Flush Actuation Automatically Responsive To Condition Patents (Class 4/302)
  • Patent number: 10900213
    Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having a flushing tube, a power generating set, and a solenoid valve assembly. The power generating set is disposed within the flushing tube and has a turbine capable of rotating, an induction coil, and a magnet inserted through the induction coil and capable of simultaneously rotating with the water turbine. The solenoid valve assembly has an assembling mount, a solenoid valve assembled to the assembling mount, and a power supply electrically connected to both the induction coil and the solenoid valve. A first reserving space is formed between the assembling mount and a relief assembly. A second reserving space is formed between the solenoid valve and the assembling mount and communicates with the first reserving space. The solenoid valve optionally prevents the first reserving space and the second reserving space from communicating with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsien Chen
  • Patent number: 10697163
    Abstract: An actuating device for a sanitary fitting comprising a housing (2) having a front side (13) and a rear side (14) and also a detection sensor (3) having a transmitter (4) and a receiver (5) for detecting a user, wherein the detection sensor (3) emits waves via the transmitter (4) and receives them via the receiver (5). The detection sensor (3) is arranged in a cavity (6) that has a radiating region (7a), which is transparent to said waves, in the direction of said waves; and wherein the housing (2) is designed such that it is installable having a gap (7b) in relation to a predefined installation plane (ME) on the structure side, which gap (7b) is located in relation to said radiating region (7a) such that the emitted waves and also the waves to be received are guided through the gap (7b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GEBERIT INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Peter Schmid, Rene Elsener, Pascal Brandli, Stephan Muller, Samuel Schüller, Tobias Pluss
  • Patent number: 10233898
    Abstract: A toilet includes a power generation assembly connected thereto which is activated when flushing the toilet so as to generate electric power. The power generation assembly includes a body with a rotary unit and a power generation unit received therein. The power generation unit includes multiple magnets and coil units which. When flushing, the rotary unit is rotated by water and the magnets are rotated relative to the coil units. The coil units generate electric current to provide the necessary electric power of the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Yi-Wen Tang
  • Patent number: 9695577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatic flushing of fluid lines, in particular potable water lines. The invention further relates to a device for automatic flushing of fluid lines, in particular potable water lines. The invention is based on the technical problem to provide a method and a device for automatic flushing which allows a flushing behaviour that is better-suited to the circumstances and more reliable. The technical problem is solved by a method for automatic flushing of at least one fluid line, in particular a potable water line, in which a temperature profile of the fluid is measured, in which the measured data are evaluated and in which the automatic flushing of the at least one fluid line is influenced by an outcome of the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Viega Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Leymann, Oliver Cyliax, Christian Becker, Stefan Schulte
  • Patent number: 9644362
    Abstract: A urinal with a sanitation device capable of preventing the generation of a smell and urine scale with reliability without reducing a water conservation effect. In the urinal US, a liquid agent is ejected in different modes by predetermined timing according to areas on the urinal US.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakamura, Yusuke Araki, Koichi Toyoda, Aiko Itami, Masahiro Yamamoto, Akemi Takeshita, Hiroyuki Kameshige
  • Patent number: 9045889
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling the flow of water from a fill valve in a toilet tank to a toilet bowl of a toilet using a bowl fill valve are provided. An inlet of the bowl fill valve is coupled to a bowl fill outlet of the fill valve and the outlet of the bowl fill valve is channeled to the toilet bowl. In illustrative embodiment, a method is provided comprising the steps of determining when the toilet tank has been substantially drained of water during a flush cycle, and opening the bowl fill valve for a predefined period of time after the toilet tank has been substantially drained of water to fill the toilet bowl of the toilet with water. The predefined period of time is less than a total time of the flush cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Michael J. D'Aurelio
  • Patent number: 8387171
