Pressure controlled multi-state fountain for spas

Abstract

Apparatus and methods relating to pop-up fountains for spas where the fountain includes a fountain head that has a first set of orifices and a second set of orifices, and at least two operating states. The first orifice set is active, and the second orifice set is inactive, when fountain head is in a first operating state. The second orifice set is active when the head is in a second operating state. The fountain head transitions between the first operating state and the second operating state in response to a change in position and/or a change in fountain head pressure.

1 . A fountain comprising: 
 a fountain head having a first set of orifices and a second set of orifices;    the first set of orifices being active, and the second set of orifice being inactive, when the fountain head is in a first operating state; and    the second set of orifices being active when the fountain head is in a second operating state.    
   
   
       2 . The fountain of  claim 1  wherein the fountain head transitions between the first operating state and the second operating state in response to a change in position of the fountain head and/or a change in fountain head pressure.  
   
   
       3 . The fountain of  claim 2  wherein the fountain transitions between the first operating state and the. second operating state in response to a change in fountain head pressure which causes a change in fountain head position.  
   
   
       4 . The fountain of  claim 3  wherein the second orifice set comprises a sheeting manifold.  
   
   
       5 . The fountain of  claim 4  wherein the first orifice set is active while the fountain assembly is in the first operating state and while the fountain assembly is in the second operating state.  
   
   
       6 . The fountain of  claim 5  wherein the first orifice set comprises a plurality of jets positioned and oriented to direct water upwards and away from the fountain head.  
   
   
       7 . The fountain of  claim 6  wherein the fountain is positioned in or on an upper surface of a portable spa where the upper surface surrounds a cavity sized and dimensioned to receive a person.  
   
   
       8 . The fountain of  claim 7  wherein the fountain is fluidly coupled to a circulation system of the portable spa.  
   
   
       9 . The fountain of  claim 8  wherein the circulation system comprises one or more of a heater, a filter, and a jet pump.  
   
   
       10 . A fountain for a spa comprising: 
 a pop-up mechanism including an adjustable width sheeting manifold.    
   
   
       11 . The fountain of  claim 10  wherein the pop-up mechanism includes a cover that can be rotated to block at least a portion of an outlet of the sheeting manifold where the amount that the cover is rotated affects how much of the sheeting manifold outlet is blocked.  
   
   
       12 . A pop-up fountain for a portable spa, comprising: 
 a fountain head located in the side of the spa, the fountain head including at least one orifice set that directs water issuing from the orifice set upwards and away from the fountain head.    
   
   
       13 . The fountain of  claim 12  wherein the fountain is coupled to a circulation system of the spa, the circulation system comprising one or more of a heater, a filter, and a jet pump.  
   
   
       14 . A method of operating a fountain comprising: 
 causing the fountain to enter a first operating state wherein water flows through a first orifice set but not a second orifice set by causing water to flow into a fountain head at a first pressure;    causing the fountain to enter a second operating state wherein water flows through the second orifice set by causing the water to flow into the fountain head at a second pressure which differs from the first pressure.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the second pressure is higher than the first pressure.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein water flows through both the first and second orifice sets when the fountain is in the second operating state.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising using a jet pump causing water flow through one or more jets to pump water through the fountain.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 obtaining water from a seating cavity of the spa; and    heating the water after it is obtained from the seating cavity, but before it flows through either the first or the second orifice set.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 obtaining water from a seating cavity of the spa; and    filtering the water as or after it is obtained from the seating cavity, but before it flows through either the first or the second orifice set.