Heating system for bathing unit

Abstract

A control system suitable for use with a bathing unit system having a water receptacle is provided. The control system comprises a heating module, a power source and a controller in communication with the heating module and the power source. The power source includes an energy storage member for storing energy collected from a solar panel, and is operative for supplying power generated from solar energy to the heating module. The controller is operative for causing the power source to supply power to the heating module at least in part based on first information derived from a temperature of the water within the water receptacle and second information derived from a condition associated with the power source. The controller is further operative for selecting between a first power source and a second power source for supplying power to the heating module.

1 . A control system suitable for use with a bathing unit system having a water receptacle, said control system comprising:
 a) a heating module having a body defining a passage through which water can flow;   b) a power source for supplying power generated from solar energy to said heating module, said power source including an energy storage member adapted for establishing an electrical connection with a solar panel, said energy storage member being operative for storing energy collected from the solar panel;   c) a controller in communication with said heating module and said power source, said controller being operative for causing said power source to supply power to said heating module at least in part based on:
 i) first information derived from a temperature of water within the water receptacle; and 
 ii) second information derived from a condition associated to said power source. 
   
     
     
         2 . A control system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said energy storage member includes at least one battery in communication with a battery charger for converting energy collected from the at least one solar panel into an electric current to charge said at least one battery. 
     
     
         3 . A control system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said second information is indicative of a voltage associated to said at least one battery. 
     
     
         4 . A control system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said power source is a second power source, said control system further comprising a first power source capable of supplying power to said heating module. 
     
     
         5 . A control system as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source to supply power to said heating module. 
     
     
         6 . A control system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source at least in part based on pre-programmed instructions. 
     
     
         7 . A control system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source at least in part based on a user command. 
     
     
         8 . A control system as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source at least in part based on a signal conveying whether the bathing unit system is in use. 
     
     
         9 . A control system as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising an auxiliary controller in communication with said controller and said second power source, said controller being operative for causing said second power source to supply power to said heating module through said auxiliary controller. 
     
     
         10 . A control system as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said heating module is a second heating module associated with said second power source, said control system further comprising a first heating module associated with said first power source, said first power source being adapted for supplying power to said first heating module and said second power source being adapted for supplying power to said second heating module. 
     
     
         11 . A control system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source for supplying power to a corresponding one of said first heating module and said second heating module. 
     
     
         12 . A control system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source at least in part based on pre-programmed instructions. 
     
     
         13 . A control system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source at least in part based on a user command. 
     
     
         14 . A control system for a bathing unit system, said control system comprising:
 a) a first power source;   b) a second power source suitable for supplying power derived from solar energy, said second power source including an energy storage member adapted for establishing an electrical connection with a solar panel, said energy storage member being operative for storing energy collected from the solar panel;   c) a controller in communication with said first power source and said second power source, said controller being operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source for supplying power to a heating module.   
     
     
         15 . A control system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said energy storage member includes at least one battery in communication with a battery charger for converting energy collected from the at least one solar panel into an electric current to charge said at least one battery. 
     
     
         16 . A control system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said battery charger includes a regulation circuit for regulating the electric current supplied to said at least one battery. 
     
     
         17 . A control system as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising an auxiliary controller in communication with said controller and said second power source, said controller being operative for causing said second power source to supply power to said heating module through said auxiliary controller. 
     
     
         18 . A control system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source at least in part based on pre-programmed instructions. 
     
     
         19 . A control system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source at least in part based on a user command. 
     
     
         20 . A control system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source at least in part based on whether the bathing unit system is in use. 
     
     
         21 . A control system as defined in  claim 14 , comprising a first heating module associated with said first power source, and a second heating module associated with said second power source, each of the first and second heating modules having a body defining a passage through which water can flow. 
     
     
         22 . A control system as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said controller is operative for selecting one of said first power source and said second power source for supplying power to a corresponding one of said first heating module and said second heating module. 
     
     
         23 . A control system suitable for use with a bathing unit system having a water receptacle, said control system comprising:
 a) heating means for heating water from the water receptacle;   b) power source means for supplying power generated from solar energy to said heating means, said power source means including energy storage means adapted for establishing an electrical connection with a solar panel, said energy storage means being operative for storing energy collected from the solar panel;   c) controller means for causing said power source means to supply power to said heating means at least in part based on:
 i) first information derived from a temperature of water within at least one of the water receptacle and a heating module; and 
 ii) second information derived from a condition associated to said power source means.