Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A PUMPING COMPARTMENT FOR A PORTABLE HOT TUB OR SWIM SPA
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
This patent document contains material which is subject to copyright
protection.
The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone
of
this patent document as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent
file
or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of hot tubs and spas, more particularly, to
a
pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa, said compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of pumps in spas, hot tubs, bathtubs and the like is, of course, well
known. Such pumps are used to receive water from a water inlet, place the
water under pressure and convey such water to the various outlets or jets
within
the spa enclosure where the user is or is intended to be positioned. The water
exiting the jets creates a flow within the water of the spa and exhausts on
the
user, if so desired. The water has a pleasant and therapeutic benefit.
The pumps that create the pressure and provide water to the jets within the
spa
are generally centripetal type pumps. These pumps have an impeller with a
central portion into which water from a water inlet is introduced. The
impeller has
a series of radially located vanes that conveys the water radially outwardly
from
the central inlet area to an outlet located adjacent the radial vanes.
Powering the
pumps is a motor which is generally housed within a motor compartment located
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within the hot tub. During operation of hot tub, the motor is under load which
creates heat within the motor compartment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,736 (French) teaches a motor cooling technique typically
used in spas. French takes air from within the component compartment of the
spa and passes such air through the motor which powers the spa pump by using
the cooling fan within the motor. French teaches collecting the hot air which
has
passed through the motor by an exhaust shroud and exhausting such air to
ambient conditions outside the component compartment of the spa.
While the technique taught by the '736 patent is generally satisfactory,
advantages in such cooling techniques and increased flexibility in using the
cooling air are possible. First, because French takes his cooling air from
within
the component compartment, which component compartment is the location of
electrical and electronic components which generate heat, the air gathered
from
the component compartment by French is at a relatively elevated temperature
which prejudices the motor cooling effect. Superior cooling with air at a
lower
temperature would be useful.
Second, by exhausting his collected and heated air to a location outside the
spa,
the thermal energy of the heated air dissipated in the atmosphere is wasted by
French. It would be useful if the thermal energy of the heated air could be
applied
to other uses.
U.S. Patent No. 6,428,283 (Bonoir) overcomes the disadvantages of French by
providing a water circulation apparatus for use in a spa or the like which
utilizes a
turbine or axial flow pump for pumping the water from a water inlet to the
jets or
other exhaust openings within the spa and under the water surface. Cooling air
from ambient surroundings is used to cool a motor providing power to the pump.
.. The motor and pump are located within a component compartment and exhaust
openings exhaust the cooling air passing through the motor where it may be
used
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for heating towels. The component compartment may be sealed thereby to allow
heated air to escape only from the exhaust openings.
Although Bonoir overcomes the disadvantages of French, there is a desire to
provide a water extract pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or spa
which
also provides a warming area for the water extract pump and other spa items.
Accordingly, a need exists for pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or
swim spa, said compartment Other objects of the invention will be apparent
from
the description that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a pumping compartment for
a portable hot tub or swim spa. The compartment may include a hollow body
disposed in an internal cavity of the portable hot tub or swim spa. The
compartment may also be situated adjacent a sidewall of the portable hot tub
or
swim spa. A warming apparatus may be connected to the hollow body in
addition to a pumping apparatus.
The warming apparatus may include an air conveyor having first and second
ends with the first end disposed inside the portable hot tub or swim spa. A
fan
may also be included which is driven by a fan motor and the air conveyor may
be
connected to the fan at the second end of the air conveyor. The fan may be
operable to draw air from inside of the hot tub or portable spa through the
air
conveyor and into the hollow body. The air conveyor may at its first end be
connected to a motor compartment via an air inlet. The air conveyor may be a
flexible duct.
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The fan and the motor may be housed within a fan compartment. The fan
compartment may be connected to the outside of the hollow body.
The pumping apparatus may include a water inlet conveyor connected to a
drainage hole of the portable hot tub or swim spa. The drainage hole may be
located substantially at the bottom of the portable hot tub or swim spa. A
water
pump, such as a RuleTM Tournament series cartridge pump, may be disposed
inside of the hollow body and it may be connected to the water inlet conveyor
for
pumping water from the portable hot tub or swim spa. A water outlet conveyor
may be connected to the water pump for draining the water away from the
portable hot tub or swim spa. Both the water inlet and outlet conveyors may
each be individual hoses.
The hollow body may include a door accessible through the sidewall of the
portable hot tub or swim spa to allow the water outlet conveyor to extend
through
the outside of the portable hot tub or swim spa.
A divider may be included which is operable to fit inside of the hollow body
and to
cover the water pump and water outlet conveyor.
Both the fan motor and water pump may each be powered by the portable hot tub
or swim spa motor.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is
provided a method of pumping water out of portable hot tub or swim spa. The
method may include providing a water inlet conveyor and connecting the water
inlet conveyor to a drainage hole of the portable hot tub or swim spa. The
drainage may be located substantially at the bottom of the portable hot tub or
swim spa. Additionally, the method may include providing a water pump inside
of
a hollow body and connecting the water inlet conveyor to the water pump. The
hollow body may be positioned in an internal cavity of the portable hot tub or
swim spa and adjacent a sidewall of the portable hot tub or swim spa. A water
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outlet conveyor may be provided and it may be connected to the water pump.
The method may further include connecting the water pump to a motor of the
portable hot tub or swim spa to power the water pump and operating the water
pump to draw water from the portable hot tub or swim spa through the water
inlet
conveyor, water pump and water outlet conveyor and away from the portable hot
tub or swim spa.
The method may include providing a door accessible through the sidewall of the
portable hot tub or swim spa and then extending the water outlet conveyor
through the door so that the water can flow away from the portable hot tub or
swim spa.
Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the
detailed
description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to
the
drawings thereof in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable hot tub or swim spa with a closed
pumping compartment;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the portable hot tub or swim spa with an open
pumping compartment;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pumping compartment with the door removed;
and
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the portable hot tub or swim spa with an open
pumping compartment and warming compartment.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4 , there is a portable hot tub or swim spa 10.
Hot tub
includes a pumping compartment 12 which is made from a hollow body 14
disposed in an internal cavity of hot tub 10. Ideally, and as depicted,
pumping
compartment 12 is situated adjacent a sidewall (supported by a frame 16) of
hot
tub and swim spa 10. As those skilled in the art will appreciate,
pumping
10 compartment 12 may be situated in any free area within hot tub 10 and
may be of
any convenient shape to fit inside hot tub 10.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a pumping apparatus is provided which includes
a
water inlet conveyor 18 connected to a drainage hole of the hot tub 10. The
drainage hole is ideally located substantially at the bottom of hot tub 10 to
allow
gravity to feed the water contained in hot tub 10.
The pumping apparatus includes a water pump 22 disposed inside of hollow
body 14. Water pump 22 is conventionally connected to water inlet conveyor 18
for pumping water from hot tub 10. Ideally, water pump 22 is a cartridge style
pump such as RuleTM Tournament series cartridge pump, however, as those
skilled in the art will appreciate, other pumps may be utilized. As depicted,
water
pump 22 is located on the floor 100 of hollow body 14, however, as those
skilled
in the art will appreciate, water pump 22 may be located in any convenient
.. location within hollow body 14. Ideally, hollow body 14 includes a ledge
102
running the interior perimeter of hollow body 14. Ledge 102 may be integrally
formed into hollow body 14, but may also be a distinct addition to the
interior of
hollow body 14. A divider or false bottom is included which is operable to fit
inside of hollow body 14 and to rest on top of ledge 102 to conveniently and
aesthetically cover water pump 22 and water outlet conveyor 24.
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The pumping apparatus additionally includes water outlet conveyor 24 which is
also conventionally connected to water pump 22 to drain the water away from
hot tub 10. Preferably, both water inlet 18 and outlet 24 conveyors are
conduits
or hoses. Preferably, hollow body 14 includes a door 42 accessible through the
sidewall of hot tub 10 to allow water outlet conveyor 24 to extend through the
outside of the hot tub 10. Water outlet 24 is also preferably long enough to
extend well beyond hot tub 10 to allow the water from inside hot tub 10 to
drain a
safe distance away.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, a warming apparatus is provided which includes an
air
conveyor 26 having first 28 and second 30 ends with first end 28 disposed
inside
hot tub 10. A fan 32 is included which is driven by a fan motor 34. Fan 32 and
motor 34 are housed within a fan compartment 36 which is connected to the
outside of the hollow body 14. Air conveyor 26 is connected to fan 32 at
second
end 30 and fan 32 is operable to draw air from inside hot tub 10 through air
conveyor 26 and into hollow body 14. Ideally, first end 28 is connected to a
motor compartment 38 via an air inlet so that warm air from motor compartment
38 is drawn through air conveyor 26 into hollow body 14. To route air into
hollow
body 14, ideally air conveyor 26 is a flexible duct.
Both fan motor 34 and water pump 22 are each powered by hot tub 10 motor (not
depicted), however, it is also contemplated that fan motor 34 and water pump
22
may each be separately powered by other sources of power.
Operation
When hot tub 10 is turned on, the motor of the hot tub 10 powers on fan motor
34
which draws air through air conveyor 26 from, preferably motor compartment 38,
into hollow body 14. The warm air from motor compartment 38 warms hollow
body 14, thus users of hot tub 10 can warm personal items, such as towels,
sandals, clothing etc. within hollow body 14.
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Once it is desirable to drain the water from hot tub 10 a user selects "hold"
on the
topside control panel to suspend all hot tub 10 functions. The user opens door
42 and removes false bottom from inside hollow body 14 to gain access to water
pump 22. Water outlet 24 is then connected to a hose bib valve on water pump
22 so that water starts to flow. Water outlet 24 is also extended through door
42
and away from hot tub 10. Water pump 22 is then switched on to draw the water
from inside of hot tub 10 through drainage hole 20, water inlet 18, water pump
22, water outlet 24 and away from hot tub 10. The length of time it will take
to
drain depends on the size of hot tub 10. The user allows hot tub 10 or to
finish
draining before switching water pump 22 to the "off' position. A user may have
to
use a shop vacuum to remove any excess water in the hot tub 10. Once
evacuated of water the user can clean hot tub 10 before refilling.
While embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such
embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only. The
invention may include variants not described or illustrated herein in detail.
Thus,
the embodiments described and illustrated herein should not be considered to
limit the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.
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