Abstract: An apparatus for the conversion of pressure fluctuations prevailing in fluid systems into electrical energy includes in a casing (1) a first chamber (4) which may be connected to a fluid system and is limited on one side by a movable wall, for example a membrane (3). The movable wall is mechanically linked to an apparatus (6), e.g. a piezoelectric converter, which converts the mechanical energy made available by the motion of the movable wall (3) into electrical energy (FIG. 1).

Abstract: In a sanitary single-lever mixer valve, the linear displacement of a movable plate cam, which can carry out a combined rotary and linear movement upon a fixed plate cam arranged in a housing, is influenced by an elastic locking device. This acts in the region of two co-operating guide surfaces, of which one is provided on an element rotatably guided in the housing and the other is provided on the movable plate cam. A first opening is provided in a first of these guide surfaces. A second opening is provided in the second of these guide surfaces, has an approximately circular cross section, is intersected by the guide surface and receives a spring element. The latter is constructed as an incompletely closed hollow moulded element which attempts to expand elastically within the opening and therefore always projects as far as possible beyond the associated guide surface. However, the spring element can be forced completely into the accommodating opening under elastic compression.

Abstract: An electrically actuated valve for control of a pressurized fluid, particularly a sanitary valve, comprises a rotor (15) arranged in a housing (1) between an inlet passageway (6) and an outlet passageway (7). The rotor (15) is rotatable under the action of the pressurized fluid and transports portions of the fluid from the inlet passageway (6) to the outlet passageway (7). There is an operational connection between the rotor (15) and an element (19) rotatably arranged in a chamber (21) filled with an electro-viscous liquid (22). The electro-viscous liquid (22) is arranged between two electrodes (23, 24) to which as high voltage (25) can be applied. In one embodiment of the invention the rotor (15) also forms the closure element of the valve, which is braked to a various extent by the rotatable element (19) arranged in the electro-viscous liquid. In a further embodiment rotation of the rotor will supplied to a closure member via the rotatable element, which will then be an element of a clutch, and gear means.

Abstract: A proximity controlled sanitary fitting is provided with a manually operated electric selector switch (6) which is formed the same way as a handle of a conventional manually operated sanitary fitting. The selector switch (6) can be see in various operating positions associated to different operating modes of the sanitary fitting. Among these operating modes there are in particular the following ones: normal detection of a user; deactivation of the non-tactile detection; and opening the fitting regardless of the electronic detection. Thus the electric selector switch can be optically integrated into the design of the sanitary fleeing in a way readily accepted by the public.

Abstract: A device for the non-contact control of a sanitary fitting comprises in an emitting/receiving unit, in addition to an emitter and a receiver and their associated detection circuit as is known, a second receiver which can be reached directly by the radiation emitted by the emitter, and with which a second detection circuit is associated. In an initialization mode in front of a stationary reflector, the operating voltage of the emitter or the amplification of the detection circuits is continuously increased by a control unit until the desired sensitivity is reached. The values of representative voltages at which the two detection circuits are triggered are stored in respective stores. The quotient of these two values is put into a third store.

Abstract: In a sanitary fitting controlled in a non-contacting manner, the housing is divided several times: handle-like attachments (6, 7) are detachably connected on both sides to a main housing (1), which contains the channels carrying water. One of the two handle-like attachments (6) holds all the electronic components, in particular transmitter (9), receiver (10) and receiving electronics (11) and receives these electronic components at least partly in its cup-shaped housing (52). The other handle-like attachment (7) similarly holds all the mechanical components, in particular the electrically controlled valve (14, 29), and receives these mechanical components at least partly in its cup-shaped housing (18) (FIG. 3).

Abstract: An electrically operated sanitary mixer tap system comprises a hollow piston (17) for adjusting the temperature, which in particular may be a rotary piston. The hollow piston (17) moves in a chamber (21) of the housing (1) of the mixer tap system, into which the flow paths (22, 23) for cold and hot water open. A particular structure (27) on the outside of the hollow piston (17) cooperates with the openings of the flow paths (23, 27) and thus determines the mixing ratio of the mixed water flowing out of the fitting. Its further path to the outlet of the sanitary fitting leads at least in regions through the interior of the hollow piston (17). Located at this point are (at least) the closing members (30, 34) of an electrically operated valve, which in this way controls the flow of mixed water to the outlet of the fitting. This arrangement of the closing members (30, 34) radially inside the hollow piston (17) facilitates a particularly space-saving construction (FIG. 4).

