Electronic control device for liquids

• US 4,409,694 A
• Filed: 09/30/1982
• Issued: 10/18/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The John P. Barrett Trust
• Original Assignee: John P. Barrett Sr
• Inventors: Barrett, John P. Sr., Schulz, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/428,921
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• Field of Search: 4/567, 4/538, 4/545-555, 4/493, 4/508, 4/598, 219/312, 219/328, 219/497
• US Class Current: 4/545
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/04 Domestic or like local pipe systems domestic plumbing E03C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/045 diverting initially cold water in warm water supply
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/05 Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps remote control of taps or the like per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 27/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8192 Unobvious - "combination lock" type

Abstract

An electronic device is disclosed for controlling the temperature of a liquid such as water flowing into a container such as a bathtub or the like. The device also controls the level of liquid within the container and includes a solid state circuit in conjunction with a temperature sensing device for maintaining the temperature of the liquid within the container to a preselected level. The control device includes a plurality of switches for preselecting the required temperature and liquid level. Switches are also provided for selecting the use of the bathtub as a bath or as a shower. The flow and mixing of water into the bathtub and the flow of water out of the bathtub is accomplished by solenoid flow control valves responsive to the control device. The invention may be applied to industrial, commercial, medical or residential applications and the like.

Claims

1. Control circuit for a bathtub having a hot water conduit and a cold water conduit and shower, drain and water heater, comprising in combination:

temperature switch means for selecting the desired temperature of the water;

level switch means for selecting the level of liquid within the bathtub;

function switch means for selecting a bath or a shower function;

level sensor means for sensing the actual level of liquid within said bathtub;

means connecting said temperature switch means to control water flow from the hot and cold water conduits into the bathtub;

level comparator means comparing level switch means and said level sensor for controlling the water flow and draining of the bathtub to maintain the water level in accordance with said level switch means;

temperature sensor means for sensing the temperature of the water within the bathtub;

memory means for storing the value of the temperature of the water within the bathtub upon the water level reaching a preestablished point;

heater comparator means for comparing the water temperature within the bathtub with the value of the temperature stored in said memory means; and

means connecting the output of said heater comparator means for controlling the water heater in the bathtub to maintain the water temperature in accordance with the value of the water temperature stored in said memory means.

2. A control circuit as set forth in claim 1 including an access door to the bathtub;

door switch means for sensing the open condition of the door; and

means for resetting the control circuit and opening the drain upon said door switch means sensing an open condition of the door.

3. A control circuit as set forth in claim 1 including means for resetting the control circuit and opening the drain upon a loss of line voltage.

4. A control circuit as set forth in claim 1 including means for resetting the control circuit and opening the drain upon the liquid level exceeding a preestablished maximum level.

5. A control circuit as set forth in claim 1 including temperature display means for displaying the temperature of the water in the bathtub.

6. A control circuit as set forth in claim 1 including a temperature switch display means for displaying the temperature switch means selected by an operator.

7. A control device as set forth in claim 1 including level display means for displaying the level of liquid selected by the operator.

8. A control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said level sensor means includes a plurality of magnetic switches disposed in vertical alignment;

and

a magnetic float established to activate selected magnetic switches in accordance with the level of said magnetic float.