Suction-actuated control system for whirlpool bath/spa installations
US5570481A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H13/56
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A suction-actuated control system (10) for a whirlpool bath/spa installation includes a suction-side transducer (52) connected in the suction inlet path and a controller (54). The suction-side transducer (52) transmits an air pulse to the controller (54) when pressure in the suction path drops below a pre-determined value caused, for example, by a full or partial blockage of a suction cover (26) by a wash cloth or an article of clothing. The controller (54) includes an electric switch (62) in circuit with the recirculation pump (34) and a bi-state controller (66) that actuates the electric switch (62) between its ON state and its OFF state. An abnormally low pressure in the suction path to the recirculation pump (34) caused by a full or partial blockage of the suction cover (26) will cause the controller (54) to shut-off the recirculation pump (34). After the obstruction is removed and a short time delay, the user can actuate a user ON/OFF control (56) to restart the pump (34).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.