E, and/or 316F. Each tab 316A, 316B, 316C, 316D, 316E, and/or 316F is designed to extend outwardly from at least one or more of the edges 312A, 312B, 312C, and/or 312D and is designed to engage other tabs (discussed herein) of other parts, such as the third carrier member 304 and/or the fourth carrier member 308.

[0073] Similarly, and turning to FIGS. 3D and 3E, each of the third carrier member 304 and/or the fourth carrier member 308 can be provided in substantially the same shape. In some forms, the third carrier member 304 and/or the fourth carrier member 308 are provided in different shapes. In one instance, the third carrier member 304 and the fourth carrier member 308 each have a first surface 318A and a second surface 318B. Both the third carrier member 304 and the fourth carrier member 308 can have two or more slots 320A and 320B and a plurality of tabs 322A, 322B, 322C, 322D, 322E, 322F, 322G, 322H, 322I, 322J, 322K, 322L, 322M, 322N, 322O and 322P, such that the slots and the tabs are designed to facilitate coupling one or more parts 302, 304, 306, and/or 308 together. The third carrier member 304 and fourth carrier member 308 can also define a plurality of channels such as a first channel 324A, a second channel 324B and a third channel 324C.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 3F and 3G, the second carrier member 306 can be coupled to the third carrier member 304 and the fourth carrier member 308 by aligning and coupling the corresponding tabs and slots. For instance, the second carrier member 306 is coupled to side 312C of the third carrier member 304 by inserting tabs 322A, 322B, 322C and 322D through the slots 314E, 314D, 314C and 314B, respectively. Similarly, the fourth carrier member 308 is coupled to side 312A of the second carrier member 306 by inserting tabs 322A, 322B, 322C and 322D through the slots 314F, 314G, 314H and 314A respectively.

[0075] Turning to FIG. 3F, the electrode blade carrier 106 of the modular salt chlorine generator 100 is in a first configuration/size 106A forming a first receiving cavity 311A. Specifically, the first carrier member 302 is positioned with respect to the third carrier member 304 and fourth carrier member 308 such that the first surface 312 resides in slot 320A of the third carrier member 304 and the fourth carrier member 308. The first carrier member 302 is retained in the first configuration 106A by coupling tabs 322I/322J and tabs 322M/322N of the fourth carrier member 308 with slot 314A and slot 314F of the first part 301 while at the same time coupling tabs 322I/322J and tabs 322M/322N of the third carrier member 304 with slot 314B and 314E of the first carrier member 302. By coupling the associated tabs and slots of first carrier member 302 and second carrier member 306 with tabs and slots on the third carrier member 304 and fourth carrier member 308, the electrode blade carrier 106 of the modular salt chlorine generator 100 is placed in the first configuration 106A. The salt chlorine generator 100 in the first configuration 106A (shown in FIG. 3F) is designed to accommodate a first blade pack of a first size.

[0076] In a similar manner, and as shown in FIG. 3G, the associated tabs of first carrier member 302 and second carrier member 306 can be coupled to with the tabs and slots on the third carrier member 304 and fourth carrier member 308 such that the electrode blade carrier 106 of the modular salt chlorine generator 100 is assembled to a second configuration/size 106B so as to have a second receiving cavity 311B to accommodate a second blade pack of a second size. In the second configuration 106B, the third carrier member 304 and fourth carrier member 308 are coupled to the second carrier member 306 in the same fashion as previously described with respect to the first position 106A.

[0077] Indeed, the difference between the first configuration 106A and the second configuration 106B is the coupling interaction of the first carrier member 302 with the third carrier member 304 and fourth carrier member 308. Turning to FIG. 3G, the first carrier member 302 is positioned with respect to the third carrier member 304 and fourth carrier member 308 such that the first surface 312 resides in slot 320B of the third carrier member 304 and the fourth carrier member 308. The first carrier member 302 is retained in the second configuration 106B by coupling tabs 322I/322J and tabs 322M/322N of the fourth carrier member 308 with slot 314A and slot 314F of the first part 301 while at the same time coupling tabs 322I/322J and tabs 322M/322N of the third carrier member 304 with slot 314B and 314E of the first carrier member 302.

