Wireless temperature monitoring system
First Claim
1. A faucet control system to monitor the temperature of a fluid flowing from a faucet and to control the flow of a fluid through the faucet comprising:
- a temperature sensor and transmitter for attachment to the faucet, the temperature sensor and transmitter for obtaining temperature data relating to the temperature of a fluid flowing from the faucet and for wireless transmission of the temperature data;
a user detector operatively connected to the temperature sensor and transmitter, said user detector including means for activating the temperature sensor and transmitter in the presence of a user; and
a controller for receiving and processing the temperature data wherein the controller includes means for initiating fluid flow from the faucet and/or means for interrupting fluid flow from the faucet if the temperature of the fluid flowing from the faucet exceeds a pre-set value or the user detector no longer detects the presence of a user.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a wireless temperature monitoring system useful in reducing the risk of scalding to the users of a faucet. The system includes a temperature sensor/transmitter attached to the end of a faucet which communicates via a wireless link to a controller. The wireless link is particularly advantageous in the installation of the system on a faucet. One embodiment of the system includes a user detector for touchless control of the flow of water from a faucet. The invention may also provide a digital display with audio and/or visual alarms to indicate if a pre-set maximum temperature has been exceeded and a shut-off valve to interrupt flow of water to the faucet.
85 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A faucet control system to monitor the temperature of a fluid flowing from a faucet and to control the flow of a fluid through the faucet comprising:
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a temperature sensor and transmitter for attachment to the faucet, the temperature sensor and transmitter for obtaining temperature data relating to the temperature of a fluid flowing from the faucet and for wireless transmission of the temperature data; a user detector operatively connected to the temperature sensor and transmitter, said user detector including means for activating the temperature sensor and transmitter in the presence of a user; and a controller for receiving and processing the temperature data wherein the controller includes means for initiating fluid flow from the faucet and/or means for interrupting fluid flow from the faucet if the temperature of the fluid flowing from the faucet exceeds a pre-set value or the user detector no longer detects the presence of a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A faucet control system to monitor the temperature of a fluid flowing from a faucet, said system comprising:
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a temperature sensor and transmitter adapted for attachment to the faucet, the temperature sensor and transmitter for obtaining temperature data relating to the temperature of a fluid flowing from the faucet and for non-continuous wireless transmission of the temperature data; a user detector operatively connected to the temperature sensor and transmitter, said user detector including means for activating the temperature sensor and transmitter in the presence of a user; and a controller operatively connected to a valve unit, the controller for receiving and processing the temperature data, the controller including means for interrupting fluid flow through the valve unit, if the temperature of the fluid flowing from the faucet exceeds a pre-set value or the user detector no longer detects the presence of a user.
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14. A faucet control system to control the flow of a fluid through a faucet comprising:
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a user detector for detecting the presence of a user at the faucet and generating an ON signal in the presence of a user and an OFF signal in the absence of a user; a transmitter operatively connected to the user detector for attachment to the faucet, the transmitter for wireless transmission of the ON signal and OFF signal; a controller for receiving and processing the ON signal and OFF signal wherein the controller includes means for initiating fluid flow from the faucet upon receipt of the ON signal and means for interrupting fluid flow from the faucet upon receipt of the OFF signal. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A faucet control system comprising:
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a transmission module, the transmission module including; a user detector for attachment to a faucet for detecting the presence or absence of a user; and
,a transmitter operatively connected to the user detector for wireless transmission of data from the transmission module; a valve module, the valve module including; a controller for receiving and processing data received from the transmission module; and
,a shut-off valve operatively connected to the controller for initiating or interrupting the flow of a fluid through the shut-off valve. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification