Heating system for spa
AssigneeBullfrog International, LC
InventorsJeffrey J. Guilfoyle, Eric Hales
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for heating a pool or spa. The system may include a circuit for interrupting the power supply to a heating element of the pool or spa. A thyristor may be used to vary the voltage supply to the heating element, such as by use of a variable resistor, capacitor, and a triac. The system may adjust the resistance on the variable resistor to control to voltage supply to the heating element, allowing a larger heating element to be used more efficiently.
Claims20
A method for regulating an output voltage to a spa heating element from an input voltage to a spa, comprising:
- providing a capacitor in electrical communication with the input voltage;
- providing a variable resistor in electrical communication with the capacitor and the spa heating element;
- providing a thyristor in electrical communication with the capacitor and the spa heating element;
- providing a controller in communication with the variable resistor;
- providing a thermistor in communication with the controller and the heating element;
- receiving, by the controller, at least one data point from a third party, the at least one data point relating to an air temperature proximal to the spa;
- receiving, by the controller, a signal from the thermistor indicating the current temperature of the heating element;
- sending, by the controller, one or more signals to the variable resistor in response to the signal from the thermistor and the at least one data point relating to the air temperature proximal to the spa.
A spa heating system comprising:
- a heating element;
- a thermistor, the thermistor in communication with the heating element and a microcontroller;
- a capacitor in electrical communication with a voltage supply for the heating element;
- a variable resistor in electrical communication with the capacitor and the heating element, the variable resistor further in communication with the microcontroller;
- at least one one of a triac and a quadrac in electrical communication with the capacitor and the heating element.
A kit for a heating system to a spa or pool having an existing heating element, the kit comprising:
- a controller;
- a thermistor connected to the controller and having a connector for connection to the existing heating element;
- a capacitor configured for electrical communication with a voltage supply for the existing heating element;
- a variable resistor in electrical communication with the capacitor, the variable resistor further in communication with the microcontroller;
- at least one one of a triac and a quadrac in electrical communication with the capacitor and the at least one of the triac and the quadrac configured for electrical communication to the existing heating element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.