[0078] By coupling the associated slots and tabs of first carrier member 302 and second carrier member 306 with the slot and tabs of the third carrier member 304 and fourth carrier member 308, the electrode blade carrier 106 of the modular salt chlorine generator 100 is placed in the second configuration 106B. The salt chlorine generator 100 in the second configuration 106B is designed to accommodate a second blade pack of a second size. The first size, associated with the first configuration 106A, is different from the second size. In one instance, the second blade pack is smaller than the first blade pack. Also, in one instance, as shown in FIG. 3G, when the electrode blade carrier 106 is in the second position, the third and fourth carrier members 304/308 are substantially perpendicular to the first and second carrier members 302/306, and at least a portion of the third carrier member 304 and/or the fourth carrier member 308 is designed to extend outward (e.g., beyond) the first carrier member 302.

[0079] Since the electrode blade carrier 106 is arranged in at least two different configurations (i.e. the first configuration 106A and the second configuration 106B) for accommodating different sizes of the electrode blade packs 108, the first size of the first blade pack and the second size of the second blade pack can be different from each other. The size difference in the first blade pack and the second blade pack facilitates maintaining the proper amperage per square meter of exposed blade cells (or electrodes) in the flow of water. Different salt chlorine generator output values require different amperages, and different amperages require a different amount of blade cells per surface area. By using the length/size of the blade in the blade packs as the only variable, the width and connection method between all sizes of salt chlorine generators is easy to maintain. To create different salt chlorine generators with different outputs, all that needs to be done is to change the length/size of the blades in the blade pack. Indeed, and as shown in FIG. 3I, the electrode blade carrier 106 can be assembled in a third, fully expanded configuration for accommodating a third, largest size of the electrode blade pack 108.

[0080] The electrode blade carrier 106 is compact and modular. The carrier members 302, 304, 306, and/or 308 of the electrode blade carrier 106 can be removably coupled together to arrange the carrier members 302, 304, 306, and/or 308 in different, varying configurations to accommodate varying sizes of the electrode blade pack 108. In one instance, the electrode blade carrier 106 is substantially rectangular to accommodate a substantially rectangular electrode blade pack 108. Also in one instance, the electrode blade carrier 106 can accommodate blade packs 108 of different sizes and thus, the electrode blade carrier 106 need not be replaced or changed when a different size electrode blade pack 108 is used.

[0081] The present disclosure provides for the electrode blade carrier 106 in at least two different positions to accommodate blade packs of two different sizes; however, it will be understood that the electrode blade carrier 106 can be positioned in any number of different positions to accommodate blade packs of any size.

[0082] Turning to FIG. 3H, the electrode blade carrier 106 is positioned in the second position 106B. The electrode blade carrier 106 includes a plurality of electrical terminals for the electrode blade pack 108 retained within the electrode blade carrier 106. In one instance, the electrode blade pack 108 can include a plurality of electrical terminals with each electrical terminal having at least one blind mate connector 206 (shown in FIG. 2B) to facilitate electrical communication and conductivity between the blades and at least one of the control unit 104 and/or the sensor module 110.

[0083] The plurality of electrical terminals can include a first terminal 402, a second terminal 404, and/or a third terminal 406. Each electrical terminal 402, 404, 406 can be provided in the form of a cylindrical body or another suitable shape. Further, each terminal 402, 404, 406 can be designed to extend a distance outward from the blades of the blade back 108 such that each terminal 402, 404, 406 is substantially parallel to one another and spaced a distance apart from one another. Moreover, each terminal 402, 404, 406 is sized and designed to extend through at least one channel, for example, first channel 324A, second channel 324B and third channel 324C of at least one of the third carrier member 304 and/or the fourth carrier member 308. In one instance, the first terminal 402 is positioned in the third channel 324C of the fourth carrier member 308, the second terminal 404 is positioned in the second channel 324B of the fourth carrier member 308, and the third terminal 406 is positioned in the first channel 324A of the fourth carrier member 308. Additionally, in one instance, each terminal 402, 404, 406 is designed to extend through at least a portion of the sensor module 110.

[0084] In one instance, each of the plurality of electrical terminals 402, 404, 406 can be provided in the form of titanium material or another suitable conductive metal. Additionally, in one instance, each of the plurality of electrical terminals 402, 404, 406 can be provided in the form of an anode electrical terminal or a cathode electrical terminal. More specifically, in one instance, the first terminal 402 and the third terminal 406 can act as an anode, and the second terminal 404 can act as a cathode. In other instances, the first terminal 402 and the third terminal 406 can act as a cathode, and the second terminal 404 can act as an anode.

