Abstract: A spa is provide with a heat pump for both heating and cooling the water contained in the spa tub. The heat pump uses the existing water pump of the hydrotherapy system to circulate the water through the water heat exchanger of the heat pump. Condensation produced by the heat pump is pumped into the spa tub. Components of the heat pump and water pump are acoustically isolated for noise reduction. Electronic noise reduction may be implemented. Co-generated heat is used to heat the air to produce warm therapeutic bubbles and to feed an ozonator. In addition, an auxiliary electrical resistance heater is arranged in combination with the heat pump for rapid water heating.

Abstract: A valve system for a spa includes a jet manifold which is coupled to all of the water jets associated with a seat in the spa and which is coupled to an individual water pump for the seat. A T-fitting is interposed between the manifold and the pump. A conduit is coupled from the T-fitting to a valve which is coupled to a second which extends to suction fittings in the bottom of the spa. When the valve is opened, water is diverted from the manifold thereby reducing the volume of water supplied to the jets and thus reducing the pressure of the water streams at the associated seat without affecting the water pressure at other seats. A spa according to the invention includes a plurality of seats, each associated with a group of water jets, each group of jets being coupled to a valve system with an associated pump.

Abstract: A pool/spa skimmer includes a housing, a face plate, and a flexible weir gate. The housing and plate are dimensioned to allow water to flow in a vertical column. The interior of the housing has a curved wall so that when a column of water passes through the open gate and into the housing, a whirlpool effect is realized. A vertical filter cartridge is mounted on a rotational bearing so that it can spin about its axis. The inlet of a pump is coupled to the cartridge via the bearing and is also coupled to a second water inlet via a vacuum operated valve. When the filter is clean, water is drawn through it and the filter spins about its axis due to the whirlpool effect. When the filter reaches a threshold dirt covering, water is no longer drawn through it and the vacuum operated valve.

Abstract: A pool/spa skimmer includes a housing and a face plate opening into the housing. The face plate is dimensioned to allow water to flow in a vertical column between it and the housing. In one embodiment, a flexible weir gate is coupled to the face plate and flexes under draw of water by a pump to allow flow of water into the skimmer. The interior of the housing has a curved wall so that when a column of water passes the face plate into the housing, a whirlpool effect is realized.

Abstract: A pool/spa skimmer includes a housing, a face plate, and a flexible weir gate. The housing and plate are dimensioned to allow water to flow in a vertical column. The interior of the housing has a curved wall so that when a column of water passes through the open gate and into the housing, a whirlpool effect is realized. A vertical filter cartridge is mounted on a rotational bearing so that it can spin about its axis. The inlet of a pump is coupled to the cartridge via the bearing and is also coupled to a second water inlet via a vacuum operated valve. The outlet of the pump is also coupled to a water jet which is arranged to enhance the whirlpool effect.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and valve assemblies for providing pressurized water to a plurality of water inlets in a bathing enclosure are disclosed. Aspects of the systems, methods, and valve assemblies disclosed overcome limitations of the prior art by allowing a bather to vary the flow of pressurized water out of one or more water jets without varying the flow of water from the pump supplying the water. The systems and methods include valve assemblies that allow the bather to divert the flow of pressurized water away from the water jets. The diverted flow may be introduced to the bathing enclosure wherever convenient, for example, to a foot well. A bather may divert the flow by manually actuating a pressure relief valve having a spring-actuated orifice. The inventions are applicable for any type of bathing enclosure including a pool, a tub, a spa, a shower, or a bath.