System and method of heating swimming pools and spas with steam

• US 20050066434A1
• Filed: 05/06/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keith A. Phillips
• Original Assignee: Keith A. Phillips
• Inventors: Phillips, Keith A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,370,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/493
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0095 Arrangements for varying the temperature of the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/02 Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths A61H33/6026 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/028 Means for producing a flow of gas, e.g. blowers, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/063 Heaters specifically designed therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/129 Systems for heating the water content of swimming pools solar collectors using pools F24S10/17, F24S10/10; by solar radiation F24S20/02

Abstract

A dual water heating system uses a pump for pumping water from a swimming pool or spa. A filter is coupled to an output of the pump for filtering the water. A water heater heats the water and returns heated water to the swimming pool or spa. A network of non-corrosive piping is disposed within the swimming pool support structure. A plurality of steam ports are coupled to exit points of the network of piping. A steam generator provides steam to the network of piping for transporting the steam to the steam ports and injecting the heated water into the swimming pool or spa. An energy source supplies energy to the steam heater. A motorized or hand-push cart is used to transport the steam heater and energy source. The steam ports are provided along sidewalls or bottom surface of the swimming pool and spa support structure. The steam ports are contained within cavities formed in the support structure.

Claims

1. A dual water heating system, comprising:

a pump for pumping water from a body of water;

a filter having an input coupled to an outlet of the pump for filtering the water;

a water heater having an input coupled to an outlet of the filter and having an outlet for returning heated water to the body of water;

a network of piping disposed within a support structure containing the body of water;

a plurality of steam ports coupled to exit points of the network of piping for directing heated water into the body of water; and

a steam generator for providing steam to the network of piping for transporting the steam to the steam ports and heating the body of water.

2. The dual water heating system of claim 1, wherein the network of piping is made from non-corrosive material.

3. The dual water heating system of claim 1, further including:

an energy source supplying energy to the steam heater; and

a cart for transporting the steam heater and energy source.

4. The dual water heating system of claim 1, wherein the steam ports are provided along sidewalls or along a bottom surface of the support structure containing the body of water.

5. The dual water heating system of claim 1, further including protective plates disposed in the path of the plurality of steam ports.

6. A water heating system, comprising:

a steam heater for generating steam;

a wand for injecting the steam into a body of water; and

a flexible tubing coupled between the steam heater and wand to transfer the steam from the steam heater to the wand.

7. The water heating system of claim 6, wherein the wand includes a trigger assembly for enabling the steam to be ejected from an exit point of the wand.

8. The water heating system of claim 7, wherein the wand further includes:

a grip for grasping the wand;

a barrel coupled to the grip; and

a non-corrosive tubing within the barrel for transferring the steam to the exit point of the wand.

9. The water heating system of claim 6, further including:

an energy source supplying energy to the steam heater; and

a cart for transporting the steam heater and energy source.

10. The water heating system of claim 6, further including a stand for supporting the wand.

11. A water heating system for heating a body of water, comprising:

a network of piping disposed within a support structure containing the body of water;

a plurality of steam ports coupled to exit points of the network of piping for directing heated water into the body of water; and

a steam generator for providing steam to the network of piping for transporting the steam to the steam ports and heating the body of water.

12. The water heating system of claim 11, wherein the network of piping is made from non-corrosive material.

13. The water heating system of claim 12, wherein the non-corrosive material is stainless steel.

14. The water heating system of claim 11, further including protective plates disposed in the path of the plurality of steam ports.

15. The water heating system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of steam ports are provided along sidewalls or a bottom surface of the support structure containing the body of water.

16. The water heating system of claim 11, further including a detachable coupling for connecting an outlet of the steam generator to the network of piping.

17. The water heating system of claim 11, further including a cavity formed in the support structure for containing one of the plurality of steam ports.

18. A water heating system for heating a body of water, comprising:

a pipe disposed within a support structure containing the body of water;

a first cavity formed within the support structure; and

a steam port disposed within the first cavity and coupled to an exit point of the pipe.

19. The water heating system of claim 18, further including a steam generator for providing steam to the pipe which transports the steam to the steam port for injection into the first cavity.

20. The water heating system of claim 18, further including a cover plate over the first cavity with openings for passing water.

21. The water heating system of claim 18, wherein the pipe is made from non-corrosive material.

22. The water heating system of claim 18, further including a protective plate disposed within the cavity over the steam port to re-direct the steam within the cavity.

23. The water heating system of claim 18, wherein the cavity is disposed along sidewalls or a bottom surface of the support structure containing the body of water.

24. The water heating system of claim 18, further including a second cavity formed in the support structure and connected to the first cavity.

25. The water heating system of claim 24, further including a cover plate over the second cavity.

26. A method of heating a body of water, comprising:

providing a pipe for disposing within a support structure containing the body of water; and

providing a steam port on an exit point of the pipe for directing heated water into the body of water.

27. The method of claim 26, further including generating steam for transport through the pipe to the steam ports and injection of the heated water into the body of water.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the steam port is provided along sidewalls or along the bottom surface of the support structure containing the body of water.

29. The method of claim 26, further including the step of disposing a protective plate in the path of the steam port.

30. The method of claim 26, further including forming a first cavity in the support structure for containing the steam port.

31. The method of claim 30, further including providing a source of water into the first cavity, wherein the source of water has a temperature less than steam exiting from the steam port.

32. The method of claim 30, further including forming a second cavity in the support structure which is connected to the first cavity.

33. A water heating system for heating a body of water, comprising:

a pipe disposed within a support structure containing the body of water; and

a steam port disposed within the support structure and coupled to an exit point of the pipe.

34. The water heating system of claim 33, further including a first cavity formed within the support structure, wherein the steam port is disposed within the first cavity.

35. The water heating system of claim 34, further including a steam generator for providing steam to the pipe which transports the steam to the steam port for injection into the first cavity.

36. The water heating system of claim 34, further including a cover plate over the first cavity with openings for passing water.

37. The water heating system of claim 34, further including a protective plate disposed within the first cavity over the steam port to re-direct the steam within the first cavity.

38. The water heating system of claim 34, further including a second cavity formed in the support structure and connected to the first cavity.