Patents by Inventor Balachander Venugopal

Balachander Venugopal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11573581
    Abstract: A thermostatic integrated faucet includes a valve assembly having an upper valve body and a lower valve body defining a mixing chamber therein, the mixing chamber configured to receive hot water through a hot water inlet and cold water through a cold water inlet. The thermostatic integrated faucet further includes a diaphragm assembly fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber, a sensor operatively coupled to the diaphragm assembly, a thermostatic unit disposed within the mixing chamber of the valve assembly, and a cam shaft coupled to the thermostatic unit. The thermostatic unit is configured to control a water temperature within the valve assembly and the cam shaft configured to control a range of the water temperature within the valve assembly. In various embodiments, the thermostatic unit includes a wax actuator configured to engage with the cam shaft and a mixing shuttle coupled to the wax actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John M. Wilson, Andrew D. Klinger, Joseph F. Smies, Balachander Venugopal
  • Publication number: 20210191432
    Abstract: A thermostatic integrated faucet includes a valve assembly having an upper valve body and a lower valve body defining a mixing chamber therein, the mixing chamber configured to receive hot water through a hot water inlet and cold water through a cold water inlet. The thermostatic integrated faucet further includes a diaphragm assembly fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber, a sensor operatively coupled to the diaphragm assembly, a thermostatic unit disposed within the mixing chamber of the valve assembly, and a cam shaft coupled to the thermostatic unit. The thermostatic unit is configured to control a water temperature within the valve assembly and the cam shaft configured to control a range of the water temperature within the valve assembly. In various embodiments, the thermostatic unit includes a wax actuator configured to engage with the cam shaft and a mixing shuttle coupled to the wax actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: John M. Wilson, Andrew D. Klinger, Joseph F. Smies, Balachander Venugopal
  • Patent number: 10689837
    Abstract: A flushometer valve includes a hollow body and a piston assembly disposed inside the hollow body for controlling operation of the flushometer valve. The piston assembly and hollow body define an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber and a pressure chamber. The piston assembly includes a flow guide, a piston top, and an insert. The flow guide is movable relative to the hollow body between an open position, in which the outlet chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet chamber, and a closed position, in which the outlet chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet chamber. The piston top is coupled to the flow guide, includes a first material, and has a bleed passage that fluidly connects the pressure chamber and the inlet chamber. The insert is disposed within the bleed passage, includes a second material, and has a bore that fluidly connects the bleed passage and the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Evan S. Yee, Chad J. Cochart, Balachander Venugopal
  • Patent number: 10030782
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device, a battery package for a fluid dispensing device, and a method of assembling a fluid dispensing device. The dispensing device has a housing defining a passage having an outlet, and fluid being dispensed through the passage and out of the outlet. The dispensing device also has a powered component. The battery package has a battery cell and a capacitor operable to power the powered component. The battery cell and the capacitor are encapsulated as a unitary battery package. The unitary battery package is supportable in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Joel T. Smith, Balachander Venugopal, Ryan F. Leichty
  • Publication number: 20180171613
    Abstract: A flushometer valve includes a hollow body and a piston assembly disposed inside the hollow body for controlling operation of the flushometer valve. The piston assembly and hollow body define an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber and a pressure chamber. The piston assembly includes a flow guide, a piston top, and an insert. The flow guide is movable relative to the hollow body between an open position, in which the outlet chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet chamber, and a closed position, in which the outlet chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet chamber. The piston top is coupled to the flow guide, includes a first material, and has a bleed passage that fluidly connects the pressure chamber and the inlet chamber. The insert is disposed within the bleed passage, includes a second material, and has a bore that fluidly connects the bleed passage and the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Evan S. Yee, Chad J. Cochart, Balachander Venugopal
  • Publication number: 20160245418
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device, a battery package for a fluid dispensing device, and a method of assembling a fluid dispensing device. The dispensing device has a housing defining a passage having an outlet, and fluid being dispensed through the passage and out of the outlet. The dispensing device also has a powered component. The battery package has a battery cell and a capacitor operable to power the powered component. The battery cell and the capacitor are encapsulated as a unitary battery package. The unitary battery package is supportable in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Joel T. Smith, Balachander Venugopal, Ryan F. Leichty
  • Publication number: 20140117265
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device, a battery package for a fluid dispensing device, and a method of assembling a fluid dispensing device. The dispensing device has a housing defining a passage having an outlet, and fluid being dispensed through the passage and out of the outlet. The dispensing device also has a powered component. The battery package has a battery cell and a capacitor operable to power the powered component. The battery cell and the capacitor are encapsulated as a unitary battery package. The unitary battery package is supportable in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Joel T. Smith, Balachander Venugopal, Ryan F. Leichty