[0085] Additionally, each electrical terminal 402, 404, 406 can include at least one seal, such as an O-ring, to facilitate sealing the electrical terminals 402, 404, 406 to prevent leakage of fluid from the electrode blade carrier 106 when the fluid passes through the electrode blade pack 108. In one instance, each electrical terminal 402, 404, 406 includes at least two O-rings, such as include a first O-ring 402A and a second O-ring 402B spaced a distance from the first O-ring 402A.

[0086] Turning now to FIG. 4A, another representative embodiment of an electrode blade carrier 606 is illustrated wherein the electrode blade carrier 606 is designed to accommodate varying sizes of blade packs 108, as described herein, and is designed to protect (e.g., the edges) of the electrode blade pack 108 from damage and/or from the current flowing within the salt chlorine generator 100. The electrode blade carrier 606 has at least two carrier members 610, 611 designed to couple (e.g., snap) together to retain at least one electrode blade pack 108 therein. In some forms, the at least two carrier members 610, 611 are symmetrical. The carrier members 610, 611 as described herein are substantially the same; however, it is understood that the carrier members 610, 611 can be different such that the carrier members 610, 611 are imparted with different shapes and sizes.

[0087] In one instance, each carrier member 610, 611 has a base 612 that can be imparted with a substantially rectangular shape with an aperture 613 therein and at least two pairs of arms 614, 616 extending outwardly therefrom. The pair of arms 614 can extend from an interior side 618 of the base 612 and the pair of arms 616 can extend from an exterior (e.g., opposing) side 620 of the base 612. The pair of arms 614 can include a first arm 626 with at least one protrusion 628 and the pair of arms 616 can have a second arm 630 with at least one opening 632.

[0088] When coupling two carrier members 610, 611 together, the base 612 of the carrier member 610 is designed to couple to one end of the electrode blade pack 108, the base 612 of the carrier member 611 is designed to couple to a second (e.g., opposing) end of the electrode blade pack 108, and the pair of arms 614 of the carrier member 610 is designed to couple to the pair of arms 616 of the carrier member 611. More specifically, in one instance, the at least one protrusion 628 of the first arm 626 is mated with the at least one opening 632 of the second arm 630.

[0089] In other instances, the first arm 626 has at least two openings 632 therein and the second arm 630 has at least two protrusions 628 extending outwardly therefrom. When coupling the arm 626 of the carrier member 610 to the arm 630 of the carrier member 611, the at least two openings 632 of the arm 626 can align and (e.g., removably) couple with the at least two protrusions 628 of the arm 630. Having more than one opening 632 and/or more than one protrusion 628 can facilitate adjusting the size of the electrode blade carrier 606 to accommodate different sizes of the electrode blade pack 108.

[0090] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4A the electrode blade pack 108 can have a plurality of terminals 652, 654, 656 extending outward from the electrode blades 658 at an angle (e.g., about 90 degrees) to facilitate communication with the control unit 104, whereby power is selectively provided to the electrode blade pack 108 to initiate the electrolysis process. Specifically, each terminal 652, 654, 656 can be positioned in the middle of the electrode blade pack 108 (e.g., a distance from each end of the electrode blade pack 108 and/or a distance from each carrier member 610, 611). Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the electrode blade pack 108 can have a plurality of electrical terminals 702, 704, 706 to facilitate communication with the control unit 104. More specifically, the electrical terminals 702, 704, 706 can be provided with a barrel welded onto the tip. The barrel can have at least one (e.g., radial) seal (e.g., an O-ring gland) formed into the barrel. Electrical terminals 702, 704, 706 can extend outward from the electrode blades 658 of the electrode blade pack 108 so as to be essentially colinear with the electrode blades 658.

[0091] Turning to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F and 5G, the sensor module 110 can be provided in the form of a housing 522 (e.g., plastic housing) having a plurality of sensors designed to contact the water flowing through the salt chlorine generator 100 to measure various parameters, such as temperature, conductivity, and/or flow. In one instance, the plurality of sensors are retained (e.g., held in place) by the housing 522, and the sensors are separated from the electrode blades 658 of the electrode blade pack 108 so that the sensors can easily be replaced without impacting the electrode blades 658 of the electrode blade pack 108. The plurality of sensors can include a flow sensor 502 (e.g., a switch paddle), a temperature sensor 504, and/or a conductivity sensor 506. The flow sensor 502 is designed to determine whether water is present (e.g., flowing) in the salt cell body 102 of the salt chlorine generator 100 prior to creating chlorine. The temperature sensor 504 is designed to measure the temperature of the water flowing through the salt chlorine generator 100, and the conductivity sensor 506 is designed to measure the conductivity of the water flowing through the salt chlorine generator 100 (e.g., how well the fluid passing through the salt cell body 102 conducts an electrical current) and further can detect the presence of one or more chemicals, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), to assess the concentration of ions in the fluid, which can be critical in the chlorine generation process. Each sensor 502, 504, 506 can transmit collected data (e.g., measured values) to the control unit 104.

[0092] The housing 522 is provided with a shroud 524 (e.g., pair of flanges) designed to retain at least one conductivity sensor 506, such that the conductivity sensor 506 can include at least two electrodes, such as a first electrode 506A and a second electrode 506B. Each electrode 506A, 506B can be provided in the form of a suitable metal, for example, titanium, gold, stainless steel, and/or any other suitable material.

[0093] In one instance, the first electrode 506A and the second electrode 506B include a cathode terminal and/or an anode terminal. Due to alternating current (AC), electrode 506A can be the anode terminal and the electrode 506B can be the cathode terminal, or the electrode 506A and the electrode 506B can switch, such that the electrode 506A can be the cathode terminal and the electrode 506B can be the anode terminal. The alternating current means that the current flows half the time from either of the one electrode to the other electrode and the other half of the time, from the other electrode to the one electrode. The current direction switches back and forth periodically, and the anode terminal and the cathode terminal also switch when the current direction switches. Current flows from the cathode terminal to the anode terminal.

[0094] In one instance, the first electrode 506A is the cathode terminal for part (e.g., half) of the time, and the second electrode 506B is the cathode terminal for part (e.g., half) of the time. When the electrodes 506A, 506B switch, the first electrode 506A is the anode terminal for part (e.g., half) of the time, and the second electrode 506B is the anode terminal for part (e.g., half) of the time. In the water/fluid solution, the positive ions (e.g., cations) move toward the negative pole, and the negative ions move toward the positive pole allowing the conductivity sensor 506 to measure different salinities.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 5C, the flow switch paddle 502 can determine whether there is flow of the fluid passing through the salt cell body 102 of the salt chlorine generator 100, as fluid is used to generate chlorine within the electrode blade pack 108 of the salt chlorine generator 100 and the lack of fluid prevents the electrode blade pack 108 from properly generating chlorine. The flow switch paddle 502 can include a fulcrum (can be provided as plastic) with a paddle 514 (can be provided as plastic) having a magnet 510, and a reed switch (e.g., a hall effect sensor) 508 on electric circuitry of the sensor module 110. A face 515 of the paddle 508 (see FIGS. 5A, 5B) is in the fluid communication with the fluid passing through the salt cell body 102. When the fluid flowing through the salt cell body 102 has enough force to move the paddle 514 (e.g., towards the right side (as shown in FIG. 5D)), the magnet 510 is moved toward the reed switch 508 and can trigger a signal to the electric circuitry of the sensor module 110. In FIG. 5D, the paddle 514 is in a tilted position, such that the magnet 510 is moved away from the reed switch 508.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 5E, when the fluid flow stops or there is no flow, the paddle 514 rotates back into its original position (e.g., home or rest position). In the home position, the paddle is in a straight or vertical position, such that the face 515 is substantially perpendicular to the housing 522. The paddle 514 can revert to the home position, because the magnet 510 in the paddle 514 is attracted to a metal 512. The attractive force is enough to bring the paddle 514 to its home position when there is less than the desired flow rate through the salt cell body 102.

[0097] Referring now to FIG. 5G, a shroud 524 of the plastic housing 522 is designed to hold or retain at least a portion of the first electrode 506A and/or the second electrode 506B. The shroud 524 is designed to control the wetted area (e.g., a third portion P3, discussed herein and shown in FIG. 5F) of the electrode 506A, 506B, which can impact the output of the electrode 506A, 506B. A larger wetted area results in a smaller cell/probe constant, which creates a larger conductivity/salinity measurement. The shroud 524 of the plastic housing 522 is designed to facilitate parallelism of the electrodes 506A, 506B, to substantially prevent perturbation of the reading as the current passes from one electrode to the other electrode. The plastic housing 522 sets the center-to-center distance between the electrodes 506A, 506B, impacting the cell constant, as a larger distance between the electrodes 506A, 506B results in a larger probe constant creating a smaller conductivity/salinity measurement.

[0098] Referring now to FIG. 5F, each of the electrodes 506A, 506B of the conductivity sensor 506 has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a first portion P1, a second portion P2, and/or a third portion P3. The first portion P1 (e.g., a cylindrical pin) includes a tip 516 designed to electrically communicate with one or more electrical blind mate connectors 206 (shown in FIG. 2B) and/or the electric circuitry of the sensor module 110 and/or the control unit 104. The first portion P1 of each electrode 506A, 506B of the conductivity sensor 506 can be provided in the form of a suitable metal, for example, titanium, gold, and/or stainless steel material.

[0099] Further, the second portion P2 can include a first flange 518A and a second flange 518B spaced a distance from the first flange 518A. A seal (e.g., an O-ring) 520 can be coupled between the first flange 518A and the second flange 518B to prevent intrusion of fluid into the sensor module 110. The second portion P2 of each electrode 506A, 506B of the conductivity sensor 506 can be provided in the form of a suitable metal, for example, titanium, gold, and/or stainless steel material.

[0100] Additionally, the third portion P3 of each electrode 506A, 506B of the conductivity sensor 506 can be provided in the form of a suitable metal, for example, titanium, gold, or stainless steel material. In some instances, the third portion P3 of each electrode 506A, 506B can be coated with a titanium and/or gold metal coating, as the third portion P3 is designed to contact the fluid flowing within the salt cell body 102 (e.g., when the electrode 506A, 506B is installed into the shroud 524 of the housing 522 of the sensor module 110). In some instances, the third portion P3 of each electrode 506A, 506B is not coated with an additional metal. Providing each electrode 506A, 506B in the form of titanium and/or with titanium plating provides for a robust sensor coating that performs well in the extreme water conditions associated with pool water and the high concentrations of NaOCL generated by an SCG. Titanium and/or gold plating aids in preventing corrosion. Titanium and/or gold plating also adds to the cost of the electrode, so it can be useful to minimize how much of the electrode 506A, 506B is titanium and/or gold plated. Also, minimizing the titanium and/or gold plating (e.g., on sharp corners, such as the flanges 518A, 518B) of the electrodes 506A, 506B can minimize the chance of the titanium and/or gold plating flaking off and losing adhesion with the substrate.

[0101] In particular, electroplating works by passing electricity across a metal solution, which allows the metal to adhere to the substrate in a thinly plated layer. Electroplating uses controlled electrolysis. A nickel-plated layer (also called a woods nickel strike) is placed on top of the stainless steel of the third portion P3, and the titanium and/or gold plating is placed on top of the nickel-plated layer (e.g., the nickel-plated layer is an intermediate layer).

[0102] The third portion P3 can be rack plated. The rack line consists of a metal frame in which the third portion P3 to be plated is suspended via racks and/or copper wire conductors. The third portion P3 to be plated is dipped into the electroplating bath for a specified time. Rack plating is used for critical parts that cannot be tumbled together as with barrel plating. Rack plating allows multiple parts to be plated at the same time, yet the parts are isolated and never come into physical contact with each other throughout the plating process. This process prevents nicks, scratches, or any other possible blemishes to the finished third portion P3.

[0103] In one instance, the thickness of the titanium and/or gold plating is greater than or equal to about 50 microinches to ensure minimal porosity and maximum plating adhesion. Further, in one instance, the titanium and/or gold plating purity is greater than about 99.7% to ensure high chemical resistance, high corrosion resistance, and/or high conductivity. When titianium and/or gold drops in purity, the titanium and/or gold plating is more susceptible to degradation in the presence of chlorine.

[0104] Minimal titanium and/or gold plating porosity ensures the nickel layer beneath the titanium and/or gold plating is not exposed to the fluid, which could impact the reading of the electrodes 506A, 506B.

[0105] Additionally, in one instance, the titanium and/or gold plating hardness is greater than about 90 Knoop hardness to lessen the wear resistance of the third portion P3 because the third portion P3 can experience high pressures and potential abrasion in the fluid in the salt cell body 102.

[0106] During operation of the conductivity sensor 506, an alternating current is applied to the two electrodes 506A, 506B. The ions in the fluid passing through the salt cell body 102 move in response to the applied voltage source from the alternating current, and that voltage is measured. The larger the conductivity of the fluid, the more the ions move, which results in a larger reading. Specifically, the voltage is measured in the electric circuitry at another point to determine the current and voltage drop across the two electrodes 506A, 506B via Ohm's law to calculate the conductance and therefore the conductivity.

[0107] The electric circuitry of the sensor module 110 and/or the control unit 104 can measure the maximum and minimum voltage across the electrodes 506A, 506B. A number of high and low readings from the peaks of the sine wave are averaged, and the difference between the average maximum voltage and the average minimum voltage is calculated to ascertain the amplitude of the sine wave (e.g., the nominal voltage from the sensor).

[0108] The voltage reading is converted into an analog-to-digital (ADC) reading. The voltage is divided by the max voltage (e.g., 5V) to get a relative value. For example, for a ten-bit microcontroller, the value is then multiplied by 2{circumflex over ()}10=1024. The ADC reading is temperature-corrected based on the temperature sensor reading from the temperature sensor 504 since there is higher resistance (and thus higher ADC reading) at higher temperatures. The ADC reading is corrected by about 2% for every 1-degree Celsius temperature change from room temperature.

[0109] Then, the ADC reading is converted to a salinity measurement using a scale factor. At first, the ADC reading is used to determine the current across the two electrodes 506A, 506B for calculating the conductance, which converts to conductivity, which further converts to salinity. Furthermore, the scale factor is proportional to a cell/probe constant of the conductivity sensor 506 and varies slightly from sensor to sensor due to slight variances in the plastic housing geometry, electrode dimensions, electric circuitry, etc. Therefore, the scale factor is adjusted during the calibration procedure by measuring the given ADC for a known salinity.

[0110] Also during operation, the two sensors (e.g., the conductivity sensor 506 and the flow switch paddle 502) of the sensor module 110 check for the flow of fluid (e.g., at substantially the same time) inside the salt cell body 102. Such usage of the conductivity sensor 506 and the flow switch paddle 502 (e.g., simultaneous) facilitates determining if there is fluid flow (e.g., or no fluid flow) inside the salt cell body 102 and increases the accuracy of the determination of fluid flow by using a reading from more than one sensor.

[0111] When the resistance of the fluid goes to infinity, the conductivity of the fluid inside the salt cell body 102 goes to 0. When the conductivity sensor 506 is in air (or vacuum) instead of the fluid (i.e. salty water), the conductivity sensor 506 measures about a 0 conductivity (or about a 0 salinity). When the conductivity sensor 506 is reading close to about 0 with some established tolerance, the conduits connected to the salt cell body 102 of the modular salt chlorine generator 100 are not receiving fluid and/or fluid is not flowing inside the salt cell body 102, which gives a no flow indication.

[0112] The reference of a 0 reading indicates that the conductivity sensor 506 inside the salt cell body 102 is not immersed in fluid. For an instance, assuming that the tolerance is 100 parts per million (ppm). In such a case, if the salinity is <100 ppm, this indicates that there is no flow inside the salt cell body 102. It is understood that salinity of highly pure water can have an at or near 0 reading (e.g., similar to air/vacuum); however, in a pool/spa environment, the fluid is not pure deionized water with salinities<100 parts per million (ppm). For reference, tap water (without contaminants or additives such as hardness, alkalinity, etc. that are also present in the pool/spa environment) usually has a salinity reading greater than about 100 ppm. Therefore, when the conductivity sensor 506 senses the salinity less than about 100 ppm, this indicates that the conductivity sensor 506 is in the air (e.g., not in fluid flow) and creates a no flow warning.

[0113] Table 1 below provides usage of readings from the conductivity sensor 506 and the flow switch paddle 502 (e.g., simultaneous readings). If the flow switch paddle 502 senses 0 reading and the conductivity sensor 506 senses less than 0+tolerance reading, there is no flow of fluid inside the salt cell body 102. Similarly, if the flow switch paddle 502 senses a 0 reading (e.g., due to the stagnant fluid inside the salt cell body 102) and the conductivity sensor 506 senses more than or equal to than 0+tolerance reading, there is no flow of fluid inside the salt cell body 102. When a no flow indication is determined, the readings from the flow switch paddle 502 and the conductivity sensor 506 match or align with each other.

[0114] If the flow switch paddle 502 senses 1 reading and the conductivity sensor 506 senses less than 0+tolerance reading, there is a possible error as the readings from the flow switch paddle 502 and the conductivity sensor 506 do not match or align with each other. A misalignment of the readings can indicate a problem with one or both sensors 502 and/or 506. Furthermore, if the flow switch paddle 502 senses 1 reading and the conductivity sensor 506 senses more than 0+tolerance reading, there is an indication of fluid flow inside the salt cell body 102. In the flow indication, the readings from the flow switch paddle 502 and the conductivity sensor 506 match or align with each other.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Conductivity Sensor Conductivity Sensor Reading < 0 + Reading >= 0 + tolerance tolerance Flow Switch Paddle No Flow No Flow Reading = 0 (No flow) Flow Switch Paddle Sensor Error Flow Reading = 1 (Flow)

[0115] Readings from the conductivity sensor 506 are communicated to the sensor module 110 and can be further communicated to the control unit 104. The user interface of the control unit 104 can display such a warning and/or notification either as warning lights with different colors or text displayed on the user interface.

[0116] Moreover, the determination of fluid flow with the flow switch paddle 502 and/or the conductivity sensor 506 adds reliability to the modular salt chlorine generator 100. Using the readings from the conductivity sensor 506 and the flow switch paddle 502 eliminates the possibility of a false positive for fluid flow inside the salt cell body 102 when there is no flow and reduces the possibility of a buildup of pressure inside the modular salt chlorine generator 100.

[0117] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the salt cell body 102 can include a plurality of ribs (e.g., on the interior surface 109A of the salt cell body 102) for holding the electrode blade carrier 106 of the modular salt chlorine generator 100. The ribs can be coupled to or integrally formed with the salt cell body 102 to facilitate maintaining the electrode blade carrier 106 at a substantially fixed position (e.g., constraining the electrode blade pack 108 and/or the electrode blade carrier 106 in all degrees of freedom). The first body member 102A can include one or more ribs, such as a first rib 103A, a second rib 103B, and/or a third rib 103C, and the second body member 102B can include one or more ribs, such as a fourth rib 103D and/or a fifth rib 103E. The ribs 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D and/or 103E can be designed to engage at least a portion of the electrode blade carrier 106, such as a portion of the third carrier member 304 as illustrated in FIG. 6C.

[0118] With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an alternative configuration for a modular salt chlorine generator 600 is illustrated. Modular salt chlorine generator 600 may be substantially similar with respect to componentry and operation as previously described with respect to modular salt chlorine generator 100 but with changes in construction and geometry so at to accommodate different installation environments and/or blade configurations that may be unique to certain manufacturers and suppliers. Modular salt chlorine generator 600 can include a salt cell body 602 for retaining a blade pack in a blade carrier, for example, a variation of electrode blade carrier 106 that is dimensionally elongated and/or reduced in one or more of a width, length, or height dimension so as to accommodate specific blade pack geometries. In a manner similar to modular salt chlorine generator 100, the modular salt chlorine generator 600 may include a sensor module 615 coupled to the salt cell body 602.

[0119] In addition, module salt chlorine generator 600 may include a control unit 604 that is removably coupled to and in electronic communication with the salt cell body 602 and/or the sensor module 615. Though not specifically illustrated or described, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that similarly described components including, for example, salt cell body 102/602, control unit 104/604, sensor module 110/615 and engagement clip 112/612 may include similar componentry and perform similar functions but differ in size and geometry.

[0120] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the disclosure has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the disclosure is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. The entire disclosure of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each such patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein. Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.