Fluid-holding apparatus including a sensor

#The invention relates to a fluid-holding apparatus and, particularly, a fluid-holding apparatus including a sensor.

#Prior fluid-holding apparatus having a fluid-moving system (e.g., spas, whirlpools, jetted tubs, swimming pools, hot tubs, clothes washing machines and similar fluid-holding apparatus) typically include manually actuated air switches for controlling the apparatus. For example, if the fluid holding apparatus is a jetted tub, then the jetted tub typically includes a controller and at least one operator-actuated switch (e.g., a jetted water ON/OFF switch.) The operator turns on the jets in the jetted tub (i.e. to cause movement to the water) by physically actuating the ON/OFF switch from an OFF position to an ON position.

#It would be a beneficial convenience if some element of the fluid-holding apparatus could sense a varying weight held by the apparatus and perform an action in response to the variation in weight. For example, when a user enters the jetted tub, the change in weight in the tub could be detected, and used to automatically start the jets, thereby eliminating the need for the user to manually activate the jets using the ON/OFF switch.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus including a fluid-movement system having a control circuit of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a flowchart implementing a method of controlling an apparatus including a fluid-movement system having a control circuit of the invention.

#Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in full detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “having”, “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

#A fluid-holding apparatus 100 embodying the invention is schematically shown in FIG. 1. The fluid-holding apparatus 100 generally includes a vessel 105, and a control system for controlling the agitation of fluid in the apparatus. The control system generally has a sensor 110, a controller 115, an operator-controlled input device 120, and at least one output device. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the output devices include a fluid-movement system 122, and a visual and/or audio output device 124. Example fluid-holding apparatus include a jetted tub, a whirlpool, a spa, a hot tub, a swimming pool, and similar fluid-holding apparatus. Furthermore, some aspects of the invention may be used in connection with other fluid-holding apparatus such as clothes washing machines, water heaters and similar fluid-holding apparatus.

#In the preferred embodiment, the vessel 105 is a hollow container such as a tub or a vat that holds a load. The load includes a fluid, such as chlorinated water, and may include one or more occupants or items.