E03C1/00

System and method for fluid handling in a shower or bath
11198991 · 2021-12-14 ·

Showerhead devices incorporate sensors to control bath fill levels. Showerheads have interchangeable attachments, including bristle attachments. Oral care devices are attachable to standard shower arms. Pump devices allow various lotions and fluids to be used in conjunction with showers. Shower organizing devices provide for ordered storage and access to accessories. Bathtub spouts including sensors and valves to control bathtub filled levels.

Heat recovery unit for gray water
11193721 · 2021-12-07 · ·

The invention relates to a heat recovery unit to transfer heat from a gray water source discharged from a bath or a shower to preheat fresh cold water supplying a bath, a shower, a boiler system or hot water heater. The heat recovery unit comprises an inner tube, an outer tube, a non-return valve, an anode, deflectors as well as associated piping and fittings. Fresh water from a pressurized public network or well flows through the inner tube while the gray water flows between the inner and outer tubes. The non-return valve installed in the fresh water pipe prevents contamination of the drinking water system. A translucent pipe may be installed in a section of the gray water piping system to detect any leaks. An insulated jacket may be placed around the unit to reduce heat loss. The heat recovery unit may be used in domestic, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings.

Thermal expansion compensating device and method of use

A thermal expansion compensating device has a conduit with a first opening and a second opening for connection to a first pipe and a second pipe of a hot water system, respectively, the first and second pipes being formed by removing a section from a length of pipe of the hot water system. A pre-tensioning force is applied to the device to axially displace the first opening from the second opening until after connection of the openings of the pipes. A resiliently deformable pipe segment defines a portion of the conduit between the first opening and the second opening and is resiliently deformed to a tensioned position by the application of the pre-tensioning force. Once the hot water system is activated, the pipes axially thermally expand such that the first opening moves towards the second opening and the pipe segment moves from the tensioned position towards a rest position decreasing the stress on the device.

Thermal expansion compensating device and method of use

A thermal expansion compensating device has a conduit with a first opening and a second opening for connection to a first pipe and a second pipe of a hot water system, respectively, the first and second pipes being formed by removing a section from a length of pipe of the hot water system. A pre-tensioning force is applied to the device to axially displace the first opening from the second opening until after connection of the openings of the pipes. A resiliently deformable pipe segment defines a portion of the conduit between the first opening and the second opening and is resiliently deformed to a tensioned position by the application of the pre-tensioning force. Once the hot water system is activated, the pipes axially thermally expand such that the first opening moves towards the second opening and the pipe segment moves from the tensioned position towards a rest position decreasing the stress on the device.

PORTABLE HYGIENE APPARATUS
20210369055 · 2021-12-02 ·

A portable hygiene station that is configured to be transportable so as to facilitate execution of hygiene protocols such as but not limited to hand washing at locations wherein utility infrastructure is unavailable. The portable hygiene station includes a frame wherein the frame is manufactured from a plurality of support members. The frame includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are integrally formed. The lower portion of the frame has mounted therein a first tank and a second tank. Mounted to a support shelf on the lower portion is a power supply and a pump that is electrically coupled to the power supply. The pump is configured to transfer fluid from the first tank into a basin member via a faucet member. Fluid from the basin member is subsequently transferred to the second tank. A top member provides coverage of the station and further has a photovoltaic panel.

MANAGING WATERPIPE SYSTEMS FOR SMART BUILDINGS
20220171414 · 2022-06-02 ·

A processor may receive an input dataset. The input dataset may include a plurality of waterpipe components and one or more performance factors of the waterpipe system. A processor may generate a digital twin of the waterpipe system using the input dataset. A processor may simulate, using the digital twin, one or more features of the waterpipe system. The simulating may include a forecast having one or more predicted conditions associated with the waterpipe system.

MANAGING WATERPIPE SYSTEMS FOR SMART BUILDINGS
20220171414 · 2022-06-02 ·

A processor may receive an input dataset. The input dataset may include a plurality of waterpipe components and one or more performance factors of the waterpipe system. A processor may generate a digital twin of the waterpipe system using the input dataset. A processor may simulate, using the digital twin, one or more features of the waterpipe system. The simulating may include a forecast having one or more predicted conditions associated with the waterpipe system.

Fluidic faucet spray face and spray generation method

A flow-restricted compound spray generating device 100 includes a spray face member 120B including at least one fluidic circuit oscillator defining geometry 132 including an outlet orifice 138 in the spray face member's central area configured to aim an oscillating spray 300 having a selected oscillating spray thickness distally along a spray axis 112. The spray face member 120B also includes a plurality of non-oscillating (e.g., laminar or jet) spray generating orifices 160B arrayed evenly around the spray face member's periphery to aim a plurality of non-oscillating laminar or jet sprays 302 distally along the spray axis 112 to provide a ring of high velocity streams arrayed around the central oscillating spray 300 to generate a compound spray 310 with an outflow which has a pleasing spray density with an apparent outflow thickness which is substantially equal to the spout orifice's diameter 320.

Fluidic faucet spray face and spray generation method

A flow-restricted compound spray generating device 100 includes a spray face member 120B including at least one fluidic circuit oscillator defining geometry 132 including an outlet orifice 138 in the spray face member's central area configured to aim an oscillating spray 300 having a selected oscillating spray thickness distally along a spray axis 112. The spray face member 120B also includes a plurality of non-oscillating (e.g., laminar or jet) spray generating orifices 160B arrayed evenly around the spray face member's periphery to aim a plurality of non-oscillating laminar or jet sprays 302 distally along the spray axis 112 to provide a ring of high velocity streams arrayed around the central oscillating spray 300 to generate a compound spray 310 with an outflow which has a pleasing spray density with an apparent outflow thickness which is substantially equal to the spout orifice's diameter 320.

Electronic faucet with smart features

A faucet is provided that electronically controls the flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed. The faucet illustratively includes a faucet body and a faucet handle. In some embodiments, the faucet may include a faucet body and be voice controlled. The faucet illustratively includes an inertial motion unit sensor mounted in the faucet handle to sense spatial orientation of the faucet handle. The faucet illustratively includes an electronic flow control system to adjust flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed. The faucet illustratively includes a controller configured to receive signals from the inertial motion unit sensor and control the electronic flow control system to adjust flow volume and temperature of water being dispensed based upon the position of the faucet handle.