US4941219A — Body heat responsive valve control apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 157 words

A passive apparatus for controlling the operation of a fluid flow control valve in response to the presence of a human body part, said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a sensor for detecting heat irradiating from a human body part within a predetermined detection field and for producing an output signal in response to such detection; (b) means for amplifying the output signal; (c) means for opening the valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to the amplified signal; (d) means for closing the valve after a predetermined time period; (e) a low voltage power source for energizing said apparatus; (f) means for determining the voltage of said power source while the valve is open; (g) means for comparing the determined voltage with a predetermined voltage and for generating a control signal if the determined voltage is below the predetermined voltage; and (h) means for closing the valve in response to generation of the control signal.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 157 words

A passive apparatus for controlling the operation of a fluid flow control valve in response to the presence of a human body part, said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a sensor for detecting heat irradiating from a human body part within a predetermined detection field and for producing an output signal in response to such detection; (b) means for amplifying the output signal; (c) means for opening the valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to the amplified signal; (d) means for closing the valve after a predetermined time period; (e) a low voltage power source for energizing said apparatus; (f) means for determining the voltage of said power source while the valve is open; (g) means for comparing the determined voltage with a predetermined voltage and for generating a control signal if the determined voltage is below the predetermined voltage; and (h) means for closing the valve in response to generation of the control signal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for preempting opening of the valve for a set time period subsequent to closing of the valve.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including electrically responsive means for opening and closing the valve.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said electrically responsive means is a solenoid.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 57 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor is a bipolar element having a first element responsive to the ambient temperature and a second element responsive to heat irradiated from the body part and including means for generating an output signal in response to a change in temperature between the first and second elements.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power source is a nine volt battery.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for regulating the sensitivity of said sensor.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said regulating means includes three settings.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a wash basin and means for mounting said sensor with said wash basin.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wash basin includes a bowl for defining at least a part of the detection field.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said wash basin includes a spout in fluid communication with the valve, whereby operation of the valve regulates fluid flow through said spout into said wash basin.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wash basin includes a rear wall and wherein said sensor is mounted in said rear wall.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said wash basin includes a spout in fluid communication with the valve, whereby operation of the valve regulates fluid flow through said spout into said wash basin.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus as set forth in claim 13 including a restrictor associated with said sensor for defining at least a part of the detection field.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 154 words

A passive method for controlling the operation of a fluid flow control valve in response to the presence of a human body part, said method comprising the steps of: (a) detecting heat irradiating from a human body part placed within a predetermined detection field and producing an output signal in response to said step of detecting; (b) amplifying the output signal; (c) opening the valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to the amplified signal; (d) closing the valve after a predetermined time period; (e) energizing the control and operation of the valve with a low voltage power source; (f) determining the voltage of the power source while the valve is open; (g) comparing the voltage determined during said step of determining with a predetermined voltage and generating a control signal if the determined voltage is below the predetermined voltage; and (h) closing the valve in response to generation of the control signal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 154 words

A passive method for controlling the operation of a fluid flow control valve in response to the presence of a human body part, said method comprising the steps of: (a) detecting heat irradiating from a human body part placed within a predetermined detection field and producing an output signal in response to said step of detecting; (b) amplifying the output signal; (c) opening the valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to the amplified signal; (d) closing the valve after a predetermined time period; (e) energizing the control and operation of the valve with a low voltage power source; (f) determining the voltage of the power source while the valve is open; (g) comparing the voltage determined during said step of determining with a predetermined voltage and generating a control signal if the determined voltage is below the predetermined voltage; and (h) closing the valve in response to generation of the control signal.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the valve is part of a wash basin for controlling the flow of water through a spout feeding the wash basin and wherein said step of opening includes the step of evacuating water through the spout into the bowl of the wash basin.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method as set forth in claim 15 including the step of regulating the threshold of the output signal.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein said step of detecting includes the step of detecting radiation in a spectral range of 5 to 15 μm.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein said step of detecting is performed in the frequency range of 0.1 to 20 Hz.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method as set forth in claim 19 wherein said step of detecting includes the step of detecting radiation in a spectral range of 5 to 15 μm.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-07-16	1994-01-15	1994-07-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-07-16	1998-01-15	1998-07-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-07-16	2002-01-15	2002-07-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Body heat responsive valve control apparatus

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