Flow control apparatus
First Claim
1. A flow controller comprising:
- a body, inlet and outlet connections to said body for connecting a water supply to said inlet connection and for connecting a water outlet to said outlet connection;
a control element in said body controlling fluid flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection and having first and second openings in said control element forming a first flow path that permits full flow of water from said inlet connection to said outlet connection, third and fourth openings in said control element forming a second flow path that substantially impedes flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection and fifth and sixth opening in said control element forming a third flow path permitting low flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection; and
an actuator connected to the control element enabling adjustment of the control element among various flow rates.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a flow controller attachable to a water supply. The controller has a body with inlet and outlet connections and a control element positioned between the inlet and outlet. The controller has an actuator extending from the control element that permits selection of three different settings. The first setting aligns a set of openings in the control element with the inlet and outlet of the body permitting unimpeded full flow of water. A second setting aligns another set of openings, which form a weep hole, in the control element to substantially impede flow from the inlet to the outlet. A third setting aligns a third set of openings in the control element with a flow control device, to partially impede flow from the inlet to the outlet, creating a low flow.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A flow controller comprising:
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a body, inlet and outlet connections to said body for connecting a water supply to said inlet connection and for connecting a water outlet to said outlet connection; a control element in said body controlling fluid flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection and having first and second openings in said control element forming a first flow path that permits full flow of water from said inlet connection to said outlet connection, third and fourth openings in said control element forming a second flow path that substantially impedes flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection and fifth and sixth opening in said control element forming a third flow path permitting low flow from said inlet connection to said outlet connection; and an actuator connected to the control element enabling adjustment of the control element among various flow rates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A flow controller comprising:
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a housing comprising an inlet connection to said housing for connecting a water supply to said housing and a water outlet; a control element in said housing separating said inlet connection from said outlet and having first and second openings in said control element forming a first flow path that permits unimpeded flow of water from said inlet connection to said outlet, third and fourth openings in said control element forming a second flow path that substantially impedes flow from said inlet connection to said outlet and fifth and sixth opening in said control element forming a third flow path permitting a partially impeded flow from said inlet connection to said outlet; and an actuator to permit a user to adjust the control element between multiple settings. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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a means for connecting a water supply to an outlet; a means for controlling flow from said water supply to said outlet; and a means for adjusting flow from said water supply to said outlet. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification