Water run-on timer

• US 5,551,598 A
• Filed: 09/06/1994
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Cutsinger, Thad J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, LISA ANN
• Application Number:
  US08/301,081
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52, 222/59, 222/63, 222/16, 222/30, 222/32, 222/33-6, 222/40, 222/638, 222/639, 222/640, 222/641, 222/644, 222/646, 222/648, 222/23, 141/94, 141/360-2, 137/624.14, 137/624.15, 137/624.2, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1234 to determine the total amount
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/08 Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred arrangement of flow- or pressure-control valves B67D7/36; computing, calculating, counting G06; coin-freed apparatus for dispensing fluids G07F13/00; prepayment devices for metering liquids G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/0086 with photo-electric detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86461 Variable cycle

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring and displaying a time interval between a valve closure and subsequent termination of a flow at a spigot is provided. The apparatus has magnetic sensors coupled to a flow regulating valve for providing a signal indicative of a solenoid-activated valve closure and detectors for determining fluid flow. The detectors have an infra-red light source and associated photo-sensor mounted near the water outlet spigot such that when a fluid flow is present at the spigot, the fluid reflects light from the infra-red light source so that the associated photo-sensor provides an output signal. A differential amplifier compares the photo-sensor output signal with a constant to determine a water run condition. Logic circuitry is connected to the comparison signal output to provide a timer actuation. The timer measures and displays the time interval between a valve closure and subsequent termination of flow at a spigot. The apparatus may be embodied as a hand-held or stationary unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring and displaying a time interval between a valve shut-off controlling a liquid flow and a subsequent cessation of the liquid flow at a spigot, comprising:

sensing means for detecting when a valve is closed and for providing a representative signal output therefor;

means for detecting a fluid flow and for providing a representative signal output therefor; and

means for measuring and displaying a time interval between said signal output of said sensing means and said signal output of said means for detecting a fluid flow.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensing means for detecting when a valve is closed is a bi-polar magnetic flux sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for detecting a fluid flow and for providing a representative signal output therefor is an infra-red emitter and detector pair.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reset for said sensing means for detecting when a valve is closed.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reset for said means for measuring and displaying said time interval between said signal outputs.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensing means for detecting when a valve is closed is a bi-polar magnetic flux sensor attached directly to a water inlet valve solenoid.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said bi-polar magnetic flux sensor is further defined by having means for signaling when said water inlet valve is closed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for measuring and displaying said time interval between said signal outputs is a visual display of said time interval.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for measuring and displaying said time interval between said signal outputs further comprises a reset means for zeroing said visual display.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a counter means for measuring and displaying a number of timing cycles performed.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for measuring and displaying a time interval comprise a comparator for comparing said representative signal output with a constant to determine the presence of a water run-on condition and for providing a comparison signal output.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for measuring and displaying a time interval further comprise a logic circuit connected to the said comparison signal put and being responsive thereto for providing a timer actuation at an output signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for measuring and displaying a time interval further comprise a timer for timing and displaying the time interval said timer being connected to the output of the logic circuit and being actuated by the timer actuation signal.

14. An apparatus for measuring and displaying a time interval between a valve closure and a subsequent termination of a flow at a spigot, comprising:

a voltage supply;

magnetic sensor means coupled to a flow-regulating valve for providing a signal indicative of a solenoid-activated valve closure;

means for detecting a fluid flow, said means having an infra-red light source and associated photo-sensor mounted near a spigot such that when a fluid flow is present at said spigot, said fluid flow reflects light from said infra-red light source so that said associated photo-sensor provides an output signal;

differential amplifier means for comparing said photo-sensor output signal with a constant to determine the presence of a water run condition and for providing a comparison signal output;

logic circuit means connected to said comparison signal output of said differential amplifier means and being responsive thereto for providing a timer actuation at an output signal; and

timer means for timing and displaying the time interval said timer means being connected to said output of said logic circuit means and being actuated by said timer actuation signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a manual momentary switch to control said photo-sensor signal output.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said differential amplifier means further comprises a sensitivity adjustment means for accommodating a variety of sensors.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said sensitivity adjustment means is a potentiometer and a switch having associated circuitry.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an automatic toggle switch to control said photo-sensor signal output.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for detecting a fluid flow having said infra-red light source and said associated photo-sensor includes a passive photo-sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for detecting a fluid flow having said infra-red light source and said associated photo-sensors includes a reflective photo sensor.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said voltage supply is a battery-powered voltage supply.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said voltage supply is an alternating current voltage supply having means for providing direct current voltages.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said timer means further comprises a reset.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising counter means for providing an output indicative of a number of cycles performed.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said counter means further comprises a reset.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said output is a display of said logic circuit means.