Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Field of the Invention 
   This device relates to adding chemicals to a swimming pool by a mechanical means on an automatic schedule. 
   B. Prior Art 
   The maintenance of a pool requires among other things proper chemical levels. The pool owner is very familiar with checking chlorine and acid levels in the pool and physically adding the appropriate chemicals to maintain the proper balance to the swimming pool water. A proper balance of chemicals will provide maximum comfort for the user of the pool as well as reduced maintenance for the pool owner. 
   In order to maintain proper chemical levels other devices have been patented to monitor the appropriate levels and add chemicals as needed. 
   Representative examples include Leaders, U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,164, Steininger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,154 and Lorenzen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,250. 
   These devices monitor pool chemical levels in a variety of different fashions and automatically dispense chemicals into the pool. However, the instant invention achieves that result in a much simpler fashion in a way not contemplated by the prior inventions. This device monitors the pool water for proper chemical balance and is equipped to add chemicals automatically to the pool. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This is a device is an automatic chemical dispenser for swimming pools. Although many different chemical levels should be maintained, proper chlorination of a pool is perhaps the most basic and most important. 
   In this device, granulated chlorine is inserted into a chamber, and liquid chlorine is in another chamber, which is encapsulated on top of a base. 
   The chlorine is stored in these chambers until it is time to enter the pool. The device detects the level of chlorine in the pool and when appropriate will allow an appropriate amount of liquid chlorine to be injected into the pool&#39;s water through a valve. A vibrator will help the granulated chlorine fall. Granulated chlorine will leave a holding chamber and enter a mixing chamber. The chlorine will be mixed with pool water in the mixing chamber and be allowed to reenter the pool. Appropriate parameters and presets can be entered by the pool owner so that the addition of needed chemicals is automatic. Although chlorine has been specifically mentioned, all chemical levels can be monitored and the appropriate chemicals may be added with this device. 
   Electrical power and associated monitoring equipment also allows the unit to monitor the pH level in the pool. This is a device that can be used for most pools. A monitor and key pad allow for most chemicals that are needed to be supplied to a pool. Additionally, the device is equipped with a timer so you can swim all day and then add your chlorine to the pool when everyone is in bed. 
   Additionally, the unit allows for a winter and a summer cycle. During the winter cycle less chemicals are needed due to the cold weather and lack of pool use and the fewer amount of light hours. However, during the summer, the need for chemicals will increase due to the effects of sunlight, increased temperature and increased use. 
   It is the object of this invention to make the monitoring and addition of chemicals into pools as automatic as possible. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a isometric view of the device. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the device according to line  2 - 2  on  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of the device. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic of the flow of water and chemicals in a pool system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the outside of this device  10  with all external fittings, monitoring equipment and access to various points to add chemicals. 
   The device  10  rests on a base  19 . An exterior shell covers the interior workings of this particular device. It is anticipated that the choice of materials used in the construction of the device will be plastic. The device  10  will rest on a base  19  preferably out of view from the pool user and in close proximity to the pool filtering equipment. 
   On the exterior surface of the shell are three lines: the intake  17 , the outlet  25  and the drain line  18 . This device allows the addition of chemicals after the water has passed through the filtering equipment  64 . Water travels from the pool via the main drain line  61  and skimmer port lines  62  to the pool pump  63 . The pump  63  forces the water through the main filtering equipment  64  of the pool. 
   The water then flows through this device  10  by means of the intake  17  and piping  68  from the filtering equipment and allows the monitoring of chemical levels via remote sensors  70  located at predetermined locations in the pool—as well as the addition of chemicals, if needed. 
   The water exits the unit through the outlet  25  and is allowed to reenter the pool through the piping  65  for that purpose. A drain line  67  is provided from the filtering equipment  64  as well as the drain outlet of the device  18  to allow the water to be drained, if needed. 
   The outlet  25  from the device directs the monitored water and possibly water that is mixed with chemicals into the pool. If chemicals are added after that cycle is complete the remaining water left in the mixing chamber is drained out of the system via the drain line  18  and connected to the drain line from the pool filtering equipment  67 . 
   A monitor  15  and keypad  16  on the outside of the shell to monitor the chemical levels and let the owner decide the day and time of the week to add granulated chlorine to the pool is provided. 
