Chlorinator for portable spas

Abstract

An oxidizer generating apparatus having a housing with a fluid inlet at a first end, the inlet leading to a chamber, and a lid attachable to a second end of the housing for closing the chamber. First and second pairs of electrodes are attached to the lid so as to suspend them within the chamber in position to generate chlorine and/or other oxidants from fluid pumped through the housing.

1 . An oxidizer generating apparatus comprising:
 a housing having a fluid inlet at a first end, said inlet leading to a chamber.   a lid attachable to a second end of said housing for closing said chamber; and   a first pair of electrodes and a second pair of electrodes, each pair being coupled to said lid so as to suspend the first and second pair of electrodes within said chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each electrode of said first and second pair comprises a doped diamond surface. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said doped diamond surface resides on a substrate. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said doped diamond surface comprises the surface of a whole diamond electrode. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said substrate is selected from one of the group of titanium, niobium, silicon, platinum, or stainless steel. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said doped diamond surface comprises boron doped diamond. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said doped diamond surface comprises boron doped synthetic diamond. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said doped diamond surface comprises boron doped diamond. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said diamond doped surface comprises nitrogen doped diamond. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said doped diamond surface is formed on a mesh substrate. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said housing and electrodes contained therein are positioned in the circulation line of a portable spa. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said housing has a fluid outlet and wherein said first and second pairs of electrodes interact with fluid flowing from said inlet through said chamber to said outlet to generate hydroxyl radicals. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first pair of electrodes comprises first and second inner electrodes positioned adjacent to one another and adapted to be connected to a voltage of a first polarity. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said second pair of electrodes comprise a first outer electrode positioned adjacent the first inner electrode and a second outer electrode positioned adjacent the second inner electrode, the first and second outer electrodes adapted to be connected to a voltage of a polarity opposite to that of said first polarity. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a first supply electrode and a second supply electrode, the first supply electrode being electrically coupled to said first pair of electrodes and said second supply electrode being electrically coupled to said second pair of electrodes. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said first and second supply electrodes are each attached to said lid. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  when each of said first and second supply electrodes extend through said lid and are sealably attached thereto. 
   
   
       18 . An oxidizer generating apparatus comprising:
 a housing having a fluid inlet at a first end, said inlet leading to a chamber.   a lid attachable to a second end of said housing for closing said chamber;   a first pair of electrodes and a second pair of electrodes; and   means for coupling the first and second pair of electrodes to said lid so as to suspend the first and second pair of electrodes within said chamber.