Hydrotherapy device, method and apparatus

{
  "publication_number": "US4330412A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Hydrotherapy device, method and apparatus",
  "abstract": "A hydrotherapy device, such as a spa, whirlpool or jet stream exerciser is connected to a closed water circulation loop having a drain, a pump, a heater, a filter, a valve controlled filter bypass and injection nozzles. The pump is equipped with a close-coupled drive motor having two sets of stator windings for allowing the selection of one of two motor speeds to achieve improved operation and greater efficiency of the hydrotherapy device. A low motor speed is selected during periods of non-use, at which time the filter device is connected into the circulation loop so that a low water circulation rate is provided in order to maintain purity of the water. During periods of use, a higher motor speed is selected and the filter is bypassed to provide a high water circulation rate and high velocity water injection into the hydrotherapy device. Reduced motor speed during periods of non-use results in substantial energy savings and a reduction in the noise generated by the device.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A hydrotherapy device, comprising: water retaining means for retaining a body of water, said means having an outlet and a plurality of inlets; injecting means associated with each of said inlets for injecting water into the body of water at a high velocity; a water circulating and purifying system including a centrifugal liquid pump and a filter serially connected between the outlet of the water retaining means and the injection means; a motor capable of operating at at least two speeds drivably connected to said pump; means for selecting one of said two motor speeds whereby a high water circulation rate may be selected when the hydrotherapy device is to be used and a low water circulation rate may be selected during periods of non-use so that the water may be filtered at an energy saving low circulation rate; and means associated with said circulation system for selectively bypassing the filter during periods of use and high water circulation rates to thereby cause a greater increase in the water circulation rate and improved therapeutic action.",
    "2. A device as described in claim 1, additionally comprising a heater means connected in the circulating system.",
    "3. A device as described in claim 1, additionally comprising a heater means disposed in the filter bypass circuit.",
    "4. A device as described in claim 1, wherein said motor includes a dual stator winding which may be selectively energized by said motor speed selecting means to provide different operating speeds.",
    "5. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the motor is close-coupled to the pump, thereby forming an integral compact unit.",
    "6. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the injecting means comprise a plurality of nozzles disposed about the periphery of the water-retaining means.",
    "7. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the water injecting means comprise a plurality of nozzles disposed at one side of the water-retaining means and the outlet is disposed on an opposite side so that a current of water from one side to the other is established in the water retaining means.",
    "8. A method of operating a hydrotherapy device to provide efficient operation and maintenance of water clarity and purity, said device including a water circulating loop having a two-speed motor close-coupled to a centrifugal liquid pump, a filter, a filter bypass circuit that may be selectively actuated, and water injecting means comprising the steps of: energizing the motor at a low energy saving speed to achieve a low water circulation rate with the filter connected in the circulating loop to thereby maintain water clarity during periods of non-use; energizing the motor at a higher speed during periods of use to achieve a higher water circulation rate and to provide a higher water velocity out of the water injecting means; and selectively bypassing the water around the filter during periods of use to thereby cause the water circulation rate to further increase to a yet higher circulation rate for improved therapeutic action.",
    "9. A method of operating a hydrotherapy water circulation system to obtain maximum efficiency and operating effectiveness, comprising the steps of: establishing a first system head curve for the circulation system by connecting a filter in the system; selectively operating at a point on the first system head curve to establish a low water circulation rate sufficient to maintain water clarity during periods of non-use; selectively establishing a second system head curve by bypassing the filter, whereby a higher water circulation rate is experienced; and selectively changing the operating point on the second system head curve to establish a still higher water circulation rate and water velocity thereby improving the therapeutic effect.",
    "10. A method of operating a hydrotherapy device having a water circulation system and filter to achieve maximum operational efficiency, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a first system head characteristic curve by connecting the filter into the circulation system; energizing a pump drive motor at a first predetermined low power consuming speed to operate at a point on the first system head characteristic curve so that a low water circulation rate is established sufficient to maintain water clarity during periods of non-use; establishing a second system head characteristic curve by bypassing the filter whereby a higher water circulation rate is experienced; and energizing the pump drive motor at a second predetermined high power consuming speed to change operating points on the second system head characteristic curve so that a still higher water circulation rate is established and greater water velocity that provides an improved therapeutic effect.",
    "11. A method of operating a hydrotherapy device to provide maximum efficiency and operating effectiveness while maintaining water clarity and purity, said device including means for retaining a body of water, a water circulating loop connected to a drain in said water retaining means, said water circulating loop including a two-speed motor close-coupled to a centrifugal liquid pump, a filter, means for selectively bypassing said filter and means for injecting water into the body of water, the method comprising the steps of: connecting the filter into the water circulating loop; energizing the motor at a low power conserving speed to achieve a low water circulation rate through the circulating loop sufficient to maintain water clarity during periods of non-use; bypassing the filter to increase the water circulation rate; and energizing the motor at a high speed to achieve a still higher water circulation rate and higher water velocity out of the water injecting means that results in improved therapeutic action."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "E04H 4/1209",
    "A61H 33/0095"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "ITT"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1977-07-05",
  "publication_date": "1982-05-18",
  "grant_date": "1982-05-18",
  "priority_date": "1977-07-05",
  "application_number": "US-81286477-A",
  "family_id": "25210820",
  "citations": [
    "US3316937A",
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    "US3943580A",
    "US3988787A",
    "US4001899A",
    "US4019210A",
    "US4030009A"
  ]
}