Bathing pool

0001This invention relates to a bathing pool, such as a swimming pool or spa bath.

0002Spa Baths or so-called aerated spas, hot-tub spas, Jacuzzi spas, Whirlpool spas, Whirlpool baths, hot-tub baths or Jacuzzi baths are becoming increasingly popular in dwellings, hotels, health clubs, leisure centres and the like. Typically spa baths comprise a self-contained body of warm water and are designed for sitting rather than swimming. The water temperature is kept between 30 and 40°C and hydro-jets inside the spa direct water around the user.

0003Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a typical large spa bath comprises three recirculating pumps 11', 12', 13', each arranged to pump jets of water into the bathing area 14 of the bath when the latter is activated by the user. Each pump 11', 12', 13' comprises a single-phase induction motor 11, 12, 13. However, in order to provide a periodic filtering facility, one of the pumps 11' comprises a two speed single-phase induction motor 11. Single-phase induction motors require starting capacitors.

0004Hitherto, there have been several instances of the pumps of spa baths catching fire and the problem has been traced to the capacitors in the two speed single phase induction motors, which eventually break down under the constant starting and stopping performed by the pump.

0005In order to overcome the above-mentioned problem, one type of spa bath has been produced in which the pump 11 having the dual speed single phase induction motor is replaced by two pumps, one for driving the jet and one for providing the periodic filtering facility.

0006It is known that people can catch Legionnaires disease from exposure to contaminated water droplets. Air-conditioning systems (including cooling towers), and hot and cold water systems in buildings are common sources of Legionnaires disease. However, users of spa baths can also be at risk from catching Legionnaires disease, as well as other bacterial infections, if the spa has not been treated correctly at the recommended intervals on a regular basis.

0007Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. There are several pneumonia-like diseases caused by different types of Legionella bacteria, known as Legionellosis. The bacteria can survive at low temperatures, although will not multiply. However, at 20 - 45°C they thrive and readily multiply. There have been several outbreaks of Legionnaires disease with the causes traced back to a spa bath. Not only can people be exposed whilst using a spa bath, but also by being close enough to breath in the fine spray created.

0008Legionella are a particular problem in spa baths because: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>(a) The water is at an optimum temperature for the bacteria to grow;</li><li>(b) Dirt, dead skin cells etc from the people using spa baths accumulate, providing food for the bacteria to grow;</li><li>(c) The ducting for the air and water circulation provide a large surface area for the bacteria to multiply; and</li><li>(d) The aerated water forms aerosols and sprays, via which the bacteria can be breathed in.</li></ul>

0009In the past, there have been various proposals to help reduce the risk of Legionnaires disease. One proposal is continue to use a dual speed pump: the high speed setting is used for the jets (when the spa is in use) and the low speed is activated at regular intervals to provide filter cycles. It is preferable to use the lower speed to agitate the water during the filter cycles, in order to reduce the current consumption and amount of acoustic noise generated by the process.

0010Another proposal is to use a pump which runs continuously to circulate the water (at a very low speed) throughout the day. Such pumps are much quieter than dual speed pumps. In addition to the low speed pump, there might also be a dual speed pump incorporated into the system and having a high speed for jets and low speed for filter cycles, as mentioned above. The introduction of the low speed pump is however an added precaution against the growth of Legionella.

0011Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, another proposal comprises the provision of five pumps 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Three of the pumps 15', 16', 17' each comprise a single speed single phase induction motor 15, 16, 17 and pump water through the jets when the spa is activated by the user, a smaller pump 18' runs continuously to provide continual low-speed filtering of the water and the larger pump 19' provides a periodic filtering facility.

0012It will be appreciated that the provision of so many pumps is both costly and complicated.

0013We have now devised a spa bath which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

0014In accordance with this invention, there is provided a bathing pool comprising at least one pump, the or a said pump comprising a variable speed motor and electronic control means for controlling the speed of said variable speed motor.

0015Thus, a typical bathing pool in accordance with this invention comprises two pumps having conventional single phase induction motors plus a pump having a variable speed motor, which runs constantly at low speed to help prevent Legionella but which can be run at higher speeds for periodic filtering of the spa or for driving a jet.

0016The pump having the variable speed motor thus performs the function of 3 pumps and the cost and complexity of the spa bath is significantly reduced.

0017In one embodiment, the variable speed motor comprises a 3-phase induction motor, the electronic control means comprising an inverter having a single phase input for connecting to the mains supply and a 3-phase output for connecting to respective windings of the 3-phase motor, and means for varying the output of the inverter to control the speed of said 3-phase induction motor.

00183-Phase induction motors are more efficient than single phase induction motors and thus have lower running costs. Furthermore, 3-phase induction motors have a longer life than single phase induction motors and do not require capacitor starting.

0019In another embodiment, the variable speed motor comprises a brushless dc motor.

0020Preferably the speed of the motor is controlled by varying the output voltage of the electronic control means, by varying the output frequency of the electronic control means, by varying the mark/space ratio of pulses output by the electronic control means or by a combination of the aforesaid.

0021Preferably the control means comprises an actuator, the control means being arranged to constantly run the variable speed motor at a low speed and to periodically increase the speed for an interval and/or when the actuator is actuated by the user.

0022Preferably the bathing pool comprises at least two pumps, one of the pumps being single phase induction motor.

0023Preferably the actuator is arranged to actuate the or each other pump.

0024Preferably the control means is arranged to drive the pump comprising said 3-phase induction motor to produce a pulsed jet of water.

0025An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li>Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional large spa bath;</li><li>Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a more recent conventional spa bath; and</li><li>Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a spa bath in accordance with this invention.</li></ul>

0026Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, a spa bath in accordance with this invention comprises two pumps 20', 21' having single phase induction motors 20, 21, which drive respective water jets into the bathing area 14 when activated by the user, and a pump 22' having a 3-phase induction motor 22.

0027The windings of the 3-phase induction motor 22 of the pump 22' are connected in a delta configuration to the respective 3-phase outputs of an inverter 23 of a control circuit 24. The input 27 of the inverter 23 is connected to the single phase mains supply.

0028A drive circuit 26 varies the speed of the 3-phase induction motor 22 of the pump 22' by varying the output frequency of the inverter 23, by varying the mark/space ratio of pulses output by the inverter 23 or by combination of the aforesaid.

0029In one mode of operation, the pump 22' is continuously driven at low speed to provide low-level filtering, which helps avoid Legionnaires disease. However, in order to thoroughly clean the spa bath, the pump 22' is periodically driven at a higher speed by the drive circuit 24. An actuator connected to the drive circuit 24 can be actuated by the user to energise the other pumps 20', 21' and to drive the pump 22' at high speed in order to drive water jets in the spa.

0030An advantage of the 3-phase induction motor 22 is that it can be driven to provide pulsed or variable jets of water.

0031A spa bath in accordance with this invention is relatively inexpensive yet does not suffer from the problem of fires or Legionnaires disease.