Patents by Inventor Walter Pitsch
Walter Pitsch 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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Patent number: 12116758Abstract: An integrated faucet filtration system comprising a faucet assembly; a filter assembly; a first T-connector; and a second T-connector; wherein, the faucet assembly comprises a body; a spout; a spray head; a multi-channel hose fluidly coupled to the spray head and disposed in the spout; and a valve cartridge configured to control flow of unfiltered water; the filter assembly comprises a water filter; an electronic actuator; and a solenoid valve; the first T-connecter comprises a first branch configured to receive unfiltered water from a water source; a second branch configured to deliver unfiltered water to the water filter; and a third branch configured to deliver unfiltered water to the valve cartridge; and the second T-connecter comprises a first branch configured to receive unfiltered water from the valve cartridge; a second branch configured to receive filtered water from the water filter; and a third branch configured to deliver the filtered and unfiltered water.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Xiaojing Ye, Emilie Williams
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Publication number: 20240271402Abstract: A flush valve assembly, comprising an inlet configured to receive inlet source water; an outlet configured to deliver flush water to a sanitaryware fixture; a housing; and a waterway insert configured to be positioned within the housing, wherein the housing comprises a first side opening configured to align with the flush valve assembly inlet, the housing comprises a bottom opening configured to align with the flush valve assembly outlet, the waterway insert comprises a first side opening configured to align with the housing first side opening, and the waterway insert comprises a bottom opening configured to align with the housing bottom opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2022Publication date: August 15, 2024Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Eric B. Soberano, Karl Torres, Walter Pitsch, Xiaojing Ye
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Publication number: 20240209610Abstract: A flush valve apparatus comprising a housing and a flush valve assembly positioned within the housing, wherein the flush valve assembly is configured to independently perform an automatic flush cycle and a manual flush cycle, the flush valve assembly comprises a sensor, a power source, and an electrical actuator, the sensor is configured to activate the electrical actuator to initiate the automatic flush cycle, and the flush valve assembly comprises a mechanical actuator configured to initiate the manual flush cycle. An electrical actuator and a mechanical actuator may both be positioned in a manifold and arranged substantially vertically in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2022Publication date: June 27, 2024Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Marin Marinov, Ki Bok Song, Walter Pitsch
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Patent number: 12018469Abstract: Provided are automatic faucet systems with remote activation and kits for retrofitting existing faucets to include remote activation. Automatic faucets systems with remote activation can include a faucet comprising a faucet body and a faucet spout; an outlet hose in fluid communication with a cold water supply line, a hot water supply line, and the faucet spout; an electromechanical valve fluidly coupled to the outlet hose and configured to control water flow to the faucet spout; an activator separate from the faucet body and configured to be placed in a variety of positions during installation of the faucet system; and a controller configured to receive a first signal from the activator and, in response to the first signal, to control the electromechanical valve to control water flow to the spout.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Eric Soberano, Karl Torres, Walter Pitsch, Sal Gattone
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Publication number: 20240159032Abstract: A hybrid faucet assembly configured to operate in a touchless, hands-free automatic mode and a manual mode comprises a faucet body; a faucet spout; a first manual flow control valve connected to a cold water source; a second manual flow control valve connected to a hot water source; an electromechanical valve connected to a cold water source or to both a cold water source and a hot water source; a controller; and an activator device. The hybrid faucet assembly may comprise an override mechanism to disable an automatic mode during operation of a manual mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2022Publication date: May 16, 2024Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Xiaojing Ye, Weijian Zhang
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Publication number: 20240083771Abstract: An integrated enhanced water faucet system comprising a faucet assembly and a water treatment assembly; wherein the faucet assembly comprises a multi-channel hose fluidly coupled to a spray head, and a valve cartridge configured to control flow of untreated water; and the water treatment assembly comprises an enhanced water generator and a treatment valve associated with a treatment valve actuator; and wherein the valve actuator is configured to open and close the treatment valve, the system is configured to deliver enhanced water upon actuation of the treatment valve, and untreated water and enhanced water are configured to be delivered to the spray head via separate channels of the multi-channel hose.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Torsten Meier, Xiaojing Ye, Walter Pitsch
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Publication number: 20240052617Abstract: A pop-up drain assembly for a basin, comprising a stopper apparatus comprising a push cap coupled to an upper end of a post, and a sealing diaphragm coupled to a lower portion of the post, and a drain sieve configured to prevent hair from passing through the drain, wherein the stopper apparatus is configured to be reversibly moved between an extended open position and an inserted closed position, and wherein the drain sieve reversibly moves together with the push cap, or is static and does not substantially move together with the push cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Douglas F. Leavitt, Matthew Kuhns, Christophe Bucher, Behnam Heydari, Walter Pitsch
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Publication number: 20240026661Abstract: A valve manifold for a universal rough-in valve, the manifold comprising a first inlet; a second inlet; a first outlet; a second outlet; a cavity to receive a fluid mixing valve; a first transition in flow communication with the cavity and the first inlet; a second transition in flow communication with the cavity and the second inlet; a first channel in flow communication with the cavity and the first outlet; a second channel in flow communication with the cavity and the second outlet; wherein the manifold comprises a venturi tube extending from the second manifold outlet towards the first manifold outlet; and wherein the manifold is configured to be removably disposed in a rough-in valve chamber; and the manifold is configured to be removably coupled to the fluid mixing valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
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Publication number: 20240019039Abstract: A rough-in valve assembly comprising a valve body, wherein the valve body comprises a thermoplastic, the valve body comprises a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a second fluid outlet, the valve body comprises a valve chamber configured to receive a fluid mixing valve assembly, and the valve chamber is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet, the first fluid outlet, and the second fluid outlet. A rough-in valve body may comprise an engineering thermoplastic. A rough-in valve body may comprise an injection molded thermoplastic.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
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Publication number: 20240011264Abstract: A hybrid faucet assembly configured to operate in a touchless, hands-free automatic mode and a manual mode comprises a faucet body; a faucet spout; a first manual flow control valve connected to a cold water source; a second manual flow control valve connected to a hot water source; an electromechanical valve connected to a cold water source or to both a cold water source and a hot water source; a flow director; a controller; and an activator device. The hybrid faucet assembly may comprise an override mechanism to disable an automatic mode during operation of a manual mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Xiaojing Ye, Walter Pitsch, Jesus Garcia, Enrique Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20230374764Abstract: A flush valve assembly for sanitaryware, comprising a flush valve having a valve inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a water source inlet pipe and a valve outlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a flush water outlet pipe; a solenoid valve; a presence sensor; a controller; and a flow sensor and/or a pressure sensor, wherein the controller is configured to open the solenoid valve to initiate a flush cycle, the flow sensor and/or pressure sensor is configured to detect a volume of flush water delivered and to communicate the delivered flush water volume to the controller, and the controller is configured to close the solenoid valve when a pre-set delivered flush water volume has been reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2021Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Eric B. Soberano, Walter Pitsch
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Patent number: 11808019Abstract: A valve manifold for a universal rough-in valve, the manifold comprising a first inlet; a second inlet; a first outlet; a second outlet; a cavity to receive a fluid mixing valve; a first transition in flow communication with the cavity and the first inlet; a second transition in flow communication with the cavity and the second inlet; a first channel in flow communication with the cavity and the first outlet; a second channel in flow communication with the cavity and the second outlet; wherein the manifold comprises a venturi tube extending from the second manifold outlet towards the first manifold outlet; and wherein the manifold is configured to be removably disposed in a rough-in valve chamber; and the manifold is configured to be removably coupled to the fluid mixing valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
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Patent number: 11802396Abstract: A hybrid faucet assembly configured to operate in a touchless, hands-free automatic mode and a manual mode comprises a faucet body; a faucet spout; a first manual flow control valve connected to a cold water source; a second manual flow control valve connected to a hot water source; an electromechanical valve connected to a cold water source or to both a cold water source and a hot water source; a flow director; a controller; and an activator device. The hybrid faucet assembly may comprise an override mechanism to disable an automatic mode during operation of a manual mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Xiaojing Ye, Walter Pitsch, Jesus Garcia, Enrique Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20230264206Abstract: A microfluidic oscillator nozzle, comprising a nozzle body comprising an exterior surface; an interior surface defining a three-dimensional space therein; a fluid inlet; and a fluid outlet, wherein the three-dimensional space, the fluid inlet, and the fluid outlet are inflow communication, the three-dimensional space comprises a first fluid interaction region fluidly coupled to a first pair of feedback flow paths, and wherein a largest nozzle dimension is less than about 20.0 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Douglas F. Leavitt, Nitin S. Kolekar, Robert M. Jensen, Walter Pitsch, Emilie Williams, Matthew Kuhns
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Publication number: 20230257973Abstract: A universal rough-in valve (20) includes a valve chamber (34) configured to receive a valve manifold (72). The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve inlet (22) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a first supply line to the valve chamber and a second valve inlet (24) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a second supply line to the valve chamber. The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve outlet (29) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from the valve chamber to a first outlet line, and a valve manifold (72) coupled to the valve chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
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Publication number: 20230243137Abstract: A flush valve apparatus comprising a main body, an outer cover, an inner cover, a valve assembly, and a back-pressure chamber, wherein the outer cover is coupled to an upper end of the main body, the inner cover is positioned over the valve assembly and under the outer cover, the valve assembly comprises a valve body and is positioned at an interior of the main body, the back-pressure chamber is defined by a lower surface of the inner cover and an upper surface of the valve assembly, and wherein one or more springs are positioned substantially vertically in the back-pressure chamber. The one or more springs are effective towards minimizing flush water variation between flush cycles and towards attenuation flush valve erratic behavior.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2021Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Marin Marinov
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Patent number: 11655619Abstract: A universal rough-in valve (20) includes a valve chamber (34) configured to receive a valve manifold (72). The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve inlet (22) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a first supply line to the valve chamber and a second valve inlet (24) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a second supply line to the valve chamber. The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve outlet (29) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from the valve chamber to a first outlet line, and a valve manifold (72) coupled to the valve chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
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Patent number: 11598076Abstract: Novel plumbing products, including faucets, are fabricated, e.g., using metallic 3-dimensional or other 3-D printing techniques, to have complex geometries, such as multiple channels that may diverge and re-converge near the spout. The geometries of the various channels can resemble interwoven net-like patterns that define various shapes between the channels. The plumbing fixtures may be formed from one or more of stainless steels, INCONEL, brass, bronze, polycarbonate, PVC, acrylics, rigid polyolefins, PET, carbon fiber, AES, or other plumbing fitting suitable corrosion resistant materials. In some embodiments, the handles of an exemplary faucet can include the same or a similar multiple channel configuration as the spout, providing an advantageously, aesthetically pleasing faucet system. In exemplary embodiments, faucet spouts and their handles are formed so as to couple to standard faucet underbodies, standard valve platforms, or standard threaded hose/waterway connections.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: James McHale, Joseph Ientile, Walter Pitsch, Jean-Jacques L'Henaff
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Publication number: 20220331819Abstract: Described are embodiments of a shower assembly that includes modular components that can be removably attached and may be replaced or interchanged with corresponding components having different form factor or design. In some embodiments, the shower assembly includes a diverter unit fluidly coupled to a fluid source and the diverter unit is configured to selectively direct flow of fluid from the fluid source to one or both of a shower head and a hand shower. The shower head includes a first plurality of nozzles configured to dispense fluid and the shower head is configured to be removably fluidly coupled to the diverter unit. The hand shower includes a second plurality of nozzles configured to dispense fluid and fluidly coupled by a hose to the diverter unit and the hand shower is configured to be removably attachable to the diverter unit by a connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicant: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques L'HENAFF, Walter PITSCH, Verne MYERS, Xiaojing YE, Greg REINECKER, Brian KALEMBER, Gabriela RAVASSA, Emilie WILLIAMS, Alanna Wing LIBBRECHT
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Patent number: D1028176Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: AS America, Inc.Inventors: Ki Bok Song, Marin Marinov, Walter Pitsch