Electronic kitchen dispensing faucet
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic kitchen faucet apparatus comprising:
- a first flow meter adapted for connection to a first source of liquid for producing a flow signal indicating the volume of a liquid flowing through the flow meter and a faucet exit;
a first electric solenoid valve operably connected to the first source of liquid and to the first flow meter for controlling the liquid flow rate at a first flow rate;
a second electric solenoid valve operably connected to the first source liquid and to the first flow meter for controlling the liquid flow at a second flow rate;
an input for an operator to define a volume of liquid to be dispensed from the faucet apparatus;
a switch for producing start signals to initiate and terminate dispensing of a desire volume of liquid from the kitchen faucet apparatus; and
a programmable controller being connected to the start switch and operator input device, the controller producing control signals to initiate liquid flowing from the faucet apparatus into a container, the controller summing the flow signals representing the volume of liquid flowing through the first flow meter, and comparing the represented volume to the volume defined by the operator input device, the controller generating control signals to selectively close the first and second solenoid valves to stop liquid flow when the desired volume of liquid has been dispensed from the faucet apparatus into the container.
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Abstract
An electronic kitchen faucet capable of dispensing a measured, operator selectable quantity of hot or cold liquid into a container with a flow rate suitable to prevent splashing or loss of the ensuing mixture while maintaining a rapid flow rate to quickly fill larger containers. The dispensing faucet can be used for measuring liquids required for preparing recipes, making instant beverages, or in the preparation of pre-packaged foods. The dispensing faucet apparatus may be retrofitted to an existing faucet. The invention may utilize the liquid flow sensor to automatically control a kitchen garbage disposal.
83 Citations
47 Claims
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1. An electronic kitchen faucet apparatus comprising:
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a first flow meter adapted for connection to a first source of liquid for producing a flow signal indicating the volume of a liquid flowing through the flow meter and a faucet exit;
a first electric solenoid valve operably connected to the first source of liquid and to the first flow meter for controlling the liquid flow rate at a first flow rate;
a second electric solenoid valve operably connected to the first source liquid and to the first flow meter for controlling the liquid flow at a second flow rate;
an input for an operator to define a volume of liquid to be dispensed from the faucet apparatus;
a switch for producing start signals to initiate and terminate dispensing of a desire volume of liquid from the kitchen faucet apparatus; and
a programmable controller being connected to the start switch and operator input device, the controller producing control signals to initiate liquid flowing from the faucet apparatus into a container, the controller summing the flow signals representing the volume of liquid flowing through the first flow meter, and comparing the represented volume to the volume defined by the operator input device, the controller generating control signals to selectively close the first and second solenoid valves to stop liquid flow when the desired volume of liquid has been dispensed from the faucet apparatus into the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a first circuit adapted for connection to a first source of liquid to dispense liquid from the first source at a first flow rate, the first circuit including a first valve for controlling the flow of the liquid from the first source through the first circuit;
a second circuit also adapted for connection to the first source of liquid and being constructed to dispense liquid from the first source at a second flow rate different than the first flow rate, the second circuit including a second valve for controlling the flow of the liquid from the first source through the second circuit;
a first flow meter for measuring the volume of the liquid dispensed through the first and second circuits; and
a programmable controller operably connected to the first flow meter and to the first and second valves, the controller being programmed and adapted to receive first signals from the first flow meter and being programmed and adapted to generate second signals to control the first and second valves to dispense an accurate total amount of dispensed liquid. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a first circuit adapted to dispense liquid from a first source at a first flow rate, the first circuit including a first valve for controlling the flow of the liquid from the first source through the first circuit;
a second circuit also adapted to dispense liquid from the first source at a second flow rate different than the first flow rate, the second circuit including a second valve for controlling the flow of the liquid from the first source through the second circuit;
a common outlet circuit connected to the first and second circuits for dispensing a combination of the dispensed liquids from the first and second circuits, the common outlet circuit including a first flow meter for measuring the flow of the combination of liquids dispensed from the first source through the first and second circuits; and
a programmable controller operably connected to the first flow meter and to the first and second valves, the controller being programmed and adapted to receive first signals from the first flow meter and being programmed and adapted to generate second control signals to control the first and second valves to dispense an accurate total amount of dispensed liquid.
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38. A kitchen faucet apparatus adapted to dispense a selected amount of liquid comprising:
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a base;
a faucet supported on the base;
a first circuit having a first flow rate of at least about 0.33 gallons per minute and adapted to connection to a source of liquid;
a second circuit having a second flow rate of at most 1.5 gallons per minute and adapted to connection to a source of liquid; and
the first and second circuits being connected to the faucet and including valving for controlling the first and second flow rates to accurately deliver a total flow amount of as little as 1 teaspoon and as great as at least 1 gallon.
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39. A method of using a liquid-dispensing apparatus including the steps of:
- measuring the flow rate of liquid from a kitchen faucet; and
allowing the operation of the garbage disposal unit after a sufficient flow rate of liquid is flowing from the kitchen faucet. - View Dependent Claims (40)
- measuring the flow rate of liquid from a kitchen faucet; and
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41. A method of using a liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising the steps of:
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providing a first circuit adapted for connection to a first source of liquid to dispense liquid from the first source at a first flow rate, the first circuit including a first valve for controlling the flow of the liquid from the first source through the first circuit;
providing a second circuit also adapted for connection to the first source of liquid and being constructed to dispense liquid from the first source at a second flow rate different than the first flow rate, the second circuit including a second valve for controlling the flow of the liquid from the first source through the second circuit;
measuring the volume of the liquid dispensed through the first and second circuits; and
programming a controller operably connected to the first flow meter and to the first and second valves, the controller being programmed and adapted to receive first signals from the first flow meter and being programmed and adapted to generate second signals to control the first and second valves to dispense an accurate total amount of dispensed liquid. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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43. A method of using an electronic kitchen faucet apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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providing at least two circuits constructed to provide different flow rates and adapted for connection to a source of liquid, the circuits including at least two electric solenoid valves;
actuating the electric solenoid valves using pulsed control signals, the programmable controller adapted to generate pulsed signals of sufficient duration to actuate the electric solenoid valves and allow liquid to flow through the circuits, resulting in a mixture of two or more source liquids in the proper proportions so that the desired liquid temperature is achieved while maintaining the desired flow rate through faucet apparatus input by the operator;
measuring the temperature of the ensuing liquid as it flows through the faucet;
measuring the volume of liquid flowing through the faucet;
calculating the flow rate of liquid flowing through the faucet;
adjusting the electric solenoid valve pulse rate and duration of each source liquid so that the desired liquid temperature is dispensed and the liquid flow rate flowing through the faucet exit is maintained at the desired flow rate; and
terminating the source liquid flow through the electric solenoid valves when the operator desired volume has been dispensed.
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44. A method of using an electronic kitchen faucet, comprising the steps of:
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actuating electric solenoid valves using pulsed signals, the pulsed electric solenoid signals being adjusted by the programmable controller to mix two or more source liquids in the proper proportions so that the desired liquid temperature is achieved while maintaining the flow rates determined by the volume of liquid selected by the operator input means;
flowing the source liquids through the faucet while the operator continuously holds the Start/Stop switch input means activated;
measuring the temperature of the ensuing liquid as it flows through the faucet;
measuring the volume of liquid flowing through the faucet;
adjusting the electric solenoid pulse rates of each source liquid so that the desired liquid temperature is dispensed and the total source liquid flow rate through the faucet exit being maintained at the desired flow rate;
suspending the flow of the source liquids flowing through the faucet when the operator releases the start input switch; and
flowing the remainder of the desired operator volume when the Start/Stop switch input means is activated.
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45. A liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a base adapted for mounting to a kitchen sink;
a spout extending from the base for dispensing the total amount of liquid;
a first circuit adapted for connection to a first source of liquid to dispense liquid from the first source at a first flow rate, the first circuit including a first valve for controlling the flow of the liquid from the first source through the first circuit;
a first flow meter for measuring the volume of the liquid dispensed through the first circuit; and
a programmable controller operably connected to the first flow meter and to the first valve, the controller being programmed and adapted to receive first signals from the first flow meter and being programmed and adapted to generate second signals to control the first valve to dispense an accurate total amount of dispensed liquid from the spout.
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- 46. A liquid-dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 46, including an input device supported on the base for inputting data into the device.
Specification