Abstract: A water delivery system includes a mixing valve operable for delivering a water flow of adjustable temperature from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve; a thermochromic thermal indicator, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, that provides a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature; and a diverter valve, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to direct the water flow selectively either to the dispensing device or back to the water source. The thermal indicator may be a thermochromic PVC conduit, or it may be a fitting having an inlet, an outlet, a thermochromic PVC element therebetween, and a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path that includes an interior surface of the thermochromic element.

Abstract: A multi-piece locking fastener having an intermediate component exhibiting a plurality of interior threads arrayed in a first direction. A first fastener has a first enlarged head and a first stem exteriorly threaded in the first direction. A hollowed interior is formed in an end of the stem and exhibits a further plurality of interior threads extending in a second direction opposite the first direction. A second fastener has a second enlarged head and a second stem, upon which is configured a second exterior thread pattern extending in the second direction. The first fastener is installed through the intermediate component from a first direction, with the second fastener rotationally inter-engaging the exposed interior threads of the first fastener in the second direction until the second enlarged heads contact the intermediate component, with loosening of either of the first and second fasteners being prevented.

Abstract: A water delivery system includes a mixing valve operable for delivering a water flow of adjustable temperature from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve; a thermochromic thermal indicator, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, that provides a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature; and a diverter valve, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to direct the water flow selectively either to the dispensing device or back to the water source. The thermal indicator may be a thermochromic PVC conduit, or it may be a fitting having an inlet, an outlet, a thermochromic PVC element therebetween, and a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path that includes an interior surface of the thermochromic element.

Abstract: A water delivery system includes a mixing valve operable for delivering a water flow of adjustable temperature from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve; a thermochromic thermal indicator, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, that provides a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature; and a diverter valve, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to direct the water flow selectively either to the dispensing device or back to the water source. The thermal indicator may be a thermochromic PVC conduit, or it may be a fitting having an inlet, an outlet, a thermochromic PVC element therebetween, and a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path that includes an interior surface of the thermochromic element.

Abstract: A plumbing system for a shower or the like includes a mixing valve operable for delivering a water flow of adjustable temperature from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve. The system further includes a diverter valve between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to divert a selectively variable portion of the water from the mixing valve back to the water source. A thermochromic thermal indicator, downstream from the mixing valve, may advantageously provide a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature. The thermal indicator may be a thermochromic PVC conduit, or it may be a fitting having an inlet, an outlet, a thermochromic PVC element therebetween, and a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path that includes an interior surface of the thermochromic element.

Abstract: A water delivery system includes a mixing valve operable for delivering a water flow of adjustable temperature from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve; a thermochromic thermal indicator, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, that provides a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature; and a diverter valve, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to direct the water flow selectively either to the dispensing device or back to the water source. The thermal indicator may be a thermochromic PVC conduit, or it may be a fitting having an inlet, an outlet, a thermochromic PVC element therebetween, and a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path that includes an interior surface of the thermochromic element.

Abstract: A plumbing system for a shower or the like includes a mixing valve operable for delivering a water flow of adjustable temperature from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve. The system further includes a diverter valve between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to divert a selectively variable portion of the water from the mixing valve back to the water source. A thermochromic thermal indicator, downstream from the mixing valve, may advantageously provide a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature. The thermal indicator may be a thermochromic PVC conduit, or it may be a fitting having an inlet, an outlet, a thermochromic PVC element therebetween, and a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path that includes an interior surface of the thermochromic element.

Abstract: A water delivery system includes a mixing valve operable for delivering a water flow of adjustable temperature from a water source to a dispensing device downstream from the mixing valve; a thermochromic thermal indicator, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, that provides a visible indication of the water flow having achieved a predetermined temperature; and a diverter valve, fluidly coupled between the mixing valve and the dispensing device, and operable to direct the water flow selectively either to the dispensing device or back to the water source. The thermal indicator may be a thermochromic PVC conduit, or it may be a fitting having an inlet, an outlet, a thermochromic PVC element therebetween, and a barrier located between the inlet and the outlet so as to define a flow path that includes an interior surface of the thermochromic element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recognizing spoken commands uttered by a user and for generating responsive control signals once the command is recognized. In accordance with this disclosure the audio signal is converted into a series of count bytes representing the time between the audio signal zero crossings, and all the count bytes of the full command are then segmented into equal temporal groups and sorted within each segment into a set of frequency class intervals which are based on a computation of substantially equal byte activity in all the words comprising the command lexicon. In this manner, lower and higher frequency groups are selected for equal significance. The uttered words are then compared against stored words similarly transformed according to segment and frequency interval and if the comparison conditions are satisfied the command is executed; if not, an indication is provided to the user to repeat the command. Segmenting produces a segment period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recognizing spoken commands uttered by a user and for generating responsive control signals once the command is recognized. In accordance with this disclosure the audio signal is converted into a series of count bytes representing the time between the audio signal zero crossings, and all the count bytes of the full command are then segmented into equal temporal groups histogram and sorted within each segment into a set of frequency class intervals which are based on a computation of substantially equal byte activity in all the words comprising the command lexicon. In this manner, lower and higher frequency groups are selected for equal significance. The uttered words are then compared against stored words similarly transformed according to segment and frequency interval and if the comparison conditions are satisfied the command is executed; if not, an indication is provided to the user to repeat the command.