Robert M Pittman

US Patent:

6943325, Sep 13, 2005

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/897644

Inventors:

Robert Pittman - Melbourne FL, US
David J. Cline - Tustin CA, US
Paul Rosenau - Tustin CA, US
Timothy S. Clark - Mill Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Balboa Instruments, Inc. - Tustin CA

International Classification:

H05B001/02

US Classification:

219481, 219505, 219497, 219535, 219552, 392480, 45412, 4545

Abstract:

An improved water heater for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors are used for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. The water heater uses heating element technology know as thick film on substrate comprising resistive elements bonded to the outer dry surface of a pipe to heat the pipe which in turn heats the water flowing therethrough. The heater is highly efficient due to the direct contact of the wet heating surface with the water and provides a smooth seamless inner heating surface by eliminating the need to pass electrical leads into the wet region of the heater. This virtually eliminates the risk of leaks in the water heater due to bulkhead fittings. The invention further eliminates the need for a heating element to be contained in the inner wet region of a spa heater, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion. The water heater is used in combination with an electronic controller having a microprocessor to control and regulate the operation of the water heater.

US Patent:

7057140, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/896969

Inventors:

Robert Pittman - Melbourne FL, US

Assignee:

Balboa Instruments, Inc. - Tustin CA

International Classification:

H05B 1/02

US Classification:

219481, 219497, 392465, 392485

Abstract:

An improved water heater for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors are used for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. The water heater uses heating element technology know as thick film on substrate comprising resistive elements bonded to the outer dry surface of a substrate to heat the substrate which in turn heats the water flowing through the heating chamber. The heater is highly efficient due to the direct contact of the wet heating surface with the water and provides a smooth seamless inner heating surface by eliminating the need to pass electrical leads into the wet region of the heater. This virtually eliminates the risk of leaks in the water heater due to bulkhead fittings. The invention further eliminates the need for a heating element to be contained in the inner wet region of a spa heater, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion.