Abstract: An apparatus operable in a wet environment for detecting the presence or absence of water in a non-conductive vessel, by measuring changes in dielectric constant and detecting the temperature of water in same vessel. A conductive element coupled to a sensing and switching means, transmits data to the controller, resulting from a change of dielectric constant at the conductive element. A temperature sensor detects and transmits temperature signals to the controller. A controller means receives data, from the dielectric constant sensor means and temperature data from the temperature sensor. Includes a coupling means which transmits data from the controller to an external device. The isolation means electrically isolates the conductive element and temperature sensor means from the water contained in a non-conductive vessel.

Abstract: An electromechanically actuated pressure balancing and/or thermostatic valve system, operable in a wet, electrically hazardous environment, used to control the temperature and flow of water supplying plumbing fixtures such as showers, baths and medical podiatry systems. The pressure and/or temperature balancing valve comprising a hot and cold water inlet and one or more mixed water outlets, includes a gear motor drivingly coupled to said pressure and/or temperature balancing valve. The switching device coupled to the motor, the switching device being operative in either a first state wherein significant current flow the motor is prevented or a second state wherein current flow through the motor causes rotation in a first direction or a third state wherein current flow through the motor causes rotation in a direction opposite to the first direction. The user controls provide desired mixed outlet water temperature setpoint.

Abstract: A mixing valve having two different fluid inputs and at least one fluid outlet. The fluid inputs are adapted to be coupled to the fluid outlet in variable proportions according to mix ratio data provided by a controller means. An electric motor operated gear box is adapted to be coupled to the operating shaft of the mixing valve. A sensing probe is mounted in communication with the mixing valve outlet fluid and is adapted to be coupled to the controller means. Optional, electrically operated fluid solenoids are adapted to be coupled to the controller means. The controller means is provided with an output for switching the switching device between its first, second or third states in a predetermined sequence for inducing a polarity conditioned voltage signal. The power supply and dry cell battery are coupled to the AC mains for supplying a low-voltage, supply to the controller means.

Abstract: An apparatus operable in a wet environment, for controlling the flow of electrical current to an electrical load, adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC signal. Includes as switching device coupled to the electrical load, the switching device being operative in either a first state wherein significant current flow through the load is prevented or a second state wherein current flow through the load is substantially undisturbed. An interconnection means is adapted to be coupled to an AC source and electrical load, wherein the interconnection means allows for plug and receptacle connection to the AC source and electrical load, respectively. Also includes a low air pressure receiver switch for receiving user input signals from a pneumatic transmitter to determine the operating status of the switching device.

Abstract: An apparatus operable in a wet environment for controlling the brightness and color of a solid state light emitting diode, lamp assembly which is adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC signal. A plurality of switching devices are connected in series with the lamp assembly and light emitting diodes. The switching devices are operative in either a first state, wherein significant current flowing through the lamp assembly is prevented or a second state wherein current flow through the lamp assembly is substantially undisturbed. User controls provide lamp assembly brightness and color input signals to a controller. Also included is a controller means for receiving lamp assembly brightness and color input signals from the user controls, and for switching the switching devices between the first and second states in a predetermined sequence for inducing pulse width modulation signals to the lamp assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus operable in a wet environment, for controlling the flow of electrical current to an electrical load, adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC signal. Includes a switching device coupled to the electrical load, the switching device being operative in either a first state wherein significant current flow through the load is prevented or a second state wherein current flow through the load is substantially undisturbed. An interconnection means is adapted to be coupled to an AC source and electrical load, wherein the interconnection means allows for plug and receptacle connection to the AC source and electrical load, respectively. Also includes a telemetry receiver for receiving user input signals from a transmitter to determine the operating status of the switching device. A controller receives the switching device status signals from the radio receiver and is used for switching the switching device between its first and second states in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus operable in a wet environment for detecting the presence or absence of water in a non-conductive vessel, by measuring changes in dielectric constant and detecting the temperature of water in same vessel. A conductive element coupled to a sensing and switching means, transmits data to the controller, resulting from a change of dielectric constant at the conductive element. A temperature sensor detects and transmits temperature signals to the controller. A controller means receives data, from the dielectric constant sensor means and temperature data from the temperature sensor. Includes a coupling means which transmits data from the controller to an external device. The isolation means electrically isolates the conductive element and temperature sensor means from the water contained in a non-conductive vessel.

Abstract: An induction motor system operable in a wet environment comprises an induction motor and an apparatus for controlling the speed of the motor. The motor is adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC signal. The motor includes a rotor having rotor laminations. The reflected rotor resistance over reflected rotor reactance ratio of the motor is adjusted to be greater than one. The controlling apparatus includes a switching device, user controls, controller means and isolation means. The switching device is connected in series with the motor and is operative in either a high impedance state wherein significant current flow through the motor is prevented or a low impedance state wherein current flow through the motor is substantially undisturbed. The user controls provide motor speed input signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the speed of an induction motor includes a first winding and a second winding. The first winding and second winding are adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC input signal. A first switching device is coupled to the first winding and a second switching device is coupled to the second winding. Each of the switching devices is operative in a low impedance state enabling current to flow through the associated winding of each switching device and a high impedance state preventing significant current flow through the associated winding of each switching device. A controller switches each of the switching devices from the high impedance state to the low impedance state in a sequence for controlling the current in the windings, which induces a phase shift between the AC voltages across the windings.

Abstract: A power supply for a variable speed AC motor includes a waveform generator for generating a periodic pulsed waveform according to a desired motor speed, an adjustable source of DC potential, and an inverter coupled to the waveform generator and to the source of DC potential. The inverter provides an AC pulse train to the AC motor, the pulse train having waveform characteristics according to the pulsed waveform generated by the waveform generator to obtain the desired speed. The voltage amplitude of the pulse train provided to the motor is proportional to the DC potential whereby motor currents can be controlled at the desired motor speed by varying the DC potential.