Patent Abstract:
A pulsating hydrotherapy jet is disclosed which has a jet body with a water inlet to allow water to flow into the body. The jet body discharges the water through a discharge member in more than one concentric pattern. A cap mounted on the body to receive the circular water patterns is also disclosed. The cap has a number of openings that form more than one concentric opening ring. Each of the opening rings align with a respective one of the circular water patterns to provide the sensation of a number of circular patterns of multiple pulsating jets. A system for providing a hydrotherapy jet to a reservoir of water is also disclosed. The system includes a reservoir shell capable of holding water with a number of hydrotherapy jets according to the invention that are mounted around the reservoir shell. A water pump system circulates water from the reservoir to the jets.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to hydrotherapy jets. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Various hydrotherapy jets have been developed for use in spas, hot tubs, pools and bath tubs that discharge a stream of water that can be aerated through a variety of discharge nozzles. Designs of these hydrotherapy jets provide different flow characteristics that result in different massage effects being experienced by the body. Such jets have been found to produce a pleasing massage effect for many users, and have become quite popular. In the design of single or multi-use spas or tubs, it is common to use a variety of different jet nozzles to provide a variety of different massaging effects. 
   Early jets simply discharged a stream of warm water along the longitudinal axis of the jet body, with later jets providing aeration of the water stream. Since then numerous jets have been developed in which the direction of the stream can be adjusted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,029 to Spears, et al. (assigned to the same assignee as the present invention) discloses a jet that provides an off axis stream of water and has an axial push-pull mechanism used to control the flow of water. The mechanism can also be rotated to rotate a stream of water around the jet axis, thus providing directional control over the stream. 
   Jets have also been developed having a rotating outlet or eyeball that automatically rotates in response to water flowing through the outlet. As an example, see Waterway Plastics, Inc., “1999 product catalog,” page 4, including part nos. 210-6120 and 210-6510. In these jets, the outlet can be adjusted off the jet&#39;s longitudinal axis to provide a turning moment in the eyeball in response to the water stream flow. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,570 to Denst et al. (assigned to the same assignee as the present invention) discloses a jet having a rotating eyeball with one or more discharge outlets that can be adjusted to vary the direction of the outlet flow stream, as well as the direction and speed of the eyeball&#39;s rotation. A high-pressure water stream flows through the outlets and, depending on the orientation of the outlets, the eyeball can rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise at different speeds. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,925 to Dongo (assigned to the same assignee as the present invention) discloses a jet having a rotating eyeball and a cap formed with a number of openings positioned at a common radius from the center of the cap. The jet produces a high-pressure water stream that flows through the eyeball, causing it to rotate at a high speed and discharge the jet in a circular pattern that impinges on the openings. Together, the rotational speed and the opening design produce the sensation of a number of simultaneously pulsating water streams that are directed into the spa. 
   Various hydrotherapy jets have been developed in the past for use with spas, hot tubs, and bath tubs that discharge an aerated stream of water through a variety of discharge nozzles. In general, such jets produce a constant flow stream that provides a good therapeutic effect. However, in an attempt to enhance the therapeutic effect, several systems have been designed that produce a pulsating flow. These systems have met with varying degrees of success as they often require additional or larger components, which increase system cost and add complexity, or generate unwanted pressure losses, thus requiring a larger pump than would otherwise be required. 
   One prior art approach has been to use mechanical devices to pulse water flowing to an individual jet, or a series of jets. An example of such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,541 to John S. Neenan. In this approach a series of mechanical blocking devices are used to intermittently block and unblock a flow stream. As a flow stream is unblocked, a pulse of water is sent to the jet and ultimately to the user. While this approach does provide a pulsating effect, blocking and unblocking of the flow stream causes abrupt pressure increases imposing a strain on spa systems. Aside from these drawbacks, such systems require additional components that add complexity, cost and weight. In addition, since the pulsation effect is generated away from the jet, the pulsed flow stream experiences a pressure loss, resulting in a decreased pulsation effect being felt at the jet exit. 
   In an alternate approach, rather than using mechanical devices to generate a pulsed flow, a hydraulic pumping device is used. In such a system, pulsation is produced by a distribution valve which houses a rotor that is rotated by inlet water flow, and distributes the inlet water to a series of outlets which are connected into the individual jets. The rotor is formed with a groove that sequentially aligns the water outlets to the water inlet so that each outlet is periodically connected to, and then disconnected from, the inlet. The water is supplied into each jet in a pulsating or chopping manner. Examples of this system are given in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,444,879 and 5,457,825 to Michael D. Holtsnider and assigned to Waterway Plastics, Inc. the assignee of the present invention. 
   While hydraulic systems do provide a degree of pulsation, they too suffer from many of the same problems as mechanical systems. For example, as the pulsation effect is generated away from the jet, the pulsed flow stream experiences a pressure loss which results in a reduced pulsation effect at the jet, and like the mechanical systems the additional componentry adds complexity, cost and weight to the system. Also, a larger water pump may be required to provide additional energy to rotate the rotor and to compensate for additional pressure losses. 
   To overcome the drawbacks associated with mechanical and hydraulic pulsed systems, pulsation systems have been designed that do not require mechanical devices or hydraulic distribution systems. Such systems generally have individual pulsation mechanisms located within the individual jets. Examples are shown in the Waterway “1997 product catalog,” page 1, deluxe and octagon series pulsating jet, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,496 to Corb et al., also assigned to Waterway Plastics, Inc. The individual jets contain rotational devices commonly called eyeballs. The eyeballs have water conduits which discharge water flowing through the jet into the spa or tub. The conduits are angled to cause the eyeball to rotate and distribute the flow stream in a circular pattern. The circular distribution provides, to some degree, the sensation of a pulsed flow as the flow stream interacts with a specific point on the body in a periodic fashion. However, this is not truly a pulsed flow since the user actually experiences a continual flow stream, but in a circular pattern. 
   Attempts have been made to produce a jet that would produce a true pulsed flow. To this end, several designs have been developed in which pulsation is created at the jet itself. In these systems the flow stream at the jet is blocked periodically to create the sensation of a pulsed flow. See Waterway Plastics, Inc. “1997 product catalog” page 1, Standard Poly jets whirly and pulsator jets, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,665 to Spinnett. While both the Waterway and Spinnett Jet designs do in fact produce a pulsed flow, the pulsating is created by blocking the flow stream exiting the discharge member as it rotates past a blocking member. When the flow stream comes in contact with the blocking member the flow is temporarily interrupted or halted, thus generating a pulsed flow that is circular or spiral in nature, moving from one zone to another in a sequential manner. The blocking, however, creates an undesirable backflow into the jet, causing strain on the spa system and ultimately lowering efficiency. In addition, the Spinnett design requires multiple deflections of the flow stream as it passes through the jet, causing pressure losses and lowering the system efficiency. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention includes a jet body, a water inlet, a channel within the jet body, a discharge member, and a cap with having a plurality of openings. The jet body produces a high-pressure water stream that flows through the discharge member, causing the discharge member to rotate, and discharges the water stream in a number of concentric patterns. Together the rotation speed and the plurality of openings produce the sensation of a number of concentric rings each having multiple pulsating water streams that are directed into the spa dr tub. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified exploded perspective view of a pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along section line  2 — 2  of the double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the discharge member used in the jet of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along section line  4 — 4  of the discharge member of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fully assembled double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit; 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the cap used in the jet of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along section line  7 — 7  of the cap of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along section line  8 — 8  of the cap of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of an assembled double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit; 
       FIG. 10  is a top plan view of one embodiment of the cap used in the jet of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 10   a  is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of the cap used in the jet of  FIG. 2   
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view of one embodiment of the discharge member used in the jet of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit of  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a spa/tub system using the present invention; and 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart demonstrating one embodiment of the claims. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , relates to a low-pressure loss hydrotherapy jet system  40  that uses a single water supply  3  (not shown) and a single air intake  4  (not shown) to produce multiple concentric, rings of simultaneously pulsating water streams in a spa bath. As shown in  FIG. 1  aerated water stream  5  enters discharge member  10 , which has a major outlet conduit  17  and a minor outlet conduit  18 . Water stream  5  enters discharge member  10  and splits into subsidiary streams  6  and  7 , which exit discharge member  10  through minor outlet conduit  18  and major outlet conduit  17  respectively. Subsidiary streams  6  and  7  discharge in concentric patterns from discharge member  10 . The subsidiary streams  6  and  7  impinge a concentric arrangement of openings  28   a – 28   g  and  27   a – 27   g  respectively disposed on cap  20 . Subsidiary stream  7  passing through openings  27   a – 27   g  generates a ring of major pulsating streams  8 . Subsidiary stream  6  passing through openings  28   a – 28   g  generates a ring of minor pulsating streams  9 . 
   In one embodiment the upstream contours surrounding the openings creates ridges that divert the rotating discharge member to the respective openings without generating substantial back flow. In one embodiment, when discharge member  10  receives a water supply having a pressure of at least 10 pounds per square inch (psi), discharge member  10  rotates fast enough that the user may have the sensation of major and minor pulsating streams  8  and  9  pulsating simultaneously. Minor pulsating stream  9  may appear to be concentric with major pulsating stream  8 . In one embodiment discharge member  10  may rotate at speeds of at least 500 revolutions per minute (rpm). In one embodiment, the system has the added advantage that its design results in lower pressure losses. 
     FIG. 1  also shows discharge member  10  has a discharge member sleeve  15  that connects to inner discharge member sleeve  67  (shown in  FIG. 12 ). Locking slot  14  on discharge member sleeve  15  allows sleeve attachment tab  66  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) to connect inner discharge member sleeve  67  to discharge member  10 . Alignment slot  16  allows alignment of discharge member  10  to inner discharge member sleeve  67 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2  major outlet conduit  17  diverts aerated water stream  5  away from the longitudinal axis of water stream  5 , and forms subsidiary stream  7 . In one embodiment, subsidiary stream  7  may impart a rotational moment to discharge member  10 . Minor outlet conduit  18  also deflects aerated water stream  5  away from its longitudinal axis forming subsidiary stream  6 , but does not divert it as far away as major outlet conduit  17 . In one embodiment, minor subsidiary stream  6  may impart a rotational moment to discharge member  10 . 
   Channel  31 , in  FIG. 2 , receives water supply  3  flowing from inlet  32  through exit port  33 . Exit port  33 , whose axis is normal to that of Channel  31 , constricts the flow of water supply  3  and provides it to inlet  32 . Attached to exit port  33 , at its upstream end, is a venturi sleeve  30  that houses a venturi  34 . Venturi  34  has an upstream section  35  that tapers down to its smallest diameter at throat  36 . At throat  36 , venturi  34  expands in diameter forming an aft section  37 . Air intake  4  enters through air conduit  45 . Aft of throat  36 , in section  37 , are located a series of air openings  39  used to entrain air supply  4  to aerate the water flowing through venturi  34 . In this manner, air intake  4  is entrained into water supply  3  forming aerated water stream  5 . 
   In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , major outlet conduit  17  diverts part of aerated water stream  5  into diverted major outlet conduit aerated water stream  7 . Diverted major outlet conduit aerated water stream  7  leaves discharge member  10  through major outlet conduit  17 . Minor outlet conduit  18  diverts part of aerated water stream  5  into the minor outlet conduit  18 . Subsidiary stream  6  leaves discharge member  10  through minor outlet conduit  18 . Major and minor aerated subsidiary streams  7  and  6  exiting discharge member  10  thru major outlet conduit  17  and minor outlet conduit  18  respectively encounter openings  27   a – 27   g  and  28   a – 28   g  respectively. In  FIG. 2 , aerated water stream  5  exits discharge member  10  as major subsidiary stream  7  thru major ring opening  27   b , and minor subsidiary stream  6  thru minor ring opening  28   e.    
