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Flow control system

  • US 9,657,464 B2
  • Filed: 11/25/2013
  • Issued: 05/23/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A fluid flow control system configured for installation between a water supply pipe and a shower head in a shower installation, comprising:

  • (a) a fluid inlet configured to be operatively coupled to the water supply pipe;

    (b) a fluid outlet configured for delivering water to the shower head, said fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet such that water may exit the system therethrough;

    (c) a proximity sensor for detecting the position of a bather within an interrogation region adjacent the sensor when the system is installed in a shower enclosure;

    (d) a flow control device comprising a control valve configured to regulate fluid flow between the inlet and outlet in response to bather detection by the proximity sensor within the interrogation region, wherein the flow control device comprises a disc valve which varies the fluid flow proportional to the detected distance of the bather from the proximity sensor by varying the control valve opening between a maximum and a minimum; and

    (e) a controller configured for controlling the operation of the flow control device in response to the location of the bather within the interrogation region, as detected by the proximity sensor;

    wherein the system determines, throughout a shower session, a full flow portion of the interrogation region and a minimum flow portion of the interrogation region based on a bather'"'"'s distance of closest approach to the sensor and distance of furthest approach to the sensor during the shower session, such that a maximum flow rate of water is delivered when the sensed distance of the bather from the sensor is within the full flow portion of the interrogation region, a minimum flow rate of water is delivered when the sensed distance of the bather from the sensor is within the minimum flow portion of the interrogation region, and an intermediate flow rate of water is delivered when the sensed distance of the bather from the sensor is between the minimum and maximum flow portions of the interrogation region.

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