MXPA00008323A - Liquid level controller - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid level control system utilizes a sensor that is attached to a fixed support relative to a liquid container and transmits radio-frequency signals to a remotely located liquid supply system depending upon fluctuations in the liquid level. In the context of a swimming pool, the sensor housing is attached to a sidewall of the pool, at the desired water level. A sensor circuit located within the housing floats at the liquid level, and as changes occur, movement of the floating sensor results in the transmission of signals to either activate or deactivate a supply valve that supplies replacement water to the pool. A small opening located at an upper portion of the sensor housing cooperates with the floating sensor to dampen the motion of the sensor, providing a more accurate reading of the liquid level.

Description

CONTROL OF THE LIQUID LEVEL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates in general to the field of liquid containers or containers and, more particularly, to control systems for maintaining a level of liquid within such containers or containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a control valve and a remote sensing system for regulating the level of filling in a pool or similar liquid container.

Description of the Prior Art Modern technology has simplified the problem of keeping a pool full in many ways. The availability of more sophisticated chemical treatments, as well as the use of extractors or dredgers, recirculators, or modern filtration devices, has significantly decreased the manual work required to maintain sanitary and aesthetically pleasing pools. For these technologies to work, however, it is necessary to maintain the water level of a pool within a relatively narrow range.

In the past, he has relied on visual references to maintain the water level inside a pool. After observing a decrease in the water level, replenishment water will be provided, often by manually turning off a water control valve. Since even a slightly low level of water may require a large replenishment volume, domestic water systems may require several hours before the water level has been restored. This temporary factor only makes this task unpleasant, without attention being paid to the resulting total filling, or even worse, the flooding of the surrounding area of the pool. The desire to provide automatic means to maintain the level of water in a pool has been appreciated for some time. Without the need for supervision or manual intervention, the water level of a pool has remained within the maximum and minimum limits required. Systems for verifying and controlling the level of water in a pool or other reservoir of fluid are well known in the art. Most such systems are not suitable for use in the reconversion of underground tanks, which require a significant amount of structural modifications to the pond cover and / or pond walls.

In addition to being difficult to install, such conventional water leveling systems are often expensive to maintain. They frequently include parts "Mobiles that, due to their continuous contact with water, are extremely susceptible to damage caused by fatigue corrosion and the accumulation of calcium and other mineral deposits." Other conventional water leveling systems use floats, which are susceptible to corrosion and failures as a result of the accumulation of calcium and other mineral deposits.The installation of float systems in existing pools usually also requires additional concrete constructions (and destructions) as well as portions of existing pool walls and pool covers. Until recently, the use of electrical sensors in control systems at the water level has encountered resistance in its implementation due to safety considerations, in addition to the problems inherent in the reconversion of a complex sensor and a control unit. of water adjacent to an existing pool, there are also No safety concerns mentioned above with respect to those designs using electrical communication between the sensor and the valve units contro. In this way there is a need for a water level control system for swimming pools that can be installed quickly and cheaply and be maintained in existing pools. An additional advantage would be obtained by using a design that minimizes the chances of electric shock hazards during the operation of the water level controller.

Brief Description of the Invention The present invention provides an automatic liquid regulation system that can be used to maintain a desired level of liquid in a container, such as a desired water level in a pool. A remote sensor is placed in the container / pond, and the combos in the level of liquid in it are verified. At that moment the level of the liquid drops below a desired level, the sensor detects a leak, and transmits a signal to a remotely located supply valve so that it opens and allows the flow of the additional liquid to the container / pond. Once the desired level is reached again, a supplementary signal causes the supply valve to close, ending the filling operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic liquid level regulator that can be easily placed within a liquid container in a form that does not require a particular receiving structure or any connections with an existing power supply. Therefore, the reconversion of a liquid level control system to the existing containers is allowed in a particular way using the sensor of the present invention. A further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic liquid level regulator that can be removably attached to a side wall of a liquid container, such as the side of a conventional ground pool. A further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic liquid level regulator which maintains the level of the liquid within a container, so that a drop in the level of the liquid below a predetermined level results in the activation of a valve of filling to cause the flow of the liquid to the container until it reaches a predetermined level of liquid inside the container, after which the deactivation of the filling valve occurs.