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for a sanitary fitting controlled in a non-contacting manner comprises a transmitter (3) as well as a receiver (4), at which radiation emitted by the transmitter (3) arrives after reflection on an object (7). In an initialization process, which takes place for the first time after the initial installation, thereafter at greater regular time intervals, the capacity of the transmitter (3) is increased until the reflection on a stationary object (7) in the monitoring range has the result that the evaluation circuit (5) following the receiver (4) is activated. Now the capacity of the transmitter (3) is once more reduced somewhat; the circuit arrangement changes to normal operation. It now has its optimum sensitivity, at which stationary objects (7) no longer cause faulty actuations, but the greatest possible monitoring range is provided for movable objects to be monitored.

Abstract: A sanitary fitting contains a closing component (9) which can be moved to vary the quantity of water flowing. A movement brake (23, 24) is provided to prevent excessively fast closing speeds. A spring component (35) is provided in the transmission path (16, 20, 21) between the handle which the user holds and the closing component (9). Through this spring component it is possible for the movement of the handle to be decoupled from the movement of the closing component (9) under the effect of the brake (23, 24) so that very fast movements of the handle are not followed and that, instead, the closing component moves with a time delay and below a permitted maximum speed (FIG. 3).

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a pre-selectable quantity of liquid, in particular a quantity of water, comprises an input device, at which the respectively desired quantity of liquid to be delivered automatically can be fed in. Located in the path of the liquid is an electrically variable flow-control valve, whereof the position is varied automatically according to the pre-selected quantity of liquid, corresponding to a characteristic curve stored in a memory: the flow rate is chosen to be all the greater, the greater the pre-selected quantity of liquid. Due to this it is ensured that very different quantities of liquid can be drawn in times which are practical for use.

Abstract: A pipe interrupter, which is particularly suitable for installation in a sanitary fitting, comprises in a housing a chamber, into which a water inlet pipe, a water outlet pipe and a ventilating passage open. A resilient closing flap comprises an attachment section as well as a closing section connected thereto in the manner of a hinge. Normally, as long as reduced pressure does not prevail in the inlet pipe, the closing section covers the opening aperture of the ventilation passage into the chamber, so that on the one hand no atmospheric air may enter and on the other hand no water may emerge. However, if a reduced pressure occurs in the pipe system, which is connected to the inlet pipe, then the closing section of the closing flap tilts by a certain angle, until it closes off the opening point of the inlet pipe into the chamber and on the other hand opens the ventilation passage to the chamber.

Abstract: In a sanitary fitting which is controlled without physcial contact at least one sensor is provided through which the water flow can be continuously adjusted. A pilot controlled valve is used for this which is operated by an electric motor. The rotation of the electric motor output shaft is converted into the linear movement of a plunger. This plunger in turn operates a closing device which opens or closes the pilot opening of a membrane. The membrane acts together with a valve seat to regulate the actual water flow. The design of the valve is such that in all positions between the fully open and fully closed position the membrane reliably follows the position of the closing device. Thus a continuous adjustment of the water flow is possible by using minimum power.

Abstract: A pipe interrupter, which is particularly suitable for installation in a sanitary fitting, comprises in a housing a chamber, into which a water-supply passage, a water-discharge passage and a ventilation path open. Located in the chamber is a rolling membrane, which is fixed at the peripheral region. Normally, thus as long as there is no reduced pressure in the supply passage, the rolling membrane bears in the central region against the opening aperture of the ventilation path in the chamber, so that on the one hand no atmospheric air may enter and on the other hand no water may escape. However, if reduced pressure occurs in the pipe system, which is connected to the supply passage, then the rolling membrane overturns so that now on the opposite side of the central region it closes the opening point of the supply passage into the chamber. On the other side, a ventilation path to the chamber is exposed.

Abstract: In an electrically operated valve, a valve closure member, which lies in the path between the inlet channel and the outlet channel, is connected to an expansion member. At the time of electrical heating, the expansion member lifts the valve closure member from the associated valve seat, due to which the path for the flowing medium is cleared. A cooling member is located in an annular channel, into which, controlled by a regulating valve, different quantities of flowing medium can be introduced. The cooling member is thermally coupled to the expansion member. In this way, the expansion member, according to the position of the regulating valve, can be cooled to different degrees, due to which the response behaviour of the valve is variable in particular after switching-off the electric current.

Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for the non-contacting control of a sanitary fitting, the signal, by which the solenoid valve or valves is/are controlled, is monitored with regard to the leading or decaying edge. If the leading edge appears, then the sensitivity of the entire circuit arrangement is reduced from a higher to a lower value; on the other hand, if the decaying edge appears, then the sensitivity of the circuit arrangement is once more increased to the original higher value, possibly with a time lag. Due to this, a "self-holding effect" due to the flowing water is prevented from occuring.