Patent ID: 7057140
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
1. A water heater system for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors, the water heater system comprising: a water heater for heating a body of water to a desired temperature of approximately 90 degrees F. to 120 degrees F., the water heater comprising a heating chamber for heating water passing therethrough, the heating chamber comprising at least a portion of a recirculating water flow path and having an inlet, and outlet, and at least one heating surface fabricated of a metal material, the heating surface having an inner wet surface and an outer dry surface, wherein a dielectric layer is coupled to the outer dry surface of the at least one heating surface by a binding material formed on the outer dry surface of the heating chamber, at least one resistor is attached to the dielectric layer, a conductive layer is connected to at least a portion of the at least one resistor, and at least one terminal is connected to at least a portion of the conductive layer, and wherein the heating chamber includes a wall surface fabricated of a plastic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material; at least one temperature sensor located on or near the water heater for sensing a temperature indicative of a water temperature; at least one water presence sensor located on or near the heating chamber for sensing the presence or absence of water within the heating chamber; at least one power controlling device, wherein the at least one power controlling device is connected to the at least one temperature sensor and the at least one water presence sensor; and wherein the power controlling device is configured to connect to a power supply for controllably energizing the water heater to regulate the temperature of the water heater and configured to control power to a pump for recirculating the water through the recirculating water flow path; wherein the at least one power controlling device disconnects power to the water heater when the temperature sensed by the at least one temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined temperature and allows power to be reconnected to the water heater once the temperature has dropped below a predetermined temperature; wherein the at least one power controlling device disconnects power to the water heater when the at least one water presence sensor detects the absence of water within the heating chamber and allows power to be reconnected to the water heater once the at least one water presence sensor senses water present within the heating chamber.