US4936508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shower head volume meter with alarm signal
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-05-02
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2009-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A shower head volume meter producing an audible or other alarm for indicating when a predetermined volume of water has been delivered. A polite alarm or "beep" is used after a first volume of water y has been delivered, while an aggressive alarm in the form of a continuous sound is used after a second volume of water y+z has been delivered. A first embodiment measures the volume of water with a magnetic turbine and pick-up coil. The turbine rotates in response to water flow through meter generating a rotating magnetic flux. The flux lines cut across the pick-up coil which produces electrical pulse signals at a rate corresponding to the water flow rate. The number of magnetic poles in the turbine determines the total volume of water that can be delivered. A microcontroller analyzes the pulse signals and initiates the alarm. The pick-up coil doubles as an alternator to produce electrical power for the microcontroller. A second embodiment measures the volume of water using the pressure difference caused by the venturi effect. A piezoresistive die produces a voltage corresponding to the water flow rate. The meter can be a separate screw or adapter or an integral part of the shower head.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Ingalz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/10; G01F1/115; B; B05; B05B; B05B12/00; B05B12/08; B05B12/085; G01F15/00; G01F15/001; B05B1/00; B05B1/14; B05B1/18; B05B1/192; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A self-contained volume meter for a fluid dispenser comprising, a body member having inlet means for attaching said body member to a source of fluid, said body member having an outlet and a flow path from said inlet means to said outlet, means within said path and responsive to fluid flow within said path for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a fluid flow rate, pickup means receiving said magnetic flux and structurally associated with said body member for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate, means in electrical communication with said pickup means for supplying electrical power from said fluid flow through path, means in power-utilization relation with said supply means and in pulse-receiving relation with said pickup means for calculating a volume of fluid flowing through said path, means receiving power from said supply means for comparing said calculated volume with a desired total volume, and alarm means in electrical power-receiving communication with said supply means for indicating when said calculated volume has reached said desired total volume, said alarm means being attached to said body member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A self-contained volume meter for a fluid dispenser comprising, a body member having inlet means for attaching said body member to a source of fluid, said body member having an outlet and a flow path from said inlet means to said outlet, means within said path and responsive to fluid flow within said path for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a fluid flow rate, pickup means receiving said magnetic flux and structurally associated with said body member for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate, means in electrical communication with said pickup means for supplying electrical power from said fluid flow through path, means in power-utilization relation with said supply means and in pulse-receiving relation with said pickup means for calculating a volume of fluid flowing through said path, means receiving power from said supply means for comparing said calculated volume with a desired total volume, and alarm means in electrical power-receiving communication with said supply means for indicating when said calculated volume has reached said desired total volume, said alarm means being attached to said body member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The meter of claim 1 wherein said alarm means also indicates when said measured volume has approached to within a predetermined amount of said desired total volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The meter of claim 1 wherein said alarm means provides an audible signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The meter of claim 1 wherein said fluid dispenser is a water shower head attached to said outlet of said body member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
A flow volume meter for attachment between a water pipe and a shower head comprising, a water pipe fitting having an outlet means for attaching a shower head, rotatable means within said fitting responsive to water flow within said fitting for metering said water flow, said rotatable means having magnetic means for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a rate of said water flow, pick-up means receiving said magnetic flux for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate and for generating electrical power, means responsive to said electrical signal pulses and receiving electrical power from said pick-up means for calculating an accumulated volume measure of water passing through said fitting, and alarm means attached to said fitting and in electrical power-receiving relation with said pick-up means for indicating when a predetermined volume of water has passed through said fitting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
A flow volume meter for attachment between a water pipe and a shower head comprising, a water pipe fitting having an outlet means for attaching a shower head, rotatable means within said fitting responsive to water flow within said fitting for metering said water flow, said rotatable means having magnetic means for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a rate of said water flow, pick-up means receiving said magnetic flux for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate and for generating electrical power, means responsive to said electrical signal pulses and receiving electrical power from said pick-up means for calculating an accumulated volume measure of water passing through said fitting, and alarm means attached to said fitting and in electrical power-receiving relation with said pick-up means for indicating when a predetermined volume of water has passed through said fitting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flow volume meter of claim 5 wherein said alarm means further indicates when a second predetermined volume of water has passed through said fitting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flow volume meter of claim 5 wherein said alarm means provides an audible signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
A flow volume meter comprising, a water pipe fitting, a turbine disposed within said fitting rotatably responsive to water flow within said fitting, said rotatable turbine having magnetic means for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a rate of said water flow, said turbine having an axial through hole therein such that said turbine floats freely within said fitting, pick-up means receiving said magnetic flux for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate and for generating electrical power, means responsive to said electrical signal pulses and receiving electrical power from said pick-up means for calculating an accumulated volume measure of water passing through said fitting, and alarm means for indicating when a predetermined volume of water has passed through said fitting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
A flow volume meter comprising, a water pipe fitting, a turbine disposed within said fitting rotatably responsive to water flow within said fitting, said rotatable turbine having magnetic means for generating a magnetic flux rotating at a rate corresponding to a rate of said water flow, said turbine having an axial through hole therein such that said turbine floats freely within said fitting, pick-up means receiving said magnetic flux for producing electrical signal pulses at a rate corresponding to said magnetic flux rotation rate and for generating electrical power, means responsive to said electrical signal pulses and receiving electrical power from said pick-up means for calculating an accumulated volume measure of water passing through said fitting, and alarm means for indicating when a predetermined volume of water has passed through said fitting.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The flow volume meter of claim 8 wherein said turbine has helical channels formed in a circumferential surface thereof with a predetermined pitch corresponding to a desired rotation rate to flow rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The flow volume meter of claim 8 wherein said turbine has alternating grooves and plateaus defined along a length of a circumferential surface thereat, said plateaus having at a flow input end and asymmetric curvature on one edge thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flow volume meter of claim 8 wherein said turbine has a predetermined number of magnetic poles so as to produce a desired number of electrical signal pulses per turbine revolution.
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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) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |