Patents by Inventor Xiangzhen Zhu

Xiangzhen Zhu 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: 10323393
    Abstract: A water delivery device includes a body, a user interface, a mixing valve, a first capacitive sensor pad, and a second capacitive sensor pad. The body includes a spout. The user interface is provided on the spout. The mixing valve is contained within the body and is configured to be in fluid communication with a hot water source and a cold water source. The first capacitive sensor pad is provided below the user interface. The second capacitive sensor pad is provided below the user interface laterally adjacent to the first capacitive sensor pad, and is physically separated from the first capacitive sensor pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Ian Thompson, Xiangzhen Zhu
  • Patent number: 10301799
    Abstract: A method for programming a water delivery device having a first optical communications interface is provided. The method includes physically coupling a communications bridge to the water delivery device. The communications bridge includes a second optical communications interface and a separate data communications interface. The method further includes transmitting information from a user device to the communications bridge using electronic data communications between the user device and the data communications interface; generating, by the communications bridge, an optical signal comprising the information received from the user device; and transmitting the optical signal from the communications bridge to the water delivery device using optical communications between the first and second optical communications interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Ian Thompson, Xiangzhen Zhu
  • Publication number: 20180187399
    Abstract: A method for programming a water delivery device having a first optical communications interface is provided. The method includes physically coupling a communications bridge to the water delivery device. The communications bridge includes a second optical communications interface and a separate data communications interface. The method further includes transmitting information from a user device to the communications bridge using electronic data communications between the user device and the data communications interface; generating, by the communications bridge, an optical signal comprising the information received from the user device; and transmitting the optical signal from the communications bridge to the water delivery device using optical communications between the first and second optical communications interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Ian Thompson, Xiangzhen Zhu
  • Patent number: 9945103
    Abstract: A control system includes a water delivery device and a communications bridge. The water delivery device includes a mixing valve, a controller configured to control the mixing valve, and a first optical communications interface coupled to the controller. The communications bridge includes a second optical communications interface and a separate data communications interface. The communications bridge is configured to exchange information with the water delivery device using optical communications via the first and second optical communications interfaces, and to exchange information with a user device using electronic data communications between the user via and the data communications interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Ian Thompson, Xiangzhen Zhu
  • Publication number: 20180002904
    Abstract: A water delivery device includes a body, a user interface, a mixing valve, a first capacitive sensor pad, and a second capacitive sensor pad. The body includes a spout. The user interface is provided on the spout. The mixing valve is contained within the body and is configured to be in fluid communication with a hot water source and a cold water source. The first capacitive sensor pad is provided below the user interface. The second capacitive sensor pad is provided below the user interface laterally adjacent to the first capacitive sensor pad, and is physically separated from the first capacitive sensor pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER IAN THOMPSON, Xiangzhen Zhu
  • Patent number: 9783964
    Abstract: A water delivery device includes a body, a user interface, a micro-mixing valve, first and second capacitive sensors, and a controller. The body includes a base and a spout. The user interface is provided on the spout. The micro-mixing valve is contained within the body and is in fluid communication with a hot water source and a cold water source. The first capacitive sensor is provided below the user interface. The second capacitive sensor is provided below the user interface and is spaced apart from the first capacitive sensor. The controller is operatively connected to the first capacitive sensor, the second capacitive sensor, and the micro-mixing valve. Each of the first and second capacitive sensors is configured to be independently activated by a user to transmit a signal to the controller to increase or decrease a temperature of a flow of water flowing from the micro-mixing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher Ian Thompson, Xiangzhen Zhu
  • Publication number: 20150308084
    Abstract: A control system includes a water delivery device and a communications bridge. The water delivery device includes a mixing valve, a controller configured to control the mixing valve, and a first optical communications interface coupled to the controller. The communications bridge includes a second optical communications interface and a separate data communications interface. The communications bridge is configured to exchange information with the water delivery device using optical communications via the first and second optical communications interfaces, and to exchange information with a user device using electronic data communications between the user via and the data communications interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Ian Thompson, Xiangzhen Zhu
  • Publication number: 20150308089
    Abstract: A water delivery device includes a body, a user interface, a micro-mixing valve, first and second capacitive sensors, and a controller. The body includes a base and a spout. The user interface is provided on the spout. The micro-mixing valve is contained within the body and is in fluid communication with a hot water source and a cold water source. The first capacitive sensor is provided below the user interface. The second capacitive sensor is provided below the user interface and is spaced apart from the first capacitive sensor. The controller is operatively connected to the first capacitive sensor, the second capacitive sensor, and the micro-mixing valve. Each of the first and second capacitive sensors is configured to be independently activated by a user to transmit a signal to the controller to increase or decrease a temperature of a flow of water flowing from the micro-mixing valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Ian Thompson, Xiangzhen Zhu
  • Patent number: 8585009
    Abstract: A flow control valve including a linear electric actuator for controlling flow through the valve, and a closure device operable to close the valve independently of the linear electric actuator if the linear actuator is disabled when the valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventors: Xiangzhen Zhu, Richard Timothy Hopson
  • Publication number: 20100282326
    Abstract: A flow control valve has a linear electric actuator for controlling flow through the valve. The linear electric actuator comprises an electric motor (1) and a shaft (2) configured for linear movement under the control of the motor (1) to open and close the valve. A safety device interposed between the shaft (2) and a valve member (9) is biased to move the valve member (9) to close the valve if the linear electric actuator is disabled when the valve is open such as by an interruption of the power supply to the linear electric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Xiangzhen Zhu, Richard Timothy Hopson