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Pulsating waterjet valveRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Tubs, Means For Agitating Or Circulating Water In A TubPulsating waterjet valve description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060185069, Pulsating waterjet valve. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The present invention generally is in the field of devices for generating pulsating jets of water, and more particularly is in the field of valves for generating pulsating jets of water through one or more waterjets in spas, swimming pools, tubs and the like. [0003] 2. Prior Art [0004] Waterjets can be used in artificial water structures, such as pools, spas and hot tubs (for ease of this disclosures, all artificial water structures will be referred to as spas in this disclosure), to provide jets of water to provide a massaging and therapeutic action. The massaging and therapeutic action usually is provided by waterjets that are recessed into the walls of the artificial water structures. Several waterjets are usually spaced about the perimeter of an artificial water structure. Waterjets typically comprise nozzles for forming and adjusting the water flow through the waterjets and, in some waterjets, the nozzles may be rotated to achieve a desired flow. The nozzle is often a swivel type nozzle, which allows the direction of the flow to be adjusted by the user of the artificial water structure for maximum massaging or therapeutic action. [0005] Spas often are provided with a number of waterjets around its periphery for the introduction of water or aerated water into the main body of water in the spa. The water can be supplied in steady stream or in a pulsating manner. Generally, water is supplied by way of a manifold valve to all of the waterjets in a spa continuous manner. The waterjets themselves often are adjustable to allow the water to flow therethrough in a steady stream or in a pulsating manner. However, such prior art waterjets require a separate pulsator unit for each nozzle, increasing the complexity, cost and maintenance of the spa. [0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a central device that allows for the pulsation of some or all of the waterjets in an artificial body of water, such as a spa, swimming pool, tub or the like with a minimum of manufacturing and installation costs. There also is a need for a central device that allows for the concurrent pulsation of waterjets in a spa or the pulsation of the waterjets in a spa in a set sequence or rotation. It is to these needs and others that the present invention is directed. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] Briefly described, the present invention is a valve for sequentially diverting the water being supplied to the waterjets in a spa in such a manner that the various waterjets emit water into the spa in a pulsating manner. In its most basic configuration, the valve comprises a multi-port manifold body and a water-driven selector cam rotationally contained within the manifold body. [0008] The valve can be included in a more or less typical spa water circulation scheme comprising a spa, the valve, one or more waterjets, and connecting fluid carrying conduits. Water is pumped through the valve such that the water impinges generally normal to the plane of a propelling vane in the valve. Water flowing into the valve through a water inlet end impinges on the propelling vane causing the propelling vane to rotate. This rotation causes cam lobes, which are attached to a spindle to which the propelling vane also is attached, to rotate and for dams located at the outward ends of the cam lobes to align and unalign with outlets (ports) in the manifold body. The outlets are fluidly connected to the waterjets. The alternating alignment and unalignment of the dams with the outlets causes the water flowing through the valve to be distributed to the waterjets in an intermittent manner to create a pulsating effect. [0009] In operation, water that is pumped through the valve is supplied in a pulsating manner to those waterjets connected to the valve. The water can be supplied to the waterjets in a sequence dependant on the positioning of the cam lobes about the spindle. For example, the waterjets can be fluidly connected to the outlets in a pattern allowing the pulsating effect to appear to rotate around the spa, in a pattern allowing alternate (every other) waterjets to pulse, or in many other patterns. Thus, water can be distributed to one or more of the waterjets at any one time in accordance with the invention. Preferably, water is distributed to fewer than all of the waterjets at any one time. [0010] These features, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numerals represent like components throughout the several views. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the invention. [0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the manifold body of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the manifold body of FIG. 2. [0014] FIG. 4 is an end view of the manifold body of FIG. 2. [0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the selector cam of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of the selector cam of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 7 is an end view of the selector cam of FIG. 6 from the water inlet end showing the propelling vanes. [0018] FIG. 8 is an end view of the selector cam of FIG. 6 from the end opposite the water inlet end showing the cam lobes. [0019] FIG. 9 are schematic sectional views of the present invention in four positions showing the flow of the water through the invention, with FIG. 9A being in a first position, FIG. 9B being in a position rotated 90 degrees from the first position, FIG. 9C being in a position rotated 180 degrees from the first position, and FIG. 9D being in a position rotated 270 degrees from the first position. [0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic of an array of waterjets in a spa connected to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Continue reading about Pulsating waterjet valve... Full patent description for Pulsating waterjet valve Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Pulsating waterjet valve patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Pulsating waterjet valve or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Flush valve Next Patent Application: Inflatable plastic bathtub liner Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Pulsating waterjet valve patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.14962 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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