Power generating water jet

Abstract

An electrical power generating water jet for a spa, pool, or the like, having a stationary housing as a stator and at least one water jet as a rotor for generating electrical power when a pressurized fluid imparts movement of the jet relative to the stationary housing so as to generate an electrical charge during rotation of the jet to power an electrical circuit, such as a light source or an acoustic device. The electrical circuit may be carried in a user replaceable module, so as to change a defective light source, or to vary the display pattern or colors of the light source.

1 . In a water jet for a spa comprising a stationary housing and at least one rotating fluid jet rotationally mounted in the stationary housing, the improvement comprising:
 a) at least one magnet attached to the stationary housing;   b) at least one magneto attached to the rotating fluid jet at a point that passes through a magnetic field of the magnet during rotational movement of the rotating fluid jet; and   c) electrical circuitry electrically attached to an output of the magneto.   
   
   
       2 . The water jet of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuitry comprises a light source. 
   
   
       3 . The water jet of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary housing comprises at least one user selectable receptacle for receiving at least one additional magnet according to a user preference. 
   
   
       4 . The water jet of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating fluid jet further comprises at least one user selectable receptacle, coupled to the electrical circuitry, for receiving at least one additional magneto according to a user preference. 
   
   
       5 . The water jet of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuitry is contained on a user replaceable module. 
   
   
       6 . The water jet of  claim 2 , wherein the electrical circuitry is contained on a user replaceable module and the electrical circuitry defines a specified illumination pattern for the light source. 
   
   
       7 . The water jet of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary housing further comprises a shaft and the rotating fluid jet is mounted for coaxial rotation about the shaft. 
   
   
       8 . The water jet of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one magnet is contained within the shaft and the electrical circuitry is contained in the rotor. 
   
   
       9 . In a water jet for a spa comprising a stationary housing and at least one rotating fluid jet rotationally mounted in the stationary housing, the improvement comprising:
 a) at least one magnet attached to the rotating fluid jet;   b) at least one magneto attached to the stationary housing at a point where a magnetic field of the magnet passes during rotational movement of the rotating fluid jet; and   c) electrical circuitry attached to an output of the magneto.   
   
   
       10 . The water jet of  claim 9 , wherein the electrical circuitry comprises a light source. 
   
   
       11 . The water jet of  claim 9 , wherein the rotating fluid jet comprises at least one user selectable receptacle for receiving at least one additional magnet according to a user preference. 
   
   
       12 . The water jet of  claim 9 , wherein the stationary housing further comprises at least one user selectable receptacle, coupled to the electrical circuitry, for receiving at least one additional magneto according to a user preference. 
   
   
       13 . The water jet of  claim 9 , wherein the electrical circuitry is contained on a user replaceable module. 
   
   
       14 . The water jet of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical circuitry is contained on a user replaceable module and the electrical circuitry defines a specified illumination pattern for the light source. 
   
   
       15 . The water jet of  claim 9 , wherein the stationary housing further comprises a shaft and the rotating fluid jet is mounted for coaxial rotation about the shaft. 
   
   
       16 . The improved water jet of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one magneto and the electrical circuitry are contained within the shaft. 
   
   
       17 . A water jet for a spa comprising:
 a) a stationary housing;   b) a rotating fluid jet rotationally mounted in the stationary housing;   c) at least one magnet attached to the stationary housing or to the rotating fluid jet and at least one magneto attached to the rotating fluid jet or to the stationary housing, respectively, the at least one magnet being located at a point where a magnetic field of the at least one magnet cooperates with the at least one magneto during rotational movement of the rotating fluid jet; and   d) electrical circuitry attached to an output of the at least one magneto,   wherein the rotational movement of the at least one magnet relative to the at least one magneto produces electrical energy.   
   
   
       18 . The water jet of  claim 17 , further comprising electrical circuitry powered by the electrical energy. 
   
   
       19 . The water jet of  claim 18 , wherein the electrical circuitry comprises a light source. 
   
