Heating system for bathing unit

• US 7,619,181 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Inventors: Authier, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): FUQUA, SHAWNTINA T
• Application Number:
  US11/415,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20070012678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 219/219
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0058 controlled by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0095 Arrangements for varying the temperature of the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1057 the system uses solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/02 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Abstract

A control system suitable for use with a bathing unit system having a water receptacle is provided. The control system comprises a heating module, a power source and a controller in communication with the heating module and the power source. The power source includes an energy storage member for storing energy collected from a solar panel, and is operative for supplying power generated from solar energy to the heating module. The controller is operative for causing the power source to supply power to the heating module at least in part based on first information derived from a temperature of the water within the water receptacle and second information derived from a condition associated with the power source. The controller is further operative for selecting between a first power source and a second power source for supplying power to the heating module.

Claims

1. A control system suitable for use with a bathing unit system having a water receptacle, said control system comprising:

a) a heating module having a body defining a passage through which water can flow;

b) a first power source operative for supplying power to said heating module;

c) a second power source operative for supplying power generated from solar energy to said heating module, said second power source including an energy storage member adapted for establishing an electrical connection with a solar panel, said energy storage member being operative for storing energy collected from the solar panel;

d) a controller in communication with said heating module, said first power source and said second power source, said controller being operative for;

i) selecting one of said first power source and said second power source for supplying power to the heating module;

ii) deriving energy consumption information associated with said second power source; and

iii) releasing energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system, said energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system conveying the energy consumption information associated with said second power source relative to energy consumption information associated with said first power source.

2. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system conveys a number of hours said second power source has been in use in comparison to said first power source.

3. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system conveys a percentage of time said second power source has been in use in comparison to said first power source.

4. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system conveys the cost savings associated with the use of said second power source in comparison to said first power source.

5. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said control system includes a control panel comprising a display screen in communication with said controller, said controller being operative to display information conveying said energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system on the display screen.

6. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller includes a memory unit, said controller being operative for storing said energy consumption information associated with said second power source in said memory unit.

7. A control system as defined in claim 1, said control system further comprising an output module establishing a communication link with an auxiliary I/O device, said output module transmitting a signal to the auxiliary I/O device over the communication link, the signal conveying said energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system.

8. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said control system comprises a display screen in communication with said controller, said controller being operative to display information conveying said energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system on the display screen.

9. A control system as defined in claim 6, wherein said energy consumption information associated with said second power source stored in said memory unit can be accessed by a user via downloading to an auxiliary I/O device.

10. A control system suitable for use with a bathing unit system having a water receptacle, said control system comprising:

a) a heating module having a body defining a passage through which water can flow;

b) a first power source operative for supplying power to said heating module;

c) a second power source operative for supplying power generated from solar energy to said heating module, said second power source including an energy storage member adapted for establishing an electrical connection with a solar panel, said energy storage member being operative for storing energy collected from the solar panel;

d) a controller in communication with said heating module, said first power source and said second power source, said controller including a memory unit and being operative for;

i) deriving energy consumption information associated with said second power source; and

ii) selecting one of said first power source and said second power source for supplying power to the heating module, at least in part on the basis of said energy consumption information associated with said second power source.

11. A control system as defined in claim 10, wherein said energy consumption information associated with said second power source is indicative of a number of hours said second power source has been in use.

12. A control system as defined in claim 10, wherein said energy consumption information associated with said second power source is indicative of a percentage of time said second power source has been in use in comparison with said first power source.

13. A control system as defined in claim 10, wherein said energy consumption information associated with said second power source is indicative of a cost savings associated with the use of said second power source.

14. A control system as defined in claim 10, wherein said control system includes a control panel comprising a display screen in communication with said controller, said controller being operative to display information conveying said energy consumption information associated with said second power source on the display screen.

15. A control system as defined in claim 10, wherein said energy consumption information associated with said second power source is stored in the memory unit.

16. A control system as defined in claim 15, wherein said energy consumption information associated with said second power source stored in said memory unit can be accessed by a user via downloading to an auxiliary I/O device.

17. A control system as defined in claim 16, said control system further comprising an output module for establishing a communication link with an auxiliary I/O device, said output module transmitting a signal to the auxiliary I/O device over the communication link, the signal conveying said energy consumption information associated with said second power source.

18. A control system as defined in claim 10, wherein said control system comprises a display screen in communication with said controller, said controller being operative to display information conveying said energy consumption information associated with said second power source on the display screen.