Abstract:
The specification and drawing figures describe and show an adjustable water level controller that includes a stanchion. The stanchion is mounted to a base. A sleeve is included that is movably adjustable on the stanchion. A water delivery device is attached to the sleeve. The base and stanchion are rotationally positioned in relationship to the sleeve to achieve the proper water level in a container in which the adjustable water level controller is positioned.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part from a application Ser. No. 11/091,284, entitled ADJUSTABLE WATER LEVEL CONTROLLER filed on Mar. 28, 2005 now abandoned (“Parent Application”). The specification of the pending application is incorporated by reference into this document. 
    
    
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     The apparatus and method disclosed, illustrated and claimed in this document pertain generally to controlling a desired depth and level of water within a container. More particularly, the new and useful water level controller disclosed and claimed in this document is capable of maintaining water within a container associated with an evaporative air conditioner at a desired or predetermined height or depth within the container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In hot, dry climates such as the high altitude desert southwest region of the United States many buildings, including homes and offices, often are cooled by an air conditioning system that uses forced air and water to lower the ambient temperature in the building by approximately fifteen to twenty degrees Fahrenheit. This technique of evaporative cooling to achieve lower temperatures is achieved by a mechanical unit often referred to as an evaporative air conditioner, evaporative cooler, or “swamp cooler” (collectively in this document, “evaporative air conditioner”). 
     A type of conventional evaporative air conditioner is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , also marked “Prior Art.” As shown in  FIG. 6 , an evaporative air conditioner operates by forcing outside air through water soaked pads into a building. Cooled air is directed into the building by a motor, usually electric, that rotates a fan that in turn distributes the cooled air throughout the building through a duct system. During operation, water soaked pads installed in the evaporative air conditioner are continuously moistened by a water pump. The water pump generally is placed in or adjacent to a reservoir or container at the bottom of the evaporative air conditioner (collectively, “container”). Through one or more flexible tubes connected to the pump, which in turn is connected to a source of water that usually is exterior to the evaporative air conditioner, the pump delivers water to the top of the pads located in the evaporative air conditioner. Gravity draws the water downward through the pads and back into the container. 
     A conventional evaporative air conditioner is designed to re-circulate most of the water used during the air conditioning process. A percentage of water, however, is lost to evaporation, leakage, and overflow. Lost water must be replaced to maintain constant dampness in the pads. Thus, the container in an evaporative air conditioner must maintain a substantially constant water level to supply the pump with appropriate water to circulate through the system, and to apply the necessary amount of water to the pads. 
     The principles of operation associated with the evaporative air conditioner are illustrated in  FIG. 6 , and provide a comparatively low-cost, low-technology alternative to what is known as refrigerated air conditioning. Fresh outside air is pulled through moist pads where it is cooled by evaporation and circulated through a building. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , an evaporative air conditioner includes a fan within a blower unit. Moist pads are located in front of the blower. The fan draws warm outside air through the pads and blows the cooled air through the building. Comparatively small distribution lines supply water to the top of the pads. Water soaks the pads as it trickles through the pads by gravity to a monolithic container at the bottom of the evaporative air conditioner. A recirculating water pump directs collected water in the container back to the top of the pads. 
     However, because water is continuously lost to evaporation, a conventional float valve adds water to the container as the water level in the container declines. An evaporative air conditioner may use between 3 and 15 gallons of water per day. The conventional float valve, as explained in this document, has many limitations because the float valve system is essentially fixed in a wall of the evaporative air conditioner as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The water level controller disclosed, illustrated and claimed in this document overcomes the limitations of the conventional float valve that is rigidly attached to and/or through a wall of an evaporative air conditioner. 
     Generally, as indicated, water level in the container of an evaporative air conditioner is maintained by a conventional float assembly. In general, a conventional float assembly includes a valve or other water delivery device that allows fresh water to be added to the amount of water being re-circulated through the evaporative air conditioner. As water rises or falls within the container, a float opens or closes the water delivery system, adjusting the water flow into the evaporative air conditioner. 
