Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Brouwer

Douglas J. Brouwer 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).

  • Publication number: 20240019047
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure fluctuation in the shower waterway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20230383510
    Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
  • Patent number: 11767930
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure fluctuation in the shower waterway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
  • Patent number: 11725373
    Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
  • Publication number: 20220250098
    Abstract: A shower system includes on one or more valves and a plurality of showerheads. The plurality of showerheads are electrically coupled to one another and configured to receive electrical signals from one another. The plurality of showerheads are fluidly coupled to the one or more valves and configured to receive water therefrom. The plurality of showerheads includes a sprayer, one or more sensors, and an integrated user interface. The sprayer is configured to dispense water provided by the one or more valves. The one or more sensors are configured to register motion gestures made by a user. The integrated user interface is configured to control operation of the sprayer. The one or more sensors generates an internal signal to the plurality of showerheads corresponding to the motion gesture. One of the plurality of showerheads is a master showerhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Todd W. Leonhard, Qi Cheng, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith Ruh, Chad J. Cochart
  • Publication number: 20220235881
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure fluctuation in the shower waterway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
  • Patent number: 11306846
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure change in the shower waterway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20210180304
    Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
  • Publication number: 20200048877
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure change in the shower waterway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: CHAD J. COCHART, Douglas J. Brouwer
  • Patent number: 9915367
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut having a through-bore. The bonnet nut is threaded to the valve housing such that the control stem extends through the through-bore. Flexible fingers are provided along the through-bore to control a level of resistance to a rotation of the rotatable control stem. The stem is positioned to frictionally engage the flexible fingers as the stem is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9874287
    Abstract: A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body. When the base is in the open orientation, the service valve allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. When the base is in the closed orientation, the service valve blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. The service valve further includes a tab extending from the base. The tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
  • Patent number: 9816637
    Abstract: A testing cap for a valve body includes a base configured to releasably attach to the valve body and to cover an opening in the valve body. The opening is configured to receive a valve cartridge and the base covers the opening in place of the valve cartridge. The testing cap includes a structure extending from the base. The structure is configured to be oriented relative to the valve body in a first orientation and a second orientation. The structure allows fluid to enter the valve body through an inlet port in the valve body and exit the valve body through an outlet port in the valve body when the structure is oriented in the first orientation. The structure covers at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port when the structure is oriented in the second orientation, thereby preventing fluid flow through the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
  • Patent number: 9657874
    Abstract: A coupling system for interconnecting a tube to a valve body is provided. The valve body has a body portion and a nipple extending from the body portion, and the nipple has a threaded external surface and an internal wall defining a bore. The coupling system further includes an adapter having opposing first and second ends, a nut defining a hole through which the first end passes, and a compression fitting located between the nipple, the adapter, and the nut such that when the nut is tightened onto the nipple, the compression fitting inhibits removal of the adapter from the valve body. The adapter defines a passageway extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the first end is received in the bore and the second end is configured to couple to the tube. The nut has an internally threaded surface configured to engage the threaded external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170009901
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut having a through-bore. The bonnet nut is threaded to the valve housing such that the control stem extends through the through-bore. Flexible fingers are provided along the through-bore to control a level of resistance to a rotation of the rotatable control stem. The stem is positioned to frictionally engage the flexible fingers as the stem is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9476508
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut having a through-bore. The bonnet nut is threaded to the valve housing such that the control stem extends through the through-bore. Flexible fingers are provided along the through-bore to control a level of resistance to a rotation of the rotatable control stem. The stem is positioned to frictionally engage the flexible fingers as the stem is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9334971
    Abstract: A universal valve body includes a front face having a circular opening for receiving a valve cartridge, a rear face, a frustoconical side wall connecting the front face to the rear face, and a first inlet port and a first outlet port obliquely disposed in the frustoconical side wall. A cap for the valve body includes a base and a structure extending from the base. The structure extending from the base may block at least one of the inlet port or outlet port in the valve body. A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body and a tab extending from the base. When the base is in the open orientation, the tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
  • Patent number: 9182045
    Abstract: A diverter cartridge for a fluid mixing valve includes an inlet adapter having a first inlet port, a second inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The cartridge further includes a diverter plate having a first inlet channel and a second inlet channel. The diverter plate is rotatable relative to the inlet adapter between a first end position, a second end position, and a neutral position between the first and second end positions. Rotation of the diverter plate from the neutral position toward the first end position increases a volume flow rate through the cartridge and diverts the fluid to the first outlet port. Rotation of the diverter plate from the neutral position toward the second end position increases a volume flow rate through the cartridge and diverts the fluid to the second outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael A. Niver
  • Publication number: 20150308593
    Abstract: A coupling system for interconnecting a tube to a valve body is provided. The valve body has a body portion and a nipple extending from the body portion, and the nipple has a threaded external surface and an internal wall defining a bore. The coupling system further includes an adapter having opposing first and second ends, a nut defining a hole through which the first end passes, and a compression fitting located between the nipple, the adapter, and the nut such that when the nut is tightened onto the nipple, the compression fitting inhibits removal of the adapter from the valve body. The adapter defines a passageway extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the first end is received in the bore and the second end is configured to couple to the tube. The nut has an internally threaded surface configured to engage the threaded external surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150260299
    Abstract: A testing cap for a valve body includes a base configured to releasably attach to the valve body and to cover an opening in the valve body. The opening is configured to receive a valve cartridge and the base covers the opening in place of the valve cartridge. The testing cap includes a structure extending from the base. The structure is configured to be oriented relative to the valve body in a first orientation and a second orientation. The structure allows fluid to enter the valve body through an inlet port in the valve body and exit the valve body through an outlet port in the valve body when the structure is oriented in the first orientation. The structure covers at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port when the structure is oriented in the second orientation, thereby preventing fluid flow through the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
  • Publication number: 20150260301
    Abstract: A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body. When the base is in the open orientation, the service valve allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. When the base is in the closed orientation, the service valve blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. The service valve further includes a tab extending from the base. The tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart