Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5742954?dq=5,583,822
Timestamp: 2018-01-22 16:56:23
Document Index: 171041293

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n3', 'art.\n4', 'art.\n5', 'art.\n12', 'art.\n22', 'art.\n24']

Patent US5742954 - Electrically powered spa jet unit - Google Patents
In a spa water circulation system, the spa including wall structure facing toward a water reception zone and comprising a plurality of water pumps associated with the wall structure, the pumps spaced about the zone, and oriented to receive water intake from the zone and to discharge water streams into...http://www.google.com/patents/US5742954?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5742954 - Electrically powered spa jet unit
Publication number US5742954 A
Application number US 08/755,306
Also published as WO1999055283A1
Publication number 08755306, 755306, US 5742954 A, US 5742954A, US-A-5742954, US5742954 A, US5742954A
US 5742954 A
In a spa water circulation system, the spa including wall structure facing toward a water reception zone and comprising a plurality of water pumps associated with the wall structure, the pumps spaced about the zone, and oriented to receive water intake from the zone and to discharge water streams into the zone; each pump including water pumping structure, and there being structure for controlling pumping operation of the structure.
1. For use in a water circulation device for a spa having wall means facing toward a water reception zone, the combination comprising
a) housing means adapted for carriage by said wall means,
b) pumping structure associated with said housing means,
c) and control means for controlling pumping operation of said pumping structure,
d) there being inlet and outlet porting provided to create a simultaneous intake and discharge of fluid, so as to balance and cancel or reduce an associated momentum change, which in turn reduces forces imposed on said wall means,
e) there being an inner chamber within which a movable part of the pumping structure is reciprocable, and from which water is discharged relatively forwardly to said outlet porting, said part having forward and rearward sides,
f) and there being an outer passage extending outwardly of and about said inner chamber, and to which water is drawn via said inlet porting, said outer passage communicating with a rear side of said inner chamber to deliver water to the rearward side of said part, said inlet and outlet porting, said inner chamber, and said outer passage being within said housing means.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pumping structure includes a driver for reciprocating said part.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said control means is operatively connected to said driver for controlling at least one of the following:
i) the rate of reciprocation of said part
ii) the amplitude of movement of said part.
4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said driver comprises one of the following:
i) a solenoid coupled to said part
ii) an electric motor having rotary structure coupled to said part.
5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said outlet porting includes a nozzle sized to jet a stream of water into said water-reception zone.
6. The combination of claim 5 including air induction means in communication with water being pumped, for entrainment in said jet stream.
7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said air induction means includes an air duct extending to a housing chamber forwardly of said inner chamber.
8. The combination of claim 7 including check valve means in series with said air duct to pass air in one direction toward said chamber, and to block water backflow through the duct.
9. The combination of claim 7 including adjustable means associated with said duct to regulate the quantity of air passing to said chamber.
10. The combination of claim 5 wherein said nozzle includes a movable component for controllably adjusting the direction of flow of water through the nozzle to the water reception zone.
11. In a spa water circulation system, the spa including wall means facing toward a water reception zone, the combination comprising
ii) an outer passage extending outwardly of and about said inner chamber, and to which water is drawn via said inlet porting, said outer passage communicating with the rearward portion of said inner chamber to deliver water to the rearward side of said part.
12. The combination of claim 10 wherein said water pumping structures are independently operable, and are spaced about said zone.
13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said water pumping structures are carried by said wall means.
14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said wall means defines recesses opening toward said water reception zone, and said pumping structures are adapted to be received into said recesses.
15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said pumping structures include housings containing said pumping structures, said housings adapted to be removably received and retained in said recesses.
16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said housings have flanges to clamp against flexible liner means associated with said wall means.
17. The combination of claim 11 wherein each said pumping structure includes a driver operatively connected with said part to reciprocate same.
18. The combination of claim 11 wherein said outlet porting includes a water outlet defined by a nozzle sized to jet water into said water reception zone.
19. The combination of claim 11 including a housing about said outer passage and said inner chamber.
20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the housing includes a front wall defining said porting forwardly of said inner chamber.
21. The combination of claim 11 including a solenoid driver operatively connected with said part.
22. The combination of claim 21 including an electronic control means which powers said solenoid, so as to provide capability to change both the pulse width and the frequency of power to the solenoid which results in control of the force and pulse rate of the water discharged.
23. The combination of claim 11 wherein said inlet porting includes multiple ports to pass water via said ports in response to reciprocation of said movable part.
24. The combination of claim 11 wherein said movable part defines multiple through openings to pass water.
25. The combination of claim 24 including flap valve means flexingly cooperating with said openings to promote water flow forwardly via said openings in response to reciprocation of said movable part.
This invention relates generally to improvements in hydrotherapy massage jets of the type used in spas and hot tubs, and the like. More specifically, this invention relates to a self-contained spa jet unit which is electrically powered to provide a vigorous therapeutic massage action.
Spa jet for use in spas, swimming pools, and hot tubs, and the like, are generally known in the art to provide a hydrotherapy massage action. In particular, conventional spa jets are mounted in the wall of a spa or hot tub and coupled by plumbing lines to a water recirculation system, including a pump which draws water from the pool or spa and recirculates that water to and through one or more spa jets for return flow to the pool or spa. The spa jets are designed to produce a pressure jet flow of water, which is discharged into the body of water within the pool or spa, often by means of a directionally adjustable discharge nozzle. A person within the pool or spa can orient himself in a selected position relative to a spa jet to receive a vigorous and desirably therapeutic massage action.
While conventional spa jets of the above-described type are widely used and provide a desirable hydrotherapeutic benefit, a relatively complex plumbing network is required for water recirculation to the spa jet. This plumbing network is normally installed at the time of spa construction by positioning the necessary flow conduits directly within the structural wall of the spa. This arrangement is relatively complicated and expensive, and thus contributes significantly to the overall cost of a spa system. In addition, a person using the spa typically has little or no control, other than directional adjustment over the power of the water jet discharged into the spa.
The present invention is directed to an improved spa jet unit which can be mounted quickly and easily into a spa wall without requiring construction of complex plumbing flow conduits; and further wherein the improved spa jet is adapted for relatively simple and adjustable regulation of the power and flow characteristics of a discharge water jet.
a) a plurality of water pumps associated with the wall means, the pumps spaced about the zone, and oriented to receive water intake from the zone and to discharge water streams into the zone,
b) each pump including water pumping structure, and there being means for controlling pumping operation of such structure.
As will be seen, the water-pumping structures are independently operable and are spaced about the zone.
Another object includes provision of such pumping structures, each of which includes a chamber having a water inlet and a water outlet, and a water displacing reciprocating element operable to draw water into the chamber via the inlet and to discharge water from the chamber via the outlet. As will be seen, a local driver is typically operatively connected to the water displacing element, to reciprocate same.
Yet another object includes the provision of multiple recesses in the spa wall means, the local pumping structure received into the recesses. Those structures may be independently controlled, as to rate of reciprocation and amplitude of reciprocation. Also, the water outlets associated with the pumping structures may be defined by nozzles oriented to jet water streams into the water reception zone.
Further in accordance with the invention, a spa jet unit is provided for use in a pool or spa or the like to provide an effective hydrotherapy massage action, without requiring complex recirculation plumbing lines, for pumping water under pressure to the spa jet. Instead, the improved spa jet unit of the present invention comprises a substantially self-contained unit having an electrically powered reciprocal element to produce a pulsating discharge water jet. A control unit may be provided to regulate the reciprocal element, in a manner permitting power and frequency adjustment of the discharge water jet to suit individual preferences.
In a preferred form, the spa jet unit comprises a relatively compact housing assembly adapted for installation into a open-sided pocket formed in the wall of a spa or hot tub or the like. The housing assembly defines a pump chamber in association with intake ports through which water can be drawn from the spa into the pump chamber, and a discharge nozzle through which water can be discharged as a therapeutic jet back into the spa. The reciprocal element comprises an electrically driven solenoid having a plunger coupled to a resilient diaphragm forming one wall of the pump chamber. Reciprocal operation of the solenoid plunger is effective to draw water into the pump chamber and to discharge that water through the discharge nozzle. The stroke length and frequency of the solenoid can be regulated by a control unit to permit user adjustment of the discharge jet frequency and power.
In alternative forms, the spa jet unit can be adapted for circulating a small portion of the spa water into heat transfer relation with the electrically driven reciprocal element for cooling the reciprocal element during operation. Alternative reciprocal elements may be used, such as an electric motor having a rotary output coupled via an appropriate crank linkage to the resilient diaphragm for moving said diaphragm in a reciprocal manner. Other embodiments incorporate air induction tubing for drawing air in a regulated amount into the pump chamber, so that the discharge water jet includes entrained air for an enhanced therapeutic effect.
