The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 26, 1990
Filed:
May. 02, 1989
Thomas J Ingalz, San Jose, CA (US);
Other;
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.