Ozone generator retrofit apparatus for jetted tubs, spas, and other water circulation facilities

• US 7,875,173 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald L Barnes
• Original Assignee: Ronald L Barnes
• Inventors: Barnes, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayekar; Kishor
• Application Number:
  US11/406,639
• Time in Patent Office: 1,742 Days
• Field of Search: 210/169, 210/198.1, 210/760, 454/11
• US Class Current: 210/167.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0037 Arrangement for cleaning the fluid during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/143 with oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/102 with aromatherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5082 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/14 Devices for gas baths with ozone, hydrogen, or the like production of ozone or hydrogen C01B, C25B1/02
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]

Abstract

Retrofit apparatus for retrofitting an ozone generator to a spa, hot tub, recreational fountain, or similar facility, and a method for treating biofilms therein, are disclosed. Fittings inserted into water and air circulating lines associated with such water holding facilities, and covers provided over inlets, generally inject, retain, and concentrate ozonated gas in such lines, especially while they are not filled with water. In some embodiments, an ozone-providing plug is provided to at least one water outlet of a spa or hot tub, with other outlets being blocked. In some embodiments, covers for suction inlets, and plugs for water jets, have features to provide ozone to water circulation lines when not filled with water as well as when the tub is filled and water is circulating. In some embodiments, plugs for water jets are ejected and subsequently provide ozone to water circulating in a tub.

Claims

1. A method for treating contaminants in a water system, said method comprising:

providing an ozone-containing airstream to circulating water in said water system, and,

circulating said ozone-containing airstream through at least one water passageway of said water system when said water passageway is generally empty of said water.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said circulating said ozone-containing airstream further comprises circulating said ozone-containing airstream through at least one air passageway of said water system.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising treating a biofilm in said water system by applying said ozone-containing airstream to said water system.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising providing said ozone-containing airstream through a flexible tube extending within a water holding tank or tub of said water system, said flexible tube terminating at a water outlet within said tank or tub.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising circulating said ozone-containing airstream through a water circulation line in a water system that is being emptied of water.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said water system is a jetted tub, and further comprising circulating said ozone-containing airstream through a water circulation line in said jetted tub during filling of said jetted tub with said water so as to treat said biofilm when said water circulation line is empty of said water.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising treating said water circulation line in said system wherein said water circulation line has an inner diameter of at least 0.75 inches.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

injecting said ozone-containing airstream into said water within said water system to create ozonated water, and

circulating said ozonated water through said water circulation line contaminated with said biofilm so as to treat said biofilm first with ozone in a gaseous state and subsequently with said ozone dissolved in said water circulating through said water circulation line, thereby providing a two-phase treatment of said biofilm.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising treating said biofilm in said water circulation line with said ozone-containing airstream for a selected period of time during and just after draining of said water system to provide gaseous ozone treatment of said biofilm in said water line before said jetted tub fills with water, treatment of said biofilm by said ozone dissolved in said water while said jetted tub is in use, and gaseous ozone treatment of said biofilm during emptying and after said jetted tub is emptied of said water.

10. The method as set forth in claim 6 further comprising:

inserting an ozone emitter into a water jet opening communicating with said water circulation line of said jetted tub, said ozone emitter comprising a gripping region for removably and sealably engaging said water jet opening,

providing said ozone-containing airstream via said ozone emitter into said water circulation line,

ejecting said ozone emitter from said water jet opening by said circulating water flowing from said water jet opening,

continuing to emit said ozone-containing airstream into said water in said jetted tub, and

circulating ozonated said water through said water circulation lines in said jetted tub.

11. The method of claim 3 further comprising circulating said ozone-containing airstream through at least one water passageway of said water system as said water passageway is being filled with water.

12. A method for sanitizing water and a water facility through which said water flows, said method comprising:

connecting a source of ozone to at least one water line of said water facility,

operating said source of ozone to provide said ozone to said water circulating or flowing through said water facility, and,

operating said source of ozone to provide said ozone to said water line when said water line is empty of said water.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 further comprising providing a lower concentration of said ozone to said water flowing through said water facility, and providing a higher concentration of said ozone to said water line when said water line is empty of water.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said water facility is a jetted tub or spa, and further comprising providing said ozone to a tube that carries air to said water flowing in said jetted tub or spa.

15. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said water facility is a jetted tub or spa, and further comprising providing said ozone directly to water lines of said jetted tub or spa.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 further comprising using at least one ozone emitter connected to said source of ozone via a flexible tube extending within a tub portion of said jetted tub or spa, said ozone emitter configured to removably and frictionally engage an opening from within said jetted tub or spa.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16 further comprising removably and frictionally fitting said ozone emitter from within said jetted tub or spa into a water outlet opening, and further comprising configuring said ozone emitter to be ejected from said water outlet opening when said water flows from said water outlet opening.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17 further comprising configuring said ozone emitter so that, once ejected from said water outlet opening, said ozone emitter seeks a selected position in said water in said jetted tub or spa.

19. The method as set forth in claim 17 further comprising selecting said flexible tube to be of a length so that after said ozone emitter is ejected by water emerging from said water opening, said ozone emitter is carried by said water to a location near a water inlet so that ozone is provided via said water to said water inlet, said ozone emitter held generally near said water outlet by said tube.

20. The method as set forth in claim 12 further comprising providing said ozone to a water inlet in a tub portion of said jetted tub or spa.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20 further comprising providing said ozone on an interior side of a filter over said water inlet.