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microflush urinal that includes a piece of chinaware in fluid communication with a pre-existing water supply and a waste removal conduit. A valve means in electrical communication with each of a sensor means and a fluid manifold effects delivery of incoming fluid to a water delivery means. The water delivery means is desirably a nozzle means selected from one of a plurality of fluidic nozzles that delivers pressurized water through an ingress defined in a rear wall of the chinaware. The nozzle desirably oscillates water for full coverage of the urinal's rear and side walls. A tarp portion that aesthetically obstructs the ingress assumes a generally scalloped shape to optimize the water distribution along the urinal's rear and side walls. At least one trough is integrated into one or more urinal sidewalls to guide water from the nozzle toward the waste removal conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Farber, Alan Romack, Greg Russell, Aland Santamarina, Keith Schloer, Steven Crockett
  • Patent number: 8234724
    Abstract: A multi flush volume flush valve is in communication with an automatic flush control. The flush control determines the presence of a user and the amount of time the user uses the toilet. The usage time is compared to a predetermined time value to determine the appropriate flush volume based on an assumption regarding usage time and flush volume needs. The comparative value statistically adjusts to the restroom traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: John R. Wilson, Peter J. Jahrling
  • Patent number: 8201282
    Abstract: A flush mechanism for use in a urinal. The flush mechanism includes a flush reservoir pivotally mounted within a flush frame. The flush mechanism receives water from an inlet above the flush reservoir. The flush reservoir is pivotable from a fill position to a flush position whereby the water is dispensed to a manifold within the urinal for flushing of the urinal. The flow of water into the flush reservoir and the actuation of the flush reservoir may be directed by a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8136174
    Abstract: An object is to provide a urinal which prevents offensive odors, reduces the consumption of urinal cleaning water and prevents clogging of the urinal drain pipe line. The urinal of the present invention includes a human body sensor (7), a control unit (11), a mechanism to generate a gas with high detergency (14), a gas flow line (La) in which generated gas with high detergency flows, and a cleaning water supply line (Lw) in which cleaning water flows, and the gas flow line (La) and the cleaning water supply line (Lw) converge to mix the gas with high detergency with the cleaning water, and a cleaning fluid line (Lc) formed by confluence of the gas flow line (La) and the cleaning water supply line (Lc) is communicated with a cleaning fluid ejection hole (5) on a urinal upper edge (1a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ECO DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tairo Ito, Masayuki Kuzumaki, Masakazu Takahashi, Takashi Tenma
  • Patent number: 8082607
    Abstract: A sanitary cleansing apparatus includes: a main body incorporating a water discharge nozzle that squirts water from a water discharge port; a toilet seat rotatably and pivotally supported at a relatively anterior position of the main body; a toilet lid rotatably and pivotally supported at a relatively posterior position of the main body and generally entirely covering an upper face of the toilet seat and the main body in a closed state; a transmissive window provided at a rear of the toilet lid and formed from a material different from that of the toilet lid; and a human body detection sensor provided in the upper face of the main body and being capable of detecting a human body through the transmissive window in the closed state of the toilet lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Toto Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsushita, Hiroki Fujimura, Saki Nakao, Tatsuya Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7814582
    Abstract: A system for detecting an actual or impending overflow condition from a washroom fixture includes an overflow sensor configured with the fixture at a location to detect an abnormal rise in water level within the fixture before water overflows the fixture. A water sensor may also be disposed to detect an abnormal amount of water on the washroom floor. A data communications unit is in communication with the sensors. A washroom monitoring station is provided in wireless communication with the data communications unit and in communication with the sensors through the data communications unit. The washroom monitoring station is configured for indicating the presence of water when detected by the overflow or water sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiran K. Reddy, Joseph Mitchell, Cheryl L. York, Amanda Butler, Debra N. Welchel, Rameshbabu Boga, James J. Detamore, Ronald R. Padak, Jason Lye
  • Patent number: 7797769
    Abstract: A flushing system with a sensing module, having at least one sensor and a controller circuit having a sensor detection and trigger sub-circuit operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, and a flushing mechanism operatively coupled to the motion sensing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Debra Lynn Ozenick
  • Publication number: 20100180367
    Abstract: In the method for contactlessly controlling a sanitary facility, a transmitter, a receiver, an evaluation unit and a control unit are used to monitor an area (2) of the sanitary facility (1) and to control at least one actuator (5) of the sanitary facility. The area (2) is monitored using a time-of-flight distance measurement. In particular, the spatial position and/or the speed and/or the direction of movement of objects (7) in the area (2) being monitored is/are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: GEBERIT INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: René ELSENER, Roman THALLER, Raffael ZINGG, Peter STEINER
  • Publication number: 20100064424
    Abstract: A flush apparatus includes a solenoid valve, a driving circuit for providing a driving power to the solenoid valve, a battery, a solar cell electrically connected to the battery, and a control module electrically connected to the driving circuit for providing at least one control signal to the driving circuit to control ON/OFF of the driving circuit. The solar cell and the battery are electrically connected to a power output terminal in parallel, and the power output terminal is electrically connected to the driving circuit directly for providing the driving power to the driving circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Yen-Ta Hsu, Ching-Liang Chiu
  • Publication number: 20100031430
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flush apparatus and a flush control method thereof. The flush control method includes the steps of detecting a target, counting an interval time from a previous flush to the detection of the target, and comparing the interval time with at least one pre-set interval time to determine an operating mode of the flush apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Kuo-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 7650652
    Abstract: Disclosed is a toilet bowl water level gauge and associated methods. In one embodiment, the toilet bowl water level gauge comprises a gauge assembly having a stem with a float, and a sleeve, wherein the stem is inserted in the sleeve and slides through the sleeve. Also, the toilet bowl water level gauge comprises a support attached to the gauge assembly, the support being adapted to engage a rim of a toilet bowl. In addition, bowl level sensors are employed for automated calibration of an automated bowl fill system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Sustainable Source, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Michael J. D'Aurelio
  • Patent number: 7415737
    Abstract: An automatic flushing system is equipped with a buoyancy mechanism to unseat a valve set in a tank of a toilet. The automatic flushing system, equipped with battery power, includes sets of sensing, actuating, latching, buoyancy, unseat/seat and valve members. The battery power only provides electrical power to sensing and actuating members to release a float from an engaged position to a release position. Thus, the buoyancy of the float may unseat a valve to open a drain of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventors: Raymond Yinghui Hung, Mark Y. F. Chow
  • Patent number: 7325781
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Arichell Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Kay Herbert, John F. Bragg, Michael D. Cattafe
  • Patent number: 7047574
    Abstract: A toilet system comprises a liquid receptacle and a control element. The control element configured to automatically control an amount of liquid input to the liquid receptacle for each of a plurality of flushes of the liquid receptacle such that an amount of the liquid residing in the liquid receptacle between flushes is substantially varied thereby impeding formation of a chemical deposit ring on an inner surface of the liquid receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventor: Wade C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 6996863
    Abstract: An automatic faucet control device including an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing a flow channel of a faucet, a ray emitting device (5) for emitting infrared rays to a target to be detected, a ray receiving device (6) for receiving the infrared rays reflected by the target, a sensing decision device for the deciding presence or absence of the target by an output from the ray receiving device (6), and an electromagnetic valve controller for controlling the electromagnetic valve based on a signal from the sensing decision device. The ray emitting device (5) has a first polarizing plate (7) allowing a polarized light component to be transmitted, and the ray receiving device (6) has a second polarizing plate (8) for allowing a polarized light component different from the rays transmitted through the first polarizing plate (7) to be transmitted therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6978490
    Abstract: A toilet room flush valve has a valve handle and an actuator mounted on the valve body to cause either sensor-initiated automatic movement or user-initiated manual movement of the valve handle. The actuator includes a handle assembly pivotally mounted in a housing. The handle assembly has an interface which is normally engaged with the valve handle. A motor driven push rod mounted on the handle assembly is engageable with the handle. A drive motor is mounted on the handle assembly and connected to the push rod to cause movement thereof. A battery for operating the drive motor is connected to a sensor mounted on the handle assembly, with the sensor being capable of connect the battery power to the drive motor. The actuator housing is arranged to allow it to slip over the valve handle and clamp on the valve body without disassembling either the flush valve or the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6948194
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a toilet cleaning device which is capable of cleaning a toilet stool by supplying cleaning water in an appropriate quantity corresponding to the state of usage by a user, which is provided with a self-diagnosis function for diagnosing cleaning water stoppage or the like, and which has a simple constitution so that maintenance can be performed easily. The output of a Doppler sensor 11 is amplified by an amp 31, and a frequency spectrum is determined by an FFT calculation portion 32. A flow rate is determined by conversion in a flow rate calculation portion 33 on the basis of the frequency spectrum. A controller 34 operates other devices on the basis of the flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation portion 33 and the operational state of a cleaning instruction button 16. Cleaning water supply valve 36 is opened and closed in accordance with instructions from the controller 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Toto, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Todoroki, Kuniaki Shinohara, Toshio Koguro, Yuichi Furuta, Mie Ikushima
  • Patent number: 6879320
    Abstract: An auto-control display device for incorporating with a lavatory system in a service area such as a lavatory, includes a sensor for sensing a use of the lavatory system, a display unit which is interacted with the sensor and is placed at an eye viewing location within the service area, and an information center, which is connected between a power source and the display unit, for storing at least an electronic information, wherein when the sensor detects the use of the lavatory system, the information center automatically activates the display unit to display the electronic information, and when the sensor detects that the use of the lavatory system is completed, the display unit is automatically deactivated by the information center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Modern Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Jorge Maercovich, Jackson Lu, Leo Maercovich, Shao-Kuang Liu, Hsiang-Chih Kao
  • Patent number: 6862754
    Abstract: A dual-phase flush urinal that maintains itself in a sufficiently sanitary condition with minimal water consumption. The urinal includes a piece of chinaware having a rear wall with a pair of sidewalls depending normally outward therefrom. A bottom extent of the sidewalls terminates in a curved bowl portion having a fluid well and a water drain therewithin. The sidewalls and rear wall together define a containment area in which an atmospheric vacuum breaker and valve means are disposed. The valve means is in electrical communication with a sensor that detects the presence of a user and has a first fluid discharge port in fluid communication with the bowl portion and a second fluid discharge port. Upon detection of the user, the sensor transmits a first signal to the valve means to initiate a first water exchange phase of the flush cycle. The first fluid discharge port provides water along an elongate channel to remove waste from the bowl portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventor: Peter V. DeMarco
  • Patent number: 6757919
    Abstract: A flush valve includes a valve body having a valve for controlling flow between an inlet and outlet. A manual operator assembly includes a nut attached to the valve body. An adapter mounted in the nut has a plunger pin movable to initiate operation of the flush valve. A push member extends through an opening in the nut and has an end thereof in contact with the plunger pin. A sensor housing is attached to the nut and has a drive therewithin to cause movement of the push member against the plunger pin. A sensor connects a battery to the drive to initiate movement of the push member against the plunger pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6671890
    Abstract: An automatic water feed system and method for providing control of water to lavatory appliances upon sensing a user. The system having a control valve for controlling the flow of water, an artificial retina sensor for acquiring two dimensional images of a user adjacent the lavatory appliance, a memory for storing a predetermined characteristic of the acquired two dimensional images, and a comparison unit for comparing a subsequently acquired two dimensional image characteristic with the previously stored two dimensional image characteristic, whereby the control valve is activated when the differences between the previously and subsequently acquired two dimensional image characteristics satisfy a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: San-Ei Faucet Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Nishioka
  • Patent number: 6643853
    Abstract: A toilet room flush valve for use in flushing toilets and urinals includes a valve body having a water inlet and a water outlet. There is a valve within the body for controlling flow between the inlet and the outlet. A handle is mounted on the valve body for pivotal movement about a handle axis to operate the valve. There is an assembly mounted on the valve body for causing sensor initiated movement of the handle, which assembly includes a motor driven handle interface pivotally mounted on the valve body for movement about the handle axis and having a portion thereof positioned to contact and pivotally move the handle. A drive motor is mounted on the valve body and connected to the interface to cause pivotal movement thereof. A battery for operating the drive motor is connected to a sensor mounted on the valve body, with the sensor being connected to cause the application of battery power to the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignees: Sloan Valve Company, Arichell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Wilson, Fatih Guler
