Apparatus and method for electronic control of fluid flow and temperature
First Claim
1. An apparatus for mixing fluids, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining a channel having a first end, a second end remote from the first end, an area of convergence positioned between the first and second ends, and an orifice communicating with the area of convergence, the channel configured to receive a first fluid between the first end and the area of convergence and a second fluid between the second end and the area of convergence, the channel constructed and arranged to guide the first fluid and the second fluid toward the area of convergence to cause the fluids to be rotationally mixed as the fluids enter the orifice.
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Abstract
An electronically controlled fluid dispensing apparatus is disclosed. An electronically controlled fluid dispensing apparatus of the present invention includes a user interface configured to deliver an electronic signal in response to a user selected temperature and flow rate, a controller communicating with the user interface to receive the electronic signal, and a valve assembly including a motor and a valve coupled to the motor. The controller includes logic configured to process the electronic signal to create a control signal indicative of the user selected temperature and flow rate. The motor is configured to drive the valve in response to the control signal to open the valve a sufficient distance to achieve the selected flow rate and temperature. A method of electronically controlling fluid dispensation and an apparatus and method for mixing fluids are also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for mixing fluids, the apparatus comprising:
a housing defining a channel having a first end, a second end remote from the first end, an area of convergence positioned between the first and second ends, and an orifice communicating with the area of convergence, the channel configured to receive a first fluid between the first end and the area of convergence and a second fluid between the second end and the area of convergence, the channel constructed and arranged to guide the first fluid and the second fluid toward the area of convergence to cause the fluids to be rotationally mixed as the fluids enter the orifice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of mixing fluids, said method comprising the steps of:
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dispensing a first fluid into a first end of a channel formed in a housing;
dispensing a second fluid into a second end of the channel remote from the first end; and
guiding the fluids toward one another within the channel to cause the fluids to meet at an area of convergence formed between the ends of the channel such that the fluids are rotationally mixed as they exit the channel via an orifice in fluid communication with the area of convergence. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method of electronically controlling fluid dispensation comprising the steps of:
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receiving an electronic signal including an instruction for controlling the flow rate at which at least one fluid is dispensed from a device;
processing the electronic signal to create a control signal indicative of the flow rate;
delivering the control signal to a motor coupled to a valve; and
moving the valve with the motor in response to the control signal to dispense the at least one fluid from the device at the flow rate included in the instruction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for electronically controlling fluid dispensation, the apparatus comprising:
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a user interface configured to deliver an electronic signal in response to a user selected temperature and flow rate;
a controller communicating with the user interface to receive the electronic signal, the controller including control logic configured to process the electronic signal to create a control signal indicative of the user selected temperature and flow rate; and
a valve assembly including a motor and a valve coupled to the motor, the motor configured to drive the valve in response to the control signal to open the valve a sufficient distance to achieve the selected flow rate and temperature. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification