Abstract:
A bath water heating device for use in a small water environment, such as a bathtub or the like, that is operable to maintain water in the small water environment at a desired temperature. The device may filter water as it is pumped through the device. Additionally or alternatively, the device may provide ambient relaxation and/or entertainment content to a user, such as a bather or the like. The device may be wirelessly connectable to external input/output devices.
Abstract:
A sanitation compartment capable of preheating the clean, cold water from the mains, for use in the bath, using, residual heat present in wastewater. The water used in the bath is collected from the cabinet, passing via the drain and is conveyed to the collector vessel and transferred to a heat exchanger. Clean, cold water from the mains circulates through the heat exchanger, where it is preheated on receiving heat from the wastewater present within the collector vessel.
Abstract:
A spa control system designed to reduce maintenance cost by providing modular construction for major control functions, with built-in diagnostic capabilities for isolating defective spa components. Multi-colored LEDs on the spaside panel constantly report the status of each component of the spa as well as the status of the functional modules themselves. Each time a component is activated, measurements of operational parameters, such as load currents, are instantly made and evaluated so that the proper LED color can be presented at the spaside. Since major functions such as audio, LED control, wireless, and spa logic are separated into removable modules, repair of the control system requires less time and less skilled personnel. Other design improvements, such as direct monitoring of heater element temperature and the purging of pumps on an as-required-basis, enhance the spa's overall reliability and thus reduce the need for maintenance.
Abstract:
A spa heater includes a heater element having a single outer wall with indentations near each end for receiving clips for positioning the heater element. The indentations are preferably stamped or formed by some other method which does not weaken the outer wall and the heater element is retained by use of the clips in the indentations. Incorporation of the indentations and the clips allows use of a single thin outer wall thereby reducing cost. The heater element is held and sealed by a combination of O-rings, stepped washers, snap rings clips, and caps. An electrical connection may be made using ring type wire ends residing under the caps or by connecting to posts extending from the ends of the heater element. The heater element is preferably a spiral heater element and a titanium outer wall may be used to resist corrosion and increases heater element life.
Abstract:
A spa control system designed to reduce maintenance cost by providing modular construction for major control functions, with built-in diagnostic capabilities for isolating defective spa components. Multi-colored LEDs on the spaside panel constantly report the status of each component of the spa as well as the status of the functional modules themselves. Each time a component is activated, measurements of operational parameters, such as load currents, are instantly made and evaluated so that the proper LED color can be presented at the spaside. Since major functions such as audio, LED control, wireless, and spa logic are separated into removable modules, repair of the control system requires less time and less skilled personnel. Other design improvements, such as direct monitoring of heater element temperature and the purging of pumps on an as required-basis, enhance the spa's overall reliability and thus reduce the need for maintenance.
Abstract:
An apparatus for bathtub heater control configured for two distinct functional operations; i.e., nominal control and safety oversight. The nominal control portion of the apparatus responds to normal operating parameters to heat the bathtub water to the desired temperature and to maintain it there within defined limits of precision. One aspect of this portion of the apparatus is proportionate temperature control. This feature employs heater power at less than full to achieve a fine degree of control at or near the desired temperature. Moreover, once the desired temperature is achieved, proportionate power of the heating element permits the maintenance of the water temperature at a more precise level. The safety oversight portion has the feature of operating only when power is applied to the heating element. This feature avoids unnecessary deactivation of the heater or heating element due to false sensing of an unsafe condition. The safety circuit preferably utilizes an internal fuse or circuit breaker requiring access to the heater itself before power can be restored to the heater. Separate temperature sensors are employed for nominal control and safety. The safety circuit requires that the temperatures sensed by these separate sensors be in agreement within a limited range.
Abstract:
A bathing structure, such as a tub, spa, shower base, and/or seated shower base, includes an electrical heater element adhered into or embedded within the wall structure of the bathing structure. The electrical heater is preferably formed as a sheet or sheet-like assembly of a heater wire circuit and a support sheet, such as an open-weave fiberglass mesh. The flow of electricity through the wires generates heat that is conducted through the wall of the tub structure to the interior surface of the tub to provide a warm sensation or feeling to the bather upon entry into the bathing structure.
Abstract:
A temperature maintenance heater assembly for maintaining the temperature of a heated fluid circulating through piping of a bath, including a pipe section, a base plate, a control assembly, a heater assembly cover, and a heating element. The heater element is mounted within the pipe section. The control device assembly is electrically connected to the heater element and to a source of power. The control assembly includes a flow switch operable to interrupt the supply of power to the heater element under certain operating conditions, such as when the fluid flow through the pipe section is less than a pre-selected threshold value. By interrupting the supply of power to the heating element under certain operating conditions, the temperature maintenance heater assembly provides operational safety measures to the user.