Automatic pool level

• US 8,209,794 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2011
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles Harrison
• Original Assignee: Charles Harrison
• Inventors: Harrison, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Younkins, Karen L
• Application Number:
  US13/048,253
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 440/8, 340/618
• US Class Current: 4/508
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/12 Devices or arrangements for circulating water , i.e. devices for removal of polluted water, cleaning baths or for water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/12 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

An automatic pool level controller that maintains a water level water in a swimming pool to protect the pool both from a low water level and from overflow conditions that disable pool equipment from operating. The controller monitors water level with a plurality of adjustable conducting sensors that connect to a plurality of relays that control a plurality of switches and a solenoid valve to automatically add water to the pool when the water level falls below the desired level, and halt addition of water when the desired level is achieved, automatically turning on a pump to expel water to reduce the water level, and automatically turning a pump off to halt the discharge of water when the water is reduced to the desired level, maintaining the water level sufficient for operating pool equipment. The controller has an immersible sensor board, a submersible pump and runs on household current.

Claims

1. An automatic pool level controller, for maintaining a desired level of water in a swimming pool, comprising:

a housing with a front board, the front board having a bottom platform, the front board extending into a swimming pool;

a sensor system having a plurality of sensors adjustably mounted on the front board, including a pump sensor and a solenoid valve sensor series having at least one sensor, the plurality of sensors having a power supply rod, the power supply rod providing current to the sensors when the sensors are triggered;

a solenoid valve inside the housing, the solenoid valve selectively opening to let water into the swimming pool and selectively closing when the desired water level is achieved;

a pump mounted on the bottom platform of the front board, the pump selectively switching on to expel water and selectively switching off when the desired water level is achieved; and

a plurality of circuits inside the housing, the circuits connected to AC current, the circuits having a plurality of relays, the relays wired to the plurality of sensors, a first relay selectively switching on the pump when the pump sensor signals the relay that a high water level is present and switching off the pump when the pump sensor signals the relay that the desired water level is achieved, a plurality of relays that signals the solenoid valve to open to let water into the pool when the solenoid valve sensor series signals that the water level is low and closes the solenoid valve when the solenoid valve sensor series signals that the desired water level is achieved.

2. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 1, wherein the sensors and the power supply rod are aluminum rods that conduct current, the sensors adjustably set such that when the water level reaches the sensor, the water completes a circuit between the power supply rod and sensor and the circuits in the housing, sending a signal to the relays.

3. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 2, wherein the power supply rod draws 15 volts DC current to power the circuits completed through water with the sensors.

4. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 1, wherein the front panel has a plurality of vertical grooves and the sensors and the power supply rod are attached in the grooves and are slideably adjusted in a position so that the sensors complete a circuit when the water level reaches the sensors.

5. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 1, further comprising a fault sensor and fault circuit having a relay and a 9 volt battery, the fault circuit detecting that AC current has failed, the fault circuit switching the controller to the 9 volt battery to power the power supply rod, the power supply rod and the fault sensor completing the fault circuit if water fills the pool beyond the desired level, the completed fault circuit closing the solenoid valve.

6. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 5, wherein the fault circuit has a switch, the switch is on the housing, the switch selectively powering the 9 volt battery when installing the controller and selectively powering off the 9-volt battery when storing the controller.

7. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 1, wherein the pump has a coupling and attached to the coupling is a hose directed outside the pool, the pump expelling water through the hose outside the pool.

8. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 1, wherein the housing has a pair of couplings, each coupling attached to a pair of hose segments, a first hose segment attached to a water supply and a second hose segment directed into the pool.

9. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 1, wherein the pool has a deck and the housing has an eye and a tether having a pair of ends, a first end of a tether attaching to the eye on the housing and a second end of the tether attaching to the pool deck, anchoring the housing to the pool deck.

10. An automatic pool level controller, for maintaining a desired level of water in a swimming pool, comprising:

a housing with a front board, the front board having a bottom platform, the front board extending into a swimming pool;

a sensor system having a plurality of sensors adjustably mounted on the front board, including a pump sensor and a solenoid valve sensor series having at least one sensor, the plurality of sensors having a power supply rod, the power supply rod providing current to the sensors when the sensors are triggered;

a solenoid valve inside the housing, the solenoid valve selectively opening to let water into the swimming pool and selectively closing when the desired water level is achieved;

a pump mounted on the bottom platform of the front board, the pump selectively switching on to expel water and selectively switching off when the desired water level is achieved; and

a plurality of circuits inside the housing, the circuits connected to AC current, the circuits having a plurality of relays, the relays wired to the plurality of sensors, a first relay selectively switching on the pump when the pump sensor signals the relay that a high water level is present and switching off the pump when the pump sensor signals the relay that the desired water level is achieved, a plurality of relays that signals the solenoid valve to open to let water into the pool when the solenoid valve sensor series signals that the water level is low and closes the solenoid valve when the solenoid valve sensor series signals that the desired water level is achieved; and

a fault sensor and fault circuit having a relay and a 9 volt battery, the fault circuit detecting failure of AC current, the fault circuit switching the controller to the 9 volt battery to power the power supply rod, the power supply rod and the fault sensor completing the fault circuit if water fills the pool beyond the desired level, the completed fault circuit closing the solenoid valve.

11. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 10, wherein the fault circuit has a switch, the switch is on the housing, the switch selectively powering the 9 volt battery when installing the controller and selectively powering off the 9-volt battery when storing the controller.

12. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 10, wherein the sensors and the power supply rod are aluminum rods that conduct current, the sensors adjustably set such that when the water level reaches the sensor, the water completes a circuit between the power supply rod and sensor and the circuits in the housing, sending a signal to the relays.

13. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 12, wherein the power supply rod draws 15 volts DC current to power the circuits completed through water with the sensors.

14. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 10, wherein the front panel has a plurality of vertical grooves and the sensors and the power supply rod are attached in the grooves and are slideably adjusted in a position so that the sensors complete a circuit when the water level reaches the sensors.

15. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 10, wherein the pump has a coupling and attached to the coupling is a hose directed outside the pool, the pump expelling water through the hose outside the pool.

16. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 10, wherein the housing has a pair of couplings, each coupling attached to a pair of hose segments, a first hose segment attached to a water supply and a second hose segment directed into the pool.

17. The automatic pool level controller as described in claim 10, wherein the pool has a deck and the housing has an eye and a tether having a pair of ends, a first end of a tether attaching to the eye on the housing and a second end of the tether attaching to the pool deck, anchoring the housing to the pool deck.