Abstract: A double-seal/oil-reservoir system for motor/pump assembly includes first seal (S1) and a second seal (S2) of a carbon/ceramic ring type that are axially spaced from one another along a drive shaft (24). A containment volume “V” is defined between the first and second seals (S1 and S2) in which an oil or oil-like fluid is contained to prevent seepage or weepage of the fluid circulated by the pump.

Abstract: A high-efficiency motor/pump system (20) for jetted baths/spas includes a pump assembly (22) removably secured to a motor assembly (24). The motor assembly (24) includes a motor (26) having a conventional laminated stator (30), a front housing (32) at the forward end of the motor (26), a rear housing (34) at the back end of the motor (26), and a ventilation plate (36) at the end of the rear housing (34). An armature-mounted internal fan (104) draws ambient air through openings in a ventilation plate (36) and forces the air through annular channels (80) in the rear housing (34) to effect cooling of the motor (26). The motor (26) is of the permanent split-capacitor type to eliminate the centrifugal switch commonly used in capacitor-start induction motors to thereby improve reliability. Additionally, telescoping structures on the forward end of the motor assembly and the rearward end of the pump assembly facilitate self-aligning assembly of the components.

Abstract: A cost-efficient vibration-isolating mounting for motors including a pressed or stamped metal motor mount (12) upon with the motor is mounted and a vibration-isolation pad (14) upon which the motor mount (12) is mounted. A clamp formation (42) at each end of the vibration-isolation pad (14) so that a respective thru-bolt (48) secures the motor mount (12) and the assembled vibration-isolation pad (14) to a supporting floor (16) or wall structure. The vibration-isolation pad (14) includes a set of bumpers (40) at each corner to retain the motor mount (12) in place on the top of the vibration-isolation pad (14).

Abstract: A pressurized-flow self-cleaning whirlpool tub system includes a plurality of water/air jets arranged to introduce air-entrained water jets into a tub basin and a suction outlet from which water in the tub basin is withdrawn. A water distribution circuit is connected to each of the water/air jets for delivering water to each water/air jet. A recirculation pump receives water from the tub basin, pressurizes the water, and delivers the pressurized water to the water distribution system. A cleaning-agent dispenser is provided to receive a cleaning agent in liquid or solid form and mix the cleaning agent with water from the pressurized water supply. In a cleaning mode of operation, a suction valve is closed and the cleaning agent is introduced into the water carrying conduits to effect pressurized cleaning of the water contacting surfaces of the water pathway.

Abstract: A user-selectable multi-jet assembly (10) for jetted baths/spas includes a faceplate assembly (12) having a first set of three user-selectable ball-type nozzles (14) and a second set of three user-selectable swirler-type nozzles (16). The faceplate assembly 12 is bidirectionally rotatable about an axis A.sub.x between two user-selectable positions in which either the ball-type nozzles (14) or the swirler-type nozzles (16) are selected. The multi-jet assembly (10) includes a housing (46) into which both water and air are supplied and internal distribution tubes (28) through which water is directed into the user-selected nozzles. The faceplate assembly (12) is connected to an internal rear valve plate (50) that cooperates with a stator (52) to effectively interrupt water flow through the nozzles as the faceplate assembly (12) is rotated from one user-selected position to the other.

Abstract: A suction-actuated control system (10) for a whirlpool bath/spa installation includes a suction-side transducer (52) connected in the suction inlet path and a controller (54). The suction-side transducer (52) transmits an air pulse to the controller (54) when pressure in the suction path drops below a pre-determined value caused, for example, by a full or partial blockage of a suction cover (26) by a wash cloth or an article of clothing. The controller (54) includes an electric switch (62) in circuit with the recirculation pump (34) and a bi-state controller (66) that actuates the electric switch (62) between its ON state and its OFF state. An abnormally low pressure in the suction path to the recirculation pump (34) caused by a full or partial blockage of the suction cover (26) will cause the controller (54) to shut-off the recirculation pump (34). After the obstruction is removed and a short time delay, the user can actuate a user ON/OFF control (56) to restart the pump (34).

Abstract: A flow-regulating valve is located in the outlet of the housing of a centrifugal pump instead of in downstream piping, to regulate the flow from the pump without the usual acoustic disturbance caused by flow. The arrangement is especially adapted for hydro-therapeutic installations, such as a spa, hot tub, whirlpool bath or the like. The valve is operated by a control conveniently accessible to the occupant of the hydro-therapeutic installation. The control can be in the form of a knob connected to the valve by flexible cable or the like or in the form of a single push-button which controls both the electric motor for the pump and an electric motor which operates the valve.

