DISPENSER CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A method of operating a dispensing system having a material delivery cycle, wherein the material delivery cycle includes supplying water to a receptacle at least partially contained within the dispensing system, performing an operation intended to release a material into the water, and delivering the material to a downstream component, the method comprising:
- initiating the material delivery cycle;
monitoring a conductivity proximate to the receptacle; and
identifying one or more error conditions during the material delivery cycle based at least partially on the monitored conductivity.
4 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of operating a dispensing system having a material delivery cycle. In some embodiments, the material delivery cycle includes supplying water to a receptacle, performing an operation intended to release a material into the water, and delivering the material to a downstream component. The first step of the method is to initiate the material delivery cycle. Next, a conductivity proximate to the receptacle is monitored. Additionally, one or more error conditions are identified during the material delivery cycle based at least partially on the monitored conductivity.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a dispensing system having a material delivery cycle, wherein the material delivery cycle includes supplying water to a receptacle at least partially contained within the dispensing system, performing an operation intended to release a material into the water, and delivering the material to a downstream component, the method comprising:
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initiating the material delivery cycle; monitoring a conductivity proximate to the receptacle; and identifying one or more error conditions during the material delivery cycle based at least partially on the monitored conductivity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A dispensing system for delivering a material to a receiving component positioned downstream of the dispensing system, the dispensing system comprising:
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a receptacle; a valve configured to control a supply of water to the receptacle, the valve having an off position that prevents water from entering the receptacle and an on position that allows water to enter the receptacle; a material metering device configured to dispense a material into the receptacle; a sensor positioned proximate to the receptacle and configured to generate a first signal indicative of conductivity; and a controller configured to receive the first signal from the sensor and to generate a valve control signal and a material metering device control signal, the valve control signal operable to toggle the valve between the on position and the off position, the material metering device control signal operable to initiate a dispensing of the material, the valve control signal and the material metering device signal being generated at least partially in response to a comparison by the controller of the first signal to one or more stored conductivity threshold values. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating a dispensing system, the method comprising:
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initiating a material delivery cycle having a pre-flush period, a material dosing period, and a post-flush period; monitoring a first conductivity during the pre-flush period; comparing the first conductivity to one or more thresholds, wherein the comparison is used to determine whether to initiate a material delivery during the material dosing period; monitoring a second conductivity during the dosing period; comparing the second conductivity to the one or more thresholds, wherein the comparison is used to determine whether material has been dispensed during the material dosing period; monitoring a third conductivity during a post-flush period; and comparing the third conductivity to the one or more thresholds, wherein the comparison is used to verify that the material delivered during the dosing period has been delivered to a receiving component positioned downstream of the dispensing system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification