Abstract: A waterproof user interface panel includes an electronic display assembly having a touch sensitive surface for activation of touch switches, and a housing including a cutout area. A protective film is disposed over the assembly and secured to the housing. The housing includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral sidewall to define a housing cavity. Sealing material covers the bottom surface, with a void between the top surface of the sealing material and the electronic display assembly. A vent is provided between the void and the external environment to allow air to pass. A filter may be positioned in the vent to prevent the passage of water droplets through the filter while allowing the passage of air and water vapor.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a heater assembly includes a heater housing structure defining an elongated heater chamber having a first port and a second port and defining a wetted side on the interior of the heater chamber and a non-wetted side on the exterior of the heater chamber. A resistive heater element is has an active region disposed within the heater chamber, free of any brazed or welded bulkhead members. The housing structure includes a first heater terminal opening and a second heater terminal opening, a first terminal end of the heater element passed through the first terminal opening from the wetted side to the non-wetted side, and a second terminal end of the heater element passed through the second terminal opening from the wetted side to the non-wetted side. First and second seal members are disposed on the non-wetted side respectively onto the first terminal end and the second terminal end and in contact with respective first and second seal surfaces defined on the housing structure.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an inductive electrical sensor assembly includes a hollow housing structure defining an open space within the housing structure and a circuit board mounted in the open space. The circuit board includes an inductive sense area. A flexible metal domed spring structure is mounted over the inductive sensor area. A stem portion extends from a actuator area of the housing structure and having a distal end disposed adjacent to or in contact with the spring structure. The domed spring structure is adapted to be flexed toward the inductive sensor area by force exerted by the stem portion when a user exerts force on the actuator area, the flexing of the domed spring structure resulting in a change of inductance of the inductive sensor area which may be sensed to indicate an actuator push.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a heater assembly includes a heater housing structure defining an elongated heater chamber having a first port and a second port and defining a wetted side on the interior of the heater chamber and a non-wetted side on the exterior of the heater chamber. A resistive heater element is has an active region disposed within the heater chamber, free of any brazed or welded bulkhead members. The housing structure includes a first heater terminal opening and a second heater terminal opening, a first terminal end of the heater element passed through the first terminal opening from the wetted side to the non-wetted side, and a second terminal end of the heater element passed through the second terminal opening from the wetted side to the non-wetted side. First and second seal members are disposed on the non-wetted side respectively onto the first terminal end and the second terminal end and in contact with respective first and second seal surfaces defined on the housing structure.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an inductive electrical sensor assembly includes a hollow housing structure defining an open space within the housing structure and a circuit board mounted in the open space. The circuit board includes an inductive sense area. A flexible metal domed spring structure is mounted over the inductive sensor area. A stem portion extends from a actuator area of the housing structure and having a distal end disposed adjacent to or in contact with the spring structure. The domed spring structure is adapted to be flexed toward the inductive sensor area by force exerted by the stem portion when a user exerts force on the actuator area, the flexing of the domed spring structure resulting in a change of inductance of the inductive sensor area which may be sensed to indicate an actuator push.

Abstract: A bathing installation system includes a water receptacle, a plurality of electrically powered devices, and an electronic control system adapted to control operation of the devices. A sensor senses the presence of a personalized mobile information bearing device, the sensor having an output signal coupled to the electronic control system for indicating the sensed presence or absence of the mobile device. The electronic control system is responsive to the sensor output signal to be placed in a first state when the sensor signal indicates the sensed presence of the mobile device, and to be placed in a second state when the sensor signal indicates the absence of the mobile device.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a control panel for a bathing installation includes a housing with a peripheral wall defined by a plurality of overlapping arc-shaped wall portions, and a top cover portion attached to the top edge of the peripheral wall and including a flange portion extending outwardly from the peripheral wall and including a flange lower surface adapted to be secured to a surface of a bathing installation tub surrounding a panel mounting opening in the tub.

Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring and/or controlling a pool or spa. The remote control can utilize a microprocessor-based data acquisition and processing system, along with a network interface, to provide remote access to the pool or spa parameters, including but not limited to: temperature, pH, and ORP levels; and the status and control of pumps, heaters, ozone apparatus, and filters. The information is presentable via the Internet, a private or other networks, and can be accessed through known browsers or other convenient interfaces, allowing for operation across all computing platforms.

Abstract: A fitting adapted for installation into an opening of a support structure includes a housing structure having a longitudinal extent with a head region. An exemplary embodiment of the housing structure has an interference feature whose outer shape configuration generally matches a shape configuration of the opening, the interference feature oversized relative to the opening. The housing structure further includes a seal surface disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal extent. A component such as a light source may be disposed within the housing structure.

Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring and/or controlling a pool or spa. The remote control can utilize a microprocessor-based data acquisition and processing system, along with a network interface, to provide remote access to the pool or spa parameters, including but not limited to: temperature, pH, and ORP levels; and the status and control of pumps, heaters, ozone apparatus, and filters. The information is presentable via the Internet, a private or other networks, and can be accessed through known browsers or other convenient interfaces, allowing for operation across all computing platforms.

Abstract: An improved water heater for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors are used for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. The water heater uses heating element technology know as thick film on substrate comprising resistive elements bonded to the outer dry surface of a pipe to heat the pipe which in turn heats the water flowing therethrough. The heater is highly efficient due to the direct contact of the wet heating surface with the water and provides a smooth seamless inner heating surface by eliminating the need to pass electrical leads into the wet region of the heater. This virtually eliminates the risk of leaks in the water heater due to bulkhead fittings. The invention further eliminates the need for a heating element to be contained in the inner wet region of a spa heater, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion.

Abstract: A control system for a pool and spa. Main line voltage is provided through a single line voltage service and a single ground fault circuit interrupter circuit, facilitating a ground fault test and simplifying installation. The control system acts as a power distribution system for controlling the pool and spa equipment, with a circuit board assembly including individual fuse protection devices and switching circuits. A test algorithm is included, wherein the control system is disabled from normal operation if the GFCI test fails. The pool operator manually enters a water fill command, and the controller system automatically opens the fill valve for a predetermined time interval, and then automatically closes the valve. An emergency disconnect switch is mounted near the bathing area, connected by low voltage wiring to the controller system cabinet. The controller system senses the emergency switch closure and disconnects line voltage to the line voltage loads.

Abstract: A control system for a pool and spa. Main line voltage is provided through a single line voltage service and a single ground fault circuit interrupter circuit, facilitating a ground fault test and simplifying installation. The control system controls the pool and spa equipment, with a circuit board assembly including individual fuse protection devices and switching circuits. A test algorithm is included, wherein the control system is disabled from normal operation if the GFCI test fails. The pool operator manually enters a water fill command, and the controller system automatically opens the fill valve for a predetermined time interval, and then automatically closes the valve. An emergency disconnect switch is mounted near the bathing area, connected by low voltage wiring to the controller system cabinet. The controller system senses the emergency switch closure and disconnects line voltage to the line voltage loads. The emergency switch closure also remotely induces a ground fault, tripping the GFCI.

Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring and/or controlling a pool or spa. The remote control can utilize a microprocessor-based data acquisition and processing system, along with a network interface, to provide remote access to the pool or spa parameters, including but not limited to: temperature, pH, and ORP levels; and the status and control of pumps, heaters, ozone apparatus, and filters. The information is presentable via the Internet, a private or other networks, and can be accessed through known browsers or other convenient interfaces, allowing for operation across all computing platforms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a low voltage level actuator and a signal processing device such as a microprocessor to selectively electrically couple an electrical appliance with a switch circuit associated with a power source of relatively high voltage. The microprocessor is responsive to low level electrical signals from the actuator to control operation of the switch circuit and the appliance without posing a shock hazard to the user. One form of actuator includes a piezoelectric element.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly that is especially useful in a damp or moisture laden atmosphere. It can be used to operate remotely located electrical equipment, including household garbage disposers, hot tubs, spas and swimming pools. The assembly includes a receptacle and a piezoelectric element that is carried by an insert slidably fitted within the receptacle. Conductive wires in engagement with the element extend into a recess in the insert for engagement with a plug in the recess. Resiliently deformable potting material is poured through passageways in the insert to fill the insert and the receptacle, and to surround the element and the plug to prevent moisture entry. An end wall of the receptacle can be depressed to deform the element to generate electrical signals which are picked up by the plug and transmitted to an exterior control to operate the electrical equipment.

Abstract: A skating device holding apparatus and method using resilient brackets affixed to a flat surface for detachably holding the skating device on the surface is provided. A pair of opposing, deflectable, wide brackets are spatially positioned on the flat surface. The brackets are positioned on the flat surface so that they extend parallel to axle assemblies axles affixed to the skating device. The fasteners are L-shaped with long sides affixed to the flat surface and short sides extending away from the flat surface at acute angles. The short sides are arcuate to aid the attaching and detaching of the skating device from the brackets. The short sides apply equal and opposite holding forces to the wheels for detachably retaining the wheels in the brackets. The surface can be a vertical surface, or any suitable mounting surface. The brackets may be affixed to the surface using any suitable affixing means.