US 5,079,784 AGranted

Hydro-massage tub control system

AssigneeHydr-O-Dynamic Systems, Inc.

InventorsBruno A. Rist, Charles S. Daniels

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Abstract

A control system for hydro-massage tub systems in which water is circulated through a pump and heater from the tub back to a plurality of jets in the tub to create a turbulent massaging action. The system is comprised of an activating device, a pump, a switch activating circuit, a heater with proportional control and a water level sensing safety system. The pump is controlled by a switching and timing circuit that limits the time the pump is on which is slaved to a heater control circuit to prevent operation of the heater unless the pump is circulating water. The proportional heater control circuit maintains the water temperature within a degree or two of a preset temperature by proportionally reducing power as the temperature approaches the preset limit. The activating device transmits a ignal to the switching and timer circuit when a mechanical plunger isolated from electrical circuits is operated. The level sensing device monitors the water level in the tub and interrupts or prevents operation of the switching and timing circuit unless water is at a level which activates the level sensing signal transmission circuit.

A control system for a hydro-massage tub comprising:

pump means for pumping water from said tub back to a plurality of jets in said tub;
heating means for heating said water as it circulates through said pump means;
proportional temperature control means for applying proportional power to said heating means to maintain said water near a constant preselected temperature;
said proportional temperature control means comprising;
a solid-state AC power switch, and a solid state temperature control integrated circuit responding to changes in water temperature for activating said power switch to apply power from said power supply to said heater means proportional to a change in water temperature;
activating means for activating said control system;
level sensing means for sensing the level of water in said tub and interrupting operation of said control system when the water falls below a preselected level;
said level sensing means including a closed container having an inlet at one end;
said closed container being mounted on said tub with said inlet positioned to receive water filling said tub, said closed container being mounted to form an air column, a diaphragm mounted in said container above said air column, switch signalling means in said container mounted for operation by movement of said diaphragm, so that water entering said inlet causes an increase in pressure in said air column expanding said diaphragm to operate said switch signalling means;
said switch signalling means comprising a light emitting diode, a photocell mounted to receive light from said light emitting diode, and beam interrupting means on said diaphragm for interrupting the path of said light beam from said light emitting diode when said diaphragm expands;
power supply means for supplying power to said control system, said power supply means including means for preventing operation of said heater means without operation of said pump;
whereby water is heated and circulated through jets in said tub to create a turbulent massaging action.

9 more elements

Facts

Application

07/306,830Filed 3 Feb 1989

Granted

14 Jan 1992

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61H 33/60
Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes: components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
A61H 33/005
Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes: electrical circuits therefor
A61H 33/02
Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes: bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or…
A61H 2033/0054
Electrical circuits therefor: with liquid level detectors

Abstract

Claims19