Method and apparatus for automatically disinfecting plumbing fixtures

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for automatically purging residual water from the whirlpool plumbing of a whirlpool bath. The system includes a bathtub, a primary water inlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub, a primary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub, a plunger actuatable to engage the primary water outlet to prevent water flow through the primary water outlet, an auxiliary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub and positioned to define a maximum water level, a hydraulic pump having a water outlet port and a water inlet port, an air pump having an air inlet port and an air outlet port, at least one suction fitting formed in the bathtub, at least one hydraulic suction conduit extending between the at least one suction fitting to the water inlet port and connecting the at least one suction fitting in hydraulic communication to the water inlet port, at least one jet nozzle formed in the bathtub, a water manifold substantially positioned above the maximum water level, a water manifold conduit extending between the water outlet port and the water manifold and connecting the water outlet port to the water manifold in hydraulic communication therewith, at least one water delivery conduit extending between the water manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the water manifold to the at least one jet nozzle in hydraulic communication therewith, an air manifold positioned above the water manifold, an air pump delivery conduit extending between the air pump outlet and the air manifold and connecting the air pump outlet in pneumatic communication with the air manifold, and at least one air nozzle conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one jet nozzle, at least one air suction conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one suction fitting and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one suction fitting. When the bathtub is filled with water the plunger is automatically disengaged for a predetermined length of time to flush the water manifold, the water manifold conduit, the at least one water delivery conduit and the at least one jet nozzle. Also, when the bathtub is substantially drained, the air pump may be actuated to introduce air into the at least one jet nozzle, the at least one suction fitting, the water manifold, the at least one water delivery conduit, and the at least one hydraulic suction conduit to purge residual water therefrom.

1 . A system for automatically purging residual water from the whirlpool plumbing of a whirlpool bath, comprising: 
 a bathtub;    a primary water inlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub;    a primary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub;    a plunger actuatable to engage the primary water outlet to prevent water flow through the primary water outlet;    an auxiliary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub and positioned to define a maximum water level;    a hydraulic pump having a water outlet port and a water inlet port;    an air pump having an air inlet port and an air outlet port;    at least one suction fitting formed in the bathtub;    at least one hydraulic suction conduit extending between the at least one suction fitting to the water inlet port and connecting the at least one suction fitting in hydraulic communication to the water inlet port;    at least one jet nozzle formed in the bathtub;    a water manifold substantially positioned above the maximum water level;    a water manifold conduit extending between the water outlet port and the water manifold and connecting the water outlet port to the water manifold in hydraulic communication therewith;    at least one water delivery conduit extending between the water manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the water manifold to the at least one jet nozzle in hydraulic communication therewith;    an air manifold positioned above the water manifold;    an air pump delivery conduit extending between the air pump outlet and the air manifold and connecting the air pump outlet in pneumatic communication with the air manifold;    at least one air nozzle conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one jet nozzle and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one jet nozzle;    at least one air suction conduit extending between the air manifold and the at least one suction fitting and connecting the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one suction fitting;    wherein when the bathtub is filled with water the plunger is automatically disengaged for a predetermined length of time to flush the water manifold, the water manifold conduit, the at least one water delivery conduit and the at least one jet nozzle; and    wherein when the bathtub is substantially drained, the air pump may be actuated to introduce air into the at least one jet nozzle, the at least one suction fitting, the water manifold, the at least one water delivery conduit, and the at least one hydraulic suction conduit to purge residual water therefrom.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an ozone supply in pneumatic communication with the air pump.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the plunger is substantially weighted and further comprising a sleeve assembly operationally connected to the plunger, wherein upon actuation of the plunger the sleeve assembly delays engagement of the plunger with the primary water outlet for a predetermined length of time.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a servo operationally connected to the plunger and adapted to selectively engage and disengage the plunger with the primary water outlet; and a sensor positioned to detect when the bathtub is being filled; and an electronic controller operationally connected to the sensor and to the servo; wherein the electronic controller is adapted to actuate the servo to disengage the plunger from the primary water outlet to allow water to flow therethrough for a predetermined period of time upon receiving the signal from the sensor and wherein the electronic controller is adapted to actuate the servo to engage the plunger to the primary water outlet to block further flow of water therethrough after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the predetermined period of time is sixty seconds.  
   
   
       6 . A whirlpool system, comprising; 
 a water pump for circulating water in a whirlpool tub;    a hydraulic plumbing system in hydraulic communication with the water pump, the hydraulic plumbing system comprising: 
 a water inlet hydraulically connected to the whirlpool tub;  
 a water inlet valve adapted to selectively allow water through the water inlet;  
 at least one jet outlet nozzle;  
 at least one suction inlet fitting;  
 a water drain;  
 a water drain cap selectively engagable to prevent water flow through the water drain;  
 a first hydraulic plumbing subsystem connecting the at least one suction inlet fitting to the water pump; and  
 a second hydraulic subsystem connecting the water pump to the at least one jet outlet nozzle;  
   an air manifold positioned adjacent the hydraulic plumbing system;    an air pump adapted to provide positive air pressure to the hydraulic plumbing system connected in fluid communication with the hydraulic plumbing system; and    at least one air suction conduit extending from the air manifold and connecting between the at least one suction inlet fitting and the water pump to connect the air manifold in pneumatic communication to the at least one suction inlet fitting; and    wherein when the bathtub is filled the water drain cap is automatically disengaged for a predetermined length of time to flush the hydraulic plumbing system; and    wherein the water drain cap is automatically engaged to prevent the flow of water through the water drain after the predetermined length of time has elapsed.    
   