   Discharge member  10  can be seen just up stream of cap  20 . The cross section of major opening  27   b  may be seen in cap  20 . A cross section of minor opening  28   e  may also be seen in cap  20 .  FIG. 2  shows major outlet conduit  17  lining up with major ring opening  27   b  allowing major outlet conduit aerated water stream  7  to exit double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40 .  FIG. 2  also shows minor outlet conduit  18  aligning up with minor ring opening  28   e  permitting subsidiary stream  6  to exit double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40 . 
   Washer  52  separates bearing rakes  53  and  51  in  FIG. 2  from each other. Bearing rakes  53  and  51  permit discharge member  10  to rotate freely around rotational axis  11  as shown in  FIG. 4 . These bearing rakes  53  and  51  fit over inner bearing sleeve  54  and are attached thereto. The combination of inner bearing sleeve  54 , bearings  53  and  51  and washer  52  are then snugly fit inside outer bearing sleeve  55  as is also shown in  FIG. 12 . The positioning of bearing rake  51  and bearing rake  53  outside bearing sleeve  54  keeps the bearings separate from aerated water stream  5 , reducing the chance that over time these bearings might seize. Additionally, having two bearing rakes  51  and  53  reduces the wear that would be encountered by a single bearing rake, thus extending the life of the jet. 
   Washers  56  and  57 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , confine air uptake  4  entering thru air conduit  45  allowing it to aerate water stream  3  producing aerated water stream  5 . Conduit  45  has a check valve comprising check valve ball  46  and check valve ball retainer  47 . The check valve prevents water from escaping double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40  back thru air conduit  45 . When water enters air conduit  45  check ball  46  is forced against check ball retainer  47  sealing the conduit closed. 
   As discharge member  10  rotates around its longitudinal axis, major outlet conduit  17  sweeps consecutively through major openings  27   a  to  27   g . As major outlet conduit  17  sweeps through an opening  27   a – 27   g  in cap  20 , subsidiary stream  7  passes through said opening creating major pulsating stream  8  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
   As discharge member  10  rotates around its longitudinal axis, minor outlet conduit  18  sweeps consecutively through minor openings  28   a – 28   g . As minor outlet conduit  18  sweeps through an opening  28   a – 28   g  in cap  20 , subsidiary stream  6  passes through said opening creating minor pulsating stream  9  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
   As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment major opening  27   b  may be aligned with major outlet conduit  17 , and thus does not substantially impede the flow of subsidiary stream  7  through major outlet conduit  17 . In one embodiment, all openings  27   a – 27   g  may be aligned with major outlet conduit  17  as opening  27   b  is shown here. In one embodiment minor opening  28   e  may be aligned with minor outlet conduit  18 , and thus opening  28   e  does not interfere substantially with the flow of water out of minor outlet conduit  18 . In one embodiment, all openings  28   a – 28   g  may be aligned with minor outlet conduit  18  as opening  28   e  is shown here. 
   In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3  major outlet conduit  17  extends further away from the center axis  11  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of discharge member  10  then does minor outlet conduit  18 . 
     FIG. 4  shows discharge member  10  has an axis of rotation  11  that is collocated with the longitudinal axis of aerated jet  5  (shown in  FIG. 2 ).  FIG. 4  further demonstrates major outlet conduit  17  extending further away from the centerline then does minor outlet conduit  18 . In one embodiment, conduits  17  and  18  extend up and out from discharge member  10  in a manner that suggests asymmetric bunny ears. 
