System and methods of gas infusion for the sanitization of swimming pool and SPA systems

Abstract

An oxygen infusion pool and spa system integrates medical-grade oxygen infusion and UV-C sterilization to sanitize pool and spa water. This eliminates the reliance on conventional chemical sanitizers like chlorine, offering a safer and healthier aquatic environment while concurrently providing therapeutic benefits through enhanced oxygen absorption via the skin.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHODS OF GAS INFUSION FOR THE SANITIZATION OF SWIMMING POOL AND SPA SYSTEMSINCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

[0001] Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 655466, filed June 3, 2024.BACKGROUNDField

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to gas infusion systems and methods, and more particularly to systems and methods of gas infusion for sanitizing swimming pools and spas.Description of the Related Art

[0003] Traditional swimming pool maintenance practices often rely on chemical sanitizers such as chlorine, which can pose health risks and environmental concerns.SUMMARY

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system and method for sanitizing swimming pools and spas that do not rely on chemical sanitizers, such as chlorine.

[0005] In one aspect of the disclosure, an oxygen infusion system utilizes a combination of oxygen infusion and ultraviolet (UV-C) sterilization to cleanse and purify pool or spa water while promoting wellness through increased oxygen levels in said water.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an oxygen infusion pool & spa system integrates advanced oxygen infusion and UV-C sterilization technologies within the domain of swimming pool maintenance and therapy. This field intersects various disciplines, including chemical engineering, microbiology, environmental science, andmedical therapy. The system includes oxygen concentrators, UV-C sterilization units, and the engineering of specialized components for oxygen infusion and water recirculation. Furthermore, the physiological effects of oxygenated water on the human body range from enhanced skin absorption to accelerated sports recovery and overall wellness. The system aims to revolutionize traditional pool sanitization practices, offering safer, more sustainable, and therapeutically beneficial solutions for both private and public aquatic facilities.

[0007] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a gas infusion system for a swimming pool or spa, including: a feed pump; a filter; an ultraviolet light sterilization unit; a gas infusion tank including a gas inlet and a plurality of microporous hollow fibers; and an oxygen concentrator, wherein the feed pump is configured to pump water from a swimming pool or spa through the filter and into the gas infusion tank to flow between and along the microporous hollow fibers, wherein the oxygen concentrator is configured to flow oxygen into the microporous hollow fibers via the gas inlet so that the oxygen flows through the microporous hollow fibers and exits the microporous hollow fibers via micropores of the microporous hollow fibers so that the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers is infused with the oxygen, and wherein the oxygen infused water flows through the ultraviolet light sterilization unit after exiting the gas infusion tank to receive ultraviolet light before the oxygen infused water is returned to the swimming pool or spa.

[0008] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of infusing water with oxygen in a swimming pool or spa, including: pumping water from a swimming pool or spa through a filter to filter out particulates; flowing water from the filter into a gas infusion tank; flowing oxygen into the gas infusion tank via a gas inlet on the gas infusion tank and through a plurality of microporous hollow fibers, the oxygen flowing along a length of the microporous hollow fibers and out of micropores of the microporous hollow fibers to infuse the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers with oxygen; flowing the oxygen infused water through an ultraviolet light treatment unit to be treated with ultraviolet light; and flowing the oxygen infused water from the ultraviolet light treatment unit back into the swimming pool or spa.

[0009] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a gas infusion system for a swimming pool or spa, including: a feed pump; a filter; an ultraviolet light sterilization unit; a plurality of gas infusion modules, each of the gas infusion modulesincluding a gas inlet and a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed within the gas infusion module; and an oxygen concentrator, wherein the feed pump is configured to pump water from a swimming pool or spa through the filter and into the plurality of gas infusion modules to flow between and along the microporous hollow fibers in each of the gas infusion modules, wherein the oxygen concentrator is configured to flow oxygen into the microporous hollow fibers via the gas inlet so that the oxygen flows through the microporous hollow fibers and exits the microporous hollow fibers via micropores of the microporous hollow fibers so that the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers is infused with the oxygen, and wherein the oxygen infused water flows through the ultraviolet light sterilization unit to receive ultraviolet light before the oxygen infused water is returned to the swimming pool or spa.

[0010] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of infusing water with oxygen in a swimming pool or spa, including: pumping water from a swimming pool or spa through a filter to filter out particulates; flowing water from the filter into a plurality of gas infusion modules; flowing oxygen into the plurality of gas infusion modules via a gas inlet on each of the plurality of gas infusion modules and through a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed in each of the plurality of gas infusion modules, the oxygen flowing along a length of the microporous hollow fibers and out of micropores of the microporous hollow fibers to infuse the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers with oxygen; flowing the oxygen infused water through an ultraviolet light sterilization unit to be sterilized with ultraviolet light; and flowing the oxygen infused water from the ultraviolet light sterilization unit back into the swimming pool or spa.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a gas infusion system for a swimming pool or spa, including: a first flow path; a second flow path; a heater in fluid communication with the first flow path; a first gas infusion module in fluid communication with the first flow path, the first gas infusion module including a first gas inlet and a first plurality of microporous hollow fibers; a second gas infusion module in fluid communication with the second flow path, the second gas infusion module including a second gas inlet and a second plurality of microporous hollow fibers; and an oxygen source, wherein a first water flow can flow along the first flow path through the heater and into the first gas infusion module to flow between along the first plurality of microporous hollow fibers, asecond water flow can flow along the second flow path into the second gas infusion module to flow between and along the second plurality of microporous hollow fibers, and wherein oxygen can flow from the oxygen source into the first plurality of microporous hollow fibers via the first gas inlet and the second plurality of microporous hollow fibers via the second gas inlet so that the oxygen flows through the first and second plurality of microporous hollow fibers and exits the microporous hollow fibers via micropores of the first and second plurality of microporous hollow fibers so that the first and second water flows flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers are infused with the oxygen to produce an oxygen infused first water flow and an oxygen infused second water flow.

[0012] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of infusing water with oxygen in a swimming pool or spa, including: dividing a water flow into a first water flow and a second water flow; flowing the first water flow through a heater and into a first gas infusion module; flowing the second water flow into a second gas infusion module; and flowing oxygen from an oxygen source into the first and second gas infusion modules via a gas inlet on each of the first and second gas infusion modules and into a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed in each of the gas infusion modules, the oxygen flowing through a length of the microporous hollow fibers and out of micropores of the microporous hollow fibers to infuse the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers with oxygen to produce an oxygen infused first water flow and an oxygen infused second water flow.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figures 1A-1D are schematic perspective, right side, front and top plan views of a gas infusion system.

[0014] Figure 2 is a front view of a gas infusion system.

[0015] Figures 3A-3D are schematic perspective, right side, front and top plan views of a gas infusion system.

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a gas infusion system.

[0017] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a gas infusion system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Figures 1A-1D show a gas infusion system 100 (e.g., an oxygen infusion system) that can include a gas infuser tank (e.g., oxygen infuser tank) 101, a sand filter 102, an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit 103, a feed pump 104, a recirculation pump 105, a gas (e.g., oxygen) concentrator 106 and a controller 107. In operation, the feed pump 104 can pump water (e.g., from a swimming pool, from a spa) into the filter 102 (e.g., a sand filter), which can filter out particulates in the water to facilitate (e.g., improve, maintain) water clarity and purity. The filtered water can pass from the sand filter 102 into the gas infuser tank 101 (e.g., oxygen infuser tank) where the water flowing through the gas infuser tank 101 can be infused with a gas provided by the gas concentrator 106. In one example, the gas infuser tank 101 can include one or more (e.g., multiple) microporous hollow fiber membranes via which the gas is introduced into the tank 101, the fibers being in contact with the water in the tank 101 to thereby infuse the water with the gas (e.g., oxygen) in a substantially or completely bubbleless manner. Further details of microporous hollow fiber membrane modules can be found in PCT Application Nos. PCT / US2025 / 029373, filed May 14, 2025, and PCT / US2025 / 030449, filed May 21, 2025, and PCT Publication No. WO2024097241Alfiled 10 / 31 / 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and which should be considered a part of this specification.

[0019] Each of the fibers (in the gas infuser tank 101 and / or any of the gas infusion modules disclosed herein) can be a microporous hydrophobic hollow fiber (e.g., where fibers can be made of Teflon®, Polyethylene or similar materials) with a plurality of micropores having a pore size of between about 0.01 pm and 5 pm, inclusive (e.g., 0.01 pm, 0.1 pm, 0.5 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm), which can advantageously facilitate bubbleless gas transfer into the liquid (e.g., to supersaturate the liquid with the gas), which can make the gas infusion process more efficient and inhibit or prevent loss of gas via bubbles. Each fiber can in some examples have an outer diameter of about 0.54 mm and inner diameter of about 0.35 mm (e.g., wall thickness of about 190 mm), or an outer diameter of about 0.54 mm and inner diameter of about 0.45 mm (e.g., wall thickness of about 0.095 mm), or an outer diameter of about 0.35 mm and an inner diameter of about 0.28 mm (e.g., wall thickness of about 0.070 mm), or any value, approximate value, or range of values within any of the foregoing ranges. The fibers can be made of a material (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene) that is waterrepellent. In one example, the fibers have a porosity of between 50% and 90%, such as 75%, or any value, approximate value, or range of values within the foregoing range. In one example, the gas infusion module has a packing factor of between about 20% and about 50%, such as about 38% (e.g., 38% of the space in the gas infusion module is taken up by the fibers), or any value, approximate value, or range of values within the foregoing range. The number of fibers in the gas infusion module can be between about 700 and about 1500, such as about 1100, or any value, approximate value, or range of values within the foregoing range. In some embodiments, the micropores can be positioned along 90% of the length of the fibers, or in a range from 80% or approximately 80% to 100% the length of the fibers, or from 60% or approximately 60% to 100% or approximately 100% the length of the fibers, or from 40% or approximately 40% to 100% or approximately 100% the length of the fibers, or any value, approximate value, or range of values within the foregoing ranges. Each of the fibers can be microporous and / or hollow and can extend (e.g., linearly) within the gas infusion module. Any of the gas infusion modules disclosed herein can achieve gas transfer efficiency rates at or above 90%, or in a range from 85% or approximately 85% to 95% or approximately 95%, or from 80% or approximately 80% to 100% or approximately 100%, or any value, approximate value, or range of values within the foregoing ranges.

