Abstract: A faucet includes a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle. The logical control includes a mode controller that changes the faucet between a first mode and a second mode in response to substantially simultaneous touching of the spout and the handle.

Abstract: A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle.

Abstract: A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle.

Abstract: A valve body assembly including a valve member coupled to a handle for adjusting the position of the valve member. The valve assembly includes a sensor for detecting the position of the valve member to determine whether the handle is in an OFF position and/or an ON position.

Abstract: A faucet includes a first valve plate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the base material. An amorphous diamond material is provided above the strengthening layer. The amorphous diamond material has a coefficient of friction that is lower than that of diamond-like carbon and has a hardness that is greater than that of diamond-like carbon.

Abstract: A faucet valve cartridge for controlling fluid flow through a dual-handle faucet, including a valving member supported within a valve body for rotation about a longitudinal axis. A first sealing surface and a first inlet opening is supported by the valving member. A seat includes a second sealing surface and a second inlet opening. The first inlet opening is configured to be in selective fluid communication with the second inlet opening upon rotation of the valving member. A retainer couples the seat to an outer wall of the valve body.

Abstract: A valve component for a faucet includes a substrate, a first layer of material provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate, and a second layer of material provided above the first layer of material. The second layer of material includes amorphous diamond having sp3 bonding of at least about 40%, a hardness of at least about 45 GPa, and an elastic modulus of at least about 400 GPa.

Abstract: A method of forming a wear resistant component includes providing a base material, depositing a strengthening layer on the base material, and vapor depositing an amorphous diamond layer on the strengthening layer.

Abstract: A sliding component, particularly a disk valve plate. The sliding component includes a multi-layer surface structure comprising a strengthening layer harder than the substrate material, and an amorphous diamond top layer.

Abstract: A sliding component, particularly a disk valve plate. The sliding component includes a multi-layer surface structure comprising a strengthening layer harder than the substrate material, and an amorphous diamond top layer.

Abstract: An article is coated with a decorative and protective multi-layer coating. The coating comprises a nickel basecoat layer on the surface of said article, a chromium strengthening layer on said basecoat layer, an intermediate oxide layer on said strengthening layer, a stack layer comprised of layers of chromium compound, refractory metal compound or refractory metal alloy compound alternating with layers of chromium, refractory metal or refractory metal alloy on said intermediate oxide layer, a decorative and protective layer comprised of chromium compound, refractory metal compound or a refractory metal alloy compound on said stack layer, and a top oxide layer on said decorative and protective layer. The intermediate oxide layer acts as a non-conductive barrier layer to improve corrosion and pitting resistance.

Abstract: An article is coated with a decorative and protective multi-layer coating. The coating comprises a polymeric basecoat layer on the surface of said article, a chromium strengthening layer on said basecoat layer, a strike layer on said strengthening layer, an intermediate oxide layer on said strike layer, a stack layer comprised of layers of chromium, refractory metal or refractory metal alloy alternating with layers of chromium compound, refractory metal compound or refractory metal alloy compound, a color and protective layer comprised of chromium compound, refractory metal compound or refractory metal alloy compound on said stack layer, and a top oxide layer on said color and protective layer. The intermediate oxide layer acts as a non-conductive barrier layer and improves corrosion and pitting resistance.

Abstract: A sliding component, particularly a disk valve plate. The sliding component includes a multi-layer surface structure comprising a strengthening layer harder than the substrate material, and an amorphous diamond top layer.

Abstract: A sliding component, particularly a disk valve plate. The sliding component includes a multi-layer surface structure comprising a strengthening layer harder than the substrate material, and an amorphous diamond top layer.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a stainless steel color. The coating comprises an electroplated layer or layers on the article surface, a refractory metal or refractory metal alloy strike layer on the electroplated layer or layers, a color layer containing a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substoichiometric oxygen content on the strike layer, and a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substantially stoichiometric oxygen content layer on said color layer.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having improved chemical and oxidation resistance. The coating comprises a polymeric layer on the article surface, a refractory metal or refractory metal alloy strike layer on the polymeric layer and a protective layer containing a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance and improved chemical and oxidation resistance. The coating comprises an electroplated layer or layers on the article surface, a refractory metal or refractory metal alloy strike layer on the electroplated layer or layers, and a protective layer containing a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide on the strike layer.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a stainless steel color. The coating comprises an electroplated layer or layers on the article surface, a refractory metal or refractory metal alloy strike layer on the electroplated layer or layers, a color layer containing a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substoichiometric oxygen content on the strike layer, and a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substantially stoichiometric oxygen content layer on said color layer.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a stainless steel color. The coating comprises a polymeric layer on the article surface, a refractory metal or refractory metal alloy strike layer on the polymeric layer, a color layer containing a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substoichiometric oxygen content on the strike layer, and a refractory metal oxide or refractory metal alloy oxide having a substantially stoichiometric oxygen content layer on said color layer.

Abstract: An article having deposited on at least a portion of its surface a decorative and protective multi-layer coating comprising at least one nickel layer, a tin-nickel alloy layer, a chrome layer, and sandwich layer comprised of layers comprised of titanium or titanium alloy alternating with layers comprised of titanium compound such as titanium nitride or titanium alloy compound such as titanium nitride. The coating provides abrasion and corrosion protection to the underlying substrate and also protects the substrate from attack by chemicals such as acids and bases while being crack resistant and resistant to galvanic corrosion.