Abstract:
Fluid-treatment apparatus and methods are detailed. The apparatus may be plumbed in-line and have inlets and outlets near their tops rather than near their bases. They additionally may provide one or more channels through which fluid may flow so as to induce fluid flow through a central region. A platform for raising the (effective) bottom of a chamber of an apparatus above a base thereof further may be included.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based on, claims priority to, and hereby refers to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/281,120, filed Nov. 13, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to apparatus and methods for changing a characteristic of a fluid and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to apparatus and methods for treating circulating water of swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,802 to Archer, et al., illustrates exemplary purifiers designed principally for use with “confined bodies of water” including swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. A base of the purifier includes an inlet port and an outlet port plumbed into a water circulation system. Secured to the base is a body accessible by removing a threaded cover. Typically contained within the cover is a purification cartridge incorporating a mesh bag into which purification material, such as a silver catalyst, is placed. Pressurized water enters the purifier via the inlet port, with some of the water being diverted upward through an opening in the top of the body into the purification cartridge for contact with the purification material. Post-contact, the diverted water flows out of the top of the cartridge and down around its exterior, eventually to the outlet port. 
         [0004]    Depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 7,540,966 to Costa, et al., is another example of a water purifying or sanitizing device. The device may include a base having an inlet and an outlet for connection to a water-circulation system. A housing may be removably attached to the base and define (at least) two chambers, each chamber being accessible via an opening at the top of the housing. Threaded or other covers may be used to close each of the openings. 
         [0005]    Some water entering the device of the Costa patent flows upward into a chamber containing a metal generator for treatment. It then flows downward, with some of this water flowing through a valve to enter a second chamber containing a halogen generator for further treatment. The entering water contacts a hypohalite, typically in solid form, with some of that water thereafter exiting the halogen generator chamber for (eventual) return to, for example, a pool or spa. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides alternatives to the apparatus and methods of the Archer and Costa patents. Devices of the invention may include a housing defining at least one chamber for introduction of fluid-treating material. Preferably two such chambers are defined, one configured to receive a cartridge containing a metal-based material and a second configured to receive chlorine or a chlorine generator. 
         [0007]    The innovative apparatus may be plumbed in-line, similar to the devices of the Archer and Costa patents. Unlike those devices, however, the present apparatus may position its inlet and outlet at or near the top of the apparatus rather than in a base. Hence, water entering the apparatus may initially travel downward, rather than upward, through the first chamber. Positioning the inlet and outlet in this manner facilitates use of the apparatus with raised plumbing lines, including (but not limited to) those of the Jandy VersaPlumb System, available from the assignee of this application. 
         [0008]    Additionally included in versions of the present invention is a multi-channel flow management system. In some embodiments of invention, the presence of a cartridge in the first chamber defines an outer radial channel through which water entering the chamber may travel generally unimpeded from the inlet toward the base of the unit. Water traveling in the outer radial channel creates a low pressure region in the central radial portion of the chamber, hence inducing water flow through the cartridge toward the base. If desired the flows may merge in the base before entering the second chamber. 
         [0009]    Optionally included within the housing is an internal wall separating from one another, at least to some extent, the two chambers. Both chambers beneficially may be accessible from the top of the apparatus through openings. The top openings may be capped; alternatively, the cartridges or other devices positioned in the chambers may be friction-fitted through the openings, thus effectively sealing the openings from the external environment when the cartridges or other devices are in place. Additionally, the present invention may comprise a separate housing and base, although alternatively these components may be combined into a single piece. 
         [0010]    Versions of the invention further may, if desired, include a platform raising the (effective) bottom of the second chamber above the base. Inclusion of this platform is especially useful when, for example, solid chlorine tablets are inserted into the second chamber. Because water may tend to pool in the base when the circulation system is not functioning, failing to raise the tablets above this pooled water may cause the tablets to dissolve prematurely. The platform need not be continuous, however; indeed, it preferably is in the form of discrete ribs protruding upward from a surface. The surface itself may be mainly continuous if desired, although it advantageously contains one or more openings to allow entry of water. In some versions of the invention, the surface includes groups of openings. Depending on how a cartridge is rotated or otherwise placed on the platform, fewer or greater numbers of holes may communicate with the material in the cartridge. 
         [0011]    It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods of treating fluids. 
         [0012]    It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods of purifying, sanitizing, or otherwise enhancing quality of water used within bodies such as pools, spas, or hot tubs. 
         [0013]    It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide multi-chamber devices, with the chambers preferably accessible from the tops of the devices. 
         [0014]    It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide fluid-treating apparatus having inlets and outlets at or near the tops of the apparatus. 
         [0015]    It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide fluid-treating apparatus configured to contain both metal-based material and chlorine (either pre-created or created within the apparatus). 
         [0016]    It is additionally an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide one or more channels through which fluid may flow so as to induce fluid flow through a central region. 
         [0017]    It is yet another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide apparatus including a platform for raising the (effective) bottom of a chamber above a base of the apparatus. 
         [0018]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in relevant fields with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary fluid-treatment apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective, partially cut-away view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of part of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating, in particular, aspects of a flow management system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of part of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating, in particular, a platform comprising ribs protruding above a surface. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  6  is apparatus  10  consistent with the present invention. Apparatus  10  may comprise housing  14  to which base  18  is connected. The connection between housing  14  and base  18  may be permanent; alternatively, housing  14  may be detachable from base  18  (or vice-versa). Apparatus  10  preferably is made of molded plastic, although other materials may be employed instead. 
         [0026]    A version of housing  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  may include top  22 , bottom  26 , and at least one sidewall defining sides  30  and  34 . Shown in top  22  are first and second openings  38  and  42 , respectively. First opening  38  permits access to first chamber  46  within housing  14  from above apparatus  10 , while second opening  42  allows access in similar manner to second chamber  50 . 
         [0027]    Side  30  likewise may include two openings, designated in  FIGS. 1-3  and  6  as third opening  54  and fourth opening  58 . Third opening  54  may function as an inlet to apparatus  10  and thus be configured for connection to piping of, for example, a water-circulation system. Fourth opening  58 , by contrast, preferably is for a sensor or probe (e.g. a salt sensor). 
         [0028]    Horizontally aligned with third opening  54  is fifth opening  62  of side  34 , which may serve as an outlet from apparatus  10 . Unlike the inlets and outlets of the apparatus of the Archer and Costa patent, third opening  54  and fifth opening  62  are positioned at or near top  22 , well above base  18 . Apparatus  10  thus may be connected to pipes substantially above the ground or other surface on which base  18  rests. This substantially above-ground connection is especially useful when apparatus  10  is employed in connection with the Jandy VersaPlumb System, as the distance D between the inlet/outlet and bottom  66  of base  18  matches the normal above-ground (or above-pad, etc.) height of conduits used with that system. 
         [0029]    Illustrated at least in the exploded view of  FIG. 3  are wall  68 , flow management system  70 , and seal  74 . Wall  68 , which preferably is non-planar, divides the interior of housing  14  into first and second chambers  46  and  50 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , wall  68  may be fitted into flow management system  70 . Seal  74  preferably is an o-ring configured to reduce the possibility of water leakage into or from apparatus  10  at the connection of housing  14  and base  18 . 
         [0030]    Fluid management system  70 , also depicted (from below) in  FIG. 4 , functions (among other things) to direct flow of water through first chamber  46  and from the first chamber  46  to second chamber  50 . System  70  be fitted within base  18  and include first receiver  78 , second receiver  82 , and flow directors  86 A and  86 B positioned below first receiver  78 . First receiver  78  is configured to receive, for example, a metal-containing cartridge inserted through first opening  38  into first chamber  46 . Second receiver  82  preferably receives a chlorinator or chlorine-containing material. Treatment items other than metals and chlorine may be substituted in appropriate circumstances; likewise, under certain conditions either or both of first receiver  78  and second receiver  82  may be empty. 
         [0031]    Assuming, however, that first receiver  78  contains a water-treatment cartridge or similar device, both first receiver  78  and first opening  38  preferably are sized to have diameters (or equivalent diameters, if non-circular) less than the diameter (or equivalent diameter) of first chamber  46 . Assuming also that the cartridge allows water flow from its upper portion to its lower portion, both primary and secondary flow paths may be formed through first chamber  46 . For water entering apparatus  10  via third opening (inlet)  54 , the primary flow occurs in the radially outer region of first chamber  46 —outside of and surrounding the cartridge, while secondary flow is through the cartridge and, e.g., its metal-containing material positioned in the radially central region of the first chamber  46 . Water in the primary flow thus reaches flow management system  70  relatively unimpeded; by contrast, the metal-containing material significantly impedes the second flow. 
         [0032]    Flow diverters  86 A and  86 B are positioned so as to form central area  90  in fluid communication with first receiver  78 . Hence, the lower-velocity water of the secondary flow travels into central area  90  between diverters  86 A and  86 B, whereas the higher-velocity water of the primary flow travels to the outside of diverters  86 A and  86 B (see  FIG. 4 ). The primary flow to each side of area  90  causes reduced pressure within central area  90 , hence inducing (or at least aiding or enhancing) the secondary flow. 
         [0033]    Following passage by diverters  86 A and  86 B (in the case of the primary flow) or through central area  90  (in the case of the secondary flow), water of the primary and second flows may merge in base  18  and thereafter flow upward through second chamber  50  to fifth opening (outlet)  62 . Because second receiver  82  may contain at least one or more elongated openings  94  ( FIG. 4 ), some of the merged water may travel though openings  94  into a cartridge, chlorinator, or other object positioned in the second receiver  82 . Preferably such object itself has one or more openings at or adjacent fifth opening  62  to allow water to exit both the object and apparatus  10 . 
         [0034]    Depicted in  FIG. 5  is optional platform  98 . Platform  98  may be or comprise part of second receiver  82  or be configured for placement therein. Protruding upward from generally-continuous bottom surface  102  are one or more ribs  106 . An object (such as a chlorine tablet, for example) placed in platform  98  thus may be supported by ribs  106  above surface  102 , reducing the likelihood of the object being in contact with water pooled in base  18 . This reduced likelihood of contact in turn reduces the likelihood that the object, if dissolvable in water, will dissolve prematurely. 
         [0035]    Surface  102 , finally, is shown as including spaced sets of holes  114 . Set  110 A, for example, includes five holes  114 , while set  110 B includes only one hole  114  and set  110 C includes two holes  114 . Depending on the rotational orientation of platform  98  vis-à-vis second receiver  82 , more or fewer holes  114  will be aligned with elongated openings  94 . Accordingly, the volume of water entering an object placed in second receiver  82  may be changed by rotating platform  98 . 
         [0036]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Additionally, the contents of the Archer and Costa patents are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.