Spa lighting system

Abstract

Techniques and systems for removing moisture from behind an illuminated panel on a spa. In one exemplary implementation, a panel is attached to a sidewall of a spa seating area. A light source is used to illuminate the panel, in which the light source can be attached to the panel. An air vent is connected to the spa to allow moisture to evaporate from behind the panel, in which one end of the air vent may be connected to the atmosphere outside of the spa. The panel can be flush mounted inside of the sidewall, and the panel can be located within a recess area of the sidewall. The panel can be formed of a translucent material, and the panel can be located at a waterline area to indicate a recommended level to fill the spa with water. The panel can include a logo, a design, or an inscription.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a panel attached to a spa;    a light source to illuminate the panel; and    an air vent connected to the spa to allow moisture to evaporate from behind the panel, wherein one end of the air vent is connected to an atmosphere outside of the spa.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a translucent panel.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the light source is positioned behind the panel to illuminate light into a spa seating area.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a color, and wherein the panel comprises an acrylic tile panel.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises any of a light-emitting diode (LED), an optical fiber, or an incandescent light.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the panel is flush mounted inside of a spa sidewall, and wherein the panel is located within a recess of a spa wall.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the panel comprises a water-tight connection with the spa wall such that water from the inside of a spa seating area is prevented from reaching an area behind the panel.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the panel comprises any of a logo, design, or an inscription.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the air vent comprises a second end that is connected with an area behind the plate where the moisture is likely to form.  
   
   
       10 . A method for removing moisture, the method comprising: 
 attaching a translucent plate to a waterline area at a spa seating area, wherein the translucent plate is configured for illumination;    attaching an opening of a first end of an air vent tube to an area behind the translucent plate where moisture is likely to form; and    attaching an opening of a second end of the air vent tube to an outside atmosphere of the spa.    
   
   
       11 . The method in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the waterline area is positioned at an area to indicate a recommended level to fill the spa with water.  
   
   
       12 . The method in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the attaching comprises flush mounting the plate in a sidewall of the spa, and wherein in the plate is mounted at a recess area of a spa shell.  
   
   
       13 . The method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the flush mounting comprises a watertight seal around the plate to prevent water from inside of the spa seating area from leaking behind the plate.  
   
   
       14 . The method in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 positioning the plate to form a first air space between the back of the plate and the sidewall of the spa;    creating at least one hole in the side wall of the spa at the first air space;    creating a second air space behind the sidewall of the spa at the at least one hole, wherein the second air space encapsulates the at least one hole; and    attaching the opening of the first end of the air vent tube to the second air space.    
   
   
       15 . The method in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising surrounding a length of the air vent tube with foam insulation, and wherein the at least one hole comprises a diameter and a position such that the at least one hole is not visible to a spa user inside of the spa seating area.  
   
   
       16 . The method in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising illuminating the plate with a light source, wherein the light source comprises any of a light-emitting diode (LED), an incandescent light, or an optical fiber.  
   
   
       17 . The method in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising illuminating the plate with a low light intensity to illuminate an area in proximity with the inside of the spa seating area.  
   
   
       18 . The method in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising engraving any of a design, an image, a text inscription, or a logo on the plate.  
   
   
       19 . A system comprising: 
 a panel attached approximately at a waterline area at a spa seating area;    a light source connected to the panel to illuminate the panel; and    an air vent tube connected at an area behind the panel to allow moisture to evaporate from behind the panel to an atmosphere outside of the spa.    
   
   
       20 . The system in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a recess area located at a sidewall of the spa for flush mounting of the panel, wherein the area behind the panel comprises a first air space between the backside of the plate and the sidewall of the spa;    at least one hole in the sidewall of the spa at the first air space; and    a second air space behind the sidewall of the spa at the at least one hole, wherein the second air space encapsulates the at least one hole, wherein the opening of the first end of an air vent tube is connected to the second air space.