Pulsating water injection system and valve for hydrotherapy spa with helical water distribution groove

A water injection system for a tub, comprising:

• a plurality of nozzles for injecting water into the tub;
• and
• a water distribution valve including:
• a housing having an inlet for receiving said water and a plurality of outlets connected to the nozzles respectively;
• and
• a rotor which is rotatably disposed in the housing and shaped so as to be rotated by said water flowing into the housing from the inlet and sequentially connect the outlets to the inlet as the rotor rotates;
• said housing having a longitudinal axis about which the rotor is rotatably disposed and said outlets being longitudinally spaced from each other parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• and
• said rotor being formed with a circumferential surface and a groove in said circumferential surface against which said water impinges from the inlet to cause rotation of the rotor, said groove sequentially aligning with the outlets upon rotation of the rotor, said groove having an area that substantially encompasses an outlet with which it is aligned.

A fluid distribution valve, comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and a plurality of outlets;
• and
• a rotor which is rotatably disposed in the housing and shaped so as to be rotated by said water flowing into the housing from the inlet, said rotor including a water conduit that sequentially aligns with and connects the outlets to the inlet as the rotor rotates, said conduit having an area that substantially encompasses an outlet with which it is aligned;
• said housing having a longitudinal axis about which the rotor is rotatably disposed, said inlet being shaped such that said fluid flows through the inlet into the housing along said longitudinal axis, and said outlets being longitudinally spaced from each other parallel to said longitudinal axis.

A fluid distribution valve, comprising:

• a housing having an inlet and a plurality of outlets;
• and
• a rotor which is rotatably disposed in the housing and shaped so as to be rotated by fluid flowing into the housing from the inlet and sequentially connect the outlets to the inlet as the rotor rotates;
• said housing having a longitudinal axis about which the rotor is rotatably disposed and said outlets being longitudinally spaced from each other parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• and
• said rotor being formed with a circumferential surface and a groove in said circumferential surface against which said fluid impinges from the inlet to cause rotation of the rotor, said groove sequentially aligning with the outlets upon rotation of the rotor, said groove having an area that substantially encompasses an outlet with which it is aligned.