Water flow and temperature controller for a bathtub faucet

• US 5,979,776 A
• Filed: 05/21/1998
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roderick A. Williams
• Original Assignee: Roderick A. Williams
• Inventors: Williams, Roderick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William
• Application Number:
  US09/083,066
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 236/12.12, 236/12.11, 236/12.15, 4/676, 4/677, 364/528.2
• US Class Current: 236/12.12
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

A temperature and flow controller for a bath tub or shower is disclosed. The device includes a panel that replaces or surrounds the standard bath tub water valves. Within the panel is a control assembly in communication with temperature sensors in the shower head and the bath tub faucet as well as control valves on the hot and cold water supply lines. The temperature sensors are immediately downstream from a unique, two stage mixing chamber having a rotatable impeller in a first section and a helically grooved inner surface in a second section to thoroughly mix hot and cold water therein. The controller also includes means for enabling water flow at a preset time of day, for a predetermined duration or to deliver a predetermined volume of water.

Claims

1. In combination with a bath tub or shower assembly having hot and cold water supply lines both in communication with a shower head and bath tub faucet, a water flow and temperature controller comprising:

a controller means;

a control valve disposed on said hot and cold water supply lines each operable between

a fully opened and closed position and each in communication with said controller means;

a temperature sensor disposed within said faucet and said shower head for measuring the temperature of water exiting therefrom, each of said sensors in communication with said control assembly whereby said controller manipulates said control valves to maintain water exiting said shower and said faucet at a preselected temperature;

a hollow mixing chamber having an interior, a pair of inlets and an outlet each in communication with said interior, a first inlet in communication with said hot water supply line and a second inlet in communication with said cold water supply line;

said chamber having first section with an impeller disposed within said first section, said impeller hydraulically rotatable by flow of said hot and cold water to thoroughly mix hot and cold water flowing thereto.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said second chamber further includes a second section in fluid communication with said first section having a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases toward an outlet to sufficiently increase the pressure of water entering said mixing chamber.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said second section further includes a ridge helically wound about the interior surface of said second section forming a spiraled groove therebetween to direct water through said second section along a winding path thereby facilitating the mixing of hot and cold water streams entering said mixing chamber.

4. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a block valve means immediately downstream from said mixing chamber and in communication with said controller means for completely disabling flow upon receiving a predetermined signal from said controller means.

5. A device according to claim 4 further comprising a flow measuring means downstream from the mixing chamber in communication with said controller means for selectively closing said block valve means after a predetermined volume of water has flowed therethrough.

6. A device according to claim 4 wherein said controller means further comprises a timer means for activating said block valve means at a predetermined time of day or for a predetermined duration.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein said controller means further comprises an adjustment means for selectively varying the preselected temperature value of said water.

8. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a remote control means in communication with said controller means for manipulating said controller means from a remote location.

9. A device according to claim 1 wherein said controller means is powered with a rechargable battery means.

10. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a diverter means for selectively alternating water flow between said shower head and said bath tub faucet.

11. A device according to claim 6 wherein said diverter means comprises:

a valve means downstream from said mixing chamber movable between two positions for alternating flow between said shower head and said tub faucet, said bath tub faucet movable between an extended and a retracted position for activating a switch means to move said valve means from a first to a second position.