IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,178,178
Granted Patent B2
US 7,178,178 · App. 10/987,477 · Granted Feb 20, 2007

Inductive peripheral

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,178,178
App. No.
10/987,477
Granted
Feb 20, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A peripheral device for a spa makes use of inductance for power and/or control. In an embodiment, a peripheral device includes a magnetic field source positioned in a region on an externally facing side of a spa shell and configured to generate a first magnetic field. The peripheral device includes a peripheral module, such as a light or other feature. The module includes an inductor configured to generate a second magnetic field based on the first magnetic field, a converter configured to convert the second magnetic field into a current, and a peripheral feature configured to be powered by the current.

Claims (23)

1. A system comprising;

a spa including a spa shell:

a magnetic field source positioned in a region on an externally facing side of the spa shell and configured to generate a magnetic field; and

an electronic module configured to be positioned on an internally facing side of the spa shell proximate to the region, and having a mechanism configured to inductively couple with the magnetic field source via the magnetic field passing through the spa shell to generate a current for the electronic module.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field source includes an inductive coil.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the mechanism includes an inductive coil.

4. A module comprising:

a mechanism configured to inductively couple with a magnetic field source via a magnetic field generated by the source and passing through a breach-free region of a water-tight barrier to generate a current; and

a feature configured to be powered by the current,

wherein the module is configured to attach to the water-tight barrier opposite the magnetic field source.

5. The module in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the mechanism includes an inductive coil.

6. The module in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the feature includes an electronic component controllable by the current.

7. The module in accordance with claim 4 further comprising a converter configured to convert the generated current into direct current.

8. The module in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the module is configured to attach to the water-tight barrier through a magnetic coupling.

9. A device, comprising:

a magnetic field source configured to generate a magnetic field, the source configured to be attached to a region on a first side of a spa shell; and

a module configured to be attached proximate to the region on a second side of the spa shell opposite the first side, the module comprising:

a mechanism configured to inductively couple with the magnetic field source via a magnetic field generated by the source and passing through the shell to generate a current; and

a feature configured to be powered by the current.

10. The device in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the magnetic field source includes an inductive coil.

11. The device in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the mechanism includes an inductive coil.

12. The device in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the module includes a converter configured to convert the generated current into a direct current.

13. The device in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the feature includes an electronic component controllable by the current.

Assignments (7)
SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION Recorded Jul 18, 2022
From: VIRTUS GROUP, LP
To: DELAWARE TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 060714/0572 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2019
From: SUNDANCE SPAS, INC.; THERMOSPAS HOT TUB PRODUCTS, INC.; JACUZZI PRODUCTS CO.; NEW DIMENSION ONE SPAS, INC.; JACUZZI INC.; RHT, INC.; KLI, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048577/0116 →
TERMINATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT REEL 043115, FRAME 0059 Recorded Feb 26, 2019
From: NOMURA CORPORATE FUNDING AMERICAS, LLC
To: JACUZZI INC.; NEW DIMENSION ONE SPAS, INC.; SUNDANCE SPAS, INC.; THERMOSPAS HOT TUB PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 048447/0035 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 030602, FRAME 0600 Recorded Feb 26, 2019
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: NEW DIMENSION ONE SPAS, INC.; THERMOSPAS HOT TUB PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 048442/0933 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2019
From: JACUZZI INC.; JACUZZI PRODUCTS CO.; THERMOSPAS HOT TUB PRODUCTS, INC.; NEW DIMENSION ONE SPAS, INC.; SUNDANCE SPAS, INC.
To: VIRTUS GROUP, LP
Reel/Frame 048432/0764 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2017
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: JACUZZI INC.; THERMOSPAS HOT TUB PRODUCTS, INC.; NEW DIMENSION ONE SPAS, INC.; SUNDANCE SPAS, INC.
Reel/Frame 043115/0022 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2017
From: JACUZZI INC.; KLI, INC.; NEW DIMENSION ONE SPAS, INC.; OUTDOOR PRODUCTS LLC; SUNDANCE SPAS, INC.; THERMOSPAS HOT TUB PRODUCTS, INC.; RHT INC.
To: NOMURA CORPORATE FUNDING AMERICAS, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 043115/0059 →