In-Line Bubble Reducer

Abstract

An in-line bubble reducer for inducing turbulent flow in a liquid fluid stream in which gaseous bubbles are entrained. The bubble reducer includes a chamber with an inlet and an outlet, an axial flow diverter for directing the fluid stream outwardly and towards a subsequent annular flow diverter. The annular flow diverter extends from an inner wall of the chamber and induces turbulent flow in the fluid stream to reduce the size of the gaseous bubbles entrained in the fluid stream.

1 . An apparatus comprising: a hollow chamber having an inlet at an upstream end, and an outlet at a downstream end; at least one axial flow diverter contained within said chamber, said axial flow diverter having a first surface section axially aligned along a longitudinal axis of said hollow chamber, oriented facing towards said upstream end, and at least one aperture defined between a periphery of said first surface and an inner surface of said chamber; and at least one annular flow diverter contained within said chamber and spaced apart from said axial flow diverter towards said downstream end, said annular flow diverter having a second surface comprising an annular flange having a first end proximal said inner surface of said chamber and a second end that extends inwardly and towards said upstream end, said annular flange defining an orifice through an axial portion of said annular flow diverter. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface section comprises a generally conic section having an apex and a base, with said apex oriented facing said upstream end, and said base facing said downstream end. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said axial flow diverter further comprises a plurality of support members extending between said inner surface of said chamber and said first surface section. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said axial flow diverter further comprises an annular support interconnecting said support members. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said annular support has a longitudinal length corresponding with a height of said generally conic section. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said annular flower diverter further comprises a sidewall substantially parallel to said inner surface of said chamber and having a longitudinal length that is greater than the height of annular flange so as to provide sufficient longitudinal spacing between the base of said axial diverter and said at least one aperture to permit fluid flow through the apparatus. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said chamber has a cross sectional area that is substantially greater than a cross sectional area of said inlet. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said chamber cross sectional area is approximately two times the cross sectional area of said inlet. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture has a cross sectional area that is substantially the same as a cross sectional area of said inlet. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said orifice has a cross sectional area substantially the same as a cross sectional area of said inlet. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus comprising: a hollow chamber having an inlet at an upstream end, and an outlet at a downstream end; at least one axial flow diverter contained within said chamber, said axial flow diverter having a first surface section oriented facing towards said upstream end, and at least one aperture defined between a periphery of said first surface and an inner surface of said chamber; and at least one annular flow diverter contained within said chamber and spaced apart from said axial flow diverter towards said downstream end, said annular flow diverter having a second surface comprising an annular flange having a first end adjacent said inner surface of said chamber and a second end that extends inwardly and towards said upstream end, said annular flange defining an orifice through said annular flow diverter. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first surface section comprises a generally dome shaped section having an apex and a base, with said apex oriented facing said upstream end, and said base facing said downstream end. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first surface section comprises a generally conic shaped section having an apex and a base, with said apex oriented facing said upstream end, and said base facing said downstream end. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said axial flow diverter further comprises at least one support member supporting said first surface section in alignment with said inlet. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said axial flow diverter further comprises an annular support interconnecting ends of said support member. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said annular support has a longitudinal length corresponding with a height of said generally conic section. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said chamber has a cross sectional area that is substantially greater than a cross sectional area of said inlet. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said chamber cross sectional area is approximately two times the cross sectional area of said inlet. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture has a cross sectional area that is substantially the same as a cross sectional area of said inlet. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said orifice has a cross sectional area substantially the same as a cross sectional area of said inlet. 
   
   
       21 . A method for treating circulated water in a spa comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a first station for entraining gaseous bubbles of air into a pressurized stream of said circulated water as it is carried through a conduit;   b. providing a second station for ozonizing said gaseous bubbles of air to produce gaseous bubbles of ozonized air; and   c. providing a bubble reducer in communication with said conduit and downstream from said first station, said bubble reducer adapted to impart turbulent flow in said fluid stream to break apart and minimize the size of said gaseous bubbles of ozonized air, wherein said bubble reducer comprises: at least one first surface axially disposed within said reducer to impart an outward flow of said water through said reducer and at least one second surface subsequent to said first surface, annularly disposed adjacent to an inner wall of said reducer to impart turbulent flow in said fluid stream, whereby the turbulent flow minimizes the size of the entrained gaseous bubble of ozonized air.