     The conventional water delivery device and the float are both difficult to replace and maintain during operation because they are usually attached to the metal frame or wall of an evaporative air conditioner, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In addition, corrosion and calcium from the water build up on both the float and the water delivery device, making it difficult to remove or replace the water delivery device and the float during routine maintenance. Indeed, constant adjustment is required to maintain a proper water level in the container, and to thereby maintain a proper amount of water delivered to the pads. Too much water, for example, may result in spillage of water from the container. Too little water, however, causes the cooling affect of the evaporative air conditioner to cease, and can lead to a total malfunction of the pump. Also a lever arm connects the conventional float to the water delivery system. Bending the arm that connects the valve to the water delivery system is generally the only means for adjusting the float in an effort to maintain the proper amount and level of water requisite for normal functioning of an evaporative air conditioner. Accordingly, accurate adjustment is difficult. Accurate adjustment of the float requires a user of an evaporative air conditioner to constantly monitor the level of water in the container. This is made even more difficult in areas where the evaporative air conditioners are located on roofs of buildings. Failure to frequently adjust the lever aim causes overflow from the container of an evaporative air conditioner often creates ugly stains on roofs because of calcium and other chemicals and minerals in the water, and may cause leakage into the building through the roof, particularly where “pueblo style” flat roofed homes and buildings are popular. 
     A need exists in the industry, therefore, for a new and useful adjustable water level controller that is easy to install in an evaporative air conditioner, easy to maintain and repair, and which maintains the proper water level within the container of an evaporative air conditioner. In addition, the need exists in the industry for a water level controller that allows a user to avoid the need to check water levels during operation, and avoids spillage and leakage from the container. In addition, a need exists for a water level controller that can be stored during seasons in which the evaporative air conditioner is not running, may be used with any sized or dimensioned evaporative air conditioner, and eliminates the need to bend or otherwise distort components associated with an evaporative air conditioner in order to achieve and maintain a proper amount and level of water within an evaporative air conditioner system. 
     SUMMARY 
     The adjustable and removable water level controller includes a support stand. The support stand includes a base that is positionable in the container of an evaporative air conditioner. A stanchion is mounted on the base. A sleeve is provided that is variably positionable on the stanchion. Both the stanchion and the sleeve may be threaded for threadable engagement of the sleeve on the stanchion. Alternatively, a positionable sleeve may be provided for positioning the sleeve on a non-threaded stanchion. A float assembly also is included. The float assembly includes a water delivery device that is attached to the sleeve. The water delivery device is connectable to a flexible hose through which water may flow through the water level controller from a water source. In addition, the float assembly includes a lever arm to which is attached a float. 
     It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and utilities. The structure and co-operation of structure of the adjustable water level controller will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, drawing figures, and appended claims. 
     The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important features of the invention to better understand the detailed description that follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. The adjustable water level controller is not limited in application to the details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components, provided in the following description or drawing figures, but is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of description, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions. Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended neither to define the adjustable water level controller, which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims. The novel features of the adjustable water level controller are best understood from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  of the drawing is a perspective view of the adjustable water level controller; 
         FIG. 2  shows the adjustable water level controller in an operative environment of an evaporative air conditions; 
         FIG. 3  shows the water delivery system; 
         FIG. 4A  shows an embodiment of the stanchion of the adjustable water level controller and one embodiment of the sleeve of the adjustable water level controller; 
         FIG. 4B  show another embodiment of the stanchion and another embodiment of the sleeve of the adjustable water level controller; 
         FIG. 5A  shows another embodiment of the stanchion of the adjustable water level controller and one embodiment of the sleeve of the adjustable water level controller; 
         FIG. 5B  shows an embodiment of the stanchion of the adjustable water level controller and another embodiment of the sleeve of the adjustable water level controller; and 
         FIG. 6  shows one example of the major components of an evaporative air conditioner, and is marked “Prior Art.” 
     
    
    
     To the extent that the numerical designations in the drawing figures include lower case letters such as “a,b” such designations include multiple references, and the letter “n” in lower case such as “a-n” is intended to express a number of repetitions of the element designated by that numerical reference and subscripts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Definitions 
     As used in this document, the term “float assembly” means the combination of a water delivery device, a lever arm connectable to the water delivery device, and a buoyant float attachable to the lever arm. 
     The term “adjustable” as used in this document in conjunction with the water level controller means that a float assembly included with the water level controller may be repositioned along a stanchion also included with the water level controller to achieve and maintain a desired depth of water within the container of an evaporative air conditioner. 
     The term “removable” as used in this document in conjunction with the water level controller means that the entire apparatus of the water level controller is not affixed to any member or component of an evaporative air conditioner. Rather, because the water level controller is made of materials that are not buoyant in water, the water level controller may be placed by hand in the water of a container of an evaporative air conditioner, and removed by hand from the water of a container of an evaporative air conditioner, thus making the water level controller positionable and repositionable within the container of an evaporative air conditioner, relocatable within the container, and removable, all without application or use of any tools to insert the water level controller into the container, remove the water level controller from the container, or to place the water level controller anywhere within the container, 
     Description 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5B , an adjustable water level controller  10  is provided. In its broadest context, adjustable water level controller  10  includes a base  12 , a stanchion  14 , a sleeve  16 , and a float assembly  18 . 
     More specifically, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , adjustable water level controller  10  includes base  12 . Base  10  is removably positionable in evaporative air conditioner  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , evaporative air conditioner  20  includes a reservoir or container (collectively, “container”)  22 . As shown, base  12  is not designed to be fixed or attached to evaporative air conditioner  20 . Rather, base  12  is manufactured of a material that is resistant to flotation in water, and is sufficiently heavy to rest in any amount of water held by container  22  of evaporative air conditioner  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , base  12  is circular, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , base  12  is another shape or configuration. As will be evident to one skilled in the art, the shape of base  12  is not a limitation of adjustable water level controller  10 . 
     In the embodiment shown by cross-reference between FIGS.  1  and  5 A- 5 B, base  12  includes means  24  for mounting stanchion  14  to base  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B , stanchion  14  is formed with a proximal end  26  and a distal end  28 . As also shown, distal end  28  of stanchion  14  is formed with attaching threads  24 . In addition, base  12  is formed with a chamber  32 . Chamber  32  is further formed with mateable interior threads  38 . As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, attaching threads  24  on stanchion  14  are removably engageable with interior threads  38  in chamber  32  of base  12  for connecting base  12  and stanchion  14 . 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4B and 5B , stanchion  14  is formed with exterior threads  34  between distal end  28  and proximal end  26  of stanchion  14 . As also shown, sleeve  16  is formed with a bore  36 . Bore  36  is provided for variably positioning sleeve  16  on stanchion  14 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4A , bore  36  is formed with interior threads  37 . Exterior threads  34  on stanchion  14  are formed for mateable threadability with interior threads _ 37  of bore  36 . As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, exterior threads  34  of stanchion  14  and interior threads  37  permit a user to locate sleeve  16  at a predetermined or desired height on stanchion  14 . 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4A and 5B , stanchion  14  does not include exterior threads  34 . As shown, stanchion  14  is formed with a substantially smooth exterior surface  40 . Likewise, bore  36  may be formed with an interior surface  42  (not shown) that is substantially smooth. Sleeve  16  includes a wall  44 . Wall  44  is formed with an opening  46  as best shown in  FIG. 5B . A setscrew  48  is rotationally insertable and removable through opening  46  in wall  44  of sleeve  16 . Setscrew  48  is designed for engagement of setscrew  48  against exterior surface  40  of stanchion  14  and, when tightened, holds sleeve  16  in the desired position on stanchion  14 . 
     Accordingly, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that neither a threaded stanchion nor a threaded sleeve is limitations of adjustable water level controller  10 . Sleeve  16  may be selected from a group of sleeves consisting of depth stops, nuts positionable by finger tightening, self-adjusting and self-tightening nuts, clamps, and stoppers. One example of a depth stop that may be used as sleeve  16  as shown in  FIG. 5B  is manufactured by The MIBRO Group, Buffalo, N.Y. 14225 under the registered trademark MIBRO INDUSTRIAL®. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , adjustable water level controller  10  includes a float assembly  18 . As shown, float assembly  18  includes a water delivery device  50 . Water delivery device  50  is attachable to sleeve  16 . As will be evident to one skilled in the art, water delivery device  50  may be attached to sleeve  16  by any number of means  52  for attaching water delivery device  50  to sleeve  16 . Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , means  52  is a nut  54 . However, means  52  for attaching water delivery device  50  to sleeve  16  may include means  52  selected from the group of attaching means  52  consisting of clamps, brackets, soldered joints, carriages, cases, drums, rings and jackets. 
     Float assembly  18  also includes, as perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a hollow tube  56  formed in water delivery device  50 . Water delivery device  50  also includes at least one plug  58 . Plug  58  is slidably movable within hollow tube  56  for regulating fluid communication through water delivery device  50 . More specifically, at least one plug  58  is reciprocably moveable within hollow tube  56 . Water delivery device  50  also includes a lever arm  60 . Lever arm  60  is formed with a lever extension  62 . Lever extension  62  is locatable in water delivery device  50  for reciprocating movement of the at least one plug  58  along the longitudinal axis through the center of hollow tube  56 . The opposing end  64  of lever arm  60  holds a substantially hollow housing  66 . Substantially hollow housing  66  may be a float  68 . Float  68  is removably attachable to opposing end  64  of lever arm  60 . 
     In operation, adjustable water level controller  10  as shown in  FIG. 2 , is located in container  22  of evaporative air conditioner  20 . As installed, water delivery device  50  is attached to sleeve  16  of adjustable water level controller  10 . Further, stanchion  14  has been inserted into base  12  of adjustable water lever controller  10 . The level in water in container  22  of evaporative air conditioner  20  is either prescribed by the manufacturer of evaporative air conditioner  20 , or predetermined by the user of adjustable water level controller  10 . The user is able to set the height of float assembly  18  in relationship to the water level in container  22  at a predetermined height. The proper positioning of float assembly  18  on stanchion  14  that is attached to base  12  is achieved by rotating base  12  within sleeve  16  to adjust the level of sleeve  16  on stanchion  14 . When the proper positioning of sleeve  16  on stanchion  14  is achieved, base  12  may be inserted in container  22 . Float assembly  18  may be activated by connecting water delivery device  50  of float assembly  18  to a source of water. As shown in  FIGS. 4A-5B , a level indicator line  70  may be scribed by a user at the level of water desired in connection with the particular container  22  of evaporative air conditioner  20 . As also shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 4A and 4B , additional water level indicators  70 ′, shown as numbers arranged on stanchions  14 ′ and  14 ″, may be placed on stanchions  14 ′ and  14 ″. The numbers arranged on stanchions  14 ′ and  14 ″ may refer to inches, centimeters, or arbitrary water levels. In addition, sleeve  16  may be formed with a level view window  72  as shown in  FIG. 4B . As will be evident to one skilled in the art, level view window  72  provides an alternative method for adjusting sleeve  16  on stanchion  14 ″ to a desired height on stanchion  14 ″ viewed through level view window  72 . 
     As will be evident to one skilled in the art, operation and installation of adjustable water level controller  10  does not require forming orifices or holes in container to permit water flow from container. In operation of adjustable water level controller  10  it also is unnecessary to use nuts and screws on the lever or lever extension to preset the buoyant valve. Further, it is not necessary to bend lever arm or provide special adjustment devices such as springs to adjust the buoyant float in relationship to water in the container. 
     The adjustable water level controller shown in drawing  FIGS. 1 through 5B  is shown in at least one embodiment, but the embodiments are not intended to be exclusive, merely illustrative of the disclosed but non-exclusive embodiments. Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Claim elements and steps have been numbered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and steps in the claims. Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function that include not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents, in the environment of the subject matter of this document a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. 
     Method steps may be interchanged sequentially without departing from the scope of the claims. 
     Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function that include not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.