   
       7 . The whirlpool system of  claim 6  further including a water drain cap servo operationally connected to the water drain cap and adapted to selectively engage and disengage the water drain cap with the water drain; a water inlet valve servo operationally connected to the water inlet valve; and an electronic controller operationally connected to the water inlet valve servo and to the water drain cap servo; wherein the electronic controller is adapted to actuate the water inlet valve servo to fill the tub; and wherein the electronic controller is further adapted to actuate the water drain cap servo to temporarily disengage the water drain cap from the water drain for a predetermined period of time and then actuate the water drain cap servo to engage the water drain cap to the water drain after the predetermined period of time has elapsed when the water inlet valve is opened.  
   
   
       8 . A whirlpool system, comprising; 
 a water pump for circulating water in a whirlpool tub;    a hydraulic plumbing system in hydraulic communication with the water pump, the hydraulic plumbing system comprising: 
 a water inlet selectively actuatable to fill the whirlpool tub with water;  
 a water drain system selectively actuatable to empty the whirlpool tub of water;  
 at least one jet outlet nozzle;  
 at least one suction inlet fitting;  
 a first hydraulic plumbing subsystem connecting the at least one suction inlet fitting to the water pump; and  
 a second hydraulic subsystem connecting the water pump to the at least one jet outlet nozzle;  
   wherein actuation of the water inlet automatically actuates the water drain system for a predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       9 . A sanitary plumbing system comprising: 
 a water reservoir;    a plumbing fixture having an inner surface adapted to be periodically wetted;    a water pipe hydraulically connected between the water reservoir and the plumbing fixture;    an ozone source operationally connected to the water pipe and adapted to introduce ozone thereinto.    
   
   
       10 . The plumbing system of  claim 9  wherein the plumbing fixture is a toilet and the inner surface defines a toilet bowl.  
   
   
       11 . The plumbing system of  claim 9  wherein the plumbing fixture is a urinal.  
   
   
       12 . The plumbing system of  claim 9  wherein the ozone source is selectively actuatable to introduce ozone into the water pipe only when water is flowing therethrough.  
   
   
       13 . The plumbing system of  claim 9  further comprising a flush system hydraulically connected to the water pipe, wherein the flush system further comprises a power source, a motion sensor connected to the power source, a valve assembly positioned in the water pipe and adapted to selectively allow water to pass therethrough, and a solenoid operationally connected to the valve assembly and to the sensor, wherein the ozonator is operationally connected to the sensor and the power source, and wherein a signal from the sensor simultaneously actuates the ozonator and the solenoid to pass ozonated water through the water pipe.  
   
   
       14 . A sanitary plumbing system comprising: 
 a plumbing fixture having an inner surface adapted to be wetted;    an ozone source;    a pneumatic conduit connected between the ozone source and the inner surface;    wherein the pneumatic conduit is adapted to direct ozone to substantially contact the inner surface.    
   
   
       15 . The plumbing system of  claim 14  further comprising a moisture sensor operationally connected to the inner surface and operationally connected to the ozone source and wherein the ozone source is adapted to produce ozone in response to a signal from the sensor.  
   
   
       16 . The plumbing system of  claim 14  wherein the plumbing fixture is a toilet and wherein the inner surface defines a toilet bowl.  
   
   
       17 . The plumbing system of  claim 14  wherein the plumbing fixture is a urinal.  
   
   
       18 . The plumbing system of  claim 17  wherein the urinal is adapted to automatically flush after each use and wherein the ozone source is adapted to provide ozone through the pneumatic conduit to the inner surface after each flush.  
   
   
       19 . The plumbing system of  claim 14  wherein the pneumatic conduit is perforated to allow a substantially even film of ozone to be distributed over the inner surface.  
   
   
       20 . A plumbing system comprising: 
 a plumbing fixture having a wetable interior surface;    an ozonator; and    a conduit extending between the ozonator and the plumbing fixture and adapted to convey ozone to the wetable interior surface.    
   
   
       21 . The plumbing fixture of  claim 20  wherein the plumbing fixture is a urinal and wherein the ozonator is adapted to supply ozonated air onto the wetable interior surface.  
   
   
       22 . The plumbing fixture of  claim 20  wherein the plumbing fixture is a urinal and wherein the ozonator is adapted to supply ozone to water flowing onto the wetable interior surface.  
   
   
       23 . The plumbing fixture of  claim 20  wherein the fixture is a sink and wherein the interior surface defines a basin.  
   
   
       24 . The plumbing fixture of  claim 20  wherein the fixture is a toilet and wherein the interior surface defines a toilet bowl.