Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SPEC I FICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the automated attainment and maintenance
of a desired temperature of the discharge Erom a faucet,
showerhead or hose at a bathtub, sink, shower enclosure or like
re.ceptacle~ The device works by automatically controlling the
proportions of a mix of two similar fluids of differing
temperatuxes. Optional faatures include the automatic attainment
and maintenance of the flow rate of the mix, of automatic start-up
with a timer, and of automatic halting when a given volume is
dispensed.
This invention is a unique assemblage of known components and
methods. The invention is comprised of plumbing fixtures~ piping,
valves, drives, sensors, electronic relays, control circuitry, and
control panel, all of which are, in various orms, in current use.
They are brought together, each in a specific form, to comprise a
new system which is this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR TECHNOLOGY
In obtaining the dispensing of a fluid of a given temperature, it
is common to Tnix two fluids of different temperatures to arrive at
the desired temperature of the mix. A knob or lever controlled
valve is usually adju~sted by hand to allow the fluid of one
tempera-ture to flow at a rate to be felt or observed by the
adjusting person. Mo6 t oEten, each of two valves is controlled by
i-ts own kJlob or lever bu-t it is not urlcc)mmon to have a single
knob oc lever controlling bo-th valves. The fluids are mii~ed
together, usuaLly at a poin-t immediately aEter the Eluids exit
their respective valves, which are usually in close proximity to
each other.
To ensure that the resultan-t mix is the desired temperature, the
user almost always relies on testing the fluid, commonly water, by
placing a hand or fingers in the fluid mix dispensed from -the
system. The valves are adjusted manually on a -trial and error
basis until the user is satisfied with -the mix. When a user wishes
to maintain a fixed tempera~ure a-t a fixed rate oE flow, such as
when having a shower, he rnust first sense by touch any change
which invariably occuxs, and then, again by trial and error,
adjust the valves manually.
If a user wishes a specific volume, an example being to fill a
ba-thtub, visual observation is required so that the valves may be
shut manually when the desired volume has been dispensed.
To save time, the user often attends to o-ther activities while, as
in this example, -the bathtub is filling, periodically checking or
hoping to return in -time to shut off the valves before an overflow
situation occursO
Some attempts have been made to reduce -the fluctuations oE
temperature and flow rate~ Mechanical devices in plumbing systems
compensate Eor sudden changes in pressure such as when a toilet
flushes. The change is always evident, however, to the user.
Single lever or knob fauce-ts have been introduced -to simpliEy -the
trial and error method of mix selectionO The trial and error
me-thod, involving touch tes-ting or observa-tion, is still essential
Eor successful oparation. Also, the degree o f:Low ra-te control
sensi-tivity available in current devices does not eliminate the
need for in-termi-tten-t manual adjustment by the user.
The pursui-t of efficiency has necessitated the invention and
application of electronic fluid control systems. There are devices
which monitor and control the flow rate of fluids as xequired on a
continuous basis by sensing the characteristics, including
temperature, of the Eluids, and governing their flow accordingly.
10 Other devices yovern the ra-te a-t which fluid is used depending on
multiple variables which change the required flow ra-te. Still
other devices provide a means for electronically controlling the
blending of two fluids in-to one stream. In most such devices, the
selection of temperature, or other charac-teristic, either effects
a pxeset opening or closing of certain valves controlling flow of
fluids of supposed temperatures, or other cha:racteristics,
regardless of what the actual temperatures or values are, or, in
more sophisticated devices, effects periodic or preset opening and
closing of certain valves controlling ingredient Eluids of known
20 temperatures, or o-ther characteristics, depending on a rough
calculation to predict the approximate result, rather than on an
ongoing measurement of -the result or of -the inflowing fluids by
the control circuit and an accordingly increasingly refined
adjustment as here. The most similar existing devices to the
invention herein described are laundry machines or dishwashers
wi-th electronic controls of the temperature and volume of wa-ter
required. Of less similarity -to the present invention are devices
that electronically control the manipulation oE -the temperature oE
a discharge of fluid, for example, by application oE ambient heat
or coldness to the mix of the fluid or to an ingredient of -the
mix, or by applying increased or decreased pumping or ambient
pressure to increase or decrease the flow of an ingredien-t of the
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~
Figure 1 is a drawing oE the control panel.
Figure 2 is a schematic drawing o~ -the invention system.
Figure 3 is a logic diagram for the -tempera-ture and flow ra-te
control aspect of the microprocessor.
Figure 4 is a logic diagxam for the volume control aspect of the
microprocessor.
Figure 5 is a logic diagram for the Elow stop aspect of the
microprocessor.
Figure 6 is a logic diagram Eor the pre-set command control aspect
of the microprocessor~
GENERAL VESCRIPTION
An object oE the present invention is to provide an electronic
control for the attainment, moni-toring and regulating of the
temperature oE a fLuid discharge from a faucet, showerhead or hose
at a bathtub, sink, shower enclosure or like receptacle, by
monitorîng and regulating -the proportions of the mix comprised of
two similar fluids of differing temperatuxes. At the same -time,
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this invention ~an also attain, monitor and regulate t'ne flow rate
of the mi~ed fluid at -the desired tempera-ture. Addi-tionally, this
invention can monitor the dispansed volume of the mix and can de-
activate itself when a desired volume has been dispensed. Ano-ther
object oE this invention is provide a visual quantified display of
the tempera-ture, flow rate and/or volume of the fluid dispensed
from the system.
To this end the inven-tion provides a panel with which the user
operates a microprocessor and from which he obtains inEoxmation
about the s-tatus of the system. Referring to Figure 1, a simple
drawing of the control panel 1 is illustrated. This control panel
comprises a grid 2 with a selector 3 which can be placed anywhere
within -the confines of -the grid. One axis of the grid is for
temperature selection and a quantified temperature range 4 is
displayed alongside this axis. The other axis is for flow rate
control and a quantified flow rate range 5 is displayed alongside
this axis. The control panel also contains any number, probably
ten or less r of pre-set selector buttons 6 which when activated
dispense a pre-set volume of fluid at a pre-set temperature/flow
rate combination and will override the grid selector and volume
selector se-ttings. The pre-set selector buttons may also activate
solely either a temperature/flow rate combination or a volume
setting. The programmed settings are changeable by the user.
The control panel also contains a volume slide control 7 which
when activated controls the volume oE the fluid to be dispensed.
The grid selector 3 and the volume slide control 7 also double as
START command switches which when activated will begin -the fluid
mix dispensing process. The control panel furthex con-tains a STOP
command button 8 which when activated overrides all other controls
and shuts both valves.
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The control panel also contains -visual numexical displays which
indica-te the actual tempera-ture 9 and flow rate 10 of the Eluid as
it is being dispensed and a visual 11 and/or audio signal which is
activated by the control circui-t only while the fluid dispensed is
not in accordance with what was selected. The con-trol panel also
contains a visual numerical display 12 which inaica-tes the volume
of fluid dispensed since the most recent START cornmand and ~olume
instruckion was input to -the control panel.
Referring to Figure 2~ a schematic diagram of the invan-tion system
i5 illustra-ted. The invention also provides a power ac-tuated
valving system 13 which is comprised of two valves which couple to
-the two fluid source pipes 14, one on one, with any -type of power
actuated means to open and close the valves concurren-tly and
independently of each other, and a pipe 15 which joins the two
pipes exiting the valves into the pipe that carries the fluid to
point of dispensing or use.
The invention also provides fluid status sensors 16 attached to
the single outflow pipe 17 carrying -the mix. These sensor~ sense
the tempera-ture, flow rate and volume of the Eluid mix as i-t
passes through the pipe, and continuously, while the
microprocessor is in operation, transmits this in~orma-tion to the
microprocessor 19 and visual displays on the control panel via
electrical wire relays~
The invention also provides valve status sensors 18 which sense
when and whether each valve is either fully open or fully closed.
This informat.ion prevents the rnicroprocessor :Erom at-tempting to
fulfill a cornmand not possible due to inadequate fluid supply of
one tempe:ra-ture or the other or both.
The in~enl:ion also provides a microprocessor 19 which correlates
the info.rmatio~ sent to it by the said 1uid status sensors to the
respective lnstructions input by the user. The microprocessor
adjusts -the power actuated valve drives electronically until the
fluid s-tatus sensors indicate that -the condition of the dispensing
fluid matches the conditions re~uired and selected by the user.
The microprocessor also adjusts the said valves continually as
necessary to compensate for any subse~uent variances which may
occur Erom the selected conditions. The microprocessor further
adjusts the valves accordingly when -the user requires no more
fluid.
The invention also provides, as a safety feature, a single
manually operated valve 20 with which to regulate or stop the
fluid flow at a point beyond the power actua-ted system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention is suitable wherever hot and cold water are mixed
and discharged from a fauce-t, showerhead or hose at a bathtub,
sink, shower enclosure or like receptacle, for domestic, health-
care, public, industrial, consumer or business purposes. With
apparent slight modif.ications this invention is suitable for a
broad range of industrial or small scale uses where the regulation
of temperature and flow rate of the fluid discharge from a faucet,
showerhead or hose at a bathtub, sink, shower enclosure or like
receptacle by the reg~llation o:E the proportions of the mix oE two
fluids of varying temperatures is desired, and lf further desired,
to a speci:Eic volume.
Power to the systeml can be provided f.rom a conventional outlet,
` although a diract conn0c-t:ion to -the electr:ical sys-tem of the
building may be more prudent. The power is applied to the
microprocessor and -the device or devices which open a~d close -the
two valves. The nature of these devices is irrelevant to this
inven-tion provided certain characteristics are met. These are that
the valves' opening and closing functions are smooth~ ~uick~ and
precise and that the two valves are controlled independently of
each other. Two suitable systems available are reversible electric
motor driven valves and pneumatic driven valves. The activation oE
the valves is con-trolled by the microprocessor. The valves must be
driven quickly and at just short of such a speed that would have
the valves overshoot their optimum positions before the
microprocessor can determine that these positions have been
obtained.
An op-tional set-up would be to have a third valve in comunica-tion
with the control circuit -to control -the flow rate after the fluid
mix is adju.sted to the correct temperature by -the Eirst -two
valves.
The microprocessor receives inputs from the control panel and from
the fluid and valve status sensors. The function o~ the
microprocessor ls to adjust -the valves so tha-t the fluid status
sensor reaclings of the resultant Elow matches the instructions
input Erom the control panel. Each valve can be opened or closed
independently of the action or inaction of the other valve. A
safeguard in the system gives temperature control priority over
flow rate control so -that an inabili-ty to reach a desired flow
ra-te at a given temperature is no-t compensated for a-t the expense
of losing the chosen temperature, the preferred -temperature will
be maintained as closely as possible, iE necessary, at a reduced
flow rate~
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The microp:rocessor also, when ins-tructed to do so via the control
panel, monitors the volume oE fluid dispensed and closes the
valves when -the sensed volume dispensed matches the volume
ins-t.ructions input via the control panel.
The microprocessor is comprised o circuitry such -that the
functions as described in this text and illustrations in Figures
3~ 4, 5, and 6 may be performed. The microprocessor also transmits
to the sensors, valve drive devices, and control panel, the
appropriate electrical power and signals as each requires. The
microprocessor also receives, uses, and relays to the display
fluid status sensor information.
The electronic circuitry of the microprocessor performing the said
functions will probably be embodied in the latest state of the art
integrated circuit micro-chip form, but can be comprised oE more
primitive electronic components.
The microprocessor perEorms three basic operations. These are th~
attaining and maintaining oE a Eluid mix of a desired temperature,
at a desired flo~ rate, with monitoring of the volume dispensed,
and termination of fluid flow when a desired volume has been
dispensed or whenever instructed to termina-te by the user via -the
control panel.
The microprocessor is the physical embodiment in circuit form oE
the logic illust:rated in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Referring to Figure 3, the logic diagram for tempera-ture and Elow
rate control of the fluld mix is illustrated. The user first
selects the desirecL temperature and flow rate of the fluid mix
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either by plac:ing the seLec-tor to the appropria-te pos.ition on the
cont:rol panel gr.id o:r bv touching one oE -the reprogrammable pre-
set command buttons. If fluid is already flowing and the user .i.s
mexely chan~ing -the temperature and/or flow rate the
microprocessor will ir~nediately adjust the valves to match the new
instructions. I-f~ however, the valves were closed/ no ac-tion will
occur unti]. the user acti.vates the microprocessor by touching the
START command button, o.r by pushing in or out the temperature/f.low
xate selectox.
Once activated, the microprocessor continuously moni-tors all the
sensors wi-thin the systemO
If the outflow temperature is less than that desired, the valves
are adjusted accordingly and likewise if -the temperature exceeds
that des.ired.
Vi.rtually simultaneously, a flow rate sensor reading is taken to
determine whether the overall flow rate is greater or less than
that desired and both valves are accordingly adjusted. The valves
are almost continuously adjusted by the microprocessor during the
operation of the system.
Referring to Figure 4, the logic diagram for volume control i5
illustrated. When a specific volume is re~uired, the user either
slides a selector on the control panel to the desired volume
se-tting or activates a pre-set command button. The microprocessor
will, .if fluid is already flowing~ from the time of this most
recent inst.ruction, monitor the Eluid dispensed, and when -the
desired volume has been dispensed, it will shut off both valves.
As with -the temperature/flow rate control, no action will occur
until the user activates the microprocessor with a START command.
