Hayward Industries, Inc.

Systems and methods for controlling valve actuators are provided. The system includes an interface circuit in electrical communication with a wiring connection from a pool/spa control system, and a processor in communication with the interface circuit. The interface circuit extracts a plurality of encoded bits transmitted to the interface circuit from the pool/spa control system over the wiring connection. The plurality of encoded bits could include Manchester-encoded bits that are encoded by the pool/spa control system by altering signals transmitted to the interface circuit over the wiring connection. The processor receives the plurality of encoded bits from the interface circuit and processes the plurality of encoded bits into a control command for controlling operation of the valve actuator. When a valid control command has been generated, the processor executes the control command to operate the valve actuator in accordance with the control command.

A cable swivel for inductive power couplings for powering pool or spa components is provided. A swivel component allows a power cable to a pool or spa component, such as an electric pool cleaner, to swivel when the inductive power couplings are coupled together. The couplings include a first inductive coupling that can be positioned within and/or mounted into a wall fitting, a second inductive coupling that inductively couples with the first inductive coupling, and a swivel component attached to the second inductive coupling for allowing the second coupling to swivel with respect to the first inductive coupling. A retainer ring engages with the wall fitting and retains the first and second couplings and the swivel component in position within the wall fitting.

Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.

A modulating heater system for a pool or spa includes a pool/spa heater capable of variably modulating energy output thereof and a controller communicatively coupled to the heater. The controller determines a current mode of operation for the heater, and establishes temperature overshoot and target temperature setpoints for pool/spa water for the current mode of operation. The controller determines a current temperature of the water, an optimized modulation rate for the heater for the current mode of operation, and a maximum modulation rate for the heater for the current mode of operation. The controller controls the heater to operate at one of the optimized and maximum modulation rates based on the temperature overshoot setpoint for the current mode of operation, the target water temperature setpoint for the current mode of operation, and the current water temperature. A corresponding method for controlling a pool/spa modulating heater is also provided.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to Y-check valves, generally including a body, nut, retainer, cage subassembly, disc, and spring. The retainer, cage subassembly, disc, and spring are positioned within a barrel leg of the body, with the disc positioned within the cage subassembly. The disc is movable between a first position in which it sealingly engages a sealing surface of the cage subassembly and prevents fluid backflow through the body and a second position in which it does not sealingly engage the sealing surface and permits fluid flow through the body. The spring biases the disc into the first position. The nut, retainer, cage subassembly, disc, and spring can be provided as an insert subassembly that is removable from the barrel leg as a single unit. The disc can be provided as a poppet valve stem and plug. Methods of assembling the exemplary Y-check valves are also provided.

A Y-strainer operable to strain debris and/or particles from a fluid in a flowing system is disclosed. The Y-strainer includes a body, a nut, a retainer, a strainer, and a retainer seal positioned about the retainer. The body includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a central portion, and a barrel leg. The nut is removably fastened to the barrel leg, while the retainer is coupled to the nut and positioned within the barrel leg. The strainer is engaged with the retainer and positioned within the barrel leg. The barrel leg interconnects with the central portion at an angle, which can be an acute angle. The retainer, nut, strainer, and retainer seal can form a strainer insert subassembly that is removable from the barrel leg as a single unit. A method of assembling the foregoing Y-strainer is also provided.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to butterfly valves, generally including a body assembly and handle assembly. The body assembly generally includes a body, a disc rotationally disposed inside an opening of the body, a cog, and a stem passing through the disc and the body. The handle assembly generally includes a handle body and a force ring. The stem can be rotationally interlocked relative to the disc and the handle assembly. The cog and the force ring can engage to rotationally secure the disc relative to the body. The handle assembly can include a lever and a grip, the force ring, the lever and the grip being pivotally secured relative to each other. The body can include a male radial protrusion and the body assembly can include a liner with a female radial groove. Methods of assembling and positioning a butterfly valve are also provided.

Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a lighting system that includes a line control module and light modules. The line control module can be configured to interrupt power to the light modules according to one or more power interruption schemes to control an operation of the light modules. The line control module can have user interface circuitry including a rotary encoder with a shaft and a push button, a preview circuit, and indicator light emitting diodes. A user can interact with the lighting system via the user interface circuitry, which can be configured to provide visual feedback of various settings of the lighting system.