Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Tubs – Means for agitating or circulating water in a tub
Patent
1991-02-14
1992-10-13
Phillips, Charles E.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Tubs
Means for agitating or circulating water in a tub
A61H 3302
Patent
active
051539497
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a pump arrangement intended for hydromassage baths and comprising a centrifugal pump having a central inlet and a radial outlet, a pipe system which is connected to the inlet and the outlet of said pump and which includes an inlet and an outlet pipe operative to circulate water through the pump and discharging into said bath, and further comprising means for introducing air into the outlet pipe.
Pump arrangements intended for hydromassage baths have hitherto lacked means for controlling or regulating the capacity of the pump, i.e. the pumps are constructed to circulate constantly a given, determined quantity of water. The quantity of air that is delivered to the outlet water, on the other hand, can be regulated with the aid of adjustable valves provided for this purpose. Such adjustments, however, have very little effect on pump capacity. It has been found that different people have pronounced differences of opinion as to what water jet pressures are the most pleasant or comfortable. For instance, many people consider the pressure of such jets to be too high and that the bath water becomes too "violent", particularly when remaining in the bath for long periods of time. Small children also appreciate the opportunity of bathing in flowing water under circumstances which do not exclude the possibility of indulging in normal play activities. Consequently, there is a need for the possibility of enabling the pump capacity to be lowered both before and when taking a bath. One possible solution in this regard is to regulate the speed of the pump motor in a known manner. This solution would be too costly, however, and also insuitable in view of the environment in which such baths are normally installed. Consequently, no such constructions are used in practice.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is provide a pump arrangement with which the rate of flow of water through said arrangement can be controlled or regulated readily, in a manner adapted to hydromassage baths. Further objects and advantages afforded thereby will be apparent from the following description. These objects and advantages are achieved with an inventive pump arrangement having the characterizing features set forth in the following claims.
The invention is based on the concept that the capacity of a centrifugal pump can be influenced, by introducing air into the suction side thereof, such as to displace a corresponding volume of water. Although this will lower the efficiency of the pump and engender the presence of air bubbles on the pressure side of said pump, such occurrencies are not disadvantageous in the case of hydromassage applications, since the water is nevertheless intended to be admixed with air and the capacity of the pump used is normally sufficient for the purpose intended. This control can be effected readily, by providing an air pipe which is fitted so as to discharge in the vicinity of the pump inlet and which incorporates an appropriate adjustable air valve wherewith the pump capacity will decrease with increasing valve-open positions.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which
FIG. 1 is a side view of an inventive pump arrangement;
FIG. 2 is a view from above of a hydromassage both fitted with the inventive pump arrangement; and
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an outlet nozzle fitted to the bath.
The illustrated pump arrangement comprises a conventional centrifugal pump 11 which is driven at a constant speed by a pump motor 12. The pump inlet 13 is connected to an inlet pipe 14, which has an intake 15 located in the wall 17 of a bath 16. The outlet 18 of the pump is connected to an outlet pipe 19 which extends around the wall 17 of the bath and which has provided therealong a multiple of nozzles 20. The nozzles 20 are fitted into the wall 17 of the bath, in a manner to direct water jets C into the bath interior. In order to achieve the desired air/water admixture in the outlet pipe 19, or more specifically in the nozzles
REFERENCES:
patent: 2529255 (1950-11-01), Jobe
patent: 3523525 (1970-08-01), Vanegas et al.
patent: 4420846 (1983-12-01), Bonner
patent: 4602391 (1986-07-01), Shepherd
patent: 4726080 (1988-02-01), Henkin et al.
patent: 4797958 (1989-01-01), Guzzini
Aqua Industry Guide 1990 p. 306 Dec 1989.
Perfecta Pump Aktiebolag
Phillips Charles E.
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