Abstract: A fluid dispensing device and method for controlling the device are provided. The device includes a housing defining a fluid outlet. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the outlet. A sensor is configured to detect an object outside of and proximate to the housing. A solenoid is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the sensor, determine a characteristic of noise in the output signal such as a level of noise, adjust at least one of a sampling rate of the output signal and an amount of filtering of the output signal responsive to the characteristic of noise in the output signal, and transmit a control signal to the solenoid responsive to the output signal.

Abstract: Photovoltaic array performance monitoring systems and methods are described herein. One embodiment of a photovoltaic array monitoring system according to the present disclosure can include a reference photovoltaic panel and an ambient photovoltaic panel, as well as a rechargeable power source. The monitoring system can further include an electrical unit configured to charge the rechargeable power source using energy from one or both of the reference photovoltaic panel and the ambient photovoltaic panel. The monitoring system can also include a transmitter configured to transmit data from the reference photovoltaic panel and the ambient photovoltaic panel. Methods and full-size solar systems utilizing monitoring systems are also described.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device and method for controlling the device are provided. The device includes a housing defining a fluid outlet. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the outlet. A sensor is configured to detect an object outside of and proximate to the housing. A solenoid is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the sensor, determine a characteristic of noise in the output signal such as a level of noise, adjust at least one of a sampling rate of the output signal and an amount of filtering of the output signal responsive to the characteristic of noise in the output signal, and transmit a control signal to the solenoid responsive to the output signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a mixing valve pressure balancer and temperature controller module, a mixing valve flow diverter module, a modular assembly including the pressure balancer and temperature controller module and the flow diverter module, and a mixing valve including the modular assembly.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device and method for controlling the device are provided. The device includes a housing defining a fluid outlet. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the outlet. A sensor is configured to detect an object outside of and proximate to the housing. A solenoid is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the sensor, determine a characteristic of noise in the output signal such as a level of noise; adjust at least one of a sampling rate of the output signal and an amount of filtering of the output signal responsive to the characteristic of noise in the output signal, and transmit a control signal to the solenoid responsive to the output signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a mixing valve pressure balancer and temperature controller module, a mixing valve flow diverter module, a modular assembly including the pressure balancer and temperature controller module and the flow diverter module, and a mixing valve including the modular assembly.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device and method for controlling the device are provided. The device includes a housing defining a fluid outlet. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the outlet. A sensor is configured to detect an object outside of and proximate to the housing. A solenoid is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the sensor, determine a characteristic of noise in the output signal such as a level of noise; adjust at least one of a sampling rate of the output signal and an amount of filtering of the output signal responsive to the characteristic of noise in the output signal, and transmit a control signal to the solenoid responsive to the output signal.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device and method for controlling the device are provided. The device includes a housing defining a fluid outlet. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the outlet. A sensor is configured to detect an object outside of and proximate to the housing. A solenoid is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the sensor, determine a characteristic of noise in the output signal such as a level of noise; adjust at least one of a sampling rate of the output signal and an amount of filtering of the output signal responsive to the characteristic of noise in the output signal, and transmit a control signal to the solenoid responsive to the output signal.

Abstract: A faucet handle assembly for a Roman tub has a low profile and can be installed from above or below the tub deck. A valve body extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a cartridge cavity. A lower end defines water inlet and outlet passages and a threaded external surface. An upper end defines a threaded internal surface. A mixing cartridge with a rotatable stem and a cartridge spacer are carried in the cavity with the spacer axially between the cartridge and the inlet and outlet passages of the valve body. A fastener has a threaded external surface threaded to the threaded internal surface of the valve body upper end. An upper mounting ring has a hub disposed about the upper end of the valve body and a flange extending radially outwardly from the hub.

Abstract: A flushometer valve assembly comprises a flushometer valve body including an outlet, an outlet tube including a conduit extending along a longitudinal axis, and a flushometer valve tube-to-body coupling that directly fastens the outlet tube to the flushometer valve body.

Abstract: A sensing device for a plumbing fixture includes an electronics housing including a rear wall. The rear wall includes a tool passage therethrough and a fastener head pocket in communication with the tool passage. The device further includes a fastener including head carried in the fastener head pocket of the rear wall of the electronics housing and a body extending away from the head and establishing a fastener axis. The device further includes a sensor assembly including a sensor housing having a first portion coupled to the electronics housing and a second portion carried on the body of the fastener and configured for movement relative to the electronics housing along the body of the fastener.

Abstract: A faucet handle assembly for a Roman tub has a low profile and can be installed from above or below the tub deck. A valve body extends along a longitudinal axis and defines a cartridge cavity. A lower end defines water inlet and outlet passages and a threaded external surface. An upper end defines a threaded internal surface. A mixing cartridge with a rotatable stem and a cartridge spacer are carried in the cavity with the spacer axially between the cartridge and the inlet and outlet passages of the valve body. A fastener has a threaded external surface threaded to the threaded internal surface of the valve body upper end. An upper mounting ring has a hub disposed about the upper end of the valve body and a flange extending radially outwardly from the hub.

Abstract: A sensing device for a plumbing fixture includes an electronics housing including a rear wall. The rear wall includes a tool passage therethrough and a fastener head pocket in communication with the tool passage. The device further includes a fastener including head carried in the fastener head pocket of the rear wall of the electronics housing and a body extending away from the head and establishing a fastener axis. The device further includes a sensor assembly including a sensor housing having a first portion coupled to the electronics housing and a second portion carried on the body of the fastener and configured for movement relative to the electronics housing along the body of the fastener.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device and method for controlling the device are provided. The device includes a housing defining a fluid outlet. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the outlet. A sensor is configured to detect an object outside of and proximate to the housing. A solenoid is configured to move the valve between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to receive the output signal of the sensor, determine a characteristic of noise in the output signal such as a level of noise; adjust at least one of a sampling rate of the output signal and an amount of filtering of the output signal responsive to the characteristic of noise in the output signal, and transmit a control signal to the solenoid responsive to the output signal.

Abstract: A flushometer valve assembly comprises a flushometer valve body including an outlet, an outlet tube including a conduit extending along a longitudinal axis, and a flushometer valve tube-to-body coupling that directly fastens the outlet tube to the flushometer valve body.

Abstract: A tub spout with a diverter mechanism includes a housing having an external surface and an internal cavity that includes a spout outlet. A water supply conduit is located within the internal cavity and provides a fluid path that is in fluid communication with the spout outlet. A push button extends outwardly of the external surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between a non-diverting position where water exits the spout outlet and a diverting position where water is prevented from exiting the spout outlet. A diverter gate is positioned within the internal cavity to selectively block the fluid path and is coupled for movement with the push button. A resilient member biases the push button to the non-diverting position.

Abstract: A tub spout with a diverter mechanism includes a housing having an external surface and an internal cavity that includes a spout outlet. A water supply conduit is located within the internal cavity and provides a fluid path that is in fluid communication with the spout outlet. A push button extends outwardly of the external surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between a non-diverting position where water exits the spout outlet and a diverting position where water is prevented from exiting the spout outlet. A diverter gate is positioned within the internal cavity to selectively block the fluid path and is coupled for movement with the push button. A resilient member biases the push button to the non-diverting position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for authenticating users based on personalized (i.e., user-provided or user-selected) authentication data. In one set of embodiments, the personalized authentication data includes acoustic, image, and/or video data, but is exclusive of biometric data of the user. In this manner, existing acoustic, image, and video-based authentication interfaces/mechanisms may be leveraged, without the problems associated with verifying biometric data. In some embodiments, a user may enroll or register multiple pieces of personalized authentication data into an authentication system. The user may then select one piece of personalized authentication data for use by the system at a time of authentication.

Abstract: Photovoltaic array performance monitoring is disclosed herein. A photovoltaic array performance monitoring system may include a data acquisition unit coupled with reference and ambient photovoltaic panels. The reference photovoltaic panel is equipped with a soiling removal unit which periodically removes deposited soiling materials from an active photovoltaic collection area of the reference photovoltaic panel. The ambient photovoltaic panel accumulates light obscuring soiling materials at a rate approximately equal to those of a proximate photovoltaic array. The data acquisition unit periodically sends electrical energy measurements of the reference and ambient photovoltaic panels to a computing system. Over time, the electrical energy output differential between the reference and ambient photovoltaic panels exceeds a predetermined threshold. The computing system evaluates the electrical energy measurements and determines when it would be cost-effective to clean the photovoltaic array.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing encryption and decryption of data transmitted on a computer implemented network, preferably user authentication identifier data, such as a password, at the point of entry into the user's computer. The systems and methods enable an end user to mentally select a marker from one of the randomly arranged elements on a first portion of a graphical image. A second portion of the graphical image includes an arrangement of possible elements of any individual authentication identifier sequence, and is positioned adjacent to the first portion. The systems and methods prompt a user to enter each element of the identifier by moving the selected marker and the first portion as necessary to substantially align the selected marker with a chosen element of the authentication identifier appearing on the outer portion. According to one embodiment, the image portions are concentric wheels. According to another embodiment, the image portions are arranged in adjacent rows.