Automatic faucets

US10508423B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Kay Herbert · Winthrop, US
• Xiaoxiong Mo · Lexington, US
• Jeff Krull · Naperville, US
• Jean F. Daher · Auburn, US
• Qiaohong Chen · Lexington, US
• Ronald J. Vish · Dedham, US
• Fatih Guler · Winchester, US
• Xu Wang · Jinan, CN
• Stanley O Thompson · New Boston, US
• David L. Carpenter · Jaffrey, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 30, 2014
• Grant date: Dec 17, 2019
• Expiry date: Sep 6, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/8376
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An automatic faucet includes a housing forming partially an internal barrel and a faucet head and being constructed to include at least one water inlet conduit extending into said barrel and a water outlet for delivering water from a spout. The automatic faucet also includes a faucet head having a removable faucet crown and the spout, wherein the faucet crown is removably mounted to the faucet head. The automatic faucet also includes a valve module, a sensor module, a battery module, a turbine module, and a control module. The valve module includes a valve controlled by an electromagnetic actuator for controlling the water flow from the spout. The sensor module is constructed to provide sensor data influenced by a user. The control module is constructed to control opening and closing of the valve by providing signals to the electromagnetic actuator. The control module is also constructed to receive sensor data from the sensor module and execute a sensing algorithm. The control module is also constructed to execute a power management algorithm for managing electrical power generated by the water turbine and provided to and from the battery.