Automatic pressurization system for inflated pool enclosure

Claim 2

In a pressure air supply system for an air supported plastic film pool enclosure or the like including an electric motor driven air blower operatively coupled to said enclosure for inflating the enclosure by application of superatmospheric pressure thereto and a power supply energizing said air blower motor, the improvement comprising: means defining an air exhaust path from said enclosure, and an air pressure operated switch operatively positioned with respect to the air exhaust path from said enclosure and having normally open switch contacts which close at a predetermined minimum air flow, and means operatively connecting said switch between said air blower motor and said power supply means; whereby, closure of said switch contacts effects operation of said air blower.

Claim 3

The pressure air supply system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for modulating said air flow within said exhaust path to vary operation of said switch means.

Claim 4

The pressure air supply system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flow path defining means comprises a duct having ends interior and exterior of said enclosure, and a box defines a chamber fluid coupled to said duct exterior of said enclosure, said box includes an air discharge opening leading to the atmosphere, a blade is pivotably mounted within said box and overlies the end of said duct so as to pivot away from said duct opening as a result of air flow acting on said blade and said switch is responsive to inclination of said blade relative to the plane of said duct opening.

Claim 5

The pressure air supply system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a door pivotably mounted on said box adjacent to said box air discharge opening and movable to variably cover said discharge opening to vary the back pressure within said box.

Claim 6

The pressure air supply system as claimed in claim 4, wherein: one end of said blade is pivotably mounted within said box for pivoting about a horizontal axis above said duct opening and said switch comprises a mercury switch and said means for operatively coupling said switch to said blade comprises a bracket fixed to said blade to the side of said blade opposite that of said duct opening.

Claim 7

In a pressure air supply system for supplying superatmospheric air to an air supported plastic film enclosure for a pool or the like underlying said enclosure and including an electric motor driven air blower having its discharge end operatively coupled to said enclosure for inflating the enclosure under superatmospheric air pressure, and an electric power supply for energizing said air blower motor, the improvement comprising: a box defining an air pressure sensing chamber exterior of said enclosure, duct means opening up into an end wall of said box and having its other end underlying the water tube and opening up into said enclosure, a flat sheet metal blade having its upper end pivotably mounted for pivoting about a horizontal axis within said box and its free lower end overlying said duct opening. an inclination responsive switch fixed to said blade on the interior thereof, an air discharge opening within said duct on the wall opposite that of said duct means, and a door pivotably fixed to the said of said box adjacent said opening and movable to variably close off said discharge opening to control the back pressure within said box, and means for electrically connecting said switch to said power supply and to said air blower drive motor, such that the motor is energized when said blade overlies the duct opening and said motor is de-energized when developed air pressure within said enclosure forces said blade to an inclined position with respect thereto.

Claim 8

In a pressure air supply system for supplying superatmospheric air to an air supported plastic film enclosure for a pool or the like underlying said enclosure and including an electric motor driven air blower having its discharge end operatively coupled to said enclosure for inflating the enclosure under superatmospheric air pressure, and an electric power supply for energizing said air blower motor, the improvement comprising: a box defining an air pressure sensing chamber exterior of said enclosure, duct means opening up into an end wall of said box and having its other end underlying the water tube and opening up into said enclosure, a flat sheet metal blade having its upper end pivotably mounted for pivoting about a horizontal axis within said box and its free lower end overlying said duct opening. an inclination responsive switch fixed to said blade on the interior thereof, an air discharge opening within said duct on the wall opposite that of said duct means, and a door pivotably fixed to the said of said box adjacent said opening and movable to variably close off said discharge opening to control the back pressure within said box, and means for electrically connecting said switch to said power supply and to said air blower drive motor, such that the motor is energized when said blade overlies the duct opening and said motor is de-energized when developed air pressure within said enclosure forces said blade to an inclined position with respect thereto.

Claim 9

The pressure air supply system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a screw rotatably carried within said end wall of said box between said duct and said pivot axis with the point of said screw protruding inwardly of said wall and in contact with said blade, such that rotating the screw adjusts the switch closed position of the blade.