Patent ID: 6523192
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: A47K,A61H

Abstract:
A system for automatically purging residual water from the whirlpool plumbing of a whirlpool bath, comprising:a bathtub; a primary water inlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub; a primary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub; a plunger actuatable to engage the primary water outlet to prevent water flow through the primary water outlet; an auxiliary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub and positioned to define a maximum water level; a hydraulic pump having a water outlet port and a water inlet port; an air pump having an air inlet port and an air outlet port; at least one suction fitting formed in the bathtub; at least one hydraulic suction conduit extending between the at least one suction fitting to the water inlet port and connecting the at least one suction fitting in hydraulic communication to the water inlet port; at least one jet nozzle formed in the bathtub; a water manifold substantially positioned above the maximum water level; a water manifold conduit extending between the water outlet port and the water manifold and connecting the water outlet port to the water manifold in hydraulic communication therewith; at least one water delivery conduit extending between the water manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the water manifold to the at least one jet nozzle in hydraulic communication therewith; an air manifold positioned above the water manifold; an air pump delivery conduit extending between the air pump outlet and the air manifold and connecting the air pump outlet in pneumatic communication with the air manifold; at least one air nozzle conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one jet nozzle; at least one air suction conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one suction fitting and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one suction fitting; wherein when the bathtub is being filled with water, the plunger is automatically disengaged for a predetermined length of time to flush the water manifold, the water manifold conduit, the at least one water delivery conduit and the at least one jet nozzle; and wherein when the bathtub is substantially drained, the air pump may be actuated to introduce air into the at least one jet nozzle, the at least one suction fitting, the water manifold, the at least one water delivery conduit, and the at least one hydraulic suction conduit to purge residual water therefrom.