IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0571780
(2009-10-01)
|
등록번호 |
US-8214936
(2012-07-10)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
80 |
초록
▼
A spa or hot tub system includes a tub forming a cavity that holds a fluid such as water therein, and a water circulation system provides for circulation of water within the tub. The hot tub includes inner and outer surfaces, and defines an internal space. A heat pump system is operably connected to
A spa or hot tub system includes a tub forming a cavity that holds a fluid such as water therein, and a water circulation system provides for circulation of water within the tub. The hot tub includes inner and outer surfaces, and defines an internal space. A heat pump system is operably connected to the water circulation system, and heats the water in the hot tub. The water side heat exchangers of the heat pump may include a polymer housing, and coiled inner elements for refrigerant. The coils may be made of a corrosion-resistant metal tubing or the like. The system may include a conventional electric heating element in addition to the heat pump to provide additional heating capacity.
대표청구항
▼
1. A spa system, comprising: a tub having an inner side wall defining an inner surface forming a tub cavity, wherein the tub is configured to hold sufficient fluid to immerse at least a substantial portion of a user seated in the tub, and wherein the tub defines an upper peripheral edge extending ar
1. A spa system, comprising: a tub having an inner side wall defining an inner surface forming a tub cavity, wherein the tub is configured to hold sufficient fluid to immerse at least a substantial portion of a user seated in the tub, and wherein the tub defines an upper peripheral edge extending around the cavity, and wherein inner side wall has an upper portion adjacent the upper peripheral edge, the tub further including a generally upright side wall forming an outer skirt having an enlarged outer tub surface facing outwardly, the tub defining an interior space between portions of the inner side wall and the outer side wall;at least one fluid outlet for exit of fluid from the cavity;a heat pump system including a water side heat exchanger and an air side heat exchanger, a compressor, and refrigerant conduits fluidly interconnecting the water side heat exchanger and the air side heat exchanger to the compressor and providing for flow of refrigerant through the water side heat exchanger and through the air side heat exchanger when compressed by the compressor; and wherein:the water side heat exchanger, the air side heat exchanger, and the compressor are positioned within the interior space of the tub;a water pump and a plurality of fluid conduits fluidly interconnecting the pump to the water side heat exchanger and fluid inlets and the fluid outlet, such that the water pump circulates water from the tub cavity through the water side heat exchanger, whereby the water is heated prior to flowing into the tub cavity through the fluid inlets;a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of water in the tub;a controller operably connected to the temperature sensor and to the heat pump system, wherein the controller is configured to control the heat pump system based, at least in part, on the temperature of the water in the tub; andthe water side heat exchanger comprises a multi-pass unit having a housing comprising a first and a second tubular portion each defining a side wall and having inlets and outlets connected to the fluid conduits to provide for flow of fluid from the first tubular portion to the second tubular portion through the housing; and including:a first coil connected to the refrigerant conduits, and wherein the first coil is made of a tubular metal material with inlet and outlet portions that extend through the side wall into the first tubular portion and wherein the inlet into a first tubular portion is located at a first end of the first tubular portion and the outlet is located adjacent a second end of the first tubular portion so that the fluid flows the length of the first coil;a second coil connected to the refrigerant conduits, and wherein the second coil is made of a tubular metal material with inlet and outlet portions that extend through the side wall into the second tubular portion and wherein the inlet into a second tubular portion is located at a second end of the second tubular portion adjacent the second end of the first tubular portion and the outlet is located adjacent a first end of the second tubular portion so that the fluid flows the length of the second coil. 2. The spa system of claim 1, wherein: the housing comprises a polymer material, and the first and second coils comprise stainless steel tubing. 3. The spa system of claim 1, wherein: the housing includes first and second portions defining first and second interior spaces, respectively, and wherein the first coil is disposed within the first interior space, and the second coil is disposed in the second interior space, and wherein the first and second interior spaces are fluidly interconnected by a passageway such that fluid flows into the inlet of the housing, through the first interior space, through the passageway, through the second interior space, and then through the outlet. 4. The spa system of claim 3, wherein: the first and second coils comprise helixes. 5. The spa system of claim 4, wherein: the first and second coils include an elongated portion extending through the helixes. 6. The spa system of claim 5, wherein: the helixes of the first and second coils define first and second center lines, respectively, and wherein the first and second center lines are generally parallel. 7. The spa system of claim 6, wherein: the inlet portions of the first and second coils are fluidly connected to a collector; and wherein:a line extending from the collector and fluidly connecting the collector to the air side heat exchanger. 8. The spa system of claim 7, wherein: the collector comprises a first connector, and the line comprises a first line;the outlet portions of the first and second coils are fluidly connected to a second collector; and wherein:a second line extending from the second collector and fluidly connecting the second collector to the air side heat exchanger. 9. The spa system of claim 8, wherein: the first and second collectors are disposed outside the housing. 10. The spa system of claim 1, wherein: the first and second coils have substantially identical configurations. 11. The spa system of claim 3, wherein: the first and second portions of the housing comprise first and second tubes having cylindrical interior surface portions. 12. The spa system of claim 11, wherein: the first and second tubes define first and second center lines, and wherein the first and second center lines are substantially parallel to one another. 13. The spa system of claim 12, wherein: the first and second tubes define opposite ends, and the housing includes end wall portions closing off the opposite ends, and wherein:the inlet and outlet portions of the first coil extend through a first end wall portion; and wherein:the inlet and outlet portions of the second coil extend through a second end wall portion. 14. The spa system of claim 3, wherein: the housing includes third and fourth portions defining third and fourth interior spaces, respectively, and wherein:a third coil disposed within the third interior space;a fourth coil disposed within the fourth interior space, and wherein:the third and fourth coils are made of a metal material and have inlet and outlet portions that extend through the housing side wall and fluidly connect to the refrigerant conduits. 15. The spa system of claim 4, wherein: the first and second coils comprise metal tubes having an outer diameter of about 0.25 inches and a wall thickness of about 0.035 inches. 16. The spa system of claim 14, wherein: the housing is about thirteen inches long, about eleven inches wide, and about two and three eighths inch thick. 17. The spa system of claim 1, wherein: the heat pump system fits within a space having a volume in the range of about 2.5 cubic feet to about 3.75 cubic feet. 18. The spa system of claim 17, wherein: the heat pump system has a capacity of about one ton. 19. The spa system of claim 1, wherein: the air side heat exchanger, water side heat exchanger, and the compressor fit within a rectangular prism having a width of about 12-16 inches, a height of about 20-22 inches, and a length of about 18 inches. 20. The spa system of claim 1, wherein: the air side heat exchanger, water side heat exchanger, and the compressor fit within a rectangular prism having a volume of about 2.5 cubic feet to about 3.75 cubic feet.
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