Patent ID: 8875731

Claim:
An apparatus for automatically maintaining a predetermined water level in a body of water, wherein the apparatus is communicatively coupled to a circulation system for the body of water by a pipe, said apparatus comprising: a float valve assembly employed as a means to restrict the flow of supply water into a float chamber of said apparatus, wherein the float valve assembly includes a float valve with an armature to actuate said float valve; a ball check valve contained within the float chamber, the float chamber being configured to isolate the pressurized water in the circulation system of the body of water from the water in the float chamber of the apparatus and, after pump operation has ceased, to allow the passage of supply water from the float chamber of the apparatus to the circulation system of the body of water; an elastic outlet conduit connected to the apparatus, wherein the elastic outlet conduit is employed as a means of aiding in extraction of a ball within the ball check valve from a ball seat of the ball check valve, wherein the ball comprises a polymide material of a density near that of water, and wherein said extraction is caused by a momentary suction at an outlet of the float chamber as said elastic outlet conduit returns to its undisturbed shape after pump operation has ceased; a float assembly fully residing within said float chamber and removably coupled to said float valve assembly, the float assembly comprising: (a) a float rod that couples a float to said armature, wherein said float rod allows vertical movement of said float assembly depending on a level of water in said float chamber, wherein said float rod has an upper end and a lower end, wherein said lower end of said float rod is secured to an upper counterweight, and said float is secured to said upper counterweight; (b) a float rod retainer threaded to said upper end of said float rod, wherein said float rod retainer can be unthreaded from said float rod to allow said float assembly to be uncoupled from said float valve assembly and removed from said float chamber; (c) at least one selectively removable spacer ring for adjusting a maximum height of the float with respect to the float valve assembly, wherein the at least one selectively removable spacer ring is placed over said float rod between said float rod retainer and said upper counterweight to directly engage a bottom portion of said armature and change a vertical position where said float assembly activates said armature of said float valve assembly; and (d) a push-lock fitting and at least one flexible supply line employed as a means of connecting said apparatus to a water source.