Water Jet Apparatus
The present water jet provides an apparatus method and system for producing water flow within a pool or spa. A pump body contains a pump assembly with an impeller for aspirating water. In one embodiment an apparatus for producing fluid flow in a pool includes a pump body, an impeller for aspirating a fluid in the pump body, a jet nozzle for directing fluid aspirated by the impeller out of the pump body and a front cover attachable to the pump body wherein the front cover includes a fluid intake structure allowing fluid ingress from outside the pump body. The fluid intake structure includes ports distal from a front cover opening for the jet nozzle. The fluid intake structure is positioned to allow fluid flow ingress substantially parallel to the fluid flow egress from the apparatus.
The various apparatus described relate to spas, pools, whirlpools or hot tubs and more particularly, to water propulsion devices for salons and pools directing volumes of water and/or providing water under pressure to spa jets.
BACKGROUNDThe use of water propulsion devices, such as water jets, in spas or hot tubs take water, put the water under pressure and conveys the water to the various outlets or jets within a tub, pool or spa. The water under pressure creates a flow within the pool.
Many water flow systems for spas and pools have piping or other plumbing that is difficult to clean. Water may not completely drain from the system. Instead, water may remain in a damp and dark environment where bacteria may breed. This water potentially includes soap film, hair, dirt and anything other materials in the water. These materials may then mix with incoming water be expelled from the pipes when the system is reactivated. This results in a potentially unsanitary environment.
There is a need for an apparatus that efficiently moves water in and out of the pump apparatus. There is a need for a spa jet apparatus and system that provides for efficient and complete cleaning so that no water is left behind in the apparatus or system, and devices may be easily cleaned as often as desired. There is a need for an apparatus that provides for a water flow out of a device that does not conflict or interfere with water flowing into the apparatus, thereby leading to a degraded or less than optimal performance of the apparatus and water flow in the pool environment.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment a spa jet apparatus provides an apparatus method and system for producing water flow within a pool or spa. A pump body contains a pump assembly with an impeller for aspirating water. A driving device like a DC or AC monitor is connected to the impeller. A jet nozzle, which may be pivotable, directs impeller aspirated water out of the pump body. A front cover is attachable to the pump body. The front cover, which may be one or more pieces, has a water intake inlet distal from a jet nozzle front cover opening.
In one embodiment an apparatus for producing fluid flow in a pool includes a pump body, an impeller for aspirating a fluid in the pump body, a jet nozzle for directing fluid aspirated by the impeller out of the pump body and a front cover attachable to the pump body wherein the front cover includes a fluid intake structure allowing fluid ingress from outside the pump body. The fluid intake structure includes points distal from a front cover opening for the jet nozzle. The fluid intake structure is positioned to allow fluid flow ingress substantially parallel to the fluid flow egress from the apparatus.
In another embodiment an apparatus for producing water flow within a pool includes a pump body for holding a pump assembly, a pump assembly with an impeller for aspirating water in the pump body, a jet nozzle for directing water aspirated by the impeller out of the pump body and a front cover attachable to the pump body. The front cover includes a water intake ring structure with openings for acquiring water from outside the pump body, the water intake ring structure openings distal from a jet nozzle front cover opening and allowing water ingress in substantially the direction water is directed out of the pump body.
In another embodiment an apparatus for producing water flow within a pool includes a pump body with an air intake structure, a jet nozzle holder with an air intake structure connected to the pump body air intake structure, an impeller for aspirating water out of the pump body through a jet nozzle and a front cover attachable to the pump body. The front cover includes a water intake structure distal from a front cover opening for the jet nozzle and allowing water ingress in substantially the direction of water egress from the pump body.
Examples of the more important features of a spa jet apparatus have been summarized (albeit rather broadly) in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the contributions they represent to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of a spa jet apparatus that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto.
Objects and features of a spa jet apparatus will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings disclosing embodiments herein. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of a spa jet apparatus. In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:
While a spa jet apparatus will be described in connection with its preferred embodiments, it will be understood that a spa jet apparatus is not limited thereto. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents which may be included within the spirit and scope of a, as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn view of the above, in one or more various aspects and/or embodiments is presented a spa jet apparatus, such as those noted below.