   A moisture collector  14 , which is probably a packet of desiccation material that is commonly found in the prior art, is placed in a cavity adjacent to the granulated chlorine chamber and is used to absorb moisture so that the chlorine does not harden within the chamber  13 . The moisture collector cavity  14  is located slightly above the monitor  15  and keypad  16  and is accessible from the outside of the device to change the packet of drying material. 
   On the top of the device is a lid for the granulated chlorine  6  and a lid for liquid chlorine  7  and the other chemicals  12 . Beneath the respective lids are the granulated chlorine chamber  13  and the liquid chlorine chamber  30  and other chemical chambers  28 . Each of the chambers is separate from each other. 
   Granulated chlorine is inserted into the chlorine chamber  13  and converted into a liquid when it is mixed with the pool water as it enters the device via the intake line  17 . Liquid chlorine is inserted into chlorine chamber  30  and can be injected at any time into the discharge line  25  to the pool. 
   The chemical chambers  28  are used to release various other chemicals into the pool. Other chemicals may include acid, buffers or chemicals to impede scaling. 
     FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the device and shows the interior parts of this unit, including the chlorine chambers  13 ,  30 . The granulated chlorine chamber  13  is connected at the top or first end to the granulated chlorine chamber lid  6 . 
   At the bottom of the granulated chlorine chamber  13  is a valve,  22 , which allows granulated chlorine to pass from the holding chamber  13  to the mixing chamber  21 . A vibrator  40  is provided to assist the granulated chlorine to travel into the mixing chamber  21  through the valve  22 . Pool water enters the mixing chamber  21  and allows the granulated chlorine to be appropriately mixed prior to entering the pool. The mixing chamber  21  allows the granulated chlorine to be mixed with the water from the filter and distributed into the pool first through a valve  81  and through the outlet line  25  to the pool. The liquid chlorine chamber  30  is connected at the top or first end of the liquid chlorine lid  7 . At the bottom of the liquid chlorine chamber  30  is a valve  80 , which allows liquid chlorine to be injected directly into the pool water through line  25 . 
   In addition, other valves  26  in the chemical chambers  28  may also let other chemicals to be mixed into the pool water and enter the pool via the outlet line  25  from this device. 
   After the chlorinating cycle is complete the mixing chamber  21  needs to be emptied of the remaining water. At the bottom of the mixing chamber a valve  27  is positioned to empty the contents of the mixing chamber  21 . A small pump  24  with an appropriate power source is provided to empty the mixing chamber contents through a discharge line  18 . 
   A power source to operate the vibrator  40  on the granulated chlorine chamber, chemical mixing valves  26 ,  80 , pump  24  and valves  27 ,  22 ,  81  is also provided. The power source is likely to be alternating current  25  but may be a plurality of batteries as well. An appropriate controller  23  as well as all necessary electrical connections is provided to monitor the chemical levels and control distribution of the chemicals and the flow of water through the system is provided. 
   It is contemplated that the device  10  will be made out of non-corrosive durable material such as hard plastic. The shell should be constructed so that the interior contents of the device are well protected. Other materials may be used depending on the cost of the particular material. 
   SECOND EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 3  represents the pool chemical monitor, which administers only granulated chlorine into a pool. The monitoring key pad and timer,  15 ,  16  are identical to the first embodiment. An access  1  to the chlorine chamber  3  is provided as well as a moisture collector  37 . 
   Water enters the device through the intake line  33  and a valve (not depicted) controls the distribution of granulated chlorine into the mixing chamber  32 . The chlorine is mixed and then exits the device to return to the pool through the outlet line  34 . Because the contents of the mixing chamber  32  need to be emptied a valve  43  with a pump  36  has been installed for that purpose. It is anticipated that a pump  36  is used to empty the contents of the mixing chamber  32  through the discharge line  35 . 
   An appropriate controller  38  to let granulated chlorine enter the pool at a pre-determined time is also provided as well as all needed electrical connections. This unit is also powered by alternating electrical current  20  but direct current may be used in certain circumstances. 
   An access panel  31  allows the user of the device to obtain access to the inner workings of the device.

Technology Category: 0