Pool Water Level Control with Evaporation Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swimming pools in high-heat environments experience significant water evaporation, leading to increased water costs and resource depletion, particularly in areas with high water prices and limited resources.
Innovation Solution
An integrated pool water flow and storage system that includes a water level sensor, a first storage tank underneath the pool, a second storage tank, and an automatic water level control system with processors to manage water flow between the pool, storage tanks, and other water sources, using a network connection for intelligent water management based on weather and evaporation data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is continuously pumped from storage tank to pool to compensate evaporation, then water level in pool is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs water level sensors that continuously monitor the pool water level and provide feedback to the control system. When the water level drops below a threshold due to evaporation, the controller automatically activates the pump to transfer water from the storage tank to the pool. This feedback-based control ensures water level maintenance while minimizing unnecessary pump operation and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the pool to self-regulate its water level by integrating evaporation data from weather services with real-time sensor measurements. The controller autonomously determines when water transfer is needed based on calculated evaporation rates, allowing the system to compensate for evaporation losses without continuous manual intervention while optimizing pump operation timing.
2Productivity
If multiple storage tanks and sensors are integrated to manage water flow, then water management efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it monitors water levels via sensors, receives and processes evaporation data from weather services, calculates net water loss, controls pump operation, and manages water transfer between tanks. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single integrated controller, improving efficiency while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the storage tank, pump, sensors, and control electronics into an integrated water management system. The control unit combines evaporation data processing, sensor data analysis, and pump control functions into a single coordinated system, allowing efficient water management while reducing the need for separate independent components and simplifying overall system architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces water evaporation by automatically replenishing the pool with stored water, minimizing water loss and costs, while also managing water distribution for irrigation and household use during dry seasons.
Implementation Method 1
a water level sensor for measuring at least threshold levels for a maximum evaporation level and for a maximum overflow level for water in the swimming pool, a water level sensor in the first water storage tank for measuring a water level in the first water storage tank
Implementation Method 2
a water pump operatively coupled to the first water storage tank... send signals to the water pump to pump water from the first water storage tank to the pool when the water level sensor detects a water level at or below the maximum evaporation level
Implementation Method 3
In high-heat environments, swimming pools can lose significant amounts of water due to evaporation... send signals to the water pump to pump water from the first water storage tank to the pool when the water level sensor detects a water level at or below the maximum evaporation level
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for pool water flow and storage for a swimming pool includes a water level sensor for measuring threshold levels for a maximum evaporation level and a maximum overflow level, a first storage tank, and a water pump. The system can further include a second storage tank, where the automatic water level control system is programmed to send signals to pump water from the first storage tank to the pool when the water level sensor detects a water level at or below the maximum evaporation level, send signals to pump water from the swimming pool to the first storage tank when the water level sensor detects a water level at or above a maximum overflow level, and send signals to pump water from a second storage tank to the first storage tank when the water level sensor in the first storage tank falls below a predetermined threshold.