US3759286A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Redetermined limits apparatus for maintaining the water level within a swimming pool to p
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-01-26
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1992-01-26
Abstract
Abstract In order to maintain the water level of a swimming pool within predetermined limits, an electrically operated valve connected between a source of make up water and the pool is opened whenever the water falls below a first predetermined level and is closed whenever the water reaches a second, higher predetermined level. Water level detection is carried out in a vertically disposed sensing tube in liquid communication with a point in the return line of the filtering circuit. A plurality of vertically separated conductive probes extend into the sensing tube to provide water level information according to conduction paths set up between a lowermost, common probe and those of the other probes which are below the water level. When the recirculating pump is not in operation, the water level reflects the water level in the pool. When the pump is energized, the pressure in the return line rises such that the sensing tube fills completely and thus automatically prevents operation of the valve inasmuch as an artificial high level condition is detected by the circuit coupled to the level sensing probes.
Inventors
- 👤 L Page
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:37
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D9/00; G05D9/12; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/24; G01F23/241; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
A system for automatically maintaining the water level in a swimming pool having a suction line, a pump, and a return line comprising: a. a make up water linE connecting the pool water to a source of water under pressure; b. a normally closed, electrically actuated valve disposed in said make up water line; c. a level sensing chamber positioned with respect to the swimming pool such that a normal range of pool water level falls intermediate the ends thereof, said sensing tube having a fluid sealed lower end, an upper end thereof having a vent aperture for communicating with the atmosphere; d. means placing the interior of said sensing tube in direct liquid communication with said return line; e. a plurality of vertically separated level sensing probes extending into the interior of said sensing tube, said plurality of level sensing probes including at least a lowermost common probe, a low water level probe positioned above said common probe, and a high water level probe positioned above said low water level probe; f. an overflow sensing probe positioned above said high water level probe; g. control means connected to said plurality of probes and to said electrically actuated valve for sensing a first condition in which no conductive path exists between said common probe and said low water level probe and responding to said first condition by energizing said electrically actuated valve to initiate the introduction of make up water into the pool, said control means further sensing a second condition in which a conductive path exists between said common probe and said high water level probe and responding to said second condition by de-energizing said electrically actuated valve to terminate the introduction of make up water into the pool; and h. means included in said control means for sensing a third condition in which said control means fails to respond to said second condition and the water level in said sensing tube rises sufficiently to establish a conductive path between said common probe and said overflow probe, said control means including overcurrent breaker means and responding to said third condition by opening said breaker means whereby said control means and said electrically actuated valve are de-energized.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
367 words
A system for automatically maintaining the water level in a swimming pool having a suction line, a pump, and a return line comprising: a. a make up water linE connecting the pool water to a source of water under pressure; b. a normally closed, electrically actuated valve disposed in said make up water line; c. a level sensing chamber positioned with respect to the swimming pool such that a normal range of pool water level falls intermediate the ends thereof, said sensing tube having a fluid sealed lower end, an upper end thereof having a vent aperture for communicating with the atmosphere; d. means placing the interior of said sensing tube in direct liquid communication with said return line; e. a plurality of vertically separated level sensing probes extending into the interior of said sensing tube, said plurality of level sensing probes including at least a lowermost common probe, a low water level probe positioned above said common probe, and a high water level probe positioned above said low water level probe; f. an overflow sensing probe positioned above said high water level probe; g. control means connected to said plurality of probes and to said electrically actuated valve for sensing a first condition in which no conductive path exists between said common probe and said low water level probe and responding to said first condition by energizing said electrically actuated valve to initiate the introduction of make up water into the pool, said control means further sensing a second condition in which a conductive path exists between said common probe and said high water level probe and responding to said second condition by de-energizing said electrically actuated valve to terminate the introduction of make up water into the pool; and h. means included in said control means for sensing a third condition in which said control means fails to respond to said second condition and the water level in said sensing tube rises sufficiently to establish a conductive path between said common probe and said overflow probe, said control means including overcurrent breaker means and responding to said third condition by opening said breaker means whereby said control means and said electrically actuated valve are de-energized.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
303 words
A system for automatically maintaining the water level in a swimming pool having a suction line, a pump, and a return line comprising: a. make up water line connecting the pool water to a source of water under pressure; b. a normally closed, electrically actuated valve disposed in said make up water line; c. level sensing chamber positioned with respect to the swimming pool such that a normal range of pool water level falls intermediate the ends thereof, said sensing tube having a fluid sealed lower end, an upper end thereof having a vent aperture for communicating with the atmosphere; d. float means in said sensing tube for closing off said vent aperture when the water therein rises to a level proximate said upper end thereof; e. means placing the interior of said sensing tube in direct liquid communication with said return line; f. a plurality of vertically separated level sensing probes extending into the interior of said sensing tube, said plurality of level sensing probes including at least a lowermost common probe, a low water level probe positioned above said common probe, and a high water level probe positioned above said low water level probe; and g. control means connected to said plurality of probes and to said electrically actuated valve for sensing a first condition in which no conductive path exists between said common probe and said low water level probe and responding to said first condition by energizing said electrically actuated valve to initiate the introduction of make up water into the pool, said control means further sensing a second condition in which a conductive path exists between said common probe and said high water level probe and responding to said second condition by de-energizing said electrically actuated valve to terminate the introduction of make up water into the pool.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
303 words
A system for automatically maintaining the water level in a swimming pool having a suction line, a pump, and a return line comprising: a. make up water line connecting the pool water to a source of water under pressure; b. a normally closed, electrically actuated valve disposed in said make up water line; c. level sensing chamber positioned with respect to the swimming pool such that a normal range of pool water level falls intermediate the ends thereof, said sensing tube having a fluid sealed lower end, an upper end thereof having a vent aperture for communicating with the atmosphere; d. float means in said sensing tube for closing off said vent aperture when the water therein rises to a level proximate said upper end thereof; e. means placing the interior of said sensing tube in direct liquid communication with said return line; f. a plurality of vertically separated level sensing probes extending into the interior of said sensing tube, said plurality of level sensing probes including at least a lowermost common probe, a low water level probe positioned above said common probe, and a high water level probe positioned above said low water level probe; and g. control means connected to said plurality of probes and to said electrically actuated valve for sensing a first condition in which no conductive path exists between said common probe and said low water level probe and responding to said first condition by energizing said electrically actuated valve to initiate the introduction of make up water into the pool, said control means further sensing a second condition in which a conductive path exists between said common probe and said high water level probe and responding to said second condition by de-energizing said electrically actuated valve to terminate the introduction of make up water into the pool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |