Fluid metering and control device

• US 6,997,064 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2003
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Chamberlain, Anton Bird
• Original Assignee: Andrew Chamberlain, Anton Bird
• Inventors: Bird, Anton, Chamberlain, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Charles
• Application Number:
  US10/435,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20030233885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 738/617.5, 738/617.6, 738/617.7, 738/617.8, 738/617.9, 738/618.1, 738/618.2, 738/618.3, 738/618.4, 738/618.5, 738/618.9, 738/619.1, 738/619.2, 738/619.4, 731/49
• US Class Current: 73/861.75
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0418 having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/115 with magnetic or electromagnetic coupling to the indicating device
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/003 using electromagnetic, electric or electronic means G01F15/002, G01F15/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting

Abstract

A fluid measuring device that displays fluid volume usage against fluid volume limits and a fluid control device that stops fluid delivery when the fluid volume limit is reached.

Claims

1. A device to measure fluid output at a source comprising:

a propeller in contact with a fluid;

a motion sensor in communication with the propeller, the motion sensor configured to generate an electrical signal in proportion to the amount of motion;

an analog to digital converter configured to receive the electrical signal and convert it to a digital signal; and

a central processor unit having a display and programmable to determine, store, and present on the display

a fluid volume limit,

a fluid volume usage level based upon the cumulative motion of the propeller,

a proportion of fluid volume limit as a graphic representation; and

a user-adjustable valve for adjusting at the source, in response to the display, the fluid volume usage level.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the central processing unit is configured to display fluid temperatures.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured specifically to be attachable to a showerhead.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the central processor unit is remotely monitored and controlled.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the values of the fluid volume limit as displayed on the central processing unit are remotely controlled.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the graphic representation comprises bars, columns, pie charts, percentage, and decimal fraction values.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the central processor unit generates and sends an alerting signal whenever the fluid volume usage level equals or exceeds the fluid volume limit.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the alerting signal is audible or visual.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid volume limit is alterable by the user.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid volume limit is not alterable by the user.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein alphanumeric graphic includes bars, columns, pie charts, percentage, and decimal fraction values.

12. A device to measure fluid output at a source comprising

a propeller in contact with a fluid;

a motion sensor in communication with the propeller, the motion sensor configured to generate an electrical signal in proportion to the amount of motion;

an analog to digital converter configured to receive the electrical signal and convert it to a digital signal; and

a central processor unit having a display and programmable to determine, store, and present on the display

a fluid volume limit,

a fluid volume usage level based upon the cumulative motion of the propeller,

proportion of fluid volume limit presented as an alphanumeric graphic; and

a user-adjustable valve for adjusting at the source, in response to the display, the fluid volume usage level.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the fluid volume limit is presented in graphical form.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the fluid volume limit is presented in alphanumeric form.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the fluid volume limit, the fluid volume usage, and the proportion of fluid volume limit may be reinitialized.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the user-adjustable valve is mechanical.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the user-adjustable valve is electromechanical.