Timed shower valve manager

• US 6,899,133 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2004
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Network Solutions, LLC (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Donald D. Brunkhardt
• Inventors: Brunkhardt, Donald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US10/863,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20050016603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 357 Days
• Field of Search: 137/624.11, 137/624.13, 137/624.15, 137/552.7, 251/30.02, 239/69
• US Class Current: 137/624.11
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

An automated externally mounted shower timer and flow control device powered by a low voltage battery.

Claims

1. A programmable water flow control showering valve device comprising:

a) a housing

b) a connection for the inlet of water from a water source;

c) an inlet channel that contains a switch that activates when water enters the channel;

d) a channel divider that divides the flow between the inlet channel and a bypass channel;

e) a diaphragm seal that covers the bypass channel that provides for a watertight seal;

f) a latching solenoid through means of a piston that opens and closes the bypass channel;

g) an outlet channel and a flow out connection;

h) a CPU is contained within the housing and contains logic circuits, timers, an alarm, and a magnetic sensor; and

i) a battery compartment is accessible from the external housing.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein a first timer means activates signal producing means a predetermined time before closing of a valve.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the inlet channel is of such a size to substantially reduce the flow of water through the device when said valve device is closed.

4. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein a timer prevents said valve from reopening before a predetermined time interval has expired.

5. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein an interval of time said valve remains open is predetermined.

6. The invention defined in claim 5 wherein a notification time interval, by the alarm sounding, that said valve would close is predetermined.

7. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the solenoid does not require constant electrical charge to remain open.

8. The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said intervals are determined after placing a magnetic device next to the magnetic sensor and establishing said intervals using audible tones.

9. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said valve device could be powered by a low voltage power source.