[0020] A portion or all of the water flow can be recirculated to the gas infuser tank 101 via the recirculation pump 105 to increase the amount of dissolved gas (e.g., dissolved oxygen) in the water in the gas infuser tank 1. The liquid can be directed through the UV sterilization unit (e.g., UV-C sterilization unit) where an ultraviolet (UV) light is shined on the water passing through the UV sterilization unit 3, after which the water is returned to the swimming pool or spa. Figure 2 shows a similar gas infusion system to the system in FIGS. 1 A-1D and that operates in a similar manner.

[0021] The combined application of gas infusion and UV treatment can reach or exceed 20 ppm of dissolved oxygen, or in a range from 10 ppm or approximately 10 ppm to 30 ppm or approximately 30 ppm, or from 1 ppm or approximately 1 ppm to 40 ppm or approximately 40 ppm, or any value, approximate value, or range of values within the foregoing ranges.

[0022] The oxygen generators can concentrate oxygen at levels including: concentrated oxygen at levels of 90% or more, 80% or more, 70% or more, 60% or more, orat levels greater than ambient atmospheric oxygen levels and up to 90% or more concentrated oxygen. Concentrated oxygen may be supplied from the oxygen generator to the gas infusion module(s) at levels of 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, or greater than 97% oxygen.

[0023] Figures 3A-3D show a gas infusion system 300 (e.g., an oxygen infusion system) that can include a sand filter 301, an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit 302, a feed pump 303, a gas concentrator 304, a control box 305 and one or more (e.g., one, a plurality, multiple) gas infusion modules 307. In operation, the feed pump 303 can pump water (e.g., from a swimming pool, from a spa) into the sand filter 301, which can filter out particulates in the water to facilitate (e.g., improve, maintain) water clarity and purity. The filtered water can pass from the sand filter 301 into the one or more gas infusion modules 307, where the water flowing through the gas infusion modules 307 can be infused with a gas (e.g., oxygen) provided by the gas concentrator 304. In one example, the one or more gas infusion modules 307 (e.g., ten modules) can include one or more microporous hollow fiber membranes via which the gas can be introduced into the modules 307, the fibers being in contact with the water flowing through the gas infusion modules 307 to thereby infuse the water with the gas (e.g., oxygen) in a substantially or completely bubble-less manner. In some embodiments, the system 300 can include 10 gas infusion modules or approximately 10 gas infusion modules, or a range from 6 or approximately 6 to 20 or approximately 20 gas infusion modules, or from 1 or approximately 1 to 100 or approximately 100 gas infusion modules, or any value, approximate value, or range of values within the foregoing ranges. In one example, the gas infusion modules 307 can be arranged in parallel, and water fed into all of the gas infusion modules 307 via an inlet header and can exit all of the gas infusion modules 307 via an outlet header. The gas infused water (e.g., oxygen infused water) can be directed through the UV sterilization unit 302 (e.g., UV-C sterilization unit) where a UV light is shined on the water passing through the UV sterilization unit 302, after which the water is returned to the swimming pool or spa. Further details of microporous hollow fiber membrane modules can be found in PCT Application Nos. PCT / US2025 / 029373, filed May 14, 2025, and PCT / US2025 / 030449, filed May 21, 2025, and details on methods of making them can be found in PCT Publication No. WO2024097241A1 filed 10 / 16 / 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and which should be considered a part of this specification. Figure 4 shows a similargas infusion system to the system in FIGS. 3 A-3D and that can operate in the same or a similar manner.

