Inductive peripheral

• US 7,178,178 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ND1, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dimension One Spas
• Inventors: Hutchings, Brent Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh; Khoa D.
• Application Number:
  US10/987,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20060101567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 449/6, 455/9, 45411-5416, 335/296, 335/299
• US Class Current: 4/496
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0066 with low-voltage switching, e.g. using optical isolators, isolated transformers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1207 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/00 Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes A61H35/00 takes precedence; sprays acting on a body or body part not immersed in water A61H9/00; means for washing bed-ridden persons A61G7/0005; for sub aquatic intestinal cleaning A61M9/00; isolation chambers A61M21/0094; electric or magnetic baths, applying ionised fluids A61N1/44 ; heater for bath tubs F24H1/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/60 Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00 plumbing E03C1/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling

Abstract

A peripheral device for a spa makes use of inductance for power and/or control. In an embodiment, a peripheral device includes a magnetic field source positioned in a region on an externally facing side of a spa shell and configured to generate a first magnetic field. The peripheral device includes a peripheral module, such as a light or other feature. The module includes an inductor configured to generate a second magnetic field based on the first magnetic field, a converter configured to convert the second magnetic field into a current, and a peripheral feature configured to be powered by the current.

Claims

1. A system comprising;

a spa including a spa shell;

a magnetic field source positioned in a region on an externally facing side of the spa shell and configured to generate a magnetic field; and

an electronic module configured to be positioned on an internally facing side of the spa shell proximate to the region, and having a mechanism configured to inductively couple with the magnetic field source via the magnetic field passing through the spa shell to generate a current for the electronic module.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the magnetic field source includes an inductive coil.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes an inductive coil.

4. A module comprising:

a mechanism configured to inductively couple with a magnetic field source via a magnetic field generated by the source and passing through a breach-free region of a water-tight barrier to generate a current; and

a feature configured to be powered by the current,

wherein the module is configured to attach to the water-tight barrier opposite the magnetic field source.

5. The module in accordance with claim 4, wherein the mechanism includes an inductive coil.

6. The module in accordance with claim 4, wherein the feature includes an electronic component controllable by the current.

7. The module in accordance with claim 4 further comprising a converter configured to convert the generated current into direct current.

8. The module in accordance with claim 4, wherein the module is configured to attach to the water-tight barrier through a magnetic coupling.

9. A device, comprising:

a magnetic field source configured to generate a magnetic field, the source configured to be attached to a region on a first side of a spa shell; and

a module configured to be attached proximate to the region on a second side of the spa shell opposite the first side, the module comprising;

a mechanism configured to inductively couple with the magnetic field source via a magnetic field generated by the source and passing through the shell to generate a current; and

a feature configured to be powered by the current.

10. The device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the magnetic field source includes an inductive coil.

11. The device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the mechanism includes an inductive coil.

12. The device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the module includes a converter configured to convert the generated current into a direct current.

13. The device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the feature includes an electronic component controllable by the current.