Fluid level control device and method

A fluid level control device comprising:

• an inlet pipe for communicating with a fluid supply, the inlet pipe having a proximal end adapted for fluid communication with the fluid supply and a distal end dimensioned for fluid communication with a ball valve;
• a ball valve having a hollow valve body, an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and a valve chamber connected in fluid communication between the inlet and outlet apertures, the ball valve further having a ball positioned within the valve chamber and being moveable between an inlet closed and an outlet closed position, the ball being moveable to the inlet closed position in response to a reverse fluid flow from the outlet aperture toward the inlet aperture, the ball moveable to the outlet closed position responsive to a forward fluid flow from the inlet aperture toward the outlet aperture;
• a lever arm having distal and proximate ends separated by a fulcrum pin for pivoting the lever arm about the fulcrum pin, the lever arm having a valve pin formed for extending into the outlet aperture for biasing against the ball, the valve pin having a length dimension sufficient for positioning the ball away from contact with the outlet aperture for permitting fluid flow through the outlet aperture;
• a float pivotally connected to the lever arm proximal end, the float buoyed at a fluid surface level, the float responsive to fluid level changes within a reservoir wherein a level below the desired level causes the float to lower thereby lowering the lever arm proximal end and raising the valve pin in response to the lever arm pivoting about the fulcrum pin thus positioning the ball away from the outlet wall aperture for permitting fluid flow through the outlet aperture into the reservoir;
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• a hollow ballast vessel having a chamber for holding fluid therein, the vessel having a top portion attached to the float for movement coincident with the float while submerged below the float, the vessel further having a bottom portion for pivotal connection to the lever arm proximal end, the vessel providing a dampening of float oscillations resulting from wave action on the fluid surface proximate the float.

A water level control device for maintaining a constant water level in a swimming pool, the device comprising:

• a float assembly housing having side walls, a vented top wall and an apertured bottom wall forming a chamber, the chamber dimensioned for receiving a float and ballast assembly for vertical movement of the assembly within the chamber in response to pool water level changes, the vented top wall and apertured bottom wall permitting free flow of pool water to the chamber while limiting pool water surface wave effects on a water level within the chamber;
• a float positioned within the chamber for vertically slidable movement in response to chamber water level changes;
• a valve housing connected adjacent to the float housing, the valve housing having side, top, and an apertured bottom wall forming an outlet chamber for fluid communication with the pool while preventing turbulence within the pool proximate the float assembly, the top wall adapted for receiving a ball valve assembly;
• a water supply pipe adapted at one end for fluid communication with a water supply and at a second end adapted for connection with a ball valve, the pipe second end in fluid communication with the valve housing outlet chamber;
• a ball valve having a hollow value body, an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and a value chamber connected in fluid communication between the inlet and outlet apertures, the ball valve further having a ball positioned within the valve chamber and being moveable between an inlet closed and an outlet closed position, the ball being moveable to the inlet closed position in response to a reverse fluid flow from the outlet aperture toward the inlet aperture, the ball moveable to the outlet closed position responsive to a forward fluid flow from the inlet aperture toward the outlet aperture;
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• a lever arm having one end pivotally attached to the float assembly and a second end adjacent the ball valve, the lever arm pivotal about a fulcrum pin therebetween, the lever arm further having a valve pin extending from the arm second end, the valve pin dimensioned for passing through the valve outlet aperture for displacing the ball away from the outlet aperture in response to a lowering of the float thus permitting water flow through the outlet wall aperture for raising the pool level, the valve pin moveable out of the aperture in response to a raising float thus placing the ball in the inlet closed position for stopping water flow into the pool while the float is buoyed at a desired water level.

A water level control device for maintaining a constant water level in a swimming pool, the device comprising:

• a tubular valve housing for supporting a valved hose attachment connection;
• a tubular float housing connected adjacent and generally parallel to the first housing, the tubular housing for receiving a float for operation of a valve positioned within the valve housing, the float housing further having apertured wall portions for permitting pool water to flood the housing;
• a tubular float assembly having an air tight float portion affixed atop a flooded ballast portion, the ballast portion positioned below the air tight float portion for dampening float assembly motion resulting from pool water surface wave motion, the float assembly dimensioned for vertically slidable movement within the tubular float housing, the float assembly buoyed by sufficient water level admitted through the float housing wall apertures;
• a ball valve positioned at a lower extreme of the tubular valve housing, the ball valve having upper and lower valve seats for receiving a ball biased against the seat, the ball valve having a ball for free movement between the seats, the ball urged against the lower valve seat by water pressure from a water supply in fluid communication with the hose attachment connection, the ball being moveable to the upper seat in response to reverse water flow from the pool thus preventing water flow into the water supply;
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• a lever arm having one end pivotally attached to the float assembly and a second end adjacent the ball valve lower seat for biasing against the ball seated against the lower valve seat, the lever arm pivotal about a fulcrum pin therebetween, the lever arm one end lowered when the pool water level is lowered thus lowering the float assembly, and raising the second end, the second end moving the ball away from the lower valve seat thus permitting water from the water supply to flow into the pool for raising the pool water level, the pool water level raising to a desired level wherein the float rises thus raising the lever one end, thus lowering the lever second end for permitting the ball to seat within the lower valve seat thus stopping flow from the water supply into the pool.