Abstract: A fluid control valve for the mixing of hot and cold water and delivery at a selected flow rate is described wherein an upper housing and lower housing are clamped together by a snap-fit connection thereby enclosing other fluid control valve component parts. A ball stem is manually movable in two separate and independent directions of motion. There is frictional loading on the ball stem such that movement in one direction to control the water temperature has a frictional loading that is higher than the frictional loading in the other direction to control the flow rate. A spring-biased guide pin is used to increase the frictional loading in the one direction.

Abstract: A hands-free faucet comprises a spout, a valve, a position sensitive device, and a logical control. The position sensitive device is positioned on the user's side of the spout, and has a trigger zone and an extended zone, each defined in part by a distance range from the position sensitive device. The logical control comprises a manual mode, wherein the position sensitive device is deactivated and the valve remains open, and a hands-free mode, wherein the valve is opened when the position sensitive device detects an object within the trigger zone, and wherein the valve is closed only when the position sensitive device does not detect an object within the trigger zone and does not detect an object that is moving within the extended zone.

Abstract: A fluid control system includes a valve and a restrictor. The valve is configured to regulate the proportion at which a first fluid and a second fluid are mixed together. Based on the pressure drop across the restrictor, the valve further regulates the overall flow rate of the mixed first and second fluids. In one form, the valve includes a pair of spools that regulate the proportion and flow rate of the fluids. In another form, the valve includes a thermostatic element that regulate the proportion at which the first and second fluids are mixed together so as to control the temperature of the mixed fluids. The valve in a further form incorporates a pair of diaphragm valves.

Abstract: A wear resistant component for a faucet valve includes a substrate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate. The strengthening layer includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of tantalum, chromium, zirconium, and tungsten. The wear resistant component also includes a layer that includes amorphous diamond provided above the strengthening layer, the 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 water delivery system is disclosed. The water delivery system may have an electronic user interface. The electronic user interface may be a portable device. The electronic user interface may include inputs to select water temperature, water flow rates, water flow patterns, and/or task based presets. A mixing valve for use with either manual faucets or electronic faucets is disclosed.

Abstract: A hands-free faucet comprises a spout, a valve, a position sensitive device, and a logical control. The position sensitive device is positioned on the user's side of the spout, and has a trigger zone and an extended zone, each defined in part by a distance range from the position sensitive device. The logical control comprises a manual mode, wherein the position sensitive device is deactivated and the valve remains open, and a hands-free mode, wherein the valve is opened when the position sensitive device detects an object within the trigger zone, and wherein the valve is closed only when the position sensitive device does not detect an object within the trigger zone and does not detect an object that is moving within the extended zone.

Abstract: A power sprayer or spray device for use with a faucet. The spray device may include a spray mode and a stream mode of operation.

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 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 spout, a valve, a position sensitive device, and a logical control. The position sensitive device is positioned on the user's side of the spout, and has a trigger zone and an extended zone, each defined in part by a distance range from the position sensitive device. The logical control comprises a manual mode, wherein the position sensitive device is deactivated and the valve remains open, and a hands-free mode, wherein the valve is opened when the position sensitive device detects an object within the trigger zone, and wherein the valve is closed only when the position sensitive device does not detect an object within the trigger zone and does not detect an object that is moving within the extended zone.

Abstract: A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a second touch control, and a mode indicator. The logical control comprises a manual mode (wherein the proximity sensor is inactive, and water flow is toggled on and off by positioning the handle) and a hands-free mode (wherein water flow is toggled on and off in response to the proximity sensor). The handle comprises a touch control that puts the faucet in the hands-free mode when touched by a user. The second touch control toggles the faucet between the hands-free mode and the manual mode when touched by a user. The mode indicator that displays which mode the faucet is presently in. The water flow has a temperature and flow rate that is determined by the position of the handle.

Abstract: A fluid control valve for the mixing of hot and cold water and delivery at a selected flow rate is described wherein an upper housing and lower housing are clamped together by a snap-fit connection thereby enclosing other fluid control valve component parts. A ball stem is manually movable in two separate and independent directions of motion. There is frictional loading on the ball stem such that movement in one direction to control the water temperature has a frictional loading that is higher than the frictional loading in the other direction to control the flow rate. A spring-biased guide pin is used to increase the frictional loading in the one direction.

Abstract: A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle including a first touch control, a second touch control, and a mode indicator. The logical control has a manual mode (wherein the proximity sensor is inactive, and water flow is toggled on and off by positioning the handle) and a hands-free mode (wherein water flow is toggled on and off in response to the proximity sensor). The first touch control puts the faucet in the hands-free mode when touched by a user. The second touch control toggles the logical control between the hands-free mode and the manual mode when touched by a user. The mode indicator indicates which mode the faucet is presently in. The water flow has a temperature and a flow rate that are determined by the position of the handle.

Abstract: A spray head for a power sprayer configured to generate a continuous sheet-like water shield around a center stream of water is disclosed. A water delivery device for use with a sink is disclosed, the water delivery device may produce a stream of water surrounded by a continuous shield of water.

Abstract: A faucet valve cartridge for controlling fluid flow through a dual-handle faucet.

Abstract: A fluid control valve for the mixing of hot and cold water and delivery at a selected flow rate is described wherein an upper housing and lower housing are clamped together by a snap-fit connection thereby enclosing other fluid control valve component parts. A ball stem is manually movable in two separate and independent directions of motion. There is frictional loading on the ball stem such that movement in one direction to control the water temperature has a frictional loading that is higher than the frictional loading in the other direction to control the flow rate. A spring-biased guide pin is used to increase the frictional loading in the one direction.

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: An electronic faucet includes a spout assembly having a sensor configured to control the flow of water therethrough in response to the position of a spray head. Methods and apparatus for providing strain relief for electrical cables used in systems configured to provide fluid and, in particular, to methods and apparatus used to provide strain relief for electrical cables in electronic faucets.

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 fluid control valve for the mixing of hot and cold water and delivery at a selected flow rate is described wherein an upper housing and lower housing are clamped together by a snap-fit connection thereby enclosing other fluid control valve component parts. A ball stem is manually movable in two separate and independent directions of motion. There is frictional loading on the ball stem such that movement in one direction to control the water temperature has a frictional loading that is higher than the frictional loading in the other direction to control the flow rate. A spring-biased guide pin is used to increase the frictional loading in the one direction.