Turning now to the drawings,
Impeller 9, mounted with the impeller's ‘back’ (e.g., a shroud for one side of the impeller) towards the pump body opening, is attached to impeller shaft 8 adjacent to mid part 6. Impeller shaft 8 is positioned between impeller 9 and mid-part 6. Impeller 9 rotates in a chamber, or volute, formed by jet holder 4 and middle back pump 7. Water flows into the pump body through openings in front cover 13 (see
Jet holder 4 (or alternative jet holder 40 in
A cross-section A-A′ is illustrated with examples of design measurement variables. Variables include a motor drive shaft, or body pin, opening width e, opening h with depth g, radius of curvature for vane edges f, and shaft length d. A view of the impeller's back or shroud includes variables for the radius of curvature j, which may be on the order of 10% of the radius of curvature x, and the radius of curvature i, which may be on the order of ⅔ of the radius of curvature of x.
Water flow is shown relative to front cover 13 by input flow direction 15 and output flow 22. The direction of input flow 13 through the input openings and the output flow 22 that proceeds out of the water jet 5 are adjacent and in opposite directions, resulting in potential and/or actual conflict resulting in degradation of water flow in both directions 15 and 22. The potential or actual conflicting water flow may be exacerbated when the pivotably mounted jet nozzle 5 has been adjusted away from a direction normal to the face of front cover 13. Front cover 13 may be designed so that inlet water ports are not adjacent to the center of the front cover, but instead are distal from the center, and so present toward the outside of the front cover 13 circumference (not shown), so that less turbulence and degradation of water flow occurs during apparatus operation.
An alternative front cover illustrated in
Front cover 13 and alternative front cover of
While a front cover may enable directing water substantially through the center of the cover, other embodiments include directing water through a cover near an outside edge. These designs also allows for separating the input water flow from the output water flow in the vicinity of apparatus 100, thereby also reducing turbulence and facilitating water flow away from apparatus 100.
An embodiment of water intake ring structure 50 is illustrated in
A front cover 60 is illustrated with
In one embodiment an apparatus for producing fluid flow in a pool includes a pump body, an impeller for aspirating a fluid in the pump body, a jet nozzle for directing fluid aspirated by the impeller out of the pump body and a front cover attachable to the pump body wherein the front cover includes a fluid intake structure allowing fluid ingress from outside the pump body. The fluid intake structure includes ports distal from a front cover opening for the jet nozzle. The fluid intake structure is positioned to allow fluid flow ingress substantially parallel to the fluid flow egress from the apparatus.
Another embodiment includes a jet nozzle holder with an air intake structure for obtaining air from the pump body. In another embodiment the pump body includes an air intake structure providing air to a jet nozzle holder. In still another embodiment the front cover opening for the jet nozzle is substantially in the center of the front cover. In yet another embodiment the front cover includes a water intake ring structure with openings substantially around the perimeter of the front cover. In another embodiment the apparatus includes an impeller driving device that is a DC Motor or an AC Motor. In another embodiment the impeller includes at least one of: i) angled distal vane edges; ii) impeller vanes that become thicker as distance from the impeller center increases; iii) a radius of curvature less on the inside impeller vane surface than on the outside impeller vane surface; and iv) a radius of curvature for impeller vanes that decreases as distance from impeller center increases.
In another embodiment an apparatus for producing water flow within a pool includes a pump body for holding a pump assembly, a pump assembly with an impeller for aspirating water in the pump body, a jet nozzle for directing water aspirated by the impeller out of the pump body and a front cover attachable to the pump body. The front cover includes a water intake ring structure with openings for acquiring water from outside the pump body, the water intake ring structure openings distal from a jet nozzle front cover opening and allowing water ingress in substantially the direction water is directed out of the pump body.
In another embodiment a jet nozzle holder includes an air intake structure terminating in a front part of the jet nozzle holder. In another embodiment the pump body includes an air intake structure providing air to a jet nozzle holder. In yet another embodiment the water intake ring structure openings are substantially around the entire perimeter of the front cover In another embodiment an impeller driving device is included that is a DC Motor or an AC Motor. In still another embodiment the jet nozzle is pivotable. In another embodiment the impeller includes at least one of: i) angled front-side vane edges; ii) impeller vanes that become thicker as distance from the impeller center increases; iii) a radius of curvature for an inside impeller vane surface that is less than a radius of curvature for an outside impeller vane surface; and iv) a radius of curvature for impeller vanes that decreases as distance from impeller center increases.
In another embodiment an apparatus for producing water flow within a pool includes a pump body with an air intake structure, a jet nozzle holder with an air intake structure connected to the pump body air intake structure, an impeller for aspirating water out of the pump body through a jet nozzle and a front cover attachable to the pump body. The front cover includes a water intake structure distal from a front cover opening for the jet nozzle and allowing water ingress in substantially the direction of water egress from the pump body.
In another embodiment the jet holder air intake structure terminates in a front part of the jet nozzle holder. In another embodiment the water intake ring structure includes openings substantially around the perimeter of the front cover. In yet another embodiment the jet nozzle is pivotable. In still another embodiment the includes an impeller driving device that is one of a DC Motor or an AC Motor. In another embodiment the impeller includes at least one of: i) angled front-side vane edges; ii) impeller vanes that become thicker as distance from the impeller center increases; and iii) a radius of curvature for an inside impeller vane surface that is less than a radius of curvature for an outside impeller vane surface.
Accordingly while embodiments of the present spa jet apparatus have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the spa jet apparatus as defined in the appended claims. The present spa jet apparatus described herein is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While various embodiments of the spa jet apparatus have been given for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desired results. Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims be embraced by the foregoing disclosure.
Claims
1. An apparatus for producing fluid flow in a pool comprising:
- (a) a pump body;
- (b) an impeller for aspirating a fluid in the pump body;
- (c) a jet nozzle for directing fluid aspirated by the impeller out of the pump body; and
- (d) a jet nozzle holder with an air intake structure for obtaining air from the pump body.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a front cover attachable to the pump body.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pump body further comprises an air intake structure providing air to the jet nozzle holder.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein an opening for the front cover is substantially in the center of the front cover.
5. (canceled)
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an impeller driving device that is at least one selected from the list consisting of i) a DC Motor, and ii) an AC Motor.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the impeller further comprises at least one of: i) angled distal vane edges; ii) impeller vanes that become thicker as distance from the impeller center increases; iii) a radius of curvature less on the inside impeller vane surface than on the outside impeller vane surface; and iv) a radius of curvature for impeller vanes that decreases as distance from impeller center increases.
8. An apparatus for producing water flow within a pool comprising:
- (a) a pump body for holding a pump assembly;
- (b) an impeller for aspirating water in the pump body;
- (c) a jet nozzle for directing water aspirated by the impeller out of the pump body; and
- (d) a jet nozzle holder with an air intake structure for obtaining air from the pump body.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a jet nozzle holder with an air intake structure terminating in a front part of the jet nozzle holder.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the pump body further comprises an air intake structure providing air to a jet nozzle holder.
11. (canceled)
12. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprises an impeller driving device that one of i) a DC Motor and ii) an AC Motor.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the jet nozzle is pivotable.
14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the impeller further comprises at least one of: i) angled front-side vane edges; ii) impeller vanes that become thicker as distance from the impeller center increases; iii) a radius of curvature for an inside impeller vane surface that is less than a radius of curvature for an outside impeller vane surface; and iv) a radius of curvature for impeller vanes that decreases as distance from impeller center increases.
15. An apparatus for producing water flow within a pool comprising:
- (a) a pump body with an air intake structure;
- (b) a jet nozzle holder with an air in take structure connected to the pump body air intake structure;
- (c) an impeller for aspirating water out of the pump body through a jet nozzle;
- (d) a front cover attachable to the pump body.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the jet holder air intake structure terminates in a front part of the jet nozzle holder.
17. (canceled)
18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the jet nozzle is pivotable.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an impeller driving device that is one selected of i) a DC Motor and ii) an AC Motor.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the impeller further comprises at least one of: i) angled front-side vane edges; ii) impeller vanes that become thicker as distance from the impeller center increases; and iii) a radius of curvature for an inside impeller vane surface that is less than a radius of curvature for all outside impeller vane surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 13, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 17, 2008
Inventor: Jason W. Hillyard (Fillmore, CA)
Application Number: 11/457,292
International Classification: E04H 4/00 (20060101);