Fluid data monitoring and control system

• US 6,481,634 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SmartWave Technologies Corp.
• Original Assignee: Smart Wave Technologies Inc. (SmartWave Technologies Corp.)
• Inventors: Zosimadis, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US09/582,684
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 462/3, 236/12.12, 236/51, 236/94, 236/93.B, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 236/12.12
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/041 having provisions against scalding, e.g. temperature limiting devices, external covers
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow

Abstract

A fluid data monitoring and control system useful in monitoring fluid properties and controlling the flow of that fluid from a faucet is described. The system includes a fluid property sensor/transmitter attached to a faucet which communicates via a wireless link to a controller. The wireless link is utilized to facilitate installation on a faucet. Various embodiments of the system include a system having a user detector for touchless control of the flow of water from a faucet, a digital display with audio and/or visual alarms to indicate if pro-set fluid conditions have been realized, a control valve (20) to moderate flow of water to the faucet and a design to provide the incorporation of multiple sensors into the system.

Claims

1. A faucet control system comprising a spout unit (SU) for attachment to a faucet and for obtaining data from the faucet and a flow control unit (FCU) for attachment to the inflow piping of the faucet and for controlling the flow of fluid from-the faucet,

the spout unit including an SU data collection module for receiving at least one data signal from at least one sensor configured to the SU data collection module, an SU processor module for processing data from the SU data collection module and FCU and an SU transceiver module for transmitting and receiving data between the SU and FCU,

the FCU including an FCU transceiver module for transmitting and receiving data between the FCU and SU, an FCU processor module for processing data from the SU and a valve operatively connected to the processor module.

2. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the SU processor module includes at least one program means for identifying and processing data signals from respective sensors.

3. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein data signals from each sensor are identified by an ID code.

4. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the SU processor module includes means for verifying receipt of a data packet at a secondary processor.

5. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the SU processor module includes means for receiving and interpreting an error signal.

6. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the SU processor module includes means for providing any one of or a combination of an ON signal, an OFF signal, a flow increase signal or a flow decrease signal for transmission.

7. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the spout unit, and flow control unit each include a power module selected from any one of or a combination of a battery or a turbine for providing power to the spout unit and flow control unit.

8. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the FCU processor module includes at least one program for interpretation of data signals from respective sensors of the spout unit.

9. A faucet control system as in claim 8 wherein distinct data signals are identified by an ID code.

10. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the FCU processor module includes means for providing any one of or a combination of an ON signal, an OFF signal, a flow increase signal or a flow decrease signal to a flow control module within the FCU.

11. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the flow control unit includes a flow control module responsive to any one of or a combination of an ON signal, an OFF signal, a flow increase signal or a flow decrease signal from the FCU processor module.

12. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the flow control module includes a variable position valve.

13. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the flow control module includes at least two valves for connection to independent faucets, and the FCU processor module includes means for independently controlling the at least two valves.

14. A faucet control system as in claim 1 further comprising a display unit (DU) for audio or visual display of data received from the spout unit or the flow control unit.

15. A faucet control system as in claim 14 wherein the display unit includes a DU transceiver module for receiving data from the spout unit or the flow control unit and transmitting data from the display unit.

16. A faucet control system as in claim 14 wherein the display unit includes a DU processor module for processing data received from the spout unit or the flow control unit.

17. A faucet control system as in claim 14 wherein the display unit includes a display module for displaying data received from the spout unit or the flow control unit.

18. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the SU processor module and FCU processor module each include means for parallel processing of data collected from the spout unit.

19. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is selected from any one of or a combination of a temperature sensor, user sensor, pH sensor, fluid clarity sensor, mineral sensor and microorganism sensor.

20. A faucet control system as in claim 1 wherein the spout unit includes standard faucet threads for attachment of the spout unit to the faucet.

21. A faucet control system as in claim 1 further comprising a user detector operatively connected to the SU or FCU for activating the SU or FCU in the presence of a user and de-activating the SU or FCU in the absence of a user.

22. A faucet control system comprising:

a spout unit (SU) and a flow control unit (FCU)

the spout unit for attachment to a faucet, the spout unit including;

a SU data collection module for obtaining fluid data relating to the physical properties of a fluid flowing through the faucet;

a SU processor module operatively connected to the SU data collection module for receiving and processing the fluid data;

a SU transceiver module operatively connected to the SU processor module for transmitting the fluid data and for receiving data from the FCU; and

,

a SU power module operatively connected to the SU data collection module, SU processor module and SU transceiver module for providing power to the SU;

the flow control unit for attachment to the inflow piping of the faucet, the flow control unit including a FCU transceiver module, processor module and flow control module;

the FCU transceiver module for receiving data from the spout unit and for transmitting data to the spout unit;

the FCU processor module operatively connected to the FCU transceiver module for receiving and processing data from the FCU transceiver module, for providing data to the FCU transceiver module, and for providing data to the flow control module;

the flow control module including a valve-operatively connected to the inflow piping of the faucet, the flow control module also operatively connected to the FCU processor module for receiving instructions to control the valve.

23. A faucet control system comprising a spout unit (SU) for attached to a faucet and for obtaining data from the faucet and a base unit;

the spout unit including an SU data collection module for receiving at least one data signal from at least one sensor configured to the SU data collection module, an SU processor module for processing data from the SU data collection module and base unit and an SU transceiver module for transmitting and receiving data between the SU and base unit, the base unit including a base transceiver for transmitting and receiving data between the SU and base unit, a base unit processor module for processing data from the SU and a display module for audio or visual display of data.

24. A faucet control system comprising a flow control unit (FCU) and base unit:

the FCU for attachment to the inflow piping of the faucet, for obtaining data from the faucet and for controlling the How of fluid from the faucet, the FCU including an FCU data collection module for receiving at least one data signal from at least one sensor configured to the FCU data collection module, an FCU processor module for processing data from the FCU data collection module and base unit and an FCU transceiver module for transmitting and receiving data between the base unit and the FCU,

the base unit including a base unit transceiver module for transmitting and receiving data between the base unit and the FCU, a base unit processor module for processing data from the FCU and a display module for audio or visual display of data.