FIG. 3 is a front end elevational view of the spa jet unit, taken generally on lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a fragmented vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating an alternative electrically-driven reciprocal element;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view on lines 13--13 of FIG. 12; and
FIG. 14 shows a modification using a bellows.
Referring first to FIGS. 12 and 13, a spa 200, includes wall means, as at 201, facing toward a water reception zone 202. The wall means may include a synthetic resinous wall 201a bounding zone 202. The inner face of the wall means appears at 201b.
Water pumping structure is indicated by block 207, in the pump 203 seen in FIG. 13. Note pump housing 203a received in the recess 208, formed in the wall 201a. It may be retained in position frictionally, or by other means. The water pumps are preferably independently operable, as by drive means associated with each pump and located at the pump. Also, the pumps may be operated to vary the rate of pumping action, and the stroke of the pumping element, i.e., variable as to amplitude and frequency of pumping action, to vary the jets 205 to best use of the bather. In this regard, while the pumps are herein described as operating by reciprocation, it is possible to provide rotary impeller-type pumps having controllably variable impeller rates of rotation, and so long as the jets 205 are directed toward the interior region of the spa, as indicated.
Control means to control the pumping structure is indicated generally at 210 in FIG. 12. Note the three cables 211a, 211b, and 211c extending respectively to the drivers at the three pumping structures 203 shown for independent control. Note the frequency and amplitude controls 210a and 210aa controlling one pump via cable 211a; frequency and amplitude controls 210b and 210bb controlling a second pump via cable 211b; and frequency and amplitude controls 210c and 210cc controlling a third pump via cable 211c. ON-OFF switches may be provided in or proximate of the controls 210a, 210aa, 210b, 210bb, 210c, and 210cc, for further selective control, in various combinations of amplitude and frequency of pumping action at different pumps. A spa liner may be employed, as at 212, and clamped by a pump flange 225.
In the exemplary drawings 1-11, an electrically powered spa jet unit, referred to generally in FIG. 1 by the reference numeral 10, is provided for use in a spa 12 or the like, to deliver a discharge jet of water to provide a hydrotherapy massage action. The spa jet unit 10 is typically installed in a side wall 14 of the spa in several selected locations about the spa perimeter and below the normal water fill line. Each jet unit 10 represents a relatively compact and substantially self-contained unit, which can be individually controlled by an appropriate control unit 16, all without requiring complex plumbing flow conduit networks and relates recirculation pump devices.
In general terms, the spa jet unit 10 of the present invention includes an electrically powered reciprocal element 18 adapted for regulation by the control unit 16 to deliver a pulsating jet of water through a discharge nozzle 20. Each jet unit 10 is adapted for mounting into an open-sided pocket 22 formed in the side wall 14 of the spa 12, with appropriate electrical conductors 24 interconnecting each jet unit 10 to the control unit 16. No plumbing conduits or related recirculating equipment are required. As a result, the overall hydrotherapy massage system is relatively simple and economical.
FIG. 10 also shows the pump unit in discharge motion, the flow channels 89 having water flowing in an inwardly direction, as marked by the arrows and toward chamber 189 rearwardly of the reciprocating elements 75 and 78. This flow is in opposite direction to the flow through the central jet port 82, as marked by the arrow. And is a result of a negative pressure created rearwardly of element 75 as the element moves forwardly in the discharge motion. With proper design, these flows are balanced to cancel or reduce momentum forces transmitted to the spa or tub wall.
FIG. 14 shows an embodiment wherein the reciprocating element 200 drives end wall 201a of a bellows 201 in reciprocation, to draw fluid into chamber 202 via ports 203 and passage 204, and to discharge fluid through passage 204. The bellows also provides a seal connection to chamber wall 205, to seal off and protect the solenoid 206 from the water. A return spring is used at 207.
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U.S. Classification 4/541.1, 4/509, 4/541.6, 417/413.1, 417/555.1
International Classification F04B19/06, A61H33/00, F04B43/04
Cooperative Classification A61H33/6052, A61H2201/1207, F04B43/04, A61H33/6063, F04B19/06, A61H33/6047
European Classification A61H33/60E4W, A61H33/60E4P, F04B19/06, A61H33/00, F04B43/04
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:IDLAND, CARSTEN H.;REEL/FRAME:008324/0765