Shower head volume meter with alarm signal
First Claim
1. A self-contained volume meter for a fluid dispenser comprising,a body member having inlet means for attaching said body member to a source of fluid, said body member having an outlet and a flow path from said inlet means to said outlet,means within said path and responsive to fluid flow within said path for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a fluid flow rate,pickup means receiving said magnetic flux and structurally associated with said body member for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate,means in electrical communication with said pickup means for supplying electrical power from said fluid flow through path,means in power-utilization relation with said supply means and in pulse-receiving relation with said pickup means for calculating a volume of fluid flowing through said path,means receiving power from said supply means for comparing said calculated volume with a desired total volume, andalarm means in electrical power-receiving communication with said supply means for indicating when said calculated volume has reached said desired total volume, said alarm means being attached to said body member.
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Abstract
A shower head volume meter producing an audible or other alarm for indicating when a predetermined volume of water has been delivered. A polite alarm or "beep" is used after a first volume of water y has been delivered, while an aggressive alarm in the form of a continuous sound is used after a second volume of water y+z has been delivered. A first embodiment measures the volume of water with a magnetic turbine and pick-up coil. The turbine rotates in response to water flow through meter generating a rotating magnetic flux. The flux lines cut across the pick-up coil which produces electrical pulse signals at a rate corresponding to the water flow rate. The number of magnetic poles in the turbine determines the total volume of water that can be delivered. A microcontroller analyzes the pulse signals and initiates the alarm. The pick-up coil doubles as an alternator to produce electrical power for the microcontroller. A second embodiment measures the volume of water using the pressure difference caused by the venturi effect. A piezoresistive die produces a voltage corresponding to the water flow rate. The meter can be a separate screw or adapter or an integral part of the shower head.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A self-contained volume meter for a fluid dispenser comprising,
a body member having inlet means for attaching said body member to a source of fluid, said body member having an outlet and a flow path from said inlet means to said outlet, means within said path and responsive to fluid flow within said path for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a fluid flow rate, pickup means receiving said magnetic flux and structurally associated with said body member for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate, means in electrical communication with said pickup means for supplying electrical power from said fluid flow through path, means in power-utilization relation with said supply means and in pulse-receiving relation with said pickup means for calculating a volume of fluid flowing through said path, means receiving power from said supply means for comparing said calculated volume with a desired total volume, and alarm means in electrical power-receiving communication with said supply means for indicating when said calculated volume has reached said desired total volume, said alarm means being attached to said body member.
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5. A flow volume meter for attachment between a water pipe and a shower head comprising,
a water pipe fitting having an outlet means for attaching a shower head, rotatable means within said fitting responsive to water flow within said fitting for metering said water flow, said rotatable means having magnetic means for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a rate of said water flow, pick-up means receiving said magnetic flux for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate and for generating electrical power, means responsive to said electrical signal pulses and receiving electrical power from said pick-up means for calculating an accumulated volume measure of water passing through said fitting, and alarm means attached to said fitting and in electrical power-receiving relation with said pick-up means for indicating when a predetermined volume of water has passed through said fitting.
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8. A flow volume meter comprising,
a water pipe fitting, a turbine disposed within said fitting rotatably responsive to water flow within said fitting, said rotatable turbine having magnetic means for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a rate of said water flow, said turbine having an axial through hole therein such that said turbine floats freely within said fitting, pick-up means receiving said magnetic flux for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate and for generating electrical power, means responsive to said electrical signal pulses and receiving electrical power from said pick-up means for calculating an accumulated volume measure of water passing through said fitting, and alarm means for indicating when a predetermined volume of water has passed through said fitting.
Specification