US3908204A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic water closet controller
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-09-06
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-09-06
Abstract
Abstract An electronically controlled water closet including a bowl, a flush tank, a first solenoid valve for draining the flush tank, a second solenoid valve for admitting water to refill the flush tank, a power circuit for connecting the first and second valves to a current source, the power circuit including first and second electronic switches, respectively, for operating the first and second valves, and a control circuit for sequencing the first and second switches. The control circuit, which may include an electronic timer, may be selectively variable to control the amount of water used during the flushing cycle. A third electronic switch is provided for breaking the power circuit to keep the valves closed when a failure mode exists, and the preferred control circuit includes a logic circuit arrangement for establishing a circuit condition effective to operate the said third switch when a failure mode exists.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L Hopkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:09
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/30; E03D1/36; E03D1/02; E03D1/14; E03D5/00; E03D5/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An electronically controlled water closet including a bowl, a flush tank, a first solenoid operated valve for draining the flush tank, a second solenoid operated valve for admitting water to refill the flush tank, first electronic switch means for controlling the opening and closing of said first valve, second electronic switch means for controlling the opening and closing of said second valve, electronic timer means for sequencing the operation of said first and second switch means to open said first valve to initiate the flushing cycle, then to close said first valve after a first predetermined time period, then to open said second valve, and then to close said second valve after a second predetermined time period to stop the flushing cycle, and manually operated momentary switch means for starting said timer means to initiate the flushing cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
An electronically controlled water closet including a bowl, a flush tank, a first solenoid operated valve for draining the flush tank, a second solenoid operated valve for admitting water to refill the flush tank, first electronic switch means for controlling the opening and closing of said first valve, second electronic switch means for controlling the opening and closing of said second valve, electronic timer means for sequencing the operation of said first and second switch means to open said first valve to initiate the flushing cycle, then to close said first valve after a first predetermined time period, then to open said second valve, and then to close said second valve after a second predetermined time period to stop the flushing cycle, and manually operated momentary switch means for starting said timer means to initiate the flushing cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention of claim 1 including third switch means for disabling the first and second switch means and their respective first and second valves when a failure mode exists, and logic circuit means for establishing a circuit condition effective to operate said third switch means when a failure mode exists, said logic circuit means being operatively connected to said third switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention of claim 1 including circuit means for connecting said first and second valves to a current source, said valves being in parallel, said first and second switch means, respectively, being connected in series with said first and second valves to conduct current through and open said valves when said switch means are rendered conductive, and said switch means being rendered conductive and nonconductive by the outputs of said timer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
The invention of claim 3 including first and second light emitting means connected respectively to said first and second valves to emit light when their respective valves are open, light responsive means optically coupled to said emitting means to establish a circuit condition indicating that one of said valves is open, third switch means for breaking the circuit to said first and second valves, thereby closing said valves, and logic circuit means for operating said third switch means when a failure mode exists, said logic circuit means being connected to and responsive to outputs of said timer means and said light responsive means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The invention of claim 1 including circuit means for connecting said first and second valves to a current source, said first and second switch means, respectively, being connected in series with said first and second valves to conduct current through and open said valves when said switch means are rendered conductive, each said switch means including a semiconductor device having a control gate electrode connected to said timer means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention of claim 5 including third switch means for breaking the circuit to said first and second valves, thereby keeping said valves closed, said third switch means including a semiconductor device having a control gate electrode, and logic means for operating said third switch means to keep said valves closed when a failure mode exists, said logic means being connected to the last said control gate electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
The invention of claim 6 in which said logic means includes first and second light emitting means connected respective to said first and second switch means to emit light when said switch means are conducting, light responsive means optically coupled to said light emitting means to provide a circuit condition corresponding to the conductive condition of said switch means, and a logic circuit operatively connecting the outputs of said timer means and light responsive means to said third switch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 7 in which each of said first, second and third switch means is a Triac, said current source being an alternating current power source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 7 in which each light emitting means includes a light emitting diode and said light responsive means is a phototransistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 4 in which each said first and second light emitting means includes a light emitting diode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 including level sensor means disposed in said bowl and effective to provide an electrical output inhibiting operation of said timer means when the water level in said bowl reaches a predetermined maximum level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 including means for selectively varying said first and second predetermined time periods, thereby varying the amount of water used in the flushing cycle, said varying means being operatively connected to said timer means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electronically controlled water closet including a bowl, a flush tank, a first solenoid operated valve for draining the flush tank, a second solenoid operated valve for admitting water to refill the flush tank, circuit means for connecting said first and second valves to a current source, said circuit Means including first and second switch means, respectively, for operating said first and second valves, each switch means including a semiconductor device having an anode and cathode connected in series with its associated valve and a control gate electrode, and control circuit means for sequencing said first and second switch means, said control circuit means being connected to said gate electrodes, third switch means for breaking the first said circuit means to keep said valves closed when a failure mode exists, and said control circuit means including logic circuit means for establishing a circuit condition effective to operate said third switch means when a failure mode exists to maintain said valves in a closed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electronically controlled water closet including a bowl, a flush tank, a first solenoid operated valve for draining the flush tank, a second solenoid operated valve for admitting water to refill the flush tank, circuit means for connecting said first and second valves to a current source, said circuit Means including first and second switch means, respectively, for operating said first and second valves, each switch means including a semiconductor device having an anode and cathode connected in series with its associated valve and a control gate electrode, and control circuit means for sequencing said first and second switch means, said control circuit means being connected to said gate electrodes, third switch means for breaking the first said circuit means to keep said valves closed when a failure mode exists, and said control circuit means including logic circuit means for establishing a circuit condition effective to operate said third switch means when a failure mode exists to maintain said valves in a closed position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention of claim 13 in which said logic circuit means includes first and second light emitting means connected, respectively, to said first and second switch means to emit light when said switch means are conducting, and light responsive means optically coupled to said light emitting means to provide an electrical output indicating whether said switch means are conducting.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 14 in which said control circuit means includes timer means for sequencing said first and second switch means, said timer means having outputs connected to the gate electrodes of said first and second switch means and to said logic circuit means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 13 in which said control circuit means includes timer means for sequencing said first and second switch means, said timer means having outputs connected to the gate electrodes of said first and second switch means and to said logic circuit means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 16 including manually operated switch means for starting said timer means to initiate the flushing cycle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 17 including level sensing means disposed in said bowl and effective to provide an electrical output inhibiting the starting of said timer means when a predetermined water level in said bowl is exceeded.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 17 including means for selectively varying said timer means to vary the amount of water used during the flush cycle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 14 in which said light emitting means includes light emitting diodes and said light responsive means includes a phototransistor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 7 in which each of said first and second switch means is a transistor, said current source being an alternating current power source.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 7 in which each switch means is a solid state switch means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |