Patents by Inventor Kay Herbert
Kay Herbert 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).
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Publication number: 20240044482Abstract: A light ring assembly for a bathroom fixture. The light ring may illuminate one or more light sources in a predetermined sequence and/or in an overlapping manner to create a pulse of light that traverses the circumference of the light ring. Different patterns, colors, and/or sequences of light may be used to convey messages and signals to owners, maintenance, and/or users.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Xiaoxiong Mo, Kay Herbert, Reeshi Pradhan, Haiou Wu, Qiaohong Chen, Timothy L. Moulton
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Patent number: 11828449Abstract: A light ring assembly for a bathroom fixture. The light ring may illuminate one or more light sources in a predetermined sequence and/or in an overlapping manner to create a pulse of light that traverses the circumference of the light ring. Different patterns, colors, and/or sequences of light may be used to convey messages and signals to owners, maintenance, and/or users.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Sloan Valve CompanyInventors: Xiaoxiong Mo, Kay Herbert, Reeshi Pradhan, Haiou Wu, Qiaohong Chen, Timothy L. Moulton
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Publication number: 20220018531Abstract: A light ring assembly for a bathroom fixture. The light ring may illuminate one or more light sources in a predetermined sequence and/or in an overlapping manner to create a pulse of light that traverses the circumference of the light ring. Different patterns, colors, and/or sequences of light may be used to convey messages and signals to owners, maintenance, and/or users.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Xiaoxiong Mo, Kay Herbert, Reeshi Pradhan, Haiou Wu, Qiaohong Chen, Timothy L. Moulton
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Publication number: 20210387237Abstract: An apparatus includes a conical body defining a chamber configured to contain a liquid and having a nozzle located a front end of the conical body and configured to discharge a stream of the liquid, a rear wall positioned at a rear of the conical body and at least partially defining the chamber, an inlet in communication with the chamber for introducing the liquid into the chamber, an acoustic transducer positioned at the rear wall, the acoustic transducer configured to generate acoustic energy and to introduce the acoustic energy into the liquid contained in the chamber, and an exhaust system including a vent in communication with the chamber to remove a mixture of liquid and gas bubbles from the chamber, an exhaust leading away from the vent, and an outlet in communication with the exhaust and configured to discharge the liquid and gas bubbles into or adjacent to the stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Timothy Grant Leighton, Craig Dolder, George Bareham, Mengyang Zhu, Carl Knox, Freya Jane Malcher, Maryam Malakoutikhah, Kay Herbert
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Patent number: 10508423Abstract: An automatic faucet includes a housing forming partially an internal barrel and a faucet head and being constructed to include at least one water inlet conduit extending into said barrel and a water outlet for delivering water from a spout. The automatic faucet also includes a faucet head having a removable faucet crown and the spout, wherein the faucet crown is removably mounted to the faucet head. The automatic faucet also includes a valve module, a sensor module, a battery module, a turbine module, and a control module. The valve module includes a valve controlled by an electromagnetic actuator for controlling the water flow from the spout. The sensor module is constructed to provide sensor data influenced by a user. The control module is constructed to control opening and closing of the valve by providing signals to the electromagnetic actuator. The control module is also constructed to receive sensor data from the sensor module and execute a sensing algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Inventors: Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Jeff Krull, Jean F. Daher, Qiaohong Chen, Ronald J. Vish, Fatih Guler, Xu Wang, Stanley O Thompson, David L. Carpenter
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Patent number: 10151090Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. Redundant manual activation is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: SLOAN VALVE COMPANYInventors: John Wilson, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Alfred J. Costa, Joshua D. Anthony, Klaus H. Renner, Matthew T. Kowalczyk, Joshua P. Kinsley
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Patent number: 9822514Abstract: An optical system includes one or several passive optical detectors sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling, for example, the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. The passive optical sensors provide signals to flow controllers, including control electronics and flow valves and require only very small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. To control the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers based on ambient light, the controller executes novel algorithms.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: SLOAN VALVE COMPANYInventors: Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Yue Zhang, Xiaoxiong Mo, Kay Herbert, Haiou Wu
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Patent number: 9763393Abstract: A water delivery system includes a water input port, a control circuit, and a valve device. The water input port is constructed to be coupled to a water conduit receiving water from a remotely located water source. The valve device includes an actuator located near and connected to the water input port; wherein the valve device is constructed to receive control signals from the controller for providing water to a water delivery unit. The controller may be battery operated. The actuator may be a latching actuator, a non-latching actuator, or an isolated latching actuator. The controller may include a microcontroller coupled and to a sensor. The system may include a communication interface constructed and arranged to provide data to the microcontroller. The control circuit may include a power consumption controller. The control circuit includes a voltage regulator.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: SLOAN VALVE COMPANYInventors: Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert
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Publication number: 20170226721Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. Redundant manual activation is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: John Wilson, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Alfred J. Costa, Joshua D. Anthony, Klaus H. Renner, Matthew T. Kowalczyk, Joshua P. Kinsley
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Patent number: 9695579Abstract: An automatic faucet includes a housing constructed to receive at least one water inlet conduit and having a spout for delivering water. The automatic faucet includes a valve module, a sensor module, a battery module, a turbine module, and a control module. The valve module includes a valve controlled by an electromagnetic actuator for controlling the water flow from the spout. The sensor module is constructed to provide sensor data influenced by a user. The control module is constructed to control opening and closing of the valve by providing signals to the electromagnetic actuator. The control module is also constructed to receive sensor data from the sensor module and execute a sensing algorithm. The control module is also constructed to execute a power management algorithm for managing electrical power generated by the water turbine and provided to and from the battery.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Inventors: Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Jeff Krull, Jean F. Daher, Qiaohong Chen, Ronald J. Vish, Fatih Guler, Xu Wang, Stanley O Thompson, David L. Carpenter
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Patent number: 9644759Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. Redundant manual activation is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: SLOAN VALVE COMPANYInventors: John Wilson, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Alfred J. Costa, Joshua D. Anthony, Klaus H. Renner, Matthew T. Kowalczyk, Joshua P. Kinsley
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Patent number: 9598847Abstract: A bathroom flusher includes a flusher body, a valve assembly, an electronic control system, and a flusher cover. The flusher body includes an inlet and an outlet, and is designed to accommodate the valve assembly that controls water flow between the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly includes a valve member movable with respect to a valve seat providing a sealing action based on applied pressure on the valve assembly. The bathroom flusher also includes an external cover designed for enclosing an electronic control module comprising a battery, a sensor, and an actuator for controlling operation of the flush valve, wherein the external cover includes at least two cover parts separately removable, and wherein the external cover is attachable with respect to the valve body in a manner also allowing removable attachment of the control module.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: SLOAN VALVE COMPANYInventors: Martin E. Marcichow, Natan Parsons, Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert
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Patent number: 9435460Abstract: An actuator including actuator base, bobbin, and pole piece forming a pocket for a ferromagnetic armature located therein. The actuator including a radial magnet and a solenoid coil constructed and arranged to cause a linear displacement of the armature upon application of a coil drive current from a control circuit. The actuator may include a flexible membrane that partially encloses the armature to form an armature chamber filled with an incompressible fluid. In a valve design, a fluid flow is stopped by driving the membrane against a valve seat. Pressure from the controlled fluid in the conduit is transmitted through the membrane to the fluid within the armature chamber so that the armature does not need to counteract force applied to the membrane by the conduit fluid's pressure. A fluid flow is opened by driving the membrane away from the valve seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: SLOAN VALUE COMPANYInventors: Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Fatih Guler, Natan E. Parsons
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Patent number: 9353511Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. A reduced flush or standard flush cycle may be initiated.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Sloan Valve CompanyInventors: John R. Wilson, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Alfred J. Costa, Joshua D. Anthony, Harald Quintus-Bosz, Klaus H. Renner, Matthew T. Kowalczyk, Joshua P. Kinsley
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Patent number: 9169626Abstract: An automatic bathroom flusher includes a flusher body, a valve assembly, an electronic control system, and a flusher cover. The flusher body includes an inlet and an outlet, and is designed to accommodate the valve assembly that controls water flow between the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly includes a valve member movable with respect to a valve seat providing a sealing action. The bathroom flusher may include a user sensor, and one or more photovoltaic cells for supplying electrical power to the electronic control system. The bathroom flusher enables two or multiple flush volumes in automatic or manual modes, depending on a user action. The bathroom flusher may include a user interface including a button and visible LEDs.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2010Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Inventors: Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert, Qiaohong Chen, Xiaoxiong Mo, Wei Jin, James Counaghton Allen, John R. Wilson, Martin Marcichow, Natan E. Parsons, Amy Parsons, Jean F. Daher
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Patent number: 9151029Abstract: A flow noise restrictor for use with a valve. The flow noise restrictor reduces the flow area as the valve closes and forms vortices to reduce the noise such as due to the Bernoulli effect.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Sloan Valve CompanyInventors: Kay Herbert, John R. Wilson
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Patent number: 8955822Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Sloan Valve CompanyInventors: Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Haiou Wu, Yue Zhang
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Publication number: 20140264110Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. Redundant manual activation is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Sloan Valve CompanyInventors: John Wilson, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Alfred J. Costa, Joshua D. Anthony, Klaus H. Renner, Matthew T. Kowalczyk, Joshua P. Kinsley
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Publication number: 20140259343Abstract: A flush actuator for engaging a flush valve. The flush actuator provides a mechanism assembly for automatically flushing the flush valve. A sensor provides a presence detection to trigger the automatic flushing. A reduced flush or standard flush cycle may be initiated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Sloan Valve CompanyInventors: John R. Wilson, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Alfred J. Costa, Joshua D. Anthony, Harald Quintus-Bosz, Klaus H. Renner, Matthew T. Kowalczyk, Joshua P. Kinsley
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Publication number: 20140246099Abstract: An automatic faucet includes a housing forming partially an internal barrel and a faucet head and being constructed to include at least one water inlet conduit extending into said barrel and a water outlet for delivering water from a spout. The automatic faucet also includes a faucet head having a removable faucet crown and the spout, wherein the faucet crown is removably mounted to the faucet head. The automatic faucet also includes a valve module, a sensor module, a battery module, a turbine module, and a control module. The valve module includes a valve controlled by an electromagnetic actuator for controlling the water flow from the spout. The sensor module is constructed to provide sensor data influenced by a user. The control module is constructed to control opening and closing of the valve by providing signals to the electromagnetic actuator. The control module is also constructed to receive sensor data from the sensor module and execute a sensing algorithm.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Sloan Valve CompanyInventors: Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Jeff Krull, Jean F. Daher, Qiaohong Chen, Ronald J. Vish, Fatih Guler, Xu Wang, Stanley O. Thompson, David L. Carpenter