[0024] Figure 5 shows a gas infusion system 500 where hot and cold water can be separately infused with a gas (e.g., oxygen) using one or more gas infusion modules 507a, 507b via separate (e g., first and second) flow paths, and wherein the gas infused hot and cold water can be directed to fixtures 509a, 509b (e.g., in a spa, swimming pool). In some embodiments, water can enter the system 500 through an inlet 501. In some embodiments, a flow divider 512 may divide the water into the first path and second path, where the first path may include a heater 505 for the water to pass through. Some or all of the water can be directed through the heater 505, which can be an existing hot water heater for the pool, spa, home, etc., or can be a separate heater. The first path and / or the second path can include pipes, tubes, or other means for water to move along the paths. The gas infusion modules in FIG. 5 can be similar to the gas infusion modules in FIGS. 3A-3D and / or 4. In one example the gas infusion system 500 can infuse hot and cold water separately with oxygen generated by an oxygen concentrator 503, the oxygen directed into the gas infusion modules 507a, 507b so that the water flowing through the gas infusion modules 507a, 507b can be infused with oxygen as the water flows through the gas infusion modules, oxygenated water exiting the gas infusion modules. In some embodiments, the system 500 can include a filter (e.g., a sand filter) and / or an ultraviolet treatment unit, which can be the same or similar to the filters and ultraviolet treatment units described herein. For example, the hot and / or cold water can pass through a sand filter before or after passing through the gas infusion modules to filter out particulates in the water to facilitate (e.g., improve, maintain) water clarity and purity. In some embodiments, the hot and / or cold water can pass through an ultraviolet treatment unit before or after passing through the gas infusion units where a UV light can be shined on the water passing through the UV sterilization unit. In some embodiments, one or more solar panels can be used to provide energy to one or more components of the system 500. For example, one or more solar panels can provide energy to the heater 505 to heat the water. Hot water can include water that is 100 °F or approximately 100 °F, or in a range from 90 °F or approximately 90 °F to 105 °F or approximately 105 °F, or from 70 °F or approximately 70 °F to 110 °F or approximately 110 °F, or any value, approximate value, or range of values within the foregoing ranges. Cold water can include water that is 80 °F or approximately 80 °F, or in a range from 70 °F orapproximately 70 °F to 85 °F or approximately 85 °F, or from 60 °F or approximately 60 °F to 90 °F or approximately 90 °F, or any value, approximate value, or range of values within the foregoing ranges. Water Sanitization and Therapy Mechanisms:

[0025] The gas infusion systems described herein can be used to sanitize and therapeutically enhance pool water. The system can include a medical-grade oxygen concentrator and a UV-C sterilization light. The UV light can reduce or effectively eradicate a broad spectrum of waterborne pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and algae, while oxygen infusion facilitates the elimination of organic contaminants through oxidation. Consequently, the reliance on traditional chemical sanitizers such as chlorine is obviated, simplifying maintenance procedures and reducing associated costs.Oxygen Infusion Mechanism:

[0026] The oxygen infusion system described herein augments oxygen levels in the water to impart therapeutic benefits to swimmers. Through the process of oxygen infusion, dissolved oxygen concentrations in the water are increased, enabling enhanced oxygen absorption via the skin. This mechanism can closely mirror the principles of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, albeit with a distinct mode of oxygen delivery. By absorbing oxygen through the skin, swimmers experience improved circulation, expedited recovery from physical exertion and injuries, and an overall sense of well-being.Technical Components:

[0027] The oxygen infusion system described herein can include:• Oxygen Infuser: This static component may require little or no energy input and may entail minimal maintenance. With an operational lifespan which can exceed 12 years, the Oxygen Infuser can serve as the primary conduit for oxygen infusion into the pool water.• Oxygen Generator: Engineered for reliability, energy efficiency, and user-friendliness, the oxygen concentrator can provide a consistent supply of medical-grade oxygen for infusion purposes.• UV-C Disinfection Light: This component can emit high-intensity germicidal ultraviolet light, which may effectively neutralizing a wide array of waterbornepathogens. Annual replacement of the UV-C bulb ensures continued efficacy and safety.• Recirculation Pump: Responsible for recirculating water within the Oxygen Infuser, the recirculation pump may enhance dissolved oxygen concentrations in the pool, contributing to the therapeutic benefits of the system.• Sand Filter: A conventional pool sand filter can be integrated into the system to facilitate particulate filtration, which may provide water clarity and purity.• Feed Pump: Serving as a typical pool recirculation pump, the feed pump can maintain adequate water circulation throughout the system, which may improve oxygen distribution and sanitization efficacy.• Solar Panel Integration: In some embodiments, to improve sustainability and reduce reliance on grid power, the system can optionally incorporate one or more solar panels to harness renewable solar energy for powering the irrigation infrastructure, including pumps, controllers, sensors, and / or auxiliary components. Solar energy can provide a clean, reliable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional energy sources, enabling off- grid operation and reducing the system's carbon footprint.Features and Technical Advantages:

[0028] The gas infusion system can offer a multitude of technical features and benefits, including, without limitation:• - Enhanced Safety and Health: By reducing or eliminating the need for chemical sanitizers, the gas infusion system can create a safer and healthier pool environment, reducing the risk of chemical exposure and associated health hazards.• - Optimal Water Quality: Through the synergistic action of oxygen infusion and UV-C sterilization, the system can provide superior water quality by reducing or effectively eliminating pathogens and organic contaminants, thereby minimizing the occurrence of waterborne illnesses.• - Environmental Sustainability: The utilization of oxygen infusion and UV-C sterilization technologies renders the gas infusion system environmentally friendly, which can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional pool maintenance practices.• - Effortless Maintenance: With minimal maintenance requirements and long-lasting components, such as the Oxygen Infuser and oxygen concentrator, the gas infusion system can offer improved ease of maintenance, which may translate to cost savings and operational improvement.• - Therapeutic Benefits: Beyond its primary function of water sanitization, the gas infusion system can provide therapeutic benefits to users through increased oxygen absorption, promoting physical recovery, relaxation, and overall well-being.Additional Embodiments

[0029] In examples of the present disclosure, a gas infusion system and method of operation may be in accordance with any of the following clauses:

[0030] Clause 1. A gas infusion system for a swimming pool or spa, comprising: a feed pump; a filter; an ultraviolet light sterilization unit; a gas infusion tank comprising a gas inlet and a plurality of microporous hollow fibers; and an oxygen concentrator, wherein the feed pump is configured to pump water from a swimming pool or spa through the filter and into the gas infusion tank to flow between and along the microporous hollow fibers, wherein the oxygen concentrator is configured to flow oxygen into the microporous hollow fibers via the gas inlet so that the oxygen flows through the microporous hollow fibers and exits the microporous hollow fibers via micropores of the microporous hollow fibers so that the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers is infused with the oxygen, and wherein the oxygen infused water flows through the ultraviolet light sterilization unit after exiting the gas infusion tank to receive ultraviolet light before the oxygen infused water is returned to the swimming pool or spa.

[0031] Clause 2. The gas infusion system of clause 1, further comprising a recirculation pump hydraulically coupled to an outlet of the gas infusion tank.

[0032] Clause 3. The gas infusion system of clause 2, wherein the recirculation pump is configured to recirculate water from the gas infusion tank back into the gas infusion tank to increase an amount of dissolved oxygen in the oxygen infused water.

[0033] Clause 4. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

[0034] Clause 5. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 1 -4, wherein the oxygen infused water has a dissolved oxygen level ranging from 15 ppm to 40 ppm.

[0035] Clause 6. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein the micropores have a pore size of between about 0.01 pm and 5 pm.

[0036] Clause 7. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 1-6, wherein the filter is a sand filter configured to filter out particulates from the water.

[0037] Clause 8. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 1-7, wherein the microporous hollow fibers have a porosity of 75% or greater.

[0038] Clause 9. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 1-8, wherein each of the microporous hollow fibers have an inner diameter between 0.28 mm and 0.45 mm.

[0039] Clause 10. A method of infusing water with oxygen in a swimming pool or spa, comprising: pumping water from a swimming pool or spa through a filter to filter out particulates; flowing water from the filter into a gas infusion tank; flowing oxygen into the gas infusion tank via a gas inlet on the gas infusion tank and through a plurality of microporous hollow fibers, the oxygen flowing along a length of the microporous hollow fibers and out of micropores of the microporous hollow fibers to infuse the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers with oxygen; flowing the oxygen infused water through an ultraviolet light treatment unit to be treated with ultraviolet light; and flowing the oxygen infused water from the ultraviolet light treatment unit back into the swimming pool or spa.

[0040] Clause 11. The method of clause 10, wherein the filter is a sand filter.

[0041] Clause 12. The method of clause 10 or 11, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

[0042] Clause 13. The method of any one of clauses 10-12, further comprising recirculating at least a portion of the oxygen infused water that exits the gas infusion tank back into the gas infusion tank to increase a dissolved oxygen in the oxygen infused water.

[0043] Clause 14. A gas infusion system for a swimming pool or spa, comprising: a feed pump; a filter; an ultraviolet light sterilization unit; a plurality of gas infusion modules, each of the gas infusion modules comprising a gas inlet and a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed within the gas infusion module; and an oxygen concentrator, wherein the feed pump is configured to pump water from a swimming pool or spa through the filter and into the plurality of gas infusion modules to flow between and along the microporous hollow fibers ineach of the gas infusion modules, wherein the oxygen concentrator is configured to flow oxygen into the microporous hollow fibers via the gas inlet so that the oxygen flows through the microporous hollow fibers and exits the microporous hollow fibers via micropores of the microporous hollow fibers so that the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers is infused with the oxygen, and wherein the oxygen infused water flows through the ultraviolet light sterilization unit to receive ultraviolet light before the oxygen infused water is returned to the swimming pool or spa.

[0044] Clause 15. The gas infusion system of clause 14, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are arranged in parallel.

[0045] Clause 16. The gas infusion system of clause 14 or 15, wherein the filter is a sand filter.

[0046] Clause 17. The gas infusion system of any of clauses 14-16, wherein the water flows through the plurality of gas infusion modules in parallel.

[0047] Clause 18. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 14-17, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

[0048] Clause 19. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 14-18, wherein the oxygen infused water has a dissolved oxygen level ranging from 15 ppm to 40 ppm.

[0049] Clause 20. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 14-19, wherein the micropores have a pore size of between about 0.01 pm and 5 pm.

[0050] Clause 21. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 14-20, wherein the fibers comprise Teflon®.

[0051] Clause 22. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 14-21, wherein the microporous hollow fibers have a porosity of 75% or greater.

[0052] Clause 23. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 14-22, wherein each of the microporous hollow fibers have an inner diameter between 0.28 mm and 0.45 mm.

[0053] Clause 24. A method of infusing water with oxygen in a swimming pool or spa, comprising: pumping water from a swimming pool or spa through a filter to filter out particulates; flowing water from the filter into a plurality of gas infusion modules; flowing oxygen into the plurality of gas infusion modules via a gas inlet on each of the plurality of gas infusion modules and through a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed in each of the plurality of gas infusion modules, the oxygen flowing along a length of the microporous hollowfibers and out of micropores of the microporous hollow fibers to infuse the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers with oxygen; flowing the oxygen infused water through an ultraviolet light sterilization unit to be sterilized with ultraviolet light; and flowing the oxygen infused water from the ultraviolet light sterilization unit back into the swimming pool or spa.

[0054] Clause 25. The method of clause 24, wherein flowing water from the filter into a plurality of gas infusion modules comprises flowing water into an array of gas infusion modules in parallel.

[0055] Clause 26. The method of clause 25, wherein the array of gas infusion modules comprises 10 gas infusion modules.

[0056] Clause 27. The method of any one of clauses 24-26, wherein the filter is a sand filter.

[0057] Clause 28. The method of any one of clauses 24-27, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

[0058] Clause 29. A gas infusion system for a swimming pool or spa, comprising: a first flow path; a second flow path; a heater in fluid communication with the first flow path; a first gas infusion module in fluid communication with the first flow path, the first gas infusion module comprising a first gas inlet and a first plurality of microporous hollow fibers; a second gas infusion module in fluid communication with the second flow path, the second gas infusion module comprising a second gas inlet and a second plurality of microporous hollow fibers; and an oxygen source, wherein a first water flow can flow along the first flow path through the heater and into the first gas infusion module to flow between along the first plurality of microporous hollow fibers, a second water flow can flow along the second flow path into the second gas infusion module to flow between and along the second plurality of microporous hollow fibers, and wherein oxygen can flow from the oxygen source into the first plurality of microporous hollow fibers via the first gas inlet and the second plurality of microporous hollow fibers via the second gas inlet so that the oxygen flows through the first and second plurality of microporous hollow fibers and exits the microporous hollow fibers via micropores of the first and second plurality of microporous hollow fibers so that the first and second water flows flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers are infused with the oxygen to produce an oxygen infused first water flow and an oxygen infused second water flow.

[0059] Clause 30. The gas infusion system of clause 29, further comprising a sand filter configured to filter out particulates from the first water flow or second water flow.

[0060] Clause 31. The gas infusion system of clause 29 or 30, further comprising an ultraviolet light treatment unit configured to sterilize the first water flow or second water flow.

[0061] Clause 32. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 29-31, further comprising a flow divider configured to divide a water flow into the first water flow and the second water flow.

[0062] Clause 33. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 29-32, wherein the first water flow and the second water flow are infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

[0063] Clause 34. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 29-33, wherein the oxygen infused first water flow and oxygen infused second water flow each have a dissolved oxygen level ranging from 15 ppm to 40 ppm.

[0064] Clause 35. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 29-34, wherein the micropores have a pore size of between about 0.01 pm and 5 pm.

[0065] Clause 36. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 29-35, wherein the oxygen infused first water flow is directed to a first fixture of a swimming pool or spa and wherein the oxygen infused second water flow is directed to a second fixture of the swimming pool or spa.

[0066] Clause 37. The gas infusion system of any one of clauses 29-36, wherein the microporous hollow fibers have a porosity of 75% or greater.

[0067] Clause 38. A method of infusing water with oxygen in a swimming pool or spa, comprising: dividing a water flow into a first water flow and a second water flow; flowing the first water flow through a heater and into a first gas infusion module; flowing the second water flow into a second gas infusion module; and flowing oxygen from an oxygen source into the first and second gas infusion modules via a gas inlet on each of the first and second gas infusion modules and into a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed in each of the gas infusion modules, the oxygen flowing through a length of the microporous hollow fibers and out of micropores of the microporous hollow fibers to infuse the water flowing between andalong the microporous hollow fibers with oxygen to produce an oxygen infused first water flow and an oxygen infused second water flow.

[0068] Clause 39. The method of clause 38, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

[0069] Clause 40. The method of clause 38 or 39, further comprising flowing the first water flow and the second water flow through a filter.

[0070] Clause 41. The method of any one of clauses 38-40, further comprising flow the first water flow and the second water flow through an ultraviolet light treatment unit.

[0071] Clause 42. The method of any of clauses 38-41, further comprising flowing the oxygen infused first water flow to a first fixture and flowing the oxygen infused second water flow to a second fixture.

[0072] Clause 43. The method of any of clauses 38-42, wherein the first water flow has a higher temperature than the second water flow.

[0073] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0074] Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0075] Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0076] Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and / or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0077] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves oneadvantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0078] Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0079] Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0080] Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees.

[0081] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

[0082] Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the devices described herein need not feature all of the objects, advantages, features and aspects discussed above. Thus, for example, those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspects of embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the discussed devices.

Claims

WHA T IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A gas infusion system for a swimming pool or spa, comprising: a feed pump; a filter; an ultraviolet light sterilization unit; a gas infusion tank comprising a gas inlet and a plurality of microporous hollow fibers; and an oxygen concentrator, wherein the feed pump is configured to pump water from a swimming pool or spa through the filter and into the gas infusion tank to flow between and along the microporous hollow fibers, wherein the oxygen concentrator is configured to flow oxygen into the microporous hollow fibers via the gas inlet so that the oxygen flows through the microporous hollow fibers and exits the microporous hollow fibers via micropores of the microporous hollow fibers so that the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers is infused with the oxygen, and wherein the oxygen infused water flows through the ultraviolet light sterilization unit after exiting the gas infusion tank to receive ultraviolet light before the oxygen infused water is returned to the swimming pool or spa.

2. The gas infusion system of claim 1, further comprising a recirculation pump hydraulically coupled to an outlet of the gas infusion tank.

3. The gas infusion system of claim 2, wherein the recirculation pump is configured to recirculate water from the gas infusion tank back into the gas infusion tank to increase an amount of dissolved oxygen in the oxygen infused water.

4. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

5. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the oxygen infused water has a dissolved oxygen level ranging from 15 ppm to 40 ppm.

6. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 1 -5, wherein the micropores have a pore size of between about 0.01 pm and 5 pm.

7. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the filter is a sand filter configured to filter out particulates from the water.

8. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the microporous hollow fibers have a porosity of 75% or greater.

9. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 1-8, wherein each of the microporous hollow fibers have an inner diameter between 0.28 mm and 0.45 mm.

10. A method of infusing water with oxygen in a swimming pool or spa, comprising: pumping water from a swimming pool or spa through a filter to filter out particulates; flowing water from the filter into a gas infusion tank; flowing oxygen into the gas infusion tank via a gas inlet on the gas infusion tank and through a plurality of microporous hollow fibers, the oxygen flowing along a length of the microporous hollow fibers and out of micropores of the microporous hollow fibers to infuse the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers with oxygen; flowing the oxygen infused water through an ultraviolet light treatment unit to be treated with ultraviolet light; and flowing the oxygen infused water from the ultraviolet light treatment unit back into the swimming pool or spa.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the filter is a sand filter.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

13. The method of any one of claims 10-12, further comprising recirculating at least a portion of the oxygen infused water that exits the gas infusion tank back into the gas infusion tank to increase a dissolved oxygen in the oxygen infused water.

14. A gas infusion system for a swimming pool or spa, comprising: a feed pump; a filter; an ultraviolet light sterilization unit; a plurality of gas infusion modules, each of the gas infusion modules comprising a gas inlet and a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed within the gas infusion module; and an oxygen concentrator, wherein the feed pump is configured to pump water from a swimming pool or spa through the filter and into the plurality of gas infusion modules to flow between and along the microporous hollow fibers in each of the gas infusion modules, wherein the oxygen concentrator is configured to flow oxygen into the microporous hollow fibers via the gas inlet so that the oxygen flows through the microporous hollow fibers and exits the microporous hollow fibers via micropores of the microporous hollow fibers so that the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers is infused with the oxygen, and wherein the oxygen infused water flows through the ultraviolet light sterilization unit to receive ultraviolet light before the oxygen infused water is returned to the swimming pool or spa.

15. The gas infusion system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of gas infusion modules are arranged in parallel.

16. The gas infusion system of claim 14 or 15, wherein the filter is a sand filter.

17. The gas infusion system of any of claims 14-16, wherein the water flows through the plurality of gas infusion modules in parallel.

18. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 14-17, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

19. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 14-18, wherein the oxygen infused water has a dissolved oxygen level ranging from 15 ppm to 40 ppm.

20. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 14-19, wherein the micropores have a pore size of between about 0.01 pm and 5 pm.

21. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 14-20, wherein the fibers comprise Teflon®.

22. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 14-21, wherein the microporous hollow fibers have a porosity of 75% or greater.

23. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 14-22, wherein each of the microporous hollow fibers have an inner diameter between 0.28 mm and 0.45 mm.

24. A method of infusing water with oxygen in a swimming pool or spa, comprising: pumping water from a swimming pool or spa through a filter to filter out particulates; flowing water from the filter into a plurality of gas infusion modules; flowing oxygen into the plurality of gas infusion modules via a gas inlet on each of the plurality of gas infusion modules and through a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed in each of the plurality of gas infusion modules, the oxygen flowing along a length of the microporous hollow fibers and out of micropores of the microporous hollow fibers to infuse the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers with oxygen; flowing the oxygen infused water through an ultraviolet light sterilization unit to be sterilized with ultraviolet light; andflowing the oxygen infused water from the ultraviolet light sterilization unit back into the swimming pool or spa.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein flowing water from the filter into a plurality of gas infusion modules comprises flowing water into an array of gas infusion modules in parallel.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the array of gas infusion modules comprises 10 gas infusion modules.

27. The method of any one of claims 24-26, wherein the filter is a sand filter.

28. The method of any one of claims 24-27, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

29. A gas infusion system for a swimming pool or spa, comprising: a first flow path; a second flow path; a heater in fluid communication with the first flow path; a first gas infusion module in fluid communication with the first flow path, the first gas infusion module comprising a first gas inlet and a first plurality of microporous hollow fibers; a second gas infusion module in fluid communication with the second flow path, the second gas infusion module comprising a second gas inlet and a second plurality of microporous hollow fibers; and an oxygen source, wherein a first water flow can flow along the first flow path through the heater and into the first gas infusion module to flow between along the first plurality of microporous hollow fibers, a second water flow can flow along the second flow path into the second gas infusion module to flow between and along the second plurality of microporous hollow fibers, and wherein oxygen can flow from the oxygen source into the first plurality of microporous hollow fibers via the first gas inlet and the secondplurality of microporous hollow fibers via the second gas inlet so that the oxygen flows through the first and second plurality of microporous hollow fibers and exits the microporous hollow fibers via micropores of the first and second plurality of microporous hollow fibers so that the first and second water flows flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers are infused with the oxygen to produce an oxygen infused first water flow and an oxygen infused second water flow.

30. The gas infusion system of claim 29, further comprising a sand filter configured to filter out particulates from the first water flow or second water flow.

31. The gas infusion system of claim 29 or 30, further comprising an ultraviolet light treatment unit configured to sterilize the first water flow or second water flow.

32. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 29-31, further comprising a flow divider configured to divide a water flow into the first water flow and the second water flow.

33. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 29-32, wherein the first water flow and the second water flow are infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

34. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 29-33, wherein the oxygen infused first water flow and oxygen infused second water flow each have a dissolved oxygen level ranging from 15 ppm to 40 ppm.

35. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 29-34, wherein the micropores have a pore size of between about 0.01 pm and 5 pm.

36. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 29-35, wherein the oxygen infused first water flow is directed to a first fixture of a swimming pool or spa and wherein the oxygen infused second water flow is directed to a second fixture of the swimming pool or spa.

37. The gas infusion system of any one of claims 29-36, wherein the microporous hollow fibers have a porosity of 75% or greater.

38. A method of infusing water with oxygen in a swimming pool or spa, comprising: dividing a water flow into a first water flow and a second water flow; flowing the first water flow through a heater and into a first gas infusion module; flowing the second water flow into a second gas infusion module; and flowing oxygen from an oxygen source into the first and second gas infusion modules via a gas inlet on each of the first and second gas infusion modules and into a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed in each of the gas infusion modules, the oxygen flowing through a length of the microporous hollow fibers and out of micropores of the microporous hollow fibers to infuse the water flowing between and along the microporous hollow fibers with oxygen to produce an oxygen infused first water flow and an oxygen infused second water flow.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the water is infused with oxygen with at least 75% efficiency.

40. The method of claim 38 or 39, further comprising flowing the first water flow and the second water flow through a filter.

41. The method of any one of claims 38-40, further comprising flow the first water flow and the second water flow through an ultraviolet light treatment unit.

42. The method of any of claims 38-41, further comprising flowing the oxygen infused first water flow to a first fixture and flowing the oxygen infused second water flow to a second fixture.

43. The method of any of claims 38-42, wherein the first water flow has a higher temperature than the second water flow.

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