US 12,222,736 B2
Flow control valve and spa recirculation system with heat pump using the valve
Steven Kuo, Chino Hills, CA (US)
Assigned to Balboa Water Group, LLC, Costa Mesa, CA (US)
Filed by Balboa Water Group, LLC, Costa Mesa, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/104,676.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/434,049, filed on Dec. 20, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0201715 A1, Jun. 20, 2024
Int. Cl. G05D 16/10 (2006.01); E03C 1/02 (2006.01); E03C 1/044 (2006.01)
CPC G05D 16/103 (2013.01) [E03C 1/044 (2013.01); E03C 2001/026 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bathing installation comprising:
a tub for holding bathing water and including one or more water inlet ports and a water outlet port;
a recirculating water flow path connecting the tub inlet port and the tub outlet port;
a water pump connected to the tub output port to pump water through the water flow path;
a heat pump connected in the water flow path for temperature conditioning the bathing water;
the water flow path including a water bypass path to divert water to the inlet port before reaching the heat pump;
a flow control valve positioned in the recirculating water flow path downstream of the water bypass path and upstream of the heat pump, the flow control valve configured to dynamically regulate water flow through the valve in dependence on the water pressure applied to the valve, the flow control valve to operate between an open state and a closed state, as water pressure increases to a value that causes the valve to be placed in the closed state;
wherein as the water pressure applied to the valve increases, an amount of water diverted to the water bypass path increases to reduce the water flow to the heat pump, the valve serving to maintain the water flow to the heat pump to a given flow for efficient heat pump operation, and to prevent the water flow to the heat pump from exceeding a predetermined maximum water flow that would lead to heat pump damage.