| Retrofit heating system for spa -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Retrofit heating system for spaRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Tubs, Means For Agitating Or Circulating Water In A TubRetrofit heating system for spa description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070180606, Retrofit heating system for spa. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/379,859, filed Apr. 24, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/596,648, filed Oct. 10, 2005, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates broadly to spa and systems for temperature control thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to a spa incorporating a heat pump system to both heat and cool the spa water. [0004] 2. State of the Art [0005] Spas, in the form of a hot tub or larger swim spas, are generally heated by electric heaters. An electric heater is employed to heat the water temperature to a temperature as set by a user through a user interface. The interface triggers a controller to operate the heater. After the water temperature reaches the set temperature, the controller stops the electricity supply to the heater. Over time, the water temperature decreases due to heat loss to the ambient through the spa tub insulation material and by direct heat loss at the water surface. When the water temperature reaches a certain temperature below the set temperature, the electric heater again heats the water. Heating via electricity can be very inefficient. For example, the typical electric spa heater requires 5.5 kW, powered at 23 amps which, with the high cost of electrical energy, can be very expensive to run. [0006] In a hot geographical region, it may be beneficial for a spa tub to have cooling capability to cool the water to a set temperature below ambient temperature. One spa that provides such functionality is the Atera Anytemp Spas.TM. from Four Seasons Home Products, Inc. of Phoeniz, Ariz. This spa includes a 4.3 kW electric heater to heat the water and a separate 6000 BTU water chiller to cool the water. Both the electric heater and water chiller are energy inefficient. In addition, this system heats the spa water no faster than a conventional spa heater. [0007] Heat pump systems have been used to heat the water in pools more efficiently than electric heaters. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,274 to Lackstrom describes using a heat pump to both heat and cool ambient air in an environment associated with a pool or hot tub heated by the heat pump. However, a heat pump has not been effectively used to both heat and cool the water in a spa tub. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a spa with a heating and cooling system which is energy efficient in a standard mode of operation. [0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a spa with a heating and cooling system which has a rapid heating mode of operation that is significantly faster than a conventional electric heater. [0010] It is also an object of the invention to provide a spa with a heating and cooling system to provide temperature stabilization capacity. [0011] It is still another object of the invention to provide a spa that has a programmable timer to allow fixing the spa water temperature at a desired time. [0012] In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below, a spa is provided with a heat pump system for both heating and cooling the water contained in the spa tub. The spa includes a tub, a plurality of jets within the tub wall, a suction fitting, associated plumbing, and a water pump to circulate out of the tub through the suction fitting, through the plumbing and back through the jets under pressure back into the tub. As the water is sent to the jets it is moved through a venturi where air from a supply is entrained within the water. A cabinet supports the tub and encloses the workings of the spa. [0013] The heat pump includes a compressor, a water heat exchanger, an expansion device, an ambient heat exchanger, connective plumbing, a four-way valve enabling a preferred reversible operation, and a working fluid (refrigerant) therein. In accord with a preferred aspect of the invention, the heat pump uses the existing water pump of the spa to circulate the water through the water heat exchanger of the heat pump. The heat pump can be operated to raise or decrease the water temperature or maintain water temperature. [0014] It is recognized that the ambient heat exchanger of the heat pump will produce condensate. In distinction from systems that are solely intended to be used outdoors, the removal of condensate from the heat pump is an issue when the spa system of the invention is adapted for indoor use. Without proper removal, such condensate may cause water to runoff into an indoor home space and cause associated wet spots, water damage and/or mold and mildew. In accord with one preferred aspect of the invention, plumbing is provided to couple condensate collection to the venturi at the water jets. Thus, negative pressure created at the venturi during water jet operation causes automatic removal of condensate from the heat pump and provides it into the spa tub. [0015] In accord with another preferred aspect of the invention, the ambient heat exchanger during operation automatically periodically cycles off and on to prevent and/or remove frost build-up on the heat exchange coils thereof. [0016] In accord with a yet another preferred aspect of the invention, components of the heat pump are subject to noise reduction. Such noise reduction may include physical masking by acoustic isolation and/or insulation. Alternatively, the noise reduction may be implemented electronically. [0017] The spa and cabinet together define a space therebetween. In accord with a further preferred aspect of the invention, a diverter is provided which directs air which is most efficient for use to the ambient heat exchanger. For example, air from the space may be pulled when it is warmer than ambient air, and ambient air may be pulled when warmer than air in the space or when pulling air from the space would result in other thermal inefficiencies (e.g., excessive cooling of the spa tub water). [0018] The spa preferably includes an ozonator, which is known in the art to control bacteria and otherwise filter the water. The ozonator requires an infusion of dry air for optimal operation, as dry air accepts more ozone for delivery to the water. In accord with another aspect of the invention, drier air from the cool side of the ambient heat exchanger of the heat pump is drawn off and sent to the ozonator to optimize operation of the ozonator. [0019] In accord with an additional preferred aspect of the invention, the spa also includes a conventional electric heater that can be activated in conjunction with the heat pump to provide a rapid heating mode. Because the water is brought up to the desired temperature more rapidly and then maintained at the desired temperature with the higher efficiency heat pump, overall energy efficiency is increased. In a preferred embodiment, the heater coil of the electrical heater is integrated with the heat pump. [0020] In accord with yet another aspect of the invention, a heat pump and temperature control system can be retrofit to an existing spa such that the heat pump is located outside the cabinet of the spa and plumbing is used to circulate water to the heat pump or refrigerant into the cabinet of the spa. [0021] In accord with still another aspect of the invention, a control system is provided for a spa system such that the user of the spa can program a set time into the control system such that the water in the spa reaches a user specified temperature at the set time. Continue reading about Retrofit heating system for spa... Full patent description for Retrofit heating system for spa Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Retrofit heating system for spa 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 Retrofit heating system for spa or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Elongated suction outlet assembly with intrinsically safe sump Next Patent Application: Temperature stabilized heating system for spa Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Retrofit heating system for spa patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 3.11835 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
