Head loss reducing device for a swimming pool water heater, heat pump, or other heating product for pools or spas

Abstract

Techniques for reducing head loss in certain water-recirculation or other systems are detailed. A motorized diverter valve may be used to divert water away from a heat exchanger when the exchanger is not in use, for example. Instead, the diverted water may flow through a lower-loss system to the next downstream component of the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a. a liquid heating mechanism comprising an inlet; and   b. a diverter valve (i) having a first outlet in liquid communication with the inlet of the liquid heating mechanism, (ii) comprising a diverter configured, (A) in a first position, to prevent liquid from flowing from the first outlet to the inlet of the liquid heating mechanism, and (B) in a second position, to allow liquid to flow from the first outlet to the inlet of the liquid heating mechanism, and (iii) being automatically controllable so that the diverter assumes the first position so as to reduce head loss of the system.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  in which the diverter valve further comprises a second outlet not in liquid communication with the inlet of the liquid heating mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2  (a) in which the liquid is pool or spa water and (b) further comprising a center joining tube to which the second outlet of the diverter valve is connected. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3  (a) in which the liquid heating mechanism further comprises an outlet and (b) further comprising a t-fitting or check valve in fluid communication with the center joining tube. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4  further comprising a flow sensor interposed between the first outlet of the diverter valve and the inlet of the liquid heating mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . system according to  claim 1  further comprising a flow sensor interposed between the first outlet of the diverter valve and the inlet of the liquid heating mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1  in which the diverter valve further comprises a motor configured to move the diverter between positions. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7  in which the motor is a solenoid. 
     
     
         9 . A diverter valve configured for use as part of a pool or spa water circulation system and comprising a diverter valve (a) having a first outlet configured for liquid communication with an inlet of the liquid heating mechanism, (b) comprising a diverter configured, in use, (i) to assume a first position to prevent liquid from flowing from the first outlet to the inlet of the liquid heating mechanism, and (ii) to assume a second position to allow liquid to flow from the first outlet to the inlet of the liquid heating mechanism, and (c) being automatically controllable in use so that the diverter assumes the first position so as to reduce head loss of the system. 
     
     
         10 . A method of by-passing a heating mechanism of a pool or spa water circulation system so as to reduce head loss caused by the heating mechanism, comprising:
 a. passing the pool or spa water to an inlet of a motorized diverter valve having first and second outlets, the first outlet of which is in fluid communication with an inlet of the heating mechanism and the second outlet of which is not in fluid communication with the inlet of the heating mechanism; and   b. positioning a diverter of the diverter valve so that pool or spa water exits the diverter valve through the second outlet.