  • Patent number: 6640356
    Abstract: An advertising surface on which advertising is conveyed through still or moving images is mounted on or above a urinal (1). The advertising is activated by the user of the urinal (1) when he approaches the same. The advertising can be controlled through the Internet and can be adapted to the location and the time of transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Keller Hans
  • Patent number: 6619614
    Abstract: An automatic flusher includes an object sensor. When the object sensor detects a target meeting certain criteria, battery-powered control circuitry causes the flusher's valve to open. By pressing a push button, a user can make the circuit open the flusher's valve. If the circuit has been pressed continually for an extended period, the control circuit assumes a sleep mode, in which its power consumption is negligible. A button actuator in the flusher's container keeps the button pressed while the container is closed. As a consequence, the flusher can be packed with the control circuit's batteries installed without draining those batteries significantly during shipping and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Arichell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Natan E. Parsons, Xiaoxiong Mo
  • Patent number: 6598245
    Abstract: An automatic water feed mechanism and method is provided by equipping a lavatory with a two dimensional sensor array such as a camera unit for monitoring a target area that a user may enter. An infrared emitter and an infrared detector can also be activated at low light levels. A two dimensional image signal can be processed and compared with a stored reference signal for activating the release of water. At a low ambient light, the infrared emitter unit can be activated to emit infrared rays which can then be detected when reflected by a user by the infrared detector. Such a detection can provide an alternative release of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: San-Ei Faucet Mfg. Co., LTD
    Inventor: Akira Nishioka
  • Patent number: 6581215
    Abstract: A sterilizing and air conditioning electronic urinal includes a power rectifier circuit, a microcomputer control unit, a sensitivity control circuit, time delay circuit, a high voltage generating circuit, an ozone generator, a mixing device, a flushing solenoid valve circuit, an heater, an air pump circuit, and others. By aforesaid components, the electronic urinal can be operated with the internal program of the microcomputer control unit and therefore, the objects of water-saving and foul-removing are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Kuo-Cheng Tai
  • Patent number: 6560790
    Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly by providing pulses to the microprocessor, and the control system counts pulses and computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. Corrections are made to the pulse count to correct for partial valve open conditions and other variables. An override switch provides a signal to the control system for a flush operation A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventors: David A. Saar, Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6549816
    Abstract: A plumbing control system includes a plurality of plumbing fixtures operated by an electronic control board having a microprocessor. The control board can form a node on a network that monitors and controls the functions of multiple boards throughout a facility from a central computer. Network software running on the central computer communicates with the control boards. The software includes a binding feature that requires reporting of a network operating variable at a first control board to the central computer or a second control board. The network software also has site and device setup forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Jerome M. Gauthier, Nhon T. Vuong, Mark J. Sippel
  • Patent number: 6499152
    Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller housing. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly and the control system computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. A push button is pressed to one of two override positions either to provide a signal to the control system for a normal flush operation or to open the high flow valve assembly independently of the control system for an emergency flush operation. A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020162166
    Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly by providing pulses to the microprocessor, and the control system counts pulses and computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. Corrections are made to the pulse count to correct for partial valve open conditions and other variables. An override switch provides a signal to the control system for a flush operation A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: David A. Saar, Dwight N. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020092090
    Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller housing. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly and the control system computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. A push button is pressed to one of two override positions either to provide a signal to the control system for a normal flush operation or to open the high flow valve assembly independently of the control system for an emergency flush operation. A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6212697
