Device comprising detecting means for hydraulic or chemical-physical properties of a fluid

• US 7,124,039 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2004
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Original Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Inventors: Fiorini, Andrea, Gadini, Costanzo
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US11/014,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20050107013A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 702/45, 702/50, 702/54, 702/56, 702/75, 702/100, 702/104, 702/114, 702/116, 738/61, 738/610.4, 738/617.7, 738/630.1, 738/630.2, 738/613.3, 137/3, 137/39, 137/101.21, 137/115.25, 137/119.06
• US Class Current: 702/50
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/205 using a valve
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 Communications between instruments or with remote terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/138 by sensing the concentration of the mixture, e.g. measuring pH value
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A device has a body defining a space for the passage of a fluid, as well as a detector of a hydraulic or chemical-physical property of the fluid in the space. The detector is connected to a control unit by means of a wireless communication system that includes a data transmission circuit, connected to the detector, and a data receiving circuit, interfaced to the control unit. The wireless communication system includes a radio-frequency passive electric circuit without independent power supply.

Claims

1. A device comprising

a body in which a space is defined for containing or allowing passage of a fluid,

first detecting means for at least a hydraulic or chemical and/or physical property of the fluid contained in or passing through said space,

a control system,

connecting means for connecting said first detecting means with said control system,

wherein said connecting means comprise

a radio-frequency passive electric circuit without independent power supply, connected to said first detecting means and

receiving means interfaced to said control system,

and wherein said passive circuit is operative for transmitting data by radio-frequency to said receiving means.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said passive circuit and at least a part of said first detecting means are housed in a same envelope.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said envelope is housed within said body and said receiving means are arranged outside said body.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said envelope is pro-vided for being immersed in said fluid.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means comprise a respective circuit for supplying and decoding data transmitted by radio-frequency.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first detecting means comprise a sensor, in particular a solid state sensor.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said first detecting means comprise a measuring circuit connected to said sensor.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said passive circuit comprises at least a miniaturized integrated circuit.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said passive circuit comprises a miniaturized antenna.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means is operative for transmitting data by radio-frequency to said passive circuit.

11. The device according to claim 7, wherein said receiving means are operative for transmitting by radio-frequency to said passive circuit configuration data for said measuring circuit.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first detecting means are designed to detect one or more properties of the fluid, chosen in the group consisting of pH, refractive index, sugar percentage, pressure, electric conductivity, temperature, flow, flow rate, amount, level.

13. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that second detecting means are provided.

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that said second detecting means have corresponding connecting means comprising

a respective radio-frequency passive electric circuit without in-dependent power supply, and

respective receiving means interfaced to said control system,

and wherein each passive circuit is operative for transmitting data by radio-frequency to the respective receiving means.

15. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that said first and second detecting means have common connecting means to said control system, said common connecting means comprising

a radio-frequency passive electric circuit without independent power supply for each of the detecting means provided for, and

common receiving means interfaced to said control system,

where each passive circuit is operative for transmitting data by wireless radio-frequency to said common receiving means.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said common receiving means are operative for identifying selectively data transmitted by the first and second detecting means.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein it is a device for treating a liquid, such as a decalcifying device.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein it is a dispenser of washing agents for washing machines, comprising a tank, said first detecting means being provided for detecting at least one of the level and the presence of a liquid washing agent in the tank.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein it is the washing tank of on of a washing machine or a dishwasher.

20. A device for preparing a mixture of liquids, in particular a drink, comprising:

a first duct for the addition of a first ingredient, on which acts a first element for adjusting a flow rate thereof,

a second duct for the addition of a second ingredient, on which acts a second element for adjusting a flow rate thereof,

a mixing area of the first ingredient with the second ingredient, so as to obtain said mixture, the mixing area being downstream from said first duct and said second duct,

control means operative for controlling the first element for adjusting and the second element for adjusting,

first detecting means for at least a hydraulic or chemical and/or physical quantity of at least one of the first ingredient, the second ingredient, the mixture to be obtained,

connecting means for connecting said first detecting means to said control system means,

wherein said connecting means comprise

a wireless data transmission circuit, connected to said first detecting means, and

a receiving circuit for said data interface to said control means.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein said transmission circuit and at least a part of said first detecting means are housed in a same envelope.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein said envelope is housed within said mixing area.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein said envelope is provided for being immersed in said mixture.

24. The device according to claim 20, wherein said first detecting means comprise a solid state sensor.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein said first detecting means comprise a measuring circuit connected to said sensor.

26. The device according to claim 20, wherein said transmission circuit comprises a miniaturized integrated circuit.

27. The device according to claim 20, wherein said transmission circuit comprises a miniaturized antenna.

28. The device according to claim 20, wherein said receiving circuit is operative for transmitting data by radio-frequency to said transmission circuit.

29. The device according to claim 25, wherein said receiving circuit is operative for transmitting by radio-frequency to said transmission circuit configuration data for said measuring circuit.

30. The device according to claim 20, wherein said first detecting means are provided to detect one or more properties of the mixture, chosen in the group consisting of pH, refractive index, sugar percentage, pressure, electric conductivity, temperature, flow, flow rate, amount, level.

31. The device according to claim 20, wherein said transmission circuit comprises a radio-frequency passive electric circuit without independent power supply.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein said receiving circuit comprises means for supplying and decoding data transmitted by radio-frequency.

33. The device according to claim 20, wherein there are provided second detecting means for said chemical and/or physical quantity for the first and/or second ingredient, the second detecting means having respective connecting means to said control means comprising

a respective wireless data transmission circuit connected to said second detecting means, and

a respective receiving circuit interfaced to said control means.

34. The device according to claim 33, wherein said second detecting means are operatively arranged within the first and/or second duct.

35. The device according to claim 20, wherein the mixing area comprises a supply nozzle defining a chamber for the passage of the mixture, the first detecting means acting within said chamber.

36. The device according to claim 35, wherein said receiving circuit is fastened to a component of the body of the device supporting the supply nozzle.

37. A device for measuring or controlling a fluid, in particular the flow rate or amount thereof, comprising at least

an impeller having a central portion or hub from which ex-tends at least a blade, the hub being associated to a rotation pin, the impeller being mounted into a duct having an inlet and an out-let for the fluid;

detecting means for the rotation of the impeller, so as to determine an amount of fluid passing said inlet to said outlet,

wherein

said detecting means comprise sensor means of the rotation of the impeller, arranged inside said duct,

said sensor means are associated to a wireless data transmission circuit, and

a receiving circuit for receiving said data is arranged outside said duct.

38. The device according to claim 37, wherein said transmission circuit comprises a radio-frequency passive electric circuit without independent power supply.

39. The device according to claim 37, wherein said receiving circuit comprises means for supplying and decoding data transmitted by radio-frequency.

40. The device according to claim 37, wherein said transmission circuit and at least a part of said detecting means are housed in a same envelope.

41. The device according to claim 37, wherein said detecting means comprise a measuring circuit.

42. The device according to claim 37, wherein said receiving circuit is operative for transmitting data by radio-frequency to said transmission circuit.