Automatic flow controller employing energy-conservation mode
US6619614B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE03D5/105
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An automatic flusher includes an object sensor. When the object sensor detects a target meeting certain criteria, battery-powered control circuitry causes the flusher's valve to open. By pressing a push button, a user can make the circuit open the flusher's valve. If the circuit has been pressed continually for an extended period, the control circuit assumes a sleep mode, in which its power consumption is negligible. A button actuator in the flusher's container keeps the button pressed while the container is closed. As a consequence, the flusher can be packed with the control circuit's batteries installed without draining those batteries significantly during shipping and storage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.