Method and device for controlling jet flow intensity for a spa

Abstract

A method and device for controlling the intensity of flow of water leaving a single speed water pump and entering a spa tub. A single speed water pump is connected to a spa tub via a pump suction pipe and a pump outlet pipe. The single speed water pump has its suction connected to the spa tub and sucks water out of the spa tub via the pump suction pipe. A controller is electrically connected to at least one air valve and the air valve is connected to the pump suction pipe. The controller opens the air valve to allow air into the pump suction. Air from the air valve mixes with water pumped from the tub to create an air/water mixture. The air water mixture is pumped back into the spa tub via the pump outlet pipe. The intensity of the flow of the air water mixture back into the spa tub depends upon the amount of air allowed into the air/water mixture via the air valve. Preferably, the controller is programmed with programming instructions to vary the intensity of the flow of the air/water mixture back into the spa tub. Also, several air valves may be utilized to provide a range of air flows.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A spa, comprising: 
 A. a spa tub for holding water,    B. a single speed water pump defining a pump suction and a pump outlet,    C. a pump suction pipe connecting said spa tub and to said pump suction,    D. a pump outlet pipe connecting said pump outlet to said spa tub,    E. at least one air valve for allowing air into said pump suction pipe, and    F. a controller electrically connected to said at least one air valve, wherein said controller is capable of opening and shutting said at least one air valve to allow air into said pump suction pipe,    wherein the air passing through said at least one air valve mixes with the water in said pump suction pipe to form an air/water mixture, wherein said air/water mixture is pumped via said single speed water pump back into said spa tub via said pump outlet pipe, wherein the intensity of flow of said air/water mixture back into said spa tub depends upon the amount of air allowed into said air/water mixture via said at least one air valve.    
     
     
         2 . The spa as in  claim 1 , wherein said spa is a whirlpool bath.  
     
     
         3 . The spa as in  claim 1 , wherein said spa is a portable spa.  
     
     
         4 . The spa as in  claim 1  further comprising an air line connected between said at least one air valve and said pump suction pipe, wherein said at least one air valve allows air into said pump suction pipe via said air line.  
     
     
         5 . The spa as in  claim 1 , further comprising a keypad electrically connected to said controller, wherein said keypad is user controllable to open and shut said at least one air valve.  
     
     
         6 . The spa as in  claim 5 , wherein programming instructions for said controller are entered via said keypad, wherein said programming instructions control said opening and shutting of said at least one air valve, wherein said intensity of flow of said air/water mixture back into said spa tub varies according to said programming instructions.  
     
     
         7 . The spa as in  claim 1 , wherein said controller is programmed with programming instructions to control said opening and shutting of said at least one air valve, wherein said intensity of flow of said air/water mixture back into said spa tub varies according to said programming instructions.  
     
     
         8 . The spa as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one air valve is a plurality of air valves.  
     
     
         9 . A spa, comprising: 
 A. a spa tub means for holding water,    B. a single speed water pump means defining a pump suction and a pump outlet,    C. a pump suction pipe means connecting said spa tub means and to said pump suction,    D. a pump outlet pipe means connecting said pump outlet to said spa tub means,    E. at least one air valve means for allowing air into said pump suction pipe means, and    F. a controller means electrically connected to said at least one air valve means, wherein said controller means is capable of opening and shutting said at least one air valve means to allow air into said pump suction pipe means,    wherein the air passing through said at least one air valve means mixes with the water in said pump suction pipe means to form an air/water mixture, wherein said air/water mixture is pumped via said single speed water pump means back into said spa tub means via said pump outlet pipe means, wherein the intensity of flow of said air/water mixture back into said spa tub means depends upon the amount of air allowed into said air/water mixture via said at least one air valve means.    
     
     
         10 . The spa as in  claim 9 , wherein said spa is a whirlpool bath.  
     
     
         11 . The spa as in  claim 9 , wherein said spa is a portable spa.  
     
     
         12 . The spa as in  claim 9  further comprising an air line means connected between said at least one air valve means and said pump suction pipe means, wherein said at least one air valve means allows air into said pump suction pipe means via said air line means.  
     
     
         13 . The spa as in  claim 9 , further comprising a keypad means electrically connected to said controller means, wherein said keypad means is user controllable to open and shut said at least one air valve means.  
     
     
         14 . The spa as in  claim 13 , wherein programming instructions for said controller means are entered via said keypad means, wherein said programming instructions control said opening and shutting of said at least one air valve means, wherein said intensity of flow of said air/water mixture back into said spa tub means varies according to said programming instructions.  
     
     
         15 . The spa as in  claim 9 , wherein said controller means is programmed with programming instructions to control said opening and shutting of said at least one air valve means, wherein said intensity of flow of said air/water mixture back into said spa tub means varies according to said programming instructions.  
     
     
         16 . The spa as in  claim 9  wherein said at least one air valve means is a plurality of air valve means.  
     
     
         17 . A method for controlling the intensity of flow of water leaving a single speed water pump and entering a spa tub, comprising the steps of: 
 A. connecting a single speed water pump to a spa tub holding water via a pump suction pipe and a pump outlet pipe,    B. utilizing said single speed water pump to pump water out of said spa tub via said pump suction pipe,    C. electrically connecting a controller to at least one air valve,    D. utilizing said controller to open said at least one air valve to allow air into said pump suction pipe, wherein said air mixes with said water pumped out of said spa tub to create an air/water mixture, and    E. utilizing said single speed water pump to pump said air/water mixture back into said spa tub via a pump outlet pipe, wherein the intensity of flow of said air/water mixture depends upon the amount of air allowed into said air/water mixture via said at least one air valve.    
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 17 , wherein said spa is a whirlpool bath.  
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 17 , wherein said spa is a portable spa.  
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 17  further comprising the step of connecting an air line between said at least one air valve and said pump suction pipe, wherein said at least one air valve allows air into said pump suction pipe via said air line.  
     
     
         21 . The method as in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of electrically connecting a keypad to said controller, wherein said keypad is user controllable to open and shut said at least one air valve.  
     
     
         22 . The method as in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of entering programming instructions for said controller at said keypad, wherein said programming instructions control said opening and shutting of said at least one air valve, wherein said intensity of flow of said air/water mixture back into said spa tub varies according to said programming instructions.  
     
     
         23 . The method as in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of programming said controller with programming instructions to control said opening and shutting of said at least one air valve, wherein said intensity of flow of said air/water mixture back into said spa tub varies according to said programming instructions.  
     
     
         24 . The method as in  claim 17 , wherein said at least one air valve is a plurality of air valves.