FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20110289675A1
• Filed: 05/25/2011
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kerry Dunki-Jacobs, Robert Dunki-Jacobs
• Original Assignee: Kerry Dunki-Jacobs, Robert Dunki-Jacobs
• Inventors: Dunki-Jacobs, Kerry, Dunki-Jacobs, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,807,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 4/668
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8376 Combined

Abstract

A fluid flow control system having a fluid inlet configured to be operatively coupled to a fluid source, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet such that fluid may exit the system therethrough, a proximity sensor for detecting the position of an object within a region adjacent the sensor, and a flow control device configured to regulate fluid flow between the inlet and outlet in response to object detection by the sensor, wherein the flow control device varies the fluid flow proportional to the detected distance of an object from the sensor. A water flow control system for use in a shower environment is also provided, as well as a shower control system, methods for controlling water flow based on sensing of the presence and location of an object, and methods for reducing water consumption.

Claims

1. A fluid flow control system, comprising:

(a) a fluid inlet configured to be operatively coupled to a fluid source;

(b) a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet such that fluid may exit the system therethrough;

(c) a proximity sensor for detecting the position of an object within a region adjacent the sensor; and

(d) a flow control device configured to regulate fluid flow between the inlet and outlet in response to object detection by the sensor, wherein the flow control device proportionally varies the fluid flow based on the detected distance of an object from the sensor.

2. The fluid flow control system of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured for controlling the operation of the flow control device in response to the location of an object detected by the proximity sensor.

3. The fluid flow control system of claim 2, wherein the flow control system is configured for use in a shower installation, such that a shower head may be attached to the system in fluid communication with the fluid outlet.

4. The fluid flow control system of claim 2, further comprising a housing, and the fluid inlet, fluid outlet and flow control device are located in or on the housing.

5. The fluid flow control system of claim 2, further comprising a flow measurement device for measuring the flow rate of fluid through the outlet.

6. The fluid flow control system of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to control the operation of the flow control device in response to the measured flow rate of fluid.

7. The fluid flow control system of claim 5, wherein the proximity sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor which emits ultrasonic sound waves and receives ultrasonic sound waves reflected from an object located adjacent the sensor.

8. The fluid flow control system of claim 4, further comprising a second proximity sensor, wherein the first proximity sensor is provided on the housing, and the second proximity sensor is remote from the housing.

9. A water flow control system for use in a shower environment, comprising:

(a) a water inlet configured to be operatively coupled to a water source;

(b) a water outlet in fluid communication with the water inlet such that water may exit the system therethrough;

(c) a proximity sensor for detecting the position of a bather within an interrogation region of a shower environment; and

(d) a flow control device configured to regulate the water flow rate through a shower head attached to the water outlet, the flow control device configured to alter the water flow rate through the system in response to the location of a bather with respect to the shower head, as detected by the proximity sensor, wherein the flow control device varies the fluid flow rate proportional to the detected distance of a bather from the proximity sensor.

10. The water flow control system of claim 9, further comprising a controller configured for controlling the operation of the flow control device in response to the location of a bather detected by the proximity sensor.

11. The water flow control system of claim 10, further comprising a temperature sensor for determining water temperature in the system, and wherein the controller is configured for further controlling the operation of the flow control device in response to water temperature.

12. The water flow control system of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to reduce water flow when the water is at or above a predetermined temperature and the presence of a bather is not detected by the sensor.

13. The water flow control system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to reduce water flow upon the occurrence of at least one of:

a predetermined amount of time elapsing since the start of a shower cycle; and

a predetermined amount of water having flowed through the water outlet.

14. The water flow control system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured to alert a bather prior to reducing water flow.

15. The water flow control system of claim 14, wherein the controller is operable to alert a bather prior to reducing water flow by pulsing the flow of water through the water outlet.

16. The water flow control system of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to not reduce water flow based upon bather action after the bather has been alerted.

17. The water flow control system of claim 10, further comprising a flow measurement device for measuring the flow rate of water through the outlet.

18. The water flow control system of claim 17, wherein the flow measurement device is further configured to generate power for the system from water flowing therethrough.

19. The water flow control system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to control the temperature of water flowing from the water outlet.

20. The water flow control system of claim 9, wherein the flow control device comprises a control valve assembly having a valve and a motor for driving the opening and closing of the valve.

21. The flow control system of claim 19, comprising a pair of water inlets configured to be operatively coupled to hot and cold water sources, and further wherein the flow control device comprises a pair of control valve assemblies, one for controlling the flow of hot water through the system and the other for controlling the flow of cold water through the system.

22. The water flow control system of claim 9, further comprising a housing, and the fluid inlet, fluid outlet, proximity sensor and flow control device are located in or on the housing, and further wherein the fluid outlet is threaded to accept a shower head.

23. The flow control system of claim 18, wherein the flow measurement device comprises a turbine configured to generate alternating current from water flowing through the turbine.

24. A shower control system for controlling the use of water by a bather, comprising

(a) a housing having a water inlet configured to be operatively coupled to a water source, a water outlet in fluid communication with the water inlet and configured for supplying water to a shower head, a flow control device configured to regulate water flow from the water inlet to the water outlet, and a controller configured for controlling the operation of the flow control device;

and

(b) a proximity sensor for detecting the presence and position of a bather within an interrogation region of a shower environment in which the system is installed, the proximity sensor provided on a sensor arm extending from the housing;

wherein the controller is configured to receive signals indicative of the presence and position of a bather from the proximity sensor, and control the flow of water through the housing based on the received signals.

25. The shower control system of claim 24, further comprising a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of water flowing through the water outlet, and wherein the controller is configured for further controlling the operation of the flow control device in response to water temperature.

26. The shower control system of claim 25, wherein the controller is configured to enter a temperature maintenance mode when the temperature of the water is at or above a predetermined temperature and the presence of a bather is not detected by the sensor, with the controller reducing water flow through the outlet when in the temperature maintenance mode while still allowing some water to flow through the water outlet, thereby maintaining water temperature while minimizing water flow.

27. The shower control system of claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to exit the temperature maintenance mode and increase water flow from the outlet to a maximum flow rate when the sensor detects a bather in the interrogation region.