METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SANITIZING WATER IN A BATHING UNIT AND CONTROL INTERFACE FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH SAME
First Claim
1. A sanitizing system for use in sanitizing water in a bathing unit system, the bathing unit system including a receptacle for holding water in which an halide salt has been dissolved and a circulating system for removing and returning water from and to the receptacle, the sanitizing system comprising:
- a) a sanitizing device including;
i) a housing configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the circulation system for allowing water from the receptacle to flow through the housing; and
ii) an electrolytic cell positioned within the housing so that when power is applied to the electrolytic cell, the halide salt dissolved in the water flowing through the housing is converted to an amount of free halogen;
b) a controller configured for controlling an amount of power supplied to the electrolytic cell of the sanitizing device so as to control the amount of free halogen being generated, the controller adjusting the amount of power supplied to the sanitizing device at least in part based on use of the bathing unit system.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sanitizing system is provided for use in a bathing unit system including a receptacle for holding water in which a halide salt has been dissolved and a circulating system for removing and returning water from and to the receptacle. The sanitizing system includes a sanitizing device having a housing configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the circulation system and an electrolytic cell positioned within the housing so that when power is applied to the electrolytic cell, the halide salt dissolved in water flowing through the housing is converted to an amount of free halogen. A controller controls an amount of power supplied to the electrolytic cell so as to control the amount of free halogen being generated. The amount of power supplied may be adjusted, for example, based on an amount of usage of the bathing unit system, a usage of a circulation pump and/or based on a water temperature. A user control interface for the sanitizing device is also provided.
22 Citations
71 Claims
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1. A sanitizing system for use in sanitizing water in a bathing unit system, the bathing unit system including a receptacle for holding water in which an halide salt has been dissolved and a circulating system for removing and returning water from and to the receptacle, the sanitizing system comprising:
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a) a sanitizing device including; i) a housing configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the circulation system for allowing water from the receptacle to flow through the housing; and ii) an electrolytic cell positioned within the housing so that when power is applied to the electrolytic cell, the halide salt dissolved in the water flowing through the housing is converted to an amount of free halogen; b) a controller configured for controlling an amount of power supplied to the electrolytic cell of the sanitizing device so as to control the amount of free halogen being generated, the controller adjusting the amount of power supplied to the sanitizing device at least in part based on use of the bathing unit system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A controller for controlling a sanitizing device for sanitizing water in a bathing unit system including a receptacle for holding water in which an halide salt has been dissolved, the sanitizing device being for positioning in fluid communication with a circulation system of the bathing unit system for allowing water from the receptacle to flow through the sanitizing device, the sanitizing device causing the halide salt dissolved in the water flowing there through to be converted to an amount of free halogen, the amount of free halogen generated being dependent on an amount of power supplied to the sanitizing device, said controller comprising:
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a) an input for receiving data from a user control interface, the user control interface enabling a user to enter information related to the bathing unit system; b) a processing unit in communication with said input, said processing unit controlling an amount of power supplied to the sanitizing device so as to control the amount of free halogen being generated, said processing unit adjusting the amount of power supplied to the electrolytic cell at least in part based on the information entered by the user at the user control interface. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. In a bathing unit system having:
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a) a receptacle for holding water in which an halide salt has been dissolved; b) a circulating system for removing and returning the water from and to the receptacle; and c) a sanitizing device for sanitizing water positioned in fluid communication with the circulation system for allowing water from the receptacle to flow through the sanitizing device, in use electrical power applied by device causing the halide salt dissolved in the water flowing there through to be converted to an amount of free halogen; d) a user control interface for enabling a user to enter commands for controlling operational settings associated with the bathing unit system; e) a controller for controlling operational settings associated with the bathing unit system, said controller comprising; i) an input in communication with said user control interface; ii) a processing unit in communication with said input, said processing unit; i) controlling operational settings associated with the bathing unit system based on commands entered at the user control interface; and ii) controlling an amount of power supplied to the sanitizing device so as to control the amount of free halogen being generated, the amount of power supplied to the electrolytic cell being adjusted at least in part based on use of the bathing unit system. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A sanitizing system for use in sanitizing water in a bathing unit system, the bathing unit system including a receptacle for holding water in which an halide salt has been dissolved and a circulating system for removing and returning the water from and to the receptacle, the sanitizing system comprising:
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a) a sanitizing device including; i) a housing configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the circulation system for allowing water from the receptacle to flow through the housing; and ii) an electrolytic cell positioned within the housing so that when power is applied to the electrolytic cell, the halide salt dissolved in the water flowing through the housing is converted to an amount of free halogen; b) a controller configured for controlling an amount of power supplied to the electrolytic cell of the sanitizing device so as to control the amount of free halogen being generated, the controller; i) receiving data conveying water temperature information; and ii) adjusting the amount of power supplied to the electrolytic cell at least in part based on the water temperature information. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method for sanitizing water in a bathing unit system, the bathing unit system including a receptacle for holding water in which an halide salt has been dissolved and a circulating system for removing and returning the water from and to the receptacle, said method comprising:
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a) providing an electrolytic cell in a housing configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the circulation system for allowing water from the receptacle to flow through the housing, so that when power is applied to the electrolytic cell, the halide salt dissolved in water flowing through the housing is converted to an amount of free halogen; b) controlling the amount of free halogen being generated by the electrolytic cell by adjusting an amount of power supplied at least in part based on use of the bathing unit system. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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68. A method for sanitizing water in a bathing unit system, the bathing unit system including a receptacle for holding water in which an halide salt has been dissolved and a circulating system for removing and returning the water from and to the receptacle, said method comprising:
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a) providing an electrolytic cell in a housing configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the circulation system for allowing water from the receptacle to flow through the housing, so that when power is applied to the electrolytic cell, the halide salt dissolved in water flowing through the housing is converted to an amount of free halogen; b) controlling the amount of free halogen being generated by the electrolytic cell by adjusting an amount of power supplied at least in part based a water temperature associated with the bathing unit system.
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69. A sanitizing system for use in sanitizing water in a bathing unit system, the bathing unit system including a receptacle for holding water in which an halide salt has been dissolved and a circulating system for removing and returning water from and to the receptacle, the circulation system including a circulation pump, the sanitizing system comprising:
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a) a sanitizing device including; i) a housing configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the circulation system for allowing water from the receptacle to flow through the housing; and ii) an electrolytic cell positioned within the housing so that when power is applied to the electrolytic cell, the halide salt dissolved in the water flowing through the housing is converted to an amount of free halogen; b) a controller configured for controlling an amount of power supplied to the electrolytic cell of the sanitizing device so as to control the amount of free halogen being generated, the controller adjusting the amount of power supplied to the electrolytic cell at least in part based on usage of the circulation pump. - View Dependent Claims (70, 71)
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Specification