   
       20 . The water jet of  claim 18 , wherein the stationary housing further comprises at least one connector having an electrical connection for allowing transmission of the electrical energy to a user replaceable module containing the electrical circuitry. 
   
   
       21 . The water jet of  claim 18 , wherein the rotating fluid jet further comprises at least one connector having an electrical connection for allowing transmission of the electrical energy to a user replaceable module containing the electrical circuitry. 
   
   
       22 . A water jet for a spa comprising:
 a) a stationary housing;   b) a fluid jet;   c) at least one rotor rotationally mounted in the stationary housing;   d) at least one magnet attached to the stationary housing or to the at least one rotor and at least one magneto attached to the at least one rotor or to the stationary housing, respectively, the at least one magnet being located at a point where a magnetic field of the at least one magnet cooperates with the at least one magneto during rotational movement of the rotor; and   e) electrical circuitry attached to an output of the at least one magneto,   wherein the rotational movement of the at least one magnet relative to the at least one magneto produces electrical energy.   
   
   
       23 . The water jet of  claim 22 , further comprising electrical circuitry powered by the electrical energy. 
   
   
       24 . The water jet of  claim 23 , wherein the electrical circuitry comprises a light source. 
   
   
       25 . The water jet of  claim 23 , wherein the stationary housing further comprises at least one connector having an electrical connection for allowing transmission of the electrical energy to a user replaceable module containing the electrical circuitry. 
   
   
       26 . The water jet of  claim 23 , wherein the rotor further comprises at least one connector having an electrical connection for allowing transmission of the electrical energy to a user replaceable module containing the electrical circuitry. 
   
   
       27 . A water jet for a spa comprising:
 a) a stationary housing;   b) at least two rotating fluid jets rotationally mounted in the stationary housing;   c) at least one magnet attached to a first of the rotating fluid jets and at least one magneto attached to a second of the rotating fluid jets, the at least one magnet being located at a point where a magnetic field of the at least one magnet cooperates with the at least one magneto during rotational movement of the rotating fluid jets; and   d) electrical circuitry attached to an output of the at least one magneto,   wherein fluid flowing through the rotating fluid jets causes the rotating fluid jets to rotate in rotational directions opposite to each other and the rotational movement of the at least one magnet relative to the at least one magneto produces electrical energy.   
   
   
       28 . The water jet of  claim 27 , further comprising electrical circuitry powered by the electrical energy. 
   
   
       29 . The water jet of  claim 28 , wherein the electrical circuitry comprises a light source. 
   
   
       30 . A water jet for a spa comprising:
 a) a stationary housing;   b) at least one rotor mounted in the stationary housing;   c) at least two fluid jets rotationally mounted in the rotor;   d) at least one magnet attached to at least one of the at least two fluid jets or to the at least one rotor and at least one magneto attached to the at least one rotor or to at least one of the at least two fluid jets, respectively, the at least one magnet being located at a point where a magnetic field of the at least one magnet cooperates with the at least one magneto during rotational movement of the at least two fluid jets; and   e) electrical circuitry attached to an output of the at least one magneto,   wherein the rotational movement of the at least one magnet relative to the at least one magneto produces electrical energy.   
   
   
       31 . The water jet of  claim 30 , further comprising electrical circuitry powered by the electrical energy. 
   
   
       32 . The water jet of  claim 31 , wherein the electrical circuitry comprises a light source. 
   
   
       33 . The water jet of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one rotor is mounted rotationally in the stationary housing. 
   
   
       34 . The water jet of  claim 33 , further comprising at least one magnet attached to the stationary housing or to the rotor and at least one magneto attached to the rotor or to the stationary housing, respectively, the at least one magnet being located at a point where a magnetic field of the at least one magnet cooperates with the at least one magneto during rotational movement of the rotor. 
   
   
       35 . The water jet of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one rotor further comprises at least one connector having an electrical connection for allowing transmission of the electrical energy to a user replaceable module containing the electrical circuitry.