Ultrasonic flow-control system
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic flow-control system comprisingA. a faucet, having an inlet and an outlet and providing a fluid path between the inlet and the outlet, for receiving liquid at its inlet and directing the liquid out through its outlet;
- B. an electrically operable valve interposed in the fluid path and operable, by application of control signals thereto, between an open position, in which it permits fluid flow in the fluid path, and a closed position, in which it prevents fluid flow therein;
C. ultrasound means operable by application of drive signals thereto to transmit ultrasound into a target region that includes the path of liquid leaving the outlet, the ultrasound means detecting ultrasound reflected from objects in the target region and generating electrical echo signals in response; and
D. a control circuit electrically connected for application of control signals to the electrically operable valve and drive signals to the untrasound means and for reception of echo signals from the ultrasound means, the control circuit operating the ultrasound means to transmit ultrasound into the target region and including means for measuring the time between ultrasound transmission and the reception of echo signals and means for, in at least one mode of operation, operating the valve to permit liquid flow if successive measurements of the time between ultrasound transmission and the reception of echo signals differ but prevent liquid flow if successive measurements remain the same, whereby liquid flows from the faucet if a moving object is present in the target region but not if no moving object is in the target region.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control circuit (16) mounted on a faucet (10) operates an ultrasonic transducer (20) that transmits ultrasound into a target region (22) below the outlet (24) of the faucet. The control circuit receives electrical signals from the transducer when the transducer receives echoes from objects within the target region. The control circuit times the echoes to determine the distance of the object causing the echoes, and, if the distance of the object changes between successive measurements, the control circuit operates a valve (12) to permit water to flow. The circuit is powered by a rechargeable battery (18) that is charged by the action of a generator (31) that is driven by a turbine (34) powered by the flow of water through the faucet.
134 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic flow-control system comprising
A. a faucet, having an inlet and an outlet and providing a fluid path between the inlet and the outlet, for receiving liquid at its inlet and directing the liquid out through its outlet; -
B. an electrically operable valve interposed in the fluid path and operable, by application of control signals thereto, between an open position, in which it permits fluid flow in the fluid path, and a closed position, in which it prevents fluid flow therein; C. ultrasound means operable by application of drive signals thereto to transmit ultrasound into a target region that includes the path of liquid leaving the outlet, the ultrasound means detecting ultrasound reflected from objects in the target region and generating electrical echo signals in response; and D. a control circuit electrically connected for application of control signals to the electrically operable valve and drive signals to the untrasound means and for reception of echo signals from the ultrasound means, the control circuit operating the ultrasound means to transmit ultrasound into the target region and including means for measuring the time between ultrasound transmission and the reception of echo signals and means for, in at least one mode of operation, operating the valve to permit liquid flow if successive measurements of the time between ultrasound transmission and the reception of echo signals differ but prevent liquid flow if successive measurements remain the same, whereby liquid flows from the faucet if a moving object is present in the target region but not if no moving object is in the target region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A flow-control system comprising:
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A. a faucet, having an inlet and an outlet and providing a fluid path between the inlet and the outlet, for receiving liquid at its inlet and directing the liquid out through its outlet; B. an electrically operable valve interposed in the fluid path and operable, by application of control signals thereto, between an open position, in which it permits fluid flow in the fluid path, and a closed position, in which it prevents fluid flow therein; and C. a detection circuit electrically connected for application of control signals to the electrically operated valve, the detection circuit including means for detecting moving objects and means for, in at least one mode of operation, operating the valve to permit liquid flow if the detecting means detects a moving object and for operating the valve to prevent fluid flow if the detecting means does not detect a moving object. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A flow-control system comprising:
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A. a conduit, defining a fluid path, for directing liquid along the fluid path; B. an electrically operable valve interposed in the fluid path and operable, by application of control signals thereto, between an open position, in which it permits fluid flow in the fluid path, and a closed position, in which it prevents fluid flow therein; C. an operational circuit electrically connected for application of control signals to the valve to control the position of the valve; D. a turbine mounted in the fluid path for driving by fluid flowing in the fluid path; and E. an electrical generator mechanically connected to the turbine to be driven thereby and electrically connected to the operational circuit to power it when the generator is driven by the turbine. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification