Abstract:
The present invention relates a novel bypass system to control liquid volume. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for use in the control and regulation of pumps, pumping installations and/or systems, and the control of fluid flow in general. This system will find particular, though not exclusive, application with bathing vessels such as pools, whirlpools, bathtubs, hot tubs and spas.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/086,624 filed Aug. 6, 2008 the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates a novel bypass system to control liquid volume. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for use in the control and regulation of pumps, pumping installations and/or systems, and the control of fluid flow in general. This system will find particular, though not exclusive, application with bathing vessels such as pools, whirlpools, bathtubs, hot tubs and spas. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Bathing vessels such as spas and hot tubs are very popular and commercially successful. These vessels are water holding enclosures (or reservoirs) that are typically constructed from a molded shell. The molded enclosures include one or more bathing spaces for use by one or more persons, and each bathing space includes at least one jet (or nozzle) from which water can be discharged to produce a relaxing or therapeutic effect. The molded shell may be constructed from fiberglass, plastic or a polymer, or a composite of such materials, in keeping with current technology in the field. 
         [0004]    One or more pumps are usually placed under the molded shell to draw water from the enclosure and discharge it, sometimes with air, into the enclosure through a plurality of jets of various types. The jets are frequently mounted through the shell in either or both of the floor or sidewall. Usually, jets mounted through the sidewall are located below the water line of the bathing vessel and are designed to provide a comforting or therapeutic effect to a person occupying a bathing space. Piping is provided between the various jets, pumps and water inlet ports, and is often comprised of PVC pipes and flexible tubing. Various filters, heaters, cleaning units and diverter valves may also be provided, once again in keeping with known technology. 
         [0005]    A person occupying a bathing space within a bathing vessel can orient himself in a selected position relative to the one or more jets to receive a vigorous or therapeutic massage action. However, in many cases, the bathing vessel has only one setting through which water flow through the jets can be regulated. This is a disadvantage for a bather who may wish to adjust the velocity or flow of water that is discharged through the jets of the bathing vessel. 
         [0006]    Over the years a number of solutions have been proposed to provide means by which water flow or volume may be adjusted or regulated. For example, the flow rate of water may be controlled through the use of a regulating valve, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,036 (Bergman), U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,708 (Mathis) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,258 (Henkin et al). Use of a valve to choke the outlet of the pump is an approach that has also been found to work in some instances. However, the success of this approach is largely dependent on the type of pump that is selected for the bathing vessel. For a pump that is cooled by liquid, since there is less water coming in, the pump&#39;s internal temperature rises and a temperature switch stops the motor. If a pressure switch is used when there is not enough liquid pressure in the system, the switch can be tripped and the motor stopped in this way. In addition, while choking the outlet does result in a reduction of the volume of water running through the bathing vessel, it also increases the noise level of the whole system. This is an undesirable side effect. 
         [0007]    Other means for controlling water flow include modifying the rotational speed of the pump, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,017 (Sears et al), United States Patent Publication No. 2008/0168599 (Caudill et al), United States Patent Publication No. 2007/0114162 (Stiles et al) and United States Patent Publication No. 2006/0045750 (Stiles), or providing bypass means on the pump, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,108 (Caudill et al), U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,852 (Gravatt et al) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,754 (Graber et al). Yet another method involves injecting air in the water intake of the pump to reduce the volume of water, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,959 (Karlsson). These approaches can be difficult to implement, and they can be expensive. For these reasons, alternatives to pump-based methods to control water flow continue to be sought. 
         [0008]    Inconveniently, some of the means suggested above do not allow regulation of the water flow or pressure by the bather. In addition, some of them result in the creation of an audible noise, which can lessen the enjoyment of the bathing experience. 
         [0009]    There is thus a need for an improved system for continuously regulating the flow of liquid from the pump which is simple, inexpensive, space-saving, and which do not increase the noise generated by the pump when it is in operation. Ideally, such a system would allow the bather to have some control over the flow rate and would not be labor-intensive to install in a bathing vessel. 
         [0010]    The present invention seeks to meet this and related needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention relates to a bypass system to control water flow in a water holding enclosure, including bathing vessels such as pools, whirlpools, baths, spas and hot tubs. The system relies on the use of at least one bypass plumbing loop as well as a valve to control water flow through the water holding enclosure. 
         [0012]    The bypass system includes a pump water inlet, at least one pump water outlet operably connected to said bypass water inlet and capable of releasing water under pressure passing from said inlet to said pump water inlet and a pump for pumping said water received from said water inlet to said water outlet. The pump can be an axial flow pump or any pumping device suitable for the purposes sought. 
         [0013]    The size, configuration and location of the bypass loop can be tailored to meet the needs of the particular design of the bathing vessel, or its intended application. As may be appreciated from the drawings, the bypass loop generally has a lesser overall length than the main reservoir loop. The invention may further include a plumbing connection (or “bridge” element) that extends from the bypass loop to the reservoir or bathing vessel. 
         [0014]    The controlled-flow valve allows varying volumes of water or fluid to be directed through the main reservoir loop and the bypass loop. This in turn affects the pressure of the fluid as it is released or discharged through the jets of a bathing vessel, resulting in an effect that can be adjusted in accordance with the bather&#39;s needs or desires. 
         [0015]    As will also be appreciated from the drawings, in certain embodiments a control valve has been positioned at the junction of the main and bypass loops or piping systems for further control of the volume flow. 
         [0016]    Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a bypass system that is based on the teachings of the prior art; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of a first embodiment of a bypass system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of a bypass system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of a more intricate bypass system based on that shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of a bypass system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic view of a fourth embodiment of a bypass system in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic view of a fifth embodiment of a bypass system in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    As used herein, the term “jet” or “fluid jet” refers to an orifice or nozzle through which a fluid such as water may be pumped, discharged or dispensed into a fluid enclosure such as a bathing vessel. 
         [0025]    As used herein, the term “bathing vessel” refers to a water or liquid enclosure such as a pool, whirlpool, bath, spa, hot tub and the like. Bathing vessels are adapted to contain a fluid such as water and include one or more bathing spaces to be occupied by at least one person. Each bathing space includes one or more jets through which water is expelled while the bathing vessel is in use. The jets may be provided in various shapes and sizes to produce a variety of beneficial (i.e., therapeutic, relaxing, massaging, etc.) effects. 
         [0026]    For purposes of the present description, the terms “parallel” and “bypass” are used interchangeably. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a bypass system that is in keeping with the teachings of the known prior art: See, for example, European Patent Publication No. 0 268 941 A1 (Jacuzzi Europe Spa) and German Patent Publication No. DE 42 30 723 A1. The bypass system, generally represented by the numeral  10 , is configured within a bathtub or reservoir  100 . The bypass system  10  includes a main loop  20  that circulates water through the bathtub or reservoir  100  and a bypass loop  30 , both of which are connected to a pump  2 . At least one water inlet  4  is operably connected to the pump  2  through at least one water outlet  6  and in this way is capable of releasing water under pressure passing from said inlet  4  to said water outlet  6  via said pump  2 . The pump can be an axial flow pump or any pumping device suitable for the purposes sought. Examples of pumps that are suitable for the present invention include pumps having brush or brushless motors that run either direct or alternate current (DC or AC). In addition, the motors may be of either the single or multiphase type An example of a pump that is suitable for the present invention is a water-cooled type, such as a Syllent pump (Mondial Inc.). This type of motor is significantly quieter than traditional motors, an important consideration for the purposes of the present invention. 
         [0028]    The system shown in  FIG. 1  further includes a valve  8  which serves to control the flow of water or fluid circulating through the bypass loop  30 . By varying the quantity of water that is made to flow through the bypass loop  30 , the volume and hence the pressure of the water that flows through the main loop  20  and ultimately to the bathtub or reservoir  100  via jets or nozzles (not shown) can be regulated. The valve that is selected may be manually adjusted by the bather, or alternatively, it may be electronically controlled either directly or indirectly, as known in the art. The flow can even be set to a chosen rhythm or musical score using, for example, a valve having a combination valve box and valve gate, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,036 (Bergmann) or an inverter-controlled circulating pump of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,826 (Haraga et al) in combination with the valve. The valves may be selected from gate, globe, ball or butterfly valves, and they may be operated either manually or electrically. Moreover, these valves can be of different types: Two-way (two-port), three-way (three-port, also called “tri-way”) or multi-way. As may be seen in  FIG. 1 , the valve  8  is positioned opposite to the pump  2  in the bypass loop  30 . 
         [0029]    As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , which represents a first embodiment of the present invention, the valve  9  is close to the outlet  6  of the pump  2  at a junction between the main loop  20  and the bypass loop  30 . This valve  9  is a three-way valve which can divert, in different percentages, the liquid to the main loop  20  or the bypass loop  30 . 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , which shows a second embodiment of the present invention, the valve  9  is close to the inlet  4  of the pump  2  at a junction between the main loop  20  and the bypass loop  30 . This valve  9  is also three-way valve which can divert, in different percentage, the liquid to the main loop  20  or the bypass  30 . The advantage of the configuration of this system is that even if the valve is in the intake side of the pump, the pump remains filled with liquid at all times, with the result that the efficiency or the cooling of the liquid-cooled motor remains unaffected by variations in water flow. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows a slightly more intricate arrangement of the bypass system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Once again, the bypass system is shown generally by the numeral  10 . The main and bypass loops are represented by the numerals  20  and  30 , respectively. The pump  2  is preceded by an inlet  4  and followed by an outlet  6 , and the valve and reservoir identified by the numerals  8  and  100 , respectively. This arrangement is in effect similar to  FIG. 1 , but it includes multiple reservoir inlets. 
         [0032]    A third embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 5 . The bypass system is represented generally by the numeral  10 . This embodiment very closely resembles the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2  by having a tri-way valve  9  positioned close to the outlet  6  of the pump  2 . The inlet  4 , main loop  20 , bypass loop  30  and reservoir  100  are approximately in the same positions as in  FIG. 2 . An additional element of flow control has been introduced by including a second valve  8  in a new plumbing connection (or “bridge” element)  40  that has been established between the reservoir  100  and the bypass loop  30 . This in effect allows an unlimited number of possibilities for varying the quantity of liquid entering the reservoir  100 . The liquid inlet  40  in the reservoir  100  can supply a different function in the reservoir and have different pressure while still being supplied by only one pump. A variation of this embodiment would involve repositioning and replacement of the second valve  8 , which is a two-way valve, by a valve  9 , which is a three-way valve, at the junction between the additional plumbing connection and the bypass (or parallel piping) system, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0033]    In yet another embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 , the bypass system is represented generally by the numeral  10 . In this embodiment the tri-way valve  9  is positioned opposite to the pump  2  in the bypass loop  30 . This tri-way valve  9  also has a plumbing connection (or “bridge” element)  40  toward the reservoir  100 . A different element of flow control has been introduced by including this tri-way valve  9 . This permits more possibilities for varying the pressure and volume of liquid entering the reservoir  100  than the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . The liquid inlet  50  extending from the plumbing connection  40  to the reservoir  100  can be used for a different function or purpose in the reservoir. This is useful when there are accessories other than jets in the bathing vessel, for example, that need to be activated. This liquid inlet  50  can be regulated so that it has a different pressure than the other liquid inlet(s) in the bathing vessel. Advantageously, the bathing system as a whole still derives its power through the use of only a single pump. 
         [0034]    The embodiments of the invention have the advantage of simplicity. Installing a bypass system as described above can be conveniently done in an existing bathing vessel or in a new one. Features of the invention, such as the limited number of components and their ability to be removed from each other in a relatively easy manner, allow for ease of maintenance and replacement. In addition, the relative positioning of the valve  8  and pump  2  results in an arrangement that significantly reduces noise levels while the bathing vessel is in use. 
         [0035]    A further advantage of the bypass system of the present invention resides in the fact that the pump can function with optimal design characteristics (i.e., without the disadvantage or inconvenience of having either an insufficient quantity of water at its inlet or having to build pressure because of reduced size of pipes at the outlet). As a result, the pump&#39;s useful lifetime can be extended, which is a desirable feature for those who purchase pools, whirlpools, baths, spas, hot tubs and other similar bathing vessels. 
         [0036]    Moreover, the selection of embodiments allows for flexibility. Depending on the style and function of the bathing vessel, a bypass system can be selected to achieve the variations in water flow that are desired by the bather, while minimizing ambient noise. 
         [0037]    The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples only. Variations, alterations and modifications can be made to the particular embodiments described herein by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.