Patent ID: 7721360
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: E04H,F28D,F28F

Abstract:
1. A method of increasing the life of components of a swimming pool or spa or combination swimming pool and spa, and of reducing wear of components of a swimming pool or spa or combination swimming pool and spa, said swimming pool or spa or combination swimming pool and spa comprising: a recreational structure being configured to hold water for recreational purposes and to permit users to immerse themselves in water; a heat exchanger being configured and disposed to heat water from said swimming pool or spa or combination swimming pool and spa; a heater being configured and disposed to heat a heating agent in said heat exchanger; a water pump being configured and disposed to circulate water in said swimming pool or spa or combination swimming pool and spa, and in said heat exchanger; a connecting device being configured and disposed to connect said pump to said recreational structure; a temperature sensor being configured and disposed to sense the temperature of water to be heated; said heat exchanger comprising: a heating agent pump being configured to pump a heating agent into said heat exchanger; a water input for permitting the flow of water into said heat exchanger; a heating agent input for permitting the flow of heating agent into said heat exchanger; a water output for permitting the flow of water out of said heat exchanger; a heating agent output for permitting the flow of heating agent out of said heat exchanger; a heater being configured to heat a heating agent to be circulated through said heat exchanger; an inner coil being configured and disposed to carry a heating agent; an outer coil being disposed about the outer periphery of said inner coil; said outer coil being configured and disposed to carry a heating agent; an outer wall being disposed about the periphery of said outer coil and being disposed to house said inner coil and said outer coil; a first space between said wall and said outer coil; a second space between said outer coil and said inner coil; said first space and said second space being configured and disposed to hold water to be heated by said inner coil and said outer coil; said inner coil and said outer coil being configured and disposed to heat water from a swimming pool or spa; a separator device being configured and disposed to separate said coils of said heat exchanger in order to minimize said coils from vibrating and rubbing against each other, said separator device comprising: a first separator device portion comprising a flat end surface; said first separator device portion having an adequate length to span a substantial portion of a first coil portion and a substantial portion of a second coil portion adjacent to said first coil portion of said inner coil and said outer coil; said first separator device portion comprising two rounded shoulder portions, which rounded shoulder portions are disposed opposite said flat end surface; said rounded shoulder portions being configured to permit said separator device to be rotated into position between said inner coil and said outer coil, and to substantially prevent the inner side of said outer coil from blocking the rotation of said separator device upon the installation of said separator device; a middle portion comprising two substantially C-shaped curves, which substantially C-shaped curves form a dog bone-shape; a second separator device portion comprising two rounded ends being configured to be turned or twisted upon assembly of said heat exchanger; said separator device, upon assembly of said heat exchanger, being configured to be inserted longitudinally between a first portion and a second portion disposed adjacent said first portion of said outer coil, until said first separator device portion of said separator device comes into contact with said inner coil; said separator device, upon coming into contact with said inner coil during assembly of said heat exchanger, being configured to be twisted clockwise or counter clockwise until said curved middle portion rests between a first portion and a second portion disposed adjacent said first portion of said outer coil, and wherein said first separator device portion and said second separator device portion of said separator device are disposed vertically; said method comprising the steps of: determining by experimentation the number of separator devices needed in said heat exchanger, depending upon the size of said heat exchanger, whether said heat exchanger is for a swimming pool or spa or combination swimming pool and spa, the amount of water flowing through the heat exchanger, among other factors; holding said separator device in a position with the hand of a user; longitudinally inserting said separator device between a first coil section of said outer coil and a second coil section of said outer coil, said first coil section being disposed adjacent said second coil section; stopping the insertion of said separator device upon said first separator device portion coming into contact with said inner coil; twisting said separator device clockwise or counter clockwise until said curved middle portion rests between said first coil section and said second coil section of said outer coil, and until said first separator device portion and said second separator device portion of said separator device are disposed vertically with relation to said outer coil; inserting additional separator devices into said outer coil at an even distance from each other about the circumference of said outer coil to minimize contact between said inner coil and said outer coil, thereby reducing wear of the components of said heat exchanger during use; installing said heat exchanger into a swimming pool, spa, or combination swimming pool and spa system; turning on the power of said heat exchanger and said water pump and said heat exchanger pump; pumping water with said water pump from said recreational structure to said heat exchanger; pumping a heating agent with said heating agent pump into said heat exchanger; sensing the temperature of water within said heat exchanger with said temperature sensor; heating water with said heat exchanger while minimizing contact and vibration between said inner coil and said outer coil with said separator devices; pumping heated water with said water pump from said heat exchanger to said recreational structure; swimming, splashing, and playing in said recreational structure configured to hold water for recreational purposes.