    Abstract: In an automated flush system (10), a control circuit (12) controls a flusher (16) in response to the output of a sensor (14). The vertical sensitivity pattern (24) of the sensor (14) is angled downward. Consequently, radiation that the sensor (14) emits tends to be reflected away from the sensor (14) by relatively specular vertical enclosure surfaces such as that of a stall door (18), while more-diffuse deflectors, such as a user that the sensor (14) is intended to detect, tend to reflect greater percentages of the sensor radiation back to the sensor (14). Similarly reduced sensitivity to enclosure surfaces results from a horizontal sensitivity pattern (40) having a reduced-sensitivity central region. The sensor system can thereby more reliably avoid confusing enclosure surfaces with users, on whose detection the system's automatic flush strategy is based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Arichell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Natan E. Parsons, Haiou Wu
  • Patent number: 6061843
    Abstract: In a method for automatically triggering flushing of a urinal with water an electrically actuatable shut-off valve is arranged in the water inlet line for shutting off water flow. A temperature sensor is positioned at a siphon of the urinal. Signals generated by the temperature sensor are sent to an electronic control and computing device. A temperature gradient is determined with the electronic control and computing device based on the signals generated by the temperature sensor. The shut-off valve is opened for flushing the urinal when the temperature gradient exceeds a preset limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Keramag Keramische Werke AG
    Inventors: Hans Rump, Norbert Pieper, Jorg Hiller, Jan Schwarze
  • Patent number: 5956779
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive urinal flushing system includes a hydraulic cylinder having a piston reciprocated therein and a piston rod upwardly extended from the piston, a weight sensor mounted on the piston rod outside the hydraulic cylinder, and a valve connected to the hydraulic cylinder by a pipe for controlling the supply of flushing water to a urinal, the hydraulic fluid being forced out of the hydraulic cylinder into the valve to open the valve for letting flushing water pass to the urinal when the user steps on the weight sensor, the hydraulic fluid being returned from the valve to the hydraulic cylinder when the piston is moved downwards from the elevation of the pipe, the hydraulic fluid being forced out of the hydraulic cylinder into the valve to open the valve for letting flushing water pass to the urinal again when the user leaves from the weight sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Ching-Wei Chung
  • Patent number: 5901384
    Abstract: A toilet assembly having an automatic flushing system comprising a toilet bowl having a toilet cover, the toilet cover containing a window disposed therein, a water holding tank operatively associated with the toilet bowl, the holding tank containing structures for storing water, discharging water into the toilet bowl and a replenishing water to the water holding tank, and motion sensing device positioned within the water holding tank and aligned with the window in the toilet cover, when the toilet cover is in a raised position, the motion sensing device being angled in a downward direction from the horizontal, so that any reflection of beams from the motion sensing device against the window in the toilet cover is not received by the motion sensor and thus does not activate the motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Jae K. Sim
  • Patent number: 5822806
    Abstract: A wall mounted waste receptacle including a housing having an enlarged opening extending into a hollow interior thereof mounted to a wall area at least four feet above a ground area. The hollow interior has an upper opening and a lower opening. The lower opening has a threaded pipe extending downwardly therefrom. A free end of the threaded pipe extends within an existing drain pipe. A water dispenser is coupled with the upper opening of the housing and with a water supply. The enlarged opening is dimensioned for a user's face to be placed therein for vomiting. The water dispenser will wash away the vomit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Samuil Kizhnerman
  • Patent number: 5787517
    Abstract: A standing urinal includes an elongate, generally cylindrical housing having an elongate opening in a side of the housing. The opening extends radially a suitable but not exaggerated distance to provide side wall components of the housing, and the housing is positionable at an oblique angle to a wall to which it can be mounted, and is of such a size that when mounted to the wall a male can straddle the housing and urinate into the opening. A drain is provided in the lower portion of the housing. A supply of water can be provided for discharge inside the housing during urination so as to rinse urine away down the lower drain of the housing, and the water rinsing can be activated by an automatic switch for each urinal user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Tajwar Shadikhan
  • Patent number: 5634217
    Abstract: A method an apparatus for disposing of urine is described comprising a funnel-like basin connected to a pump housing. The housing contains a fluid pump connected to the drain of the basin and activated by a fluid pressure sensor when the fluid pressure in the basin exceeds a predetermined value. The housing also contains means for connecting an external fresh water supply to the basin when the fluid pressure in the basin drops below a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Robert Silva
  • Patent number: 5313673
    Abstract: A sensor for a flushing device having an electric solenoid operated flush valve. The sensor includes a control box, a first radiation emitting source mounted in the control box, a radiation detector adapted to detect reflected radiation from the first radiation emitting source mounted in the control box, a lens cover attached to the control box and adapted to permit radiation to pass therethrough and a control circuit contained within the control box responsive to the sensing unit and connected to the solenoid for initiating operation of the flush valve. The control circuit includes a magnetically activated device for bypassing the sensing unit to initiate operation of the flush valve and deactivate the flush valve for a fixed period of time. Also disclosed is a method of operating the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Saadi, Christopher J. Ball, Makoto Kodaira
  • Patent number: 5269028
    Abstract: An automatic flushing apparatus includes an electromagnetic valve, an electrical controlling apparatus in conjunction with the electromagnetic valve for effecting an automatic flushing operation. A first closed tank communicates to the outlet tube of the electromagnetic valve. An upright cylindrical tank is connected to the first closed tank and has a tube member extending inwardly from a central opening at the top end of the cylindrical tank. A piston member is slidably received in the tube member and is biased by a coil spring. A second closed tank contains an antiseptic solution and communicates to the tube member of the cylindrical tank by means of a connecting pipe. The connecting pipe has a branch pipe with an elastic rubber nipple member connected to the first closed tank. A check valve assembly is provided in the connecting pipe, which permits the antiseptic solution to flow from the second closed tank into the connecting pipe when the piston member is moved downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Su-Lan Liao
  • Patent number: 5259073
    Abstract: A water closet flushing apparatus provided with a pressure detector mounted along a water supply pipe, an opening and closing apparatus to open and close a water supply passage provided along the water supply pipe and a control apparatus that uses the pressure detected by the pressure detector to control the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing apparatus so that a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the water closet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Tsutsui, Atsuo Makita, Hirofumi Takeuchi, Shinji Shibata, Noboru Shinbara
  • Patent number: 5235706
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling flushing of a toilet device detects use of the toilet device and compares the actual number of uses against a preset number of uses which are permitted before flushing of the toilet device. When the actual number of uses equals the predetermined number of uses, the toilet device is flushed. At the first use of the toilet device after flushing, a timing cycle is initiated and the timing cycle will cause flushing of the toilet device unless there is the predetermined number of uses of the device within the period of the timing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Allen, Nhon T. Vuong
  • Patent number: 5054132
    Abstract: A flush control system for a plumbing fixture is disclosed. The plumbing fixture includes electrical components which electrically operate a flush valve and are housed in the body of the plumbing fixture. A cover, which is normally closed, activates an electrical circuit, operably connected to a flush valve, when the cover is lifted by a user for a predetermined time. After the elapsed period of time, when the cover is lowered to its normal position, the flush valve is actuated and, for a second predetermined time, the flush valve will operate to complete its flush cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Luigi F. Bartella
  • Patent number: RE42840
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a toilet cleaning device which is capable of cleaning a toilet stool by supplying cleaning water in an appropriate quantity corresponding to the state of usage by a user, which is provided with a self-diagnosis function for diagnosing cleaning water stoppage or the like, and which has a simple constitution so that maintenance can be performed easily. The output of a Doppler sensor 11 is amplified by an amp 31, and a frequency spectrum is determined by an FFT calculation portion 32. A flow rate is determined by conversion in a flow rate calculation portion 33 on the basis of the frequency spectrum. A controller 34 operates other devices on the basis of the flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation portion 33 and the operational state of a cleaning instruction button 16. Cleaning water supply valve 36 is opened and closed in accordance with instructions from the controller 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toto, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Todoroki, Kuniaki Shinohara, Toshio Koguro, Yuichi Furuta, Mie Ikushima