Abstract: A method and valve are disclosed for preventing bacterial contamination from being introduced by backflow from a saliva evacuator, particularly cross contamination of dental patients by previous patients as well as contamination from biofilm which is growing in the lines. The backflow may contain bacteria, viruses and other pathogens from previous patients or from the biofilm contamination of the lines.

Abstract: A pulsing valve for routing water flow from an inlet line to outlet lines connected to water jets arranged in an array to massage an occupant of a whirlpool spa or bathtub is provided. The pulsing valve includes a water turbine driving a selector disk through a reduction gear drive. The selector disk contains openings which oppose individual outlet water lines and direct water flow to them. Rotation of the selector disk switches water flow among the individual outlet water lines, causing the massaging water jet location to move, improving the quality of the resulting massage.

Abstract: A pulsing valve for routing water flow from an inlet line to outlet lines connected to water jets arranged in an array to massage an occupant of a whirlpool spa or bathtub is provided. The pulsing valve includes a water turbine driving a selector disk through a reduction gear drive. The selector disk contains openings which oppose individual outlet water lines and direct water flow to them. Rotation of the selector disk switches or cycles pressurized water flow among the individual outlet water lines, causing the massaging water jet location to move, improving the quality of the resulting massage. The speed of the cycling of the water can be changed by changing the pressure of the water delivered to the water turbine. Additionally, the water turbine can be powered by tap water instead of pressurized water and the valve can be used to cycle tap water to the individual jets instead of cycling pressurized water.

Abstract: A pulsing valve for routing water flow from an inlet line to outlet lines connected to water jets arranged in an array to massage an occupant of a whirlpool spa or bathtub is provided. The pulsing valve includes a water turbine driving a selector disk through a reduction gear drive. The selector disk contains openings which oppose individual outlet water lines and direct water flow to them. Rotation of the selector disk switches or cycles pressurized water flow among the individual outlet water lines, causing the massaging water jet location to move, improving the quality of the resulting massage. The speed of the cycling of the water can be changed by changing the pressure of the water delivered to the water turbine. Additionally, the water turbine can be powered by tap water instead of pressurized water and the valve can be used to cycle tap water to the individual jets instead of cycling pressurized water.

Abstract: A pulsing valve for routing water flow from an inlet line to outlet lines connected to water jets arranged in an array to massage an occupant of a whirlpool spa or bathtub is provided. The pulsing valve includes a water turbine driving a selector disk through a reduction gear drive. The selector disk contains openings which oppose individual outlet water lines and direct water flow to them. Rotation of the selector disk switches or cycles pressurized water flow among the individual outlet water lines, causing the massaging water jet location to move, improving the quality of the resulting massage. The speed of the cycling of the water can be changed by changing the pressure of the water delivered to the water turbine. Additionally, the water turbine can be powered by tap water instead of pressurized water and the valve can be used to cycle tap water to the individual jets instead of cycling pressurized water.

Abstract: A bath, into which water is to be pumped for hydrotherapy, is disclosed and in which the drain and overflow pipes from the bath and the return line to the pump are connected to a junction leading to a waste pipe. A valve in the junction directs water from the drain pipe to the return pipe but not to the waste pipe while allowing overflow water to flow into the waste pipe. After the bath has been used, the valve may be opened to drain the bath, drain and return pipes to waste.

Abstract: A bath, into which water is to be pumped for hydrotherapy, is disclosed and in which the drain and overflow pipes from the bath and the return line to the pump are connected to a junction leading to a waste pipe. A valve in the junction directs water from the drain pipe to the return pipe but not to the waste pipe while allowing overflow water to flow into the waste pipe. After the bath has been used, the valve may be opened to drain the bath, drain and return pipes to waste.

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.

Abstract: An air supply system for spas provides protection against motor short circuits caused by water backflowing through the air supply line to the housing containing the motor and blower. A moisture-proof partition isolates the motor from direct exposure to the air supply line. The partition and the blower air intake tube are arranged to prevent water from reaching the motor, unless such water first flows through the outlet ports of the blower and then through the blower air intake tube. The blower ports dissipate the water backflow pressure, thereby preventing backflow surges of short duration from reaching the motor. In addition, the inlet end of the air intake tube extends vertically well above the bottom of the motor to provide a static head to offset the backflow pressure of water in the air intake tube.In an alternative embodiment, a drain is provided by ducting the air intake tube to the exterior of the housing to positively prevent water from reaching the motor.

Abstract: An aerator for a spa, therapy pool, bathtub or the like is formed of a mixer body having side-by-side parallel air and water conduits and a mixture outlet port extending radially of the air conduit. A water jet nozzle extends from the water conduit into the air conduit to project water across the air conduit axially into the outlet port. A group of such mixers is connected to individual ones of a number of aerator nozzles that project through the tub walls of a spa or therapy pool and the mixer air and water passages are respectively connected to one another, in series, by pipes that extend between the mixers and circumscribe the tub.

Abstract: A safety drain for a spa having a recirculating water pump is arranged to prevent entrapment, against the drain, of an object or person that may inadvertently block flow of water through the drain. The drain body, having a first fitting connected to the suction line of the pump, is provided with a second fitting connected to a vent conduit that has an end open to atmosphere at a point above water level. A by-pass conduit interconnecting the pump suction line and the vent conduit avoids disablement of the safety function of the vent conduit if the latter should become blocked within the drain.