Spa control system with improved flow monitoring
US8392027B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61H2201/5082
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A spa control system that measures the flow of water through the heater and accurately reports water temperature in the spa using only one solid-state sensor in the heater. The rate of flow is determined by energizing the pump, with the heater still de-energized, and observing the rate in which the moving water cools the inside of the heater. If there is no circulation of water through the heater, the temperature of the sensor will continue to rise from the energy applied when the heater was briefly energized. This rise will be quite significant and a clear indication of a flow problem. If the flow is found to be adequate, the heater will be energized for a normal period of time. The sensor is now carefully monitored for a sudden increase in temperature, which would indicate loss of a normal flow of water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.