Devices, methods, and algorithms for rapid measurement of mean surface level change of liquids in containers

• US 8,967,191 B1
• Filed: 07/16/2012
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Deverse
• Original Assignee: Richard Deverse
• Inventors: DeVerse, Richard, Malan, Van R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Houston, Elizabeth
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAQUETTE, IAN G
• Application Number:
  US13/550,500
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 137/392, 137/412, 137/428, 733/05, 733/06, 733/08, 733/09, 733/10, 733/12, 733/13, 733/19, 733/225, 450/8
• US Class Current: 137/412
• 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: E04H 4/1272 Skimmers integrated in the pool wall
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/14 Parts, details or accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0007 for discrete indicating and measuring G01F23/02 - G01F23/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/30 by floats
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/683 using electromechanically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/3245 using a level monitoring device G01M3/3272 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7306 Electrical characteristic sensing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7368 Servo relay operation of control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/742 In separate communicating float chamber

Abstract

A leak detection system for the rapid and accurate detection of the mean surface level change of a body of liquid is provided. The system is capable of sensing mean surface level changes under static or turbulent surface conditions. In one embodiment, the system includes a rigid walled sensor pod with at least one inner pod cavity that is so positioned to receive liquid from a body of liquid such that dynamic equilibrium is possible and maintained between the mean surface level of the body of liquid and the amount of liquid in the inner cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly having a stiction free float operating in conjunction with a strain gauge, and microprocessors applying algorithms to process, display, and report the sensor data in accordance with the needs of the end user or to initiate actions for automated control functions.

Claims

1. A system for automated control of fill and drain functions in a swimming pool, comprising:

a sensor pod having a cavity that is in fluid communication with the swimming pool such that water in the swimming pool flows into the cavity and reaches dynamic equilibrium; and

a sensor disposed inside the sensor pod, said sensor is adapted to measure water level changes inside the cavity, wherein the sensor communicates with a remote valve to fill water into the pool when the water mean surface level falls below a predetermined lower threshold and to drain water from the pool when the water mean surface level exceeds a predetermined upper threshold, wherein the sensor comprises a strain gauge coupled to a load beam, and a float disposed below the load beam, the float is not mechanically connected to the strain gauge and does not engage with the strain gauge when water is not present inside the cavity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor response data is transmitted to a hand-held controller.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an analog to digital converter disposed adjacent to the sensor in the sensor pod.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an alarm that is activated when the sensor response data is indicative of drowning or illegal entry into the pool.