In this regard, an external housing containing the sensor is placed against the side wall of the liquid container. The liquid level sensor is provided with a separate housing that is slidably received within the external housing. The liquid is allowed to enter the external housing after its placement in the container, with the sensor housing "floating" due to the liquid inside the external housing. After placement of the external housing at the level of the liquid within the container, subsequent changes at that level will result in movement of the sensor housing relative to the external housing. Such movement is used in the present invention to activate mechanical switches, which in turn result in the transmission of radio frequency signals to a remotely located supply band. The valve that controls the replenishment of the liquid in the container, and its activation in accordance with the movement of the sensor housing is used in the present invention to automatically control the level of the liquid in the container. The additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side elevation view showing an external housing for a water level detector according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear elevational view, similar to that of Figure 1, showing a joint shape provided for the external housing according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a top plan view, with portions in shaded form, showing an external housing for a water level sensor according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a bottom plan view, similar to that of Figure 3, showing an open bottom provided with an external housing for a water level sensor according to the present invention; Figure 5 is an elevation view, in cross section, showing the interior portions of a water level sensor according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side elevation view, showing a water level sensor, received within the external housing according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a partial side elevational view, in cross section, showing a receiving unit of the water level controller according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a partial representation view showing a remotely located control valve in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 is a partial perspective view, with portions broken away and portions depicted schematically, showing a water level control system according to the present invention; Figure 9A is an enlarged side elevational view, with portions cut away and portions in shaded form, showing the manner in which the water level sensor according to the present invention interacts with the water level existing in a water pool. according to the present invention; Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an alternative liquid level sensor and an external housing according to the present invention; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the alternative housing and sensor of Figure 10 placed to verify a liquid level according to the present invention; and Figure 12 is a partial elevation view, with shaded portions showing the liquid level sensor of Figures 10 and 11 at separate liquid levels according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to the drawings where similar numbers refer to similar parts therethrough. A housing 10 is shown in Figure 1 having a pair of suckers 14 attached to a side side thereof. A reference probe 16 attached to a lateral side of the housing 10 is also shown, the purpose of which is discussed below. In a preferred embodiment so far, the outer housing 10 is cylindrical, and is provided with an upper cover 18 which is attached to and sealing a first end and a lower cover 19 attached to and sealing a second end. A passage of the liquid 22 is formed in the cover 18, allowing the entry of water to another liquid during the operation of the liquid level controller of the present invention. When in the cylindrical shape described in Figure 1 the cylindrical housing 10 is preferably installed within the longitudinal axis in a vertical orientation. Figure 2 illustrates such placement as well as the manner in which the suckers 14 are arranged in an overlapping relationship. Additionally, although this is described in Figures 3 and 4, it is not a requirement that the liquid passage 22 be concentric with the central longitudinal axis. The air pressure balancing function can be obtained as long as the passage of the liquid 22 is formed in the lower cover 19 at any radial location within a wall of the internal housing 26. Figure 5 shows a preferred embodiment so far of a sensor of the water level 32. An energy unit 34 is shown as separable from a transmitter unit 36. A dry cell battery 38 is received within a conventional electrical contact retention clip 42. Allowing the detachment or disconnection of the power supply 34 of transmitting unit 36 greatly simplifies access to dry battery 38 when replacement is required. A pair of power supply conductors 44 communicate electrical power from the dry battery 38 to the transmitting unit 36. It should be understood and appreciated that there are other options for driving the power supplied by the power supply unit 34 to the transmitting unit 36. One such method would be to provide opposing electrical contacts (not shown in the Figures) are in contact with each other at such times when the power unit 34 is completely received within the transmitting unit 36. Other electric ways can be created using known techniques without depart from the teachings of the present invention. To prevent corrosion as well as problems of electrical outages it is preferable that a watertight connection be established between the power supply unit 34 and the transmitting unit 