Abstract: A water jet aerator for use in a tub or spa having an eyeball-type nozzle which, when rotated, controls the flow of water through the aerator. The nozzle also can be swiveled to vary the direction of fluid flow into the tub. To prevent injuries due to falling, the nozzle is recessed so as not to protrude beyond the edge of a flanged bushing which clamps the aerator to the tub wall. The nozzle is easily manipulable despite being recessed since no sleeves for controlling fluid flow surround the nozzle. Also disclosed is an embodiment in which rotating the nozzle controls air flow so as to be a function of water flow. During ganged operation of aerators, this prevents the air inlet to the aerator from being open when the water inlet is not sufficiently open to prevent the backflow of water from the tub into the air inlet.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a spa water jet aerator which proportionately controls the flow of water and air with a single control movement of a valve mechanism. The air and water apertures in the valve body are so shaped and located such that the air flow is controlled so as to be a function of volume of water flow. The function can be varied by varying the shapes and placements of the air and water passageways in the valve body relative to the locations and shapes of the air and water passageways in the aerator body. A key feature is that the air passageway can never be open to any extent when the water passageway is not open sufficiently to create a lower pressure in the mixing chamber than is present in the air supply line since this can lead to malfunction in ganged operation. A separate clamping mechanism allows adjustment of the water flow control valve to be independent of clamping movement of the clamping mechanism.