   In one embodiment discharge member  10  has a rotational axis  11  with the two linear water outlet conduits  17  and  18  passing through it. Major outlet conduit  17  has a longitudinal axis  13  that is coplanar with axis  11 . Minor outlet conduit  18  has a longitudinal axis  12  that is coplanar with axis  11 . Major outlet conduit&#39;s  17  longitudinal axis  13 , and minor outlet conduit&#39;s  18  longitudinal axis  12  are orientated at angles α and β respectively to axis  11  of discharge member  10 . In one embodiment α may be greater than 37 degrees, and β may be greater than 21 degrees. In another embodiment one or both of axes  12  and  13  are further offset by an angle γ (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) in a direction normal to offsets defined by angles α and β to provide a turning moment to discharge member  10  in response to a jet flow. Subsidiary streams  6  and  7  exiting rotational member  10  trace out concentric patterns, as discharge member  10  rotates, which may be perceived as solid rings of water. In one embodiment angle γ may be approximately 6 degrees. 
   In one embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4  major water outlet conduit  17  and minor water outlet conduit  18  pass through and extend downstream from discharge member  10 , and are spaced approximately 180 degrees apart from one another about axis  11 . Angles α, β and γ are set such that discharge member  10  obtains sufficient rotational speed to provide what may be perceived to be multiple continuous solid concentric bands of water. Interaction of the water bands with cap  20  ultimately may provide the user with the sensation of multiple concentric simultaneously pulsating water streams. 
     FIG. 5  shows double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40 . Cap  20  may be placed within rotating scallop plate  49 . Scallops  49   a  on rotating scallop plate  49  allow the reduction of the flow of water supply  3  to double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40  by rotating discharge member carrier  55  to occlude a portion of water inlet  32  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , cap  20  contains two series of 7 cylindrical openings  27   a – 27   g  and  28   a – 28   g . Cap  20  has major ring openings  27   a – 27   g  arrayed around the edge of cap  20  at a common radial distance from the center, or longitudinal axis of cap  20  that coincides with longitudinal axis  11  of discharge member  10  when assembled, i.e. in a circle. Also cap  20  has arrayed around its center a circle of minor ring openings  28   a – 28   g  that are arrayed at a common radial distance from the longitudinal axis of cap  20 . In one embodiment the radius of major ring openings  27   a – 27   g  may be greater than the radius of minor ring openings  28   a – 28   g.    
     FIG. 7  shows the curve of cap  20 , and cap edge ridge  23 . Cap edge ridge  23  assists in securing cap  20  within scallop ring  49 . This cross section of cap  20  partially exposes minor ring openings  28   e  and  28   g.    
     FIG. 8  cuts directly through the center of major opening  27   b  and minor opening  28   e . This specific arrangement of openings is one embodiment of a cap for a double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40 . Other embodiments will be equally effective in providing the double pulsating hydrotherapy jet effect. 
     FIG. 9  shows an assembled double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40  showing cap  20  and rotating scallop ring  49 . Scallops  49   a  can be seen around the periphery of rotating scallop ring  49 . Scallops  49   a  allow better finger grip while rotating scallop ring  49  to adjust the rate of flow of water supply  3 . Major ring openings  27   a – 27   g  may be seen just inside rotating scallop ring  49 . Cap  20  on which major ring openings  27   a – 27   g  are placed is in fact placed over and nestled within rotating scallop plate  49 . In one embodiment, minor ring openings  28   a – 28   g  may be seen nested inside and between major ring openings  27   a – 27   g.    
   In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 10 , cap  20  may have an opening  26  in its center. Center opening  26  may be used to allow discharge of centralized water outlet conduit  19  of  FIG. 11 . 
   As is shown in FIG,  10   a , upstream of openings  27   a  through  27   g  at the intersection of the openings are a series of raised contours  25  between the openings. In one embodiment the contours  25  form ridges that divert water provided from conduit  17  into one or more of openings  27   a  through  27   g . The ridges cut the water, diverting it into the openings. The cutting action allows the water to flow into openings without producing substantial back flow as may be the case if the surfaces between the openings had no ridges. Similar raised contours  24  may be seen between openings  28   a  through  28   g  that divert water provided from conduit  18  into one or more of bore holes  28   a  through  28   g , thus reducing backflow. The contours  24 ,  25  can have many different shapes and sizes. 
   In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 11  discharge member  10  may contain a centralized water conduit  19  coaxial with the longitudinal axis  11  of discharge member  10 . The centralized water conduit provides a continuous nonpulsating jet to the user in addition to the series of pulsating jets. 
     FIG. 12  demonstrates how all the individual parts of double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40  relate to one another, and are assembled. Front flange  42  and gasket  41  combine with locking thread ring  48  to grasp the side of a hydrotherapy spa or tub shell  70  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). Gasket  41  prevents leakage of water from a hydrotherapy spa or tub shell  70 . Locking thread ring  48  screws down over exterior threading  43  with interior threading  50 . Rotational movement of locking thread ring  48  towards the front of double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40  compresses front flange  42  against gasket  41  and compresses gasket  41  against a wall of hydrotherapy spa or tub shell  70 . Gasket  41  is seated behind front flange  42 . Housing  44  supports stationery and rotating portions of double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40 . This assembly attaches double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40  to the wall of hydrotherapy jet bath. 
   Mechanical mount retaining ring  60  is placed into Housing  44  to hold outer bearing sleeve  55  in a fixed position. Exit port  33  on outer bearing sleeve  55  permits water from water inlet  32  to enter the interior of double pulsating hydrotherapy jet unit  40 . Discharge member carrier outer sleeve  72  permits attachment to rotating scallop plate  49 . Locking feature  61  locks and makes secure the attachment of discharge member carrier  72  to rotating scallop plate  49 . 
   Inner bearing sleeve ridge  62  is used as a stop to prevent bearing rakes  53  and  51  from moving too far forward along inner bearing sleeve  54 . 
   Discharge member  10  slides over and encompasses inner discharge member sleeve  67 . Discharge member  10  is held in place by the interlocking of sleeve attachment tab  66  and discharge member attachment slot  14  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Cap  20  is attached to rotating scallop plate  49 . Cap  20  is stationery compared to, and moves with rotating scallop plate  49 . Discharge member  10  is mounted at the down stream end of venturi sleeve  30 . Venturi sleeve  30  contains aerated water stream  5 . Discharge member  10  is designed so impingement by aerated water stream  5  generates a rotational moment causing discharge member  10  to spin about its axis of rotation  11 . Located down stream of discharge member  10  is cap  20 , which diverts the water flowing from discharge member  10  to produce simultaneous pulsating jets  8  and  9 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 13 , multiple jets can be installed in a spa or tub shell  70 . In this disclosure, spa shell is defined as any bath, pool, reservoir or spa capable of containing a fluid and enabling immersive recreation or therapy. Some or all of the jets can be one of the jets described above, with the jets in this embodiment being jet  40 . The remaining jets  71  may be any other desired type, such as a variety of prior single nozzle jets. Both types of jets are connected to a water pump  78 , used to circulate the water throughout the spa system, by a series of water conduits  73 . Water from shell  70  is provided to pump  78  through the drain  77 , which is connected through return water conduit  74  to pump  78 . Water from pump  78  is provided back to shell  70  by conduits  73 , where it flows into jets  40  and  71 , as the case may be, and in turn into shell  70 , completing the loop. Additionally, an air system  79  may be included that provides air to individual jets  40  and  71  through an air conduit  80 , to aerate the water flowing through the jet. The air system  79  can be pump driven to increase the pressure of the air entering the jet  8 , or can be vacuum based with the venturis located within the jets  40  and  71  drawing air into the jets and water flow stream. 
     FIG. 14  shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of the claimed invention. A hydrotherapy jet discharge is provided in block  141 . A plurality of water streams is discharged in block  142 . The water streams are rotated in concentric patterns around a common axis in block  143 . 
   Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with references to certain preferred configuration thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope independent claims should not limited to the preferred version contain therein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0