Surge Tank Float Drain Control for Pool Rainwater Overflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water level control systems for swimming pools and other bodies of water fail to effectively manage slowly rising water levels due to precipitation, leading to potential overflow and damage to surrounding tiles or flooring.
Innovation Solution
A water level control device that automatically opens and closes a drain in the surge tank, allowing water to drain during slow rises from precipitation while preventing overflow, and switching to a closed position during rapid rises from bather activity, using a lever arm and float mechanism to maintain a desired running level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drain remains open to allow slow water rise from precipitation, then water level control is improved, but rapid water surge from bather activity causes overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The drain valve transitions from a static open/closed state to a dynamic response system using a float and lever arm mechanism. The float rises with water level and pivots the lever arm to close the valve, creating a dynamic response to different water rise rates. This dynamic mechanism automatically adapts to both slow precipitation-induced rises and rapid bather-induced surges.
Solution Approach 2:
The float mechanism provides continuous feedback on water level position. As water slowly rises from precipitation, the float rises gradually and maintains the drain open. When rapid surge occurs, the float rises quickly, triggering the lever arm to pivot and close the drain, preventing overflow. This feedback loop enables automatic differentiation between slow and rapid water level changes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the drain closes to prevent overflow during rapid water rise, then overflow is prevented, but slow water rise from precipitation causes accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The drain valve uses a dynamic float-actuated mechanism rather than a fixed closed state. The float responds to water level changes by pivoting the lever arm, which dynamically opens or closes the drain based on the rate of water rise. This allows the system to maintain the drain open during slow precipitation-induced rises while closing during rapid surges.
Solution Approach 2:
The float provides continuous feedback on water level position and rise rate. During slow precipitation, the float rises gradually and maintains drain openness, allowing water to drain. During rapid bather-induced surges, the float's quick rise triggers immediate closure via the lever arm, preventing accumulation and overflow. The feedback mechanism distinguishes between acceptable slow rises and harmful rapid surges.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a static overflow conduit is provided for safety, then overflow protection is achieved, but it cannot control water level at desired running level
Solution Approach 1:
The float acts as an intermediary mechanism between the water level and the drain valve. Rather than using a simple static overflow conduit that only activates at extreme levels, the float continuously monitors water level and intermediates control of the drain valve. This intermediary mechanism enables precise control at the desired running level while providing progressive overflow protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The float mechanism provides continuous feedback control rather than simple on/off overflow protection. It maintains the drain in an open state during normal operation and slow rises, closes during rapid surges, and provides progressive response based on water level position. This feedback-based control achieves both precise running level maintenance and comprehensive overflow protection.
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 maintains the water level at a desired running level, preventing overflow and damage from rainwater, while allowing rapid water rises from bather activity to be managed without drainage, thus protecting pool surroundings and maintaining cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
a float and a closure flap provided on the lever arm. In an open position of the device, the closure flap may disengage the device body to permit flow of water from the surge tank
Implementation Method 2
A lever arm may be pivotally attached to the device body. In an open position of the device, the closure flap may disengage the device body to permit flow of water
Data Source
AI summary
A water level control system and device is provided which maintains a desired running level of water in a surge tank connected to a pool or other body of water by facilitating automatic drainage of precipitation water from the body of water. The water level control system includes a water level control device configured to open and close a drain in the surge tank. The water level control device can adopt an open position when water in the surge tank is at a first level slightly above the running level, and a closed position in the presence of surge water or water displaced by bathers causing a rapid water rise in the surge tank above first level.