US4598726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonically operated water faucet
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-10-03
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Granted: 1986-07-08
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Expires: 2004-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A water faucet is disclosed that is automatically turned on and off in response to the proximity of the user's hand or other object to the faucet. An ultrasonic transducer is located in the faucet near the water outlet and transmits bursts of ultrasonic waves. When a wave reflects off a user's hand and creates an echo signal, the echo is detected by the ultrasonic transducer. Circuitry connected to the ultrasonic transducer determines when an object is within a predetermined distance of the faucet by measuring the time elapsed between the transmission of the burst and the reception of the echo. Once an object is within this predetermined distance, the circuitry causes a valve to open and water is supplied by the faucet.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B. Pepper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:48
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03C; E03C1/00; E03C1/02; E03C1/05; E03C1/055; E03C1/057; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/03; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having fluid outlet comprising: detecting the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet and whether the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; turning on the fluid flow when the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined limit and the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; and turning off the fluid flow when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined limit or the object is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having fluid outlet comprising: detecting the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet and whether the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; turning on the fluid flow when the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined limit and the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; and turning off the fluid flow when the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined limit or the object is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of detecting the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet further comprises the steps of: emitting an ultrasonic signal; detecting an ultrasonic echo; and measuring the time elapsed between the emission of the ultrasonic signal and the detection of the ultrasonic echo.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the step of turning on the fluid flow comprises detecting when the time elapsed between the emission of the ultrasonic signal and the detection of the ultrasonic echo is less than a predetermined time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein the step of turning off the fluid flow comprises detecting when the time elapsed between the emission of the ultrasonic signal and the detection of the ultrasonic echo is more than a predetermined time.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having a fluid outlet comprising: measuring the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet and detecting whether the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; causing the fluid to flow when the object is within a predetermined range of distances from the fluid outlet and the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; and preventing the fluid from flowing when the object is not within the predetermined range of distances or the object is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having a fluid outlet comprising: measuring the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet and detecting whether the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; causing the fluid to flow when the object is within a predetermined range of distances from the fluid outlet and the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; and preventing the fluid from flowing when the object is not within the predetermined range of distances or the object is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the predetermined range of distances is adjustable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the step of measuring the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet further comprises the steps of: emitting an ultrasonic signal; detecting an ultrasonic echo; and measuring the time elapsed between the emission of the ultrasonic signal and the detection of the ultrasonic echo.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein the step of causing the fluid to flow comprises detecting when the time elapsed between the emission of an ultrasonic signal and the detection of an ultrasonic echo is within a predetermined range of elapsed times.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 8 wherein the predetermined range of elapsed times is adjustable.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having a fluid outlet comprising: measuring the distance of a surface from the faucet fluid outlet and detecting whether the surface is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet; causing the fluid to flow when the surface is within a predetermined range of distances from the fluid outlet and the surface is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet; and preventing the fluid from flowing when the surface is not within the predetermined range of distances or the surface is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having a fluid outlet comprising: measuring the distance of a surface from the faucet fluid outlet and detecting whether the surface is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet; causing the fluid to flow when the surface is within a predetermined range of distances from the fluid outlet and the surface is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet; and preventing the fluid from flowing when the surface is not within the predetermined range of distances or the surface is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein the predetermined range of distances is adjustable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein the step of measuring the distance of a surface from the faucet fluid outlet further comprises the steps of: emitting an ultrasonic signal; detecting an ultrasonic echo; and measuring the time elapsed between the emission of the ultrasonic signal and the detection of the ultrasonic echo.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 12 wherein the step of causing the fluid to flow comprises detecting when the time elapsed between the emission of an ultrasonic signal and the detection of an ultrasonic echo is within a predetermined range of elapsed times.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein the predetermined range of elapsed times is adjustable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-07 | 1990-01-06 | 1990-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-07 | 1994-01-06 | 1994-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-07 | 1998-01-06 | 1998-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |