Fluid and gas supply system

• US 6,286,764 B1
• Filed: 07/14/1999
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fluid Dynamics Corporation (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Donald D. Onorati, Edward C. Garvey
• Inventors: Garvey, Edward C., Onorati, Donald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US09/353,255
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 236/12.12, 236/51, 467/6, 467/7
• US Class Current: 236/12.12
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/045 diverting initially cold water in warm water supply
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/078 Combined units with different devices; Arrangement of different devices with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/0078 Recirculation systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 27/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence

Abstract

A fluid or gas delivery system is provided for controlling fluid or gas temperature, flow rate and volume at a system outlet. The system comprises single or double control valves for regulating flow of a first fluid or gas and a second fluid or gas from corresponding first and second fluid or gas sources into a mixing port, wherein the first fluid or gas has a different temperature from the second fluid or gas. A fluid or gas supply control valve actuator operatively connected to the first and second fluid or gas supply valves actuate opening and closure operations of the valves. A thermosensor thermally coupled with the mixing port senses an estimated present temperature of a mixed fluid or gas within the mixing port. A flow control valve regulates flow of a mixed fluid or gas at the system outlet. A flow control valve actuator operatively connected to the flow control valve actuates opening and closure thereof. A user interface including user input means for selecting a set temperature, flow rate and volume of fluid or gas at the system outlet is provided along with a user display for displaying one or more system functions or parameters. Control means are provided for receiving signals from the thermosensor and user interface and for processing the signals to generate appropriate control signals to control the fluid or gas supply control valve actuator and flow control valve actuator means to achieve programmed or user-selected set temperature, flow rate and volume at the system outlet.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery system for controlling fluid temperature, flow rate and volume at a system outlet comprising:

a fluid supply control valve for regulating flow of a first fluid and a second fluid from corresponding first and second fluid sources into a mixing port, wherein said first fluid has a different temperature from said second fluid;

a fluid supply control valve actuator operatively connected to said fluid supply valve for actuating opening and closure operations thereof;

a thermosensor thermally coupled with said mixing port to sense an estimated present temperature of a mixed fluid within said mixing port;

a fluid control valve for regulating flow of a mixed fluid flow at said system outlet;

a flow control valve actuator operatively connected to said flow control valve for actuating opening and closure operations thereof;

a user interface including user input means for selecting a set temperature, flow rate and volume of fluid at said system outlet and user display means for displaying one or more system functions or parameters;

system control means for receiving signals from said thermosensor and user interface and for processing said signals to generate appropriate control signals to control said fluid supply control valve actuator(s) and said flow control valve actuator means to achieve programmed or user-selected set temperature, flow rate and volume at said system outlet; and

a remote system monitoring/control device operable for bidirectional data transmission and reception between said remote monitoring/control device and said system control means and/or system sensor(s) for remotely monitoring and controlling said one or more system functions or parameters, wherein said remote monitoring/control device operates to remotely generate signals to remotely select said one or more system functions or parameters, and wherein said remote monitoring/control device also operates to receive signals from said system control means and/or said one or more system sensor(s) to remotely monitor said one or more system functions or parameters.

2. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, including first and second fluid supply control valves for regulating flow of said first fluid and said second fluid and first and second fluid supply control valve actuators operatively connected to said first and second fluid supply valves for actuating opening and closure operations thereof.

3. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the flow control valve actuator is selected from an electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or magnetically driven control motor.

4. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the remote system monitoring/control device sends and receives signals to and from the system control means and/or system sensor(s) via an electrical, infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), internet, intranet, direct connect remote access, satellite, or laser control connection means.

5. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein said remote monitoring/control device comprises a personal computer, day planner, or main-frame computer/server.

6. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the thermosensor incorporates memory means for entry and storage of user-defined temperature settings.

7. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the user interface input is a remote user input selected from a keypad, touchpad, joystick, roller, pen selector, voice input, or optical input integrated within the remote system monitoring/control device.

8. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, including one or more additional sensors connected to said system control means and/or to said remote system monitoring/control device selected from a hot water supply valve status sensor, a cold water supply valve status sensor, a flow sensor, a hot water temperature sensor, or a fluid composition sensor.

9. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the system control means includes a digital processor programmable to receive a signal from the thermosensor and to compute therefrom an error value between the present mixed fluid temperature and a user-selected or pre-programmed target temperature for the mixed fluid.

10. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the system control means includes a microprocessor comprising a central processing unit (CPU) operably connected with an input/output (I/O) inter-face, random access memory (RAM), and read only memory (ROM).

11. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the system control means includes a programmable digital processor designed to implement feedback control of one or more system parameters or functions selected from target temperatures, flow rates, and desired volumes.

12. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the system control means includes a programmable digital processor for implementing feedback control of one or more system parameters or functions and wherein programming of the digital processor can be changed by entry of programming data via said user interface.

13. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the system control means includes a programmable digital processor which implements feedback control of one or more system parameters based on a control algorithm that is selected from a proportional, proportional plus integral, proportional plus integral plus derivative, or feed forward control algorithm.

14. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the system control means is adapted to process a signal provided by a flow sensor to provide information concerning present flow rate, total flow volume, or flow time via the user interface, to actuate a flow control valve to deliver a pre-programnmed or user-selected flow rate or to shut-off flow from a system outlet when a pre-programmed or user-selected flow volume or flow time has been reached, to receive and store a user-selected set flow rate, total flow volume or flow time that is automatically recalled upon subsequent entry of a user identification signal by the same user causing the control unit to send user-specific command signals to regulate flow rate, volume or time at a system outlet, or to compute total flow volume or time for a selected use period which computed volume or time value may be displayed via the user interface or stored to memory and later displayed or further processed to track use volumes and times per use period or user.

15. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the system control means is adapted to process a signal provided by a thermosensor to provide information concerning present temperature(s) within the system, to actuate said fluid supply valve to deliver a pre-programmed or user-selected temperature of fluid at a system outlet when a pre-programmed or user-selected temperature has been reached, to close said fluid supply valve when a pre-programmed or user-selected maximum temperature of fluid has been reached, or to receive and store a user-selected set temperature value that is automatically recalled upon subsequent entry of a user identification signal by the same user causing the control unit to send user-specific command signals to regulate temperature of fluid at the system outlet.

16. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the system control means incorporates a programmable time clock and/or year calendar that provides display signal whereby a current time and/or date indicator is received and displayed on the user display and allows allow chronologically programmed control of a system function or parameter.

17. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the system control means is programmable to actuate a selected system function or parameter prior to a pre-set time or date to automatically adjust hot water temperature, mixed fluid temperature, flow rate, time or volume to achieve a designated set value at the pre-set time or date.

18. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein said remote system monitoring/control device comprises a main-frame computer or server which independently or coordinately monitors and controls multiple fluid delivery systems.

19. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein said remote system monitoring/control device is connected with said system control means via infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), internet, intranet, direct connect remote access, satellite, or laser connection.

20. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising external data storage and input means for transferring data to the control means to control a system function or parameter.

21. The fluid delivery system of claim 20, wherein said external data storage and input means is a personal data storage template adapted to store and transfer a range of personal information directly or indirectly to the fluid control system.

22. The fluid delivery system of claim 21 which comprises a commercial hospitality fluid delivery system, wherein said personal data storage template is adapted to store and transfer personal data that optionally includes dates of hotel stays, selected times for activation or adjustment of fluid control parameters including bathwater flow or adjustment of shower temperature, selected times for wake up calls, desired room temperatures, selected times for meals, selections for dry cleaning, meals, rental car and entertainment options, and/or accommodation preferences.

23. The fluid delivery system of claim 22, including an optional input means comprising an external data processing device.

24. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 which comprises a domestic water supply system.

25. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 which comprises a central heating and cooling system.

26. A fluid delivery system for controlling fluid temperature, flow rate and volume at a system outlet comprising:

a fluid supply control valve for regulating flow of a first fluid and a second fluid from corresponding first and second fluid sources into a mixing port, wherein said first fluid has a different temperature from said second fluid;

a fluid supply control valve actuator operatively connected to said fluid supply valve for actuating opening and closure operations thereof;

a thermosensor thermally coupled with said mixing port to sense an estimated present temperature of a mixed fluid within said mixing port;

a fluid control valve for regulating flow of a mixed fluid flow at said system outlet;

a flow control valve actuator operatively connected to said flow control valve for actuating opening and closure operations thereof;

a user interface including user input means for selecting a set temperature, flow rate and volume of fluid at said system outlet and user display means for displaying one or more system functions or parameters;

system control means for receiving signals from said thermosensor and user interface and for processing said signals to generate appropriate control signals to control said fluid supply control valve actuator(s) and said flow control valve actuator means to achieve programmed or user-selected set temperature, flow rate and volume at said system outlet; and

external data storage and input means for storing and transferring data to said system control means to control one or more system function(s) or parameter(s).

27. The fluid delivery system of claim 26, wherein data stored by said external data storage and input means can be transmitted or downloaded into the system via one or more data transfer means selected from a serial or parallel port, modem, internet or intranet link, or satellite, optical, infrared, ultrasound, radio frequency (RF), or cellular data transmission.

28. The fluid delivery system of claim 26, wherein said external data storage and input means comprises a personal data storage template adapted to store and transfer personal information data directly or indirectly to the fluid control system.

29. The fluid delivery system of claim 28, wherein said personal data storage template is selected from a hard disk, floppy disk, zip drive, jaz drive, cd-rom, eeprom, or magnetic or optical personal data storage card.

30. The fluid delivery system of claim 28, wherein said personal data storage template comprises a conventional magnetized data storage card which stores data which can be transferred directly to the system control means or to a system memory storage means, or may be input to a central data base serving multiple fluid delivery systems.

31. The fluid delivery system of claim 27, which comprises a commercial hospitality fluid delivery system, wherein said personal data storage template is adapted to store and transfer personal data that optionally includes dates of hotel stays, selected times for activation or adjustment of fluid control parameters including bathwater flow or adjustment of shower temperature, selected times for wake up calls, desired room temperatures, selected times for meals, selections for dry cleaning, meals, rental car and entertainment options, and/or accommodation preferences.