This invention relates to apparatus and methods for changing a characteristic of a fluid and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to apparatus and methods for treating circulating water of swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,802 to Archer, et al., illustrates exemplary purifiers designed principally for use with “confined bodies of water” including swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. A base of the purifier includes an inlet port and an outlet port plumbed into a water circulation system. Secured to the base is a body accessible by removing a threaded cover. Typically contained within the cover is a purification cartridge incorporating a mesh bag into which purification material, such as a silver catalyst, is placed. Pressurized water enters the purifier via the inlet port, with some of the water being diverted upward through an opening in the top of the body into the purification cartridge for contact with the purification material. Post-contact, the diverted water flows out of the top of the cartridge and down around its exterior, eventually to the outlet port.
Depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 7,540,966 to Costa, et al., is another example of a water purifying or sanitizing device. The device may include a base having an inlet and an outlet for connection to a water-circulation system. A housing may be removably attached to the base and define (at least) two chambers, each chamber being accessible via an opening at the top of the housing. Threaded or other covers may be used to close each of the openings.
Some water entering the device of the Costa patent flows upward into a chamber containing a metal generator for treatment. It then flows downward, with some of this water flowing through a valve to enter a second chamber containing a halogen generator for further treatment. The entering water contacts a hypohalite, typically in solid form, with some of that water thereafter exiting the halogen generator chamber for (eventual) return to, for example, a pool or spa.
The present invention provides alternatives to the apparatus and methods of the Archer and Costa patents. Devices of the invention may include a housing defining at least one chamber for introduction of fluid-treating material. Preferably two such chambers are defined, one configured to receive a cartridge containing a metal-based material and a second configured to receive chlorine or a chlorine generator.
The innovative apparatus may be plumbed in-line, similar to the devices of the Archer and Costa patents. Unlike those devices, however, the present apparatus may position its inlet and outlet at or near the top of the apparatus rather than in a base. Hence, water entering the apparatus may initially travel downward, rather than upward, through the first chamber. Positioning the inlet and outlet in this manner facilitates use of the apparatus with raised plumbing lines, including (but not limited to) those of the Jandy VersaPlumb System, available from the assignee of this application.
Additionally included in versions of the present invention is a multi-channel flow management system. In some embodiments of invention, the presence of a cartridge in the first chamber defines an outer radial channel through which water entering the chamber may travel generally unimpeded from the inlet toward the base of the unit. Water traveling in the outer radial channel creates a low pressure region in the central radial portion of the chamber, hence inducing water flow through the cartridge toward the base. If desired the flows may merge in the base before entering the second chamber.
Optionally included within the housing is an internal wall separating from one another, at least to some extent, the two chambers. Both chambers beneficially may be accessible from the top of the apparatus through openings. The top openings may be capped; alternatively, the cartridges or other devices positioned in the chambers may be friction-fitted through the openings, thus effectively sealing the openings from the external environment when the cartridges or other devices are in place. Additionally, the present invention may comprise a separate housing and base, although alternatively these components may be combined into a single piece.
Versions of the invention further may, if desired, include a platform raising the (effective) bottom of the second chamber above the base. Inclusion of this platform is especially useful when, for example, solid chlorine tablets are inserted into the second chamber. Because water may tend to pool in the base when the circulation system is not functioning, failing to raise the tablets above this pooled water may cause the tablets to dissolve prematurely. The platform need not be continuous, however; indeed, it preferably is in the form of discrete ribs protruding upward from a surface. The surface itself may be mainly continuous if desired, although it advantageously contains one or more openings to allow entry of water. In some versions of the invention, the surface includes groups of openings. Depending on how a cartridge is rotated or otherwise placed on the platform, fewer or greater numbers of holes may communicate with the material in the cartridge.
It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods of treating fluids.
It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods of purifying, sanitizing, or otherwise enhancing quality of water used within bodies such as pools, spas, or hot tubs.
It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide multi-chamber devices, with the chambers preferably accessible from the tops of the devices.
It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide fluid-treating apparatus having inlets and outlets at or near the tops of the apparatus.
It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide fluid-treating apparatus configured to contain both metal-based material and chlorine (either pre-created or created within the apparatus).
It is additionally an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide one or more channels through which fluid may flow so as to induce fluid flow through a central region.
It is yet another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide apparatus including a platform for raising the (effective) bottom of a chamber above a base of the apparatus.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in relevant fields with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application.
Shown in
A version of housing 10 depicted in
Side 30 likewise may include two openings, designated in
Horizontally aligned with third opening 54 is fifth opening 62 of side 34, which may serve as an outlet from apparatus 10. Unlike the inlets and outlets of the apparatus of the Archer and Costa patent, third opening 54 and fifth opening 62 are positioned at or near top 22, well above base 18. Apparatus 10 thus may be connected to pipes substantially above the ground or other surface on which base 18 rests. This substantially above-ground connection is especially useful when apparatus 10 is employed in connection with the Jandy VersaPlumb System, as the distance D between the inlet/outlet and bottom 66 of base 18 matches the normal above-ground (or above-pad, etc.) height of conduits used with that system.
Illustrated at least in the exploded view of
Fluid management system 70, also depicted (from below) in
Assuming, however, that first receiver 78 contains a water-treatment cartridge or similar device, both first receiver 78 and first opening 38 preferably are sized to have diameters (or equivalent diameters, if non-circular) less than the diameter (or equivalent diameter) of first chamber 46. Assuming also that the cartridge allows water flow from its upper portion to its lower portion, both primary and secondary flow paths may be formed through first chamber 46. For water entering apparatus 10 via third opening (inlet) 54, the primary flow occurs in the radially outer region of first chamber 46—outside of and surrounding the cartridge, while secondary flow is through the cartridge and, e.g., its metal-containing material positioned in the radially central region of the first chamber 46. Water in the primary flow thus reaches flow management system 70 relatively unimpeded; by contrast, the metal-containing material significantly impedes the second flow.
Flow diverters 86A and 86B are positioned so as to form central area 90 in fluid communication with first receiver 78. Hence, the lower-velocity water of the secondary flow travels into central area 90 between diverters 86A and 86B, whereas the higher-velocity water of the primary flow travels to the outside of diverters 86A and 86B (see
Following passage by diverters 86A and 86B (in the case of the primary flow) or through central area 90 (in the case of the secondary flow), water of the primary and second flows may merge in base 18 and thereafter flow upward through second chamber 50 to fifth opening (outlet) 62. Because second receiver 82 may contain at least one or more elongated openings 94 (
Depicted in
Surface 102, finally, is shown as including spaced sets of holes 114. Set 110A, for example, includes five holes 114, while set 110B includes only one hole 114 and set 110C includes two holes 114. Depending on the rotational orientation of platform 98 vis-à-vis second receiver 82, more or fewer holes 114 will be aligned with elongated openings 94. Accordingly, the volume of water entering an object placed in second receiver 82 may be changed by rotating platform 98.
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Additionally, the contents of the Archer and Costa patents are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.
This application is based on, claims priority to, and hereby refers to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/281,120, filed Nov. 13, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61281120 | Nov 2009 | US |