36. Here, too, a number of different connections are possible to obtain such a sealed fit. In Figure 5, a spiral sequence of loosely spaced threads 48 is received within a correspondingly marked cylindrical wall 52 terminating in a replaceable, elastic seal ring 54. The transmitter unit 36 is defined by an external cylindrical wall 62 that it has a vertically oriented receiving groove 64 formed in a side portion thereof. Upon inadvertent entry of the liquid through the receiving groove 64, a flexible groove membrane 65 is attached around the periphery of the receiving groove 54, and extends towards the transmitting unit 36. The pair of opposite electrical contact switches 66a , 66b are attached to the outer wall 62, each in a location adjacent to a separate terminal of the receiving slot 64. In this manner, the pair of contact switches 66a, 66b are vertically superimposed one relative to the other. A pair of electrical connectors 68a, 68b are each connected to a respective one of the pair of contact switches 66a, 66b, and to a transmitting circuit 72. The establishment and / or breaking of an electrical contact by the pair of electrical contact switches 66a66b is communicated by the pair of electrical connectors 68a, 68b to the transmitting circuit 72. The positioning of the water level sensor 32 within the housing 10 is described in Figure 6. The water level sensor 32 is thus positioned for positioning the receiving groove 64 of the outer wall 62 adjacent to the reference probe 16. This in turn allows the axis of the reference probe 28 of the reference probe 16 to be received by the receiving slot 64 and project towards the sensor at the water level 32, while remaining inside the flexible slot membrane 65. The axis of the reference probe 28 extends (within the flexible slot membrane 65) between the pair of contact switches 66a, 66b both of which are provided with a switch contact lever 76 projecting in a direction toward the axis of the reference probe 28. The water level sensor 32 is received within the outer housing 10 in a manner that allows The movement along the lateral axis of the outer housing 10. The receiving groove 64 is sufficiently elongated along the lateral axis of the outer housing 10 to allow movement of the axis of the reference probe 28 in relation to the placement of the sensor of the water level 32. The electrical contact switches 66a, 66b are positioned adjacent the receiving slots 64 in a shape that defines the two transition positions of the switch. A first position results in the deflection of a first contact lever of the switch 76a of the first contact switch 66a, with movement to a second subsequent lateral position which results in the deflection of a second contact lever of the switch 76b of the second switch electrical contact 66b. In this way, changes in the relative position of the inner housing 32 within the outer housing 10 are used to activate one or both of the electrical contact switches 66a, 66b. The activation of the electric switch results in the transmission of a signal from the electrical contact switches 66a, 66b through the electrical connectors 68, to the transmitting circuit 72. A signal is then transmitted (not shown in Figure 6), to be received by the receiving antenna 82 shown in Figure 7. The transmitted signal is then communicated through a receiving wire 84 to a receiving circuit 86 which is located within a receiving housing 88. An energy source 92 provides power to the receiver circuit 86 and one or more activation wires 86 and one or more activation wires 94 are provided (only one assembly is shown in Figure 7) to communicate the activation signals of the receiver circuit 86 to one or more electrical devices (not shown in Figure 7). In Figure 8, there is shown a pair of drive wires 94 terminating in an actuator valve assembly 98. Upon receipt of an electrical signal through the drive wires 94, a solenoid is energized within the drive assembly 98. , producing the movement of a valve assembly 105 to which the solenoid is mechanically linked. A water supply conduit 111 is connected to a first side of the valve assembly 105, with a water discharge conduit 113 connected to a second side thereof. The selective activation of the solenoid 101 by signals provided through the activation wires 94 allows control of water flow through the actuator valve assembly 98 by controlling the positioning of the valve assembly 101. The overall shape in which the controller of the The level of the present invention operates is generally described in Figure 9. A water level controller 121 is shown attached to a side wall 123 of a pool 125. The water in the pond 127 forms a water level 131. The controller of the water level 121 is thus located on the side wall of the pond 123 so that when the desired water level is reached 131, the axis of reference probe 28 is between the pair of switch contact levers 76 without activating either (see Figure 9a). After the change in water level 131, for example, a run due to evaporation of pond water 127, the water level sensor 32 moves down into the outer housing 18 (shown in shaded form as the unit). transmitter 36b in Figure 9a). this in turn results in the axis of the reference sonar 28 contacting the upper contact lever 76a. the transmitting circuit 72 produces the activation of the solenoid 101 and the valve assembly 105 of the valve assembly of the actuator 98 generates a radio frequency signal 135. The opening of the valve assembly 105 then allows the water in the supply conduit water 11 flows out from the water discharge conduit 113 to the pool 125. When the water continues to flow into the pool 125, the water level 131 will rise, resulting in a rise of the water level sensor 32 within the housing external 10 of the water level controller 121.

The axis of the reference probe 28, which is attached to the o housing 10, will move from its position adjacent to the contact lever of the upper switch 76a, until the continuous increase of the water level 131 results in a deflection of the contact lever of the lower switch 76b, and the subsequent generation of another radio frequency signal 135. Upon receipt of this second signal, the solenoid 101 is activated again, this is the time to close the valve assembly 105 and interrupt the flow of water through the valve assembly of the actuator 98 and through the water discharge conduit 113. Then water is no longer supplied to the pool 125 until a decrease in the water level 131 causes this activation cycle to start again. Since the transmitter unit oscillates between the maximum and minimum water levels, the distance traveled (shown as the reference letter A) is equal to the distance between the axis distance of the reference probe 28 runs between the pair of levers of switch contact 76a, 76b (shown as reference letter B). The manner in which the water level sensor 32 fits inside the o housing 10, and the absence of the air passage in the upper cover 18 is to make use of the present invention as a shock absorber. Resisting the instantaneous movement of the water level sensor 32, caused by the movement of the swimmers and the like, the present invention decreases the "false alarm" responses to temporary changes in the water level. In a preferred embodiment so far, the transmitter circuit is provided with a timer circuit that terminates the transmission of a signal after an appropriate period of time. Specifically, once the signal is sent to the receiving unit, it will continue for only a short period of time to ensure its reception, and then it will end. Continuing this signal as long as the switch contact lever remains depressed will result in a more rapid depletion of the battery. Once the pond has been filled, the other contact of the switch will be pressed, sending a new signal that will interrupt the water line. This is then given on time. In a preferred embodiment, the o housing 10 is made of a transparent polycarbonate and the o wall of the inner housing of lightweight plastic tubing. A preferred dimension so far of the o housing is 6"to 8" (15.24 cm to 20.32 cm) in length and 2"(5.08 cm) in diameter.The internal water level sensor has dimensions of 4" to 6" (10.16 cm to 15.24 cm), with a diameter of approximately l3 / 4"(4.45 cm) to allow its reception by sliding inside the external housing. The axis of the reference area 28 of the reference probe 16 preferably projects inwardly a distance of about 1/2"(1.27 cm) .When dimensioned thus, suction cups of 1" (2.54 cm) in diameter are sufficient for maintain the placement of the water level controller 121 on the wall of the pond or pool. A receiver slot 64 having dimensions of 1" (2.54 cm) in length per 1/4"(0.64 cm) is suitable for such construction as described above, and electrical contact connectors such as the Model # 275-016A micro-switch manufactured by Radio Shack - Tandy Corporation of Fort Worth, Texas, has proven to be effective, even if other switches are acceptable. A combined transmitter circuit and receiver unit, such as Radio Shack product number 61-2667A, provides an emitter and receiver that are sufficient for most installations. A 12-volt battery, such as the Radio Shack # 23-144 battery can provide power for such a circuit. An actuator valve shaft 98, such as one having a solenoid and a valve, Model No. L 7010 by J.H.

