Patents by Inventor Karel C. Van Marcke

Karel C. Van Marcke 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: 5217035
    Abstract: A washroom control system automatically controls water valves and soap valves by infrared sensing of a user's hands, testing a battery to determine whether enough energy is stored to reliably close a valve, and generating an alarm if the battery needs replacing. Initial sensing of a user's hands requires rapid nearby hand motion to avoid spurious detection, while continued user presence requires lower infrared sensor output signals. The system includes DIP switches set to control various delay times, whether valve open cycles are fixed or variable in accordance with continued user presence, whether a water valve is controlled in response to one or several infrared sensors, whether water valve operation is independent of or responsive to prior soap valve operation, and whether the water valves are for wash fountains or urinals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Mfg. CY, S.A.
    Inventor: Karel C. Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 5215216
    Abstract: A volumetrically variable soap chamber partially collapses in response to an initial increased pressure state imposed by initiation of water flow and a predetermined quantity of liquid soap will be dispensed. The soap chamber is replenished from a source of liquid soap in response to a reduced pressure state in the soap chamber imposed by the cessation of water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing
    Inventor: Karel C. Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 5086526
    Abstract: A low voltage battery energized passive detection system generates a control signal in response to radiated heat from a human body part to energize, for settable periods of time water flow valves and ancillary equipment that may be associated with the act of washing. To minimize power demand, a programmable microchip may be employed as a control unit and have external settable parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manufacturin Cy, S.A.
    Inventor: Karel C. Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 4941219
    Abstract: A low voltage battery energized passive detection system generates a control signal in response to radiated heat from a human body part to open a solenoid operated valve for a predetermined limited time period. In anticipation of a reduction of available DC power, voltage level sensing circuitry disables the valve in the closed position to prevent the valve from remaining in the open position due to an insufficiency of DC power to effect closure of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing Cy, S.A.
    Inventor: Karel C. Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 4819682
    Abstract: A push-button operated valve having an optional metering control for regulating the open state of the valve includes optional pneumatic actuation in response to a source of either pressure or vacuum while retaining the metering capability. A plurality of diaphragms, responsive to either mechanically induced or pneumatically induced forces, relocate a magnet for magnetically opening the valve to permit fluid flow therethrough and for controlling closure of the valve in response to the presence of the metering control, which metering control has an adjustable response period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Karel C. Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 4726190
    Abstract: On actuation, each pressure generator at each of a plurality of locations along a conduit develops a pressure rise in the conduit to energize a pressure sensitive device in fluid communication with the conduit. Each pressure generator includes a bulbous member which expels a quantity of fluid (air) into the conduit when depressed and a valve for segregating the volume defined by the bulbous member from the conduit except when the bulbous member is depressed to minimize dissipation by a nonactuated pressure generator of the pressure rise within the conduit and generated by another actuated pressure generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Mfg. Cy.
    Inventor: Karel C. Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 4597404
    Abstract: An integrated plumbing fixture for drains and having a P-trap includes a vent downstream of the P-trap and a plurality of horizontally and vertically oriented outlets upstream and downstream of the P-trap, one of which outlets may be selected to accommodate various on-site constraints and requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manuf. Cy.
    Inventor: Karel C. Van Marcke