Thermostatically controlled inline air bubble super heater for pools, tubs, and spas

Abstract

The water in the average spa is heated to temperatures in the area of about 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Air temperatures are usually much cooler. If blower 100 injects the much cooler ambient air into the spa it will naturally cause the water in the spa to cool off, thus causing the water heater to be in use far more frequently than would be necessary with the use of this invention. Due to the injection of superheated air into the spa the water maintains a more consistent temperature, thereby causing the water heater to use less energy. No additional energy is expended to move air through the heating unit as it is an in line unit, and is installed in the existing blower path. Furthermore the instant invention is designed to be added to existing blower units and therefore replacing the blower or any other component is not necessary. The materials used in the construction of the inline heating unit can be any suitable material which can withstand the temperatures encountered in the interior of the heating unit. The fittings to connect the heating unit between conduits 101 and 105 can also be made from any suitable material such as CPVC fittings, which are designed to withstand high temperatures.

I claim:  
     
         1  A method for superheating blower air for a bathing facility such as a spa, tub, or pool, the method including the steps of: 
 Locating an inline primary air heating unit in the blower path after the air exits the blower, heating the air as it passes through the primary air heating unit; then moving the heated air from the output of the primary air-heating unit to the spa, tub, or pool:  
 
     
     
         2  A method as in  claim 1 , further including the steps of: 
 Measuring air temperature prior to injection of air into the spa, tub, or pool  
 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , further including the steps of: 
 Using a thermometer to measure air temperature prior to injection into the spa, tub, or pool;    
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , further including the steps of: 
 Controlling the heating element with the thermostat so the temperature of the air entering the spa, tub, or pool can be automatically maintained.    A system for heating air bubbles with an electric inline heating unit for a spa, tub, or pool, the system comprising: 
 A thermostatically controlled inline heating unit having an air input conduit to provide a path for ambient air from the blower.  
 A heater core to heat the air, and an air output conduit to provide a path for heated air from the heating unit to the spa, tub or pool.