Hardie Irrigation of El Paso, Texas, is currently preferred, although other analogous units are well known in the art. In certain environments, the contact switches 66a, 66b, (Figures 5 and 6) may have problems when electrical contact is created and interrupted during operation. An alternative design shown in Figure 10 uses sealed switches that are operated by a X. magnetic field to greatly simplify the operation of the liquid level sensor. In an outer case 150 a magnet 153 is provided which is attached to a first lateral side 154 thereof. A cushion opening 155 is formed on an upper surface 157 of the outer case 150, with an access opening (not shown) provided opposite it to allow placement of a sensor circuitry 161 within the outer case 150. A sealed access cover 162 is attached to the sensor circuitry 161 housing to create a A liquid-tight seal, which protects a sensor circuit 163 that is located within the sensor circuitry housing 161. Included as part of the sensor circuit 163 is an electrical battery 165 that provides electrical power to drive the circuit.

Included in the sensor circuit 163 is an identical or analogous transmitter unit which was described under the numeral 36 in Figures 5 and 6. The sensor circuit 163 also includes a pair of magnetic tongue switches 131. The interaction between the magnet 153 on the outer case 150 and the pair of magnetic tongue switches 171 is best explained with reference to Figure 11. As is well known in the art, the magnetic tongue switches 171 consist of a pair of electric wires 175a, 175b which are together within a sealed glass envelope 177. Turning now to Figure 11, when the magnetic tongue switch 171 is brought into the environment of the magnet 153, the pair of electrical wires 175a, 175b makes electrical contact with each other. . When the magnetic tongue switch 171 is removed from the immediate environment of the magnet 153, the pair of electric wires 175a, 175b separate from each other, interrupting the electrical contact. In operation, as shown in Figure 12, a liquid level controller 181 is attached to one side of a liquid container, such as the side wall of the pool 125. The magnet 153 is attached in a fixed position to the outer case 150. The sensor circuitry 161 housing (not shown in Figure 12) floats within the outer case 150, with the relative positions of the sensor circuit 163 and the magnet 153 depending on the fluctuation of the liquid level within the container. The damping opening 155 cooperates with the floating sensor so as to dampen the movement of the sensor within the outer case 150. Such damping provides a more accurate indication of the level of liquid, and allows the sensor to discard momentary fluctuations in that level of liquid. With the outer case 150 fixedly attached to the side wall 123, it results in a decrease in the level of the liquid in the sensor circuit 163 moving downward relative to the magnet 153, bringing up one of the magnetic tongue switches 171, causing the electrical contact to be established, which in turn results in the transmission of an activation signal to the actuator valve assembly (not shown in Figure 12). When the level of liquid rises, for example after the start of a filling operation, the upper part of one of the magnetic tongue switches 171 is more distant from the magnet 153, while the lowermost of the electric tongue switches 171 it eventually remains adjacent to the magnet 153, resulting in the generation and transmission of yet another signal, against the activation of the valve of the actuator, ending the filling operation. My invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, which provides an improved water level controller for swimming pools - or indeed any application where the control of the liquid level is important, ie of greater novelty 'and utility. Various changes, modifications and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications.

Claims (12)

CHAPTER CLAIMEDICATORÍO Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content is claimed in the following CLAIMS:

1. A sensor for detecting changes in a level of a liquid maintained within a reservoir, characterized in that it comprises: an external housing having a pair of openings formed therein; an internal sensor housing slidably received within the external housing, the internal sensor housing is in fluid communication with the liquid through one of the pair of openings in the outer housing when the external housing is placed inside and attached to a fixed support within the reservoir; a fixed position actuator attached to the outer housing in such a way that it interengages with the internal sensor housing after changes in the position of the internal sensor housing within the external housing; a receiver attached to the internal sensor housing operable after the intercoupling with the fixed position indicator; and a signal generator received within the internal sensor housing and in electrical communication with the receiver.

The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed position actuator comprises an axis attached to and projecting from the internal surface of the external housing.

The sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that the receiver comprises a pair of mechanical contact switches.

The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed position actuator comprises a magnet attached to a lateral surface of the external housing.

5. The sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that the receiver comprises a magnetic tongue switch.

The sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that the pair of magnetic tongue switches are provided at vertically spaced locations within the inner sensor housing.

7. The sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that the signal generator comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

8. A liquid regulator for maintaining a level of liquid in a reservoir, characterized in that it comprises: a self-energized sensor attached to a first place within the reservoir at an elevation therein that corresponds to a desired liquid level for the reservoir; and a liquid filler in communication by radio frequency with the sensor and in fluid communication with the reservoir, because the sensor controls the operation of the liquid filler to thereby maintain the desired fluid level.

The liquid regulator according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor comprises a two-piece, nested housing, a two-piece housing, with an internal housing slidably received and floating inside the external housing when the sensor it is partially submerged in the reservoir.

The liquid regulator according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a rigid probe attached to the external housing of the sensor, and a pair of mechanical switches that reside inside the internal housing, where the probe is received and is integrated into the switch Mechanical in a form that results in the actuation of the switch after a preselected degree of relative movement between the internal and external housings of the sensor.

11. The liquid regulator according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a magnet attached to the external housing and a pair of electrical magnetic response switches attached to the internal housing, the magnet and the electrical switches are interactively placed one in relation to the another, so that the activation of the commutator results in changes in the liquid level of the reservoir, as reflected by • the relative movement between the internal and external housings.

12. A water level regulator for a pool, characterized in that it comprises: a self-energized sensor selectively attached to one side of the pool at a level corresponding to a water level desired for the pool; and a water supply valve in radio frequency communication with the sensor in a form that results in selective activation thereof in response to variations in the water level.