A programmable system with user interface control for water flow rate or water temperature. Embodiments of the invention include a water temperature control system for a shower.

A method and apparatus for delivering water to a user at a control temperature by receiving cold water, receiving hot water and then adjusting a hot-side graduated-valve and a cold-side graduated-valve in order to adjust the temperature of mixed water according to an initial target temperature value. The temperature of the mixed water is sensed in order to provide feedback, which is necessary to adjust the hot-side graduated valve and the cold-side graduated valve. In some embodiments, hot-side graduated valve and the cold-site graduate-valve are also adjusted to achieve a target flow rate. A target temperature and a target flow rate is communicated to the apparatus by way of an air-gesture sensor.

A precision ceramics control balance valve includes a valve housing, a rotary base mounted in the valve housing, a valve lever mounted on the rotary base and protruding upward from the valve housing, a movable valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the rotary base, a fixed valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the movable valve plate, a valve seat mounted on a lower end of the valve housing to stop the fixed valve plate, the movable valve plate and the rotary base, a temperature limiting device mounted in the valve seat, a pedestal connected with the valve seat, and a balance unit mounted in the pedestal.

A faucet includes a housing defining hot and cold inlets and an outlet and hot and cold fluid conduits in communication with the hot and cold inlets. A mixer within the housing receives fluids from the fluid conduits and outputs one of the fluids or a mixture thereof. The mixer includes a valve and an actuator configured to move the valve to different positions establishing various ratios of fluids output by the mixer. A temperature actuated flow reducing device within the housing downstream of the mixer restricts a flow of fluid to the outlet when a temperature of the fluid exceeds a predetermined temperature. A first pressure compensating flow regulator upstream of the mixer controls a flow of fluid from the hot fluid conduit to the mixer while a second pressure compensating flow regulator downstream of the mixer controls a flow of fluid through the outlet.

A mixing unit for a mixer tap has a first intake for a first incoming stream, and a second intake for a second incoming stream. The mixing unit mixes the first and second incoming streams in order to form an output stream, and has an outlet for the output stream. A thermostat includes a heat-sensitive portion and a translationally movable portion along an axis. A seal of the second intake is connected to the movable portion. A recess connects the outlet with the second intake and housing and is sealed by the heat-sensitive portion and the translationally movable portion. The outlet has an abutment to restrain the translational movement of the heat-sensitive portion along the axis, in a direction parallel to the axis and opposite to the seal. The abutment limits the movement of the heat-sensitive portion and the translationally movable portion outside of the recess to avoid breaking the tight seal.

Various embodiments of a reverse thermostat for use in restricting hot water in a plumbing system from being delivered to cold water fixtures are disclosed.

A precision ceramics control valve includes a valve housing, a rotary base mounted in the valve housing, a valve lever mounted on the rotary base and protruding upward from the valve housing, a movable valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the rotary base, a fixed valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the movable valve plate, a valve seat mounted on a lower end of the valve housing to stop the fixed valve plate, the movable valve plate and the rotary base, and a temperature limiting device mounted in the valve seat.

In a sanitary installation part (1) which, along with a functional unit (7), forms a flow volume regulator, it is proposed that a regulating element (13), which can be adjusted along an adjustment path, be coupled to a temperature-sensitive drive unit (15) such that different regulating positions of the regulating element (13) are set in dependence on the temperature of the medium flowing through the installation part (1), wherein the different regulating positions realize in each case different volume-flow dependencies (11, 12, 45, 48) and/or flow resistances.

A touch free faucet for providing a convenient and hygienic means of washing hands and/or performing other tasks associated with faucets can include a logic processor, a sensor that can generate signals in response to detecting an activation motion within a sensor zone, and a microphone that can detect sound signals arising from a voice command by a user. The logic processor can receive the generated signals from the sensor and/or the detected sound signals from the microphone and control operation of the touch free faucet based on such signals. Additionally, the touch free faucet can include a wireless receiver that can receive digital instructions from a networked computing device and communicate the received digital instructions to the logic processor in order to control operation of the touch free faucet. The touch free faucet can include two microphones that can be utilized to filter out water sounds from voice commands.

A domestic pipe system for delivery of hot water includes hot water source (10) and a piping to a faucet (12). The piping comprises a splitter (14), two pipes (20, 22) and a controller (16), the controller having a housing, first and second inlets (24, 26), an outlet (28), and a thermally actuated valve. The first inlet is a permanently open inlet whereas the second inlet is opened depending on the temperature of water arriving at the controller. Stagnant water that cooled down only runs through the first pipe (20) until the temperature exceeds a preset threshold. Than the controller (16) opens the second inlet such that the stagnant cold water from the second pipe can be mixed gradually with the hot water from the first pipe. Thus, the user receives warm water earlier than if both pipes need to be emptied.