Abstract: A self-cleaning system and method for a whirlpool includes a whirlpool basin having inner and outer surfaces, a drain, closable nozzles for introducing a water/air mixture into the basin, a water circuit, an air circuit, and a one-way valve that couples the water circuit and the air circuit. Hot and/or cold water sources are connected to the air circuit for introducing water into the basin via the air circuit, the one-way valve, the water circuit, and the opened nozzles. A detergent dispensing unit is also connected to the air circuit for use during a self-cleaning mode. In a whirlpool mode, hot and/or cold water is introduced into the basin by water flow through the air circuit, the one-way valve, and the water circuit. Water is withdrawn from the basin through an inlet into the water circuit, mixed with air provided from the air circuit, and reintroduced into the basin under pump-supplied pressure as a water/air mixture.

Abstract: A spa jet assembly includes an orifice, a coverhead and a rotor mounted within the orifice and the coverhead. The orifice includes an axial port for water to enter into the spa jet assembly. The orifice also includes a radial port to allow air to enter into the spa jet assembly. The rotor is rotated by the flow of air and water through the spa jet assembly. The exiting air and water mixture from the spa jet assembly creates a pulsation effect. In a second embodiment, an orifice is rotatably connected to a control cylinder. A jet head is rotatably connected to the control cylinder about a pin shaft that is fixed at a common longitudinal axis to the orifice. The jet head is movable axially to a limited extent with respect to the control cylinder. The jet head can rotate freely with respect to the control cylinder in a first axial position. The jet head rotates with the control cylinder by an amount less than 360.degree. in the second position to vary the fluid flow rate in the apparatus.

Abstract: Filtering apparatus provided for separating contaminants from a fluid flow includes a hollow housing having an inlet and an outlet therein adapted to permit the flow of fluid therethrough, and a hollow, generally concave shaped, porous, self-supporting filtering membrane having an opening into the interior thereof at its base end. The filter membrane is secured in the housing intermediate the inlet and outlet, so that the fluid flow enters the interior portion of the filtering membrane through the opening at its base end and exits therefrom through the porous filtering membrane to the outlet.

Abstract: A whirlpool jet housing having a unitary combination orifice and directional flow that can be readily coupled and decoupled from the jet housing. The combination orifice and directional flow includes means for drawing air into the directional flow immediately prior to discharge of the water and thereby discharge a mixture of air and water. The combination orifice and directional flow is adapted to permit the coupling to the water aperture for the jet housing to be continuously varied between a fully on and fully off position to vary the volume of water discharged. Control means are further provided to permit the user to turn the air fully on or fully off at the jet housing while controlling the flow of water at the housing. The whirlpool jet housing includes improved means for mounting the housing to a water vessel and an improved installation tool for use therewith.

Abstract: Combined swimming pool and therapy pool comprising vertically directed walls forming a single pool having a swimming pool area and an adjacent contiguous therapy pool area. Jet water outlets are directed inwardly from one wall of the swimming pool area, whereby a user can swim in a substantially stationary horizontal position against the force of the water jets. The therapy pool has seats, with additional jets directed inwardly toward the seats. A vertically directed divider is removably mounted between the swimming pool area and therapy pool area, to close off the therapy pool area for separate heating.

Abstract: A valve which is particularly adapted for use as a backflow safety valve for therapy pools, in which it prevents water from flowing through the air supply line and damaging the air blower. When the water outlets of the therapy pool are temporarily blocked, water which is forced into the air supply line by water pressure flows into the open end of a cup shaped valve member and moves it to closed position within the air supply line. The safety valve will automatically re-open when the blockage is removed.

Abstract: A whirlpool jet for bathtubs having a water outlet extending through a circular opening in the bathtub wall and threadedly connected to a housing. The outlet has an annular radial flange abutting against the inside of the bathtub wall. The flange has a pair of diametrically spaced openings for use in rotating the water outlet in mounting the jet on a bathtub by using a circular wrench having a pair of pins which fit within the openings. The periphery of the wrench has knurling for manually rotating the wrench and a square central opening for receiving the square head of a driving tool. A jet outlet control which is rotatably mounted within the outlet has a concave area surrounding the inner end of a water passage in all rotational positions of the control, so that the water flow into the passage is constant. An extension for poured concrete installations is adapted to protrude beyond the edge of the concrete, the protruding portion being discardable.