The volume con-trol selector also doubles, if pushed in or ou-t, as
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a START swltch. Volume controL operation ls performed
independently oE and concurrently wi-th the -temperature/flow rate
con-trol process.
ReEerring to Figure 5, the logic diagram for the Elow s-top con-trol
is illustra-ted. When -the user wishes -to -terminate the fluid flow,
he simply activates the STOP command button and the microprocessor
will shut both valves regardless of whether or not a previously
selected volume has been dispensed.
Referriny to Figure 6, the logic diagram for the pre-set control
is illustrated. The pre-set values and pre-set button input can be
changed at any time by the user. They can command the
microprocessor to perEorm both temperature/flow rate control and
volume control operations or simply the former i a continuing
flow is desired. Activation of a pre-set command also performs a
START command.
Regarding sensor placement with the piping system, sensors could
be located ahead of the valves in an attempt -to anticipate the
result by calculation before -the 1uid is mixedO This can be
achieved by one set oE 1uid sta-tus sensors for each of the two
incoming pipes and modifying the microprocessor circuitry
accordingly. However, the almost immeasurably small increase in
control eficiency would probably not offset the increased
cornplexity, hardware and cost oE such a system. The speed and
accuracy of the invention operation as it would be performed in
the embodiment described herein would be almost identical to the
system with Eluid sensors in advance of -the valves, except in
cases where the fluid supply is subject to sudden and large
fluctua-tions of temperature or flow rate. In those cases the
sensors should be located far enough in advance to allow -the
con-trol clrcuit to adjus-t -the valves at the appropriate time. In
the case where sensors are located in advance, it would be
preferabl~ to have in addition post-mixing sensors, for precision
o~ control and display of the flu.id conditions. The poin-t oE -the
invention is that a microprocessor/ instructed by the user and
while taking readings from sensors within the system, controls
valves accordingly and advises the u.ser of the Eluid condition.
The advantages of this invention ove:r previous methods and devices
are numerous. When applied to the operation oE filling a bathtub,
the use.r simply touches a button and walks away. The tub will fill
itself with water oE the user's selected temperature and then ~ill
shut itself off when the user's preprogrammed volume has been
dispensed.
This invention eliminates in all applications the need for visual
observation or touch-testing by the user. The user need not wet
his hands until the dispensed fluid is ready for use. Also
eliminated is the need or continual monitoring and manual
adjustment of faucets to correct tempera-ture and flow rate
fluctuations from those preferred. This advantage can be
particularly important where changing uses and demands elsewhere
in the plumhing system cause a sudden change in the pressure oE
one or both of the two ingredient fluids. The invention operates
to correct a resultant change in the temperature of -the mix and to
prevent a drastic change in the temperature oE the discharged
L luid.
Fluid and time are saved because of the much quicker method of
attaining the desired temperature and flow rate combina-tions. The
invention's interface with the user, the control panel, is
inherently tidier in operation and appearance than faucets, and
afEords easier clea;nin~.
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Control by pushbuttons, which can be touch or proximity ac-tivated,
ls made possible in -this inven-tion and operation is thus much
easier than by faucets ox plumbing levers. This is particularly
advantageous for people who suffer from ar-thritis or o-ther
physical disability.
The visual numerical displays of -the fluid condition assure the
user -tha-t he i~ get-ting what he wants.
The audio signal, which activates while a signiEicant discrepancy
exists between instructions and fluid conditions, advises the user
of that discrepancy, as do the visual displays. A prolonyed audio
signal indica-tas that probably the re~uested selection is not
attainable at -tha-t time due to limitations in the Eluid source
~ystem.
An additional advantage is that the supply of water in consumer
applications is upgraded to use state-of-tha-art technology and
provide precise and automated control o~ this resourceO
The most obvious disadvantage is tha-t if power supply is
disrupted, the system will not operate. In view of this a manually
operated shutoff valve can be incorporated into the system, to
provide manual override shutoff control. Additionally, a manually
operated set of valves could be incorporated to bypass -the rest oE
the invention, to provide manual override supply con-trol.
Another optional f~ea-ture would be to incorporate a -timer to allow
activation of -the system at a -time later than that of programming
the user selections. With this arrangemen-t, the user could, for
example, wake wp and irnmediately get into a full bath oE chosen
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- -tempera-tureO ~ ~ 9 ~59 3
The presen-t inven-tion may be embodied in other specific ~orms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The presen-tly disclosed embodiment is -therefore to be
considered in all respec-ts as illustra-tive and not restric-t,ive,
the scope of the invention being indicated by -the appended claims
rather than by the Eoregoing descrip-tion, and all changes which
come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore intended to be embraced therein.
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