Temperature display system

• US 7,174,579 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pedro Bauza
• Original Assignee: Pedro Bauza
• Inventors: Bauza, Pedro
• Primary Examiner(s): Fetsuga; Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US10/939,395
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 4675-677, 374/147, 374/148, 700/32
• US Class Current: 4/675
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0418 having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/143 for measuring surface temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/005 Circuits arrangements for indicating a predetermined temperature fire detection G08B17/00

Abstract

An electronic temperature display system that connects directly to a water outlet comprising a sensor coupling unit, bushing, and a display panel assembly. Microprocessor-based circuitry monitors both temperature and the presence or absence of water through the water outlet. The device displays real-time shower temperature on a self-contained unit consisting of a position adjustable display panel. A programmable temperature scorching setting provides protection from scorching by signaling an audible warning tone when the water temperature has gone passed a preset temperature. The device displays true water temperature by monitoring temperature and water conductivity inside the sensor-coupling unit.

Claims

1. An electronic temperature display system for water outlets for a water delivery system that consist of either a dependent or independent hot and cold controls prior to a mixing chamber, comprising:

A) a sensor-coupling unit housing a temperature sensor;

B) a bushing; and

C) a temperature display adjustable display panel assembly having a microprocessor-based circuitry with means to display real-time water temperature, said microprocessor-based circuitry communicating with said temperature sensor by means of a conducting cable, said microprocessor-based circuitry housed within said adjustable display panel assembly, said adjustable display panel assembly further comprising a battery power source communicating with and supplying power to said microprocessor-based circuitry, said adjustable display panel assembly further comprising a manual control interface communicating with said microprocessor-based circuitry, said microprocessor-based circuitry monitors both water temperature and the presence or absence of water through a water outlet.

2. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said adjustable display panel assembly further comprises a conductivity sensor, said microprocessor-based circuitry monitor signals from said temperature sensor and said conductivity sensor in order to detect actual said water temperature as it flows through said water outlet.

3. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said adjustable display panel assembly comprises audible alarm means, said microprocessor-based circuitry further comprises a programmable predetermined temperature warning set within said programmable memory storage system, said audible alarm means engaging when said predetermined temperature is surpassed to provide protection from scorching.

4. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 3, further characterized in that said temperature sensor is selected from the group consisting of a thermocouple, a thermistor, a Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD), an integrated circuit temperature sensor, or a temperature-to-fluid pressure transducer.

5. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 4, further characterized in that said conducting cables are removable from said display panel housing.

6. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said battery power source is a an electric battery.

7. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 6, further characterized in that said electric battery is an electric dry cell battery.

8. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 7, further characterized in that said audible alarm means is selected from the group consisting of an electromechanical buzzer, a piezo transducer, or a speaker tone driver circuit.

9. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 8, further characterized in that said water outlet terminates at a showerhead, said water outlet extending from a faucet secured to a sink.

10. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 9, further characterized in that said sensor-coupling unit is generally cylindrical having first and second ends, said first and second ends having first and second male threads respectively removably secured to said water outlet at a predetermined distance between said faucet and said shower head.

11. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 10, further characterized in that said bushing comprises a face, extending perpendicularly from said face are third male threads that have cooperative characteristics to receive a nut.

12. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 11, further characterized in that said adjustable display panel assembly attaches to a link, said link having a first through-hole to receive said third male threads.

13. The electronic temperature display system set forth in claim 12, further characterized in that said sink has a second through-hole to snugly receive said third threads that are tightened upon by said nut.