US 6,718,567 B2 · Swimming pool water level controller

Abstract

A water level controller for a pool has a water level sensor immersed in the pool. A processor detects if the sensor senses low water. A transmitter sends a radio frequency signal to a receiver if the processor detects the low water. The receiver turns on a valve to add water to the pool. The transmitter and processor are contained in a waterproof housing. A main power switch is located internally in the housing, and moves between on and off positions by inverting the housing. A wave filter timer within the processor turns on for a selected interval when the processor detects low water. The receiver has an overfill counter that turns on for a selected interval when the receiver receives the low water signal. The receiver resets the overfill counter prior to reaching the selected count each time that the receiver receives a low water signal.

Claims31

Dependent claims

In an apparatus for controlling water level in a pool, having a water level sensor adapted to be immersed in the pool, a processor electrically connected with the sensor that detects low water in the pool, a wireless transmitter electrically connected with the processor for sending a radio frequency low water signal if the processor detects the low water, a waterproof housing containing the processor, the transmitter, and a battery for powering the processor and the transmitter, and a remote wireless receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter and turning on a valve to add water to the pool, the improvement comprising:

a tilt switch connected between the battery and the processor for supplying power to the processor while in an upright (on) position, the tilt switch being enclosed and sealed within the housing and movable between the on and off position by tilting the housing.

In an apparatus for controlling water level in a pool, having a water level sensor adapted to be immersed in the pool, a processor electrically connected with the sensor that detects low water in the pool, a wireless transmitter electrically connected with the processor for sending a digitally encoded radio frequency low water signal if the processor detects the low water, a waterproof housing containing the processor, the transmitter, and a battery for powering the processor and the transmitter, and a remote receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter and turning on a valve to add water to the pool, the improvement comprising:

a wave filter timer within the processor that turns on for a selected interval when the processor detects low water;
wherein the processor further has means for delaying the transmitter from sending the low water signal until the end of the selected interval and for causing the transmitter to send the low water signal at the end of the selected interval only if the processor continuously detects low water during the entire selected interval;
and
wherein the low water signal sent by the transmitter is a momentary signal.

1 more element

A method for controlling water level in a pool,

securing a water level sensor on the exterior of a housing;
mounting a processor, a transmitter, and a battery in the housing;
placing the housing in a portion of the pool;
mounting a receiver remote from the housing, the receiver being electrically connected to a valve of a water supply source that leads to the pool;
sensing water level of the pool during periodic duty cycles with the sensor at a selected duty cycle rate and communicating the information sensed to the processor, and if the processor detects low water in the pool, starting a fill counter that counts to a selected number;
continuing to sense water level in the pool during periodic duty cycles at the selected duty cycle rate and if the processor receives information from the processor that the water level is no longer low, resetting the fill counter;
if the processor is detecting low water when the counter reaches the selected count, causing the transmitter to send a momentary radio frequency signal;
and
receiving the signal with the receiver and opening the valve to cause water from the water supply source to flow into the pool.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Swimming pool water level controller

Life of this patent

Swimming pool water level controller

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31