A method of controlling actuation of a flush apparatus includes the steps of configuring a control module to actuate the flush apparatus for completing a flushing cycle periodically; and after a given unused time period of the flush apparatus, enabling the control module to enter into a sleep mode to stop an actuation of the flush apparatus. Therefore, during the rush hours, the control module is configured to actuate the flush apparatus frequently and during the off rush hours, the control module is configured to actuate the flush apparatus seldom.

Some embodiments provide irrigation controllers comprising: a housing; a control unit including a first microcontroller configured to execute irrigation programs and a first set of code; and a removable plug-in device that removably mates with a portion of the irrigation controller and communicationally couples to the first microcontroller, wherein the plug-in device comprises a memory storing a second set of code to replace at least a portion of the first set of code, wherein the plug-in device is configured to re-flash at least a portion of the first set of code allowing a copy of the second set of code to overwrite at least the portion of the first set of code; wherein the first set of code comprises a bootloader that writes the copy of the second set of code over the first set of code with the exception of the bootloader that is not written over.

Some embodiments provide irrigation controllers comprising: a housing; a control unit including a first microcontroller configured to execute irrigation programs and a first set of code; and a removable plug-in device that removably mates with a portion of the irrigation controller and communicationally couples to the first microcontroller, wherein the plug-in device comprises a memory storing a second set of code to replace at least a portion of the first set of code, wherein the plug-in device is configured to re-flash at least a portion of the first set of code allowing a copy of the second set of code to overwrite at least the portion of the first set of code; wherein the first set of code comprises a bootloader that writes the copy of the second set of code over the first set of code with the exception of the bootloader that is not written over.

A plumbing component includes a valve provided within a portion of the plumbing component and configured to control the flow of water through the plumbing component. The valve includes a body and at least one waterway within the body. An electric heater extends through at least a portion of the body of the valve and is configured to heat at least a portion of the body to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms within the waterway.

A shower head having a stem; a spray head coupled to the stem; a mixing valve located within the stem or the spray head, the mixing valve having a first valve member assembly for controlling a first fluid flow to a mixing chamber and a second valve member assembly for controlling a second fluid flow to the mixing chamber. Each valve member assembly includes a spool, a first valve member on the spool that engages with a first valve seat in a closed position and a second valve member on the spool that engages with a second, separate, valve seat in the closed position. An electrically powered first motor is located within the stem or the spray head. The first motor is coupled to the first valve member assembly to control movement of the first valve member assembly to control the flow of the first fluid to the mixing chamber.

A valve arrangement including a valve and a valve actuation arrangement is provided. The valve has a known flow profile. The valve includes a valve member and a valve stem operably coupled to the valve member for adjusting the position of the valve member. The valve actuation arrangement is operably coupled to the valve stem. The valve actuation arrangement includes a drive arrangement and a control arrangement. The drive arrangement is operably coupled to the valve stem and configured to adjust an actual stem position of the valve stem based on an actual stem positional signal. The control arrangement is configured to generate the actual stem positional signal. The control arrangement is configured to generate the actual stem positional signal based on an input control signal representing a desired stem position based on a desired flow profile being different than the known flow profile.

A valve arrangement including a valve and a valve actuation arrangement is provided. The valve has a known flow profile. The valve includes a valve member and a valve stem operably coupled to the valve member for adjusting the position of the valve member. The valve actuation arrangement is operably coupled to the valve stem. The valve actuation arrangement includes a drive arrangement and a control arrangement. The drive arrangement is operably coupled to the valve stem and configured to adjust an actual stem position of the valve stem based on an actual stem positional signal. The control arrangement is configured to generate the actual stem positional signal. The control arrangement is configured to generate the actual stem positional signal based on an input control signal representing a desired stem position based on a desired flow profile being different than the known flow profile.

A self-energized programmable timer valve is provided in embodiments of this invention that can be used in watering and other systems, such as lawn watering systems and agricultural watering systems. The invention provides one or more components that serve the functions of a clock, a valve and an energizer (e.g., turbine) (i.e., a clock function, a valve function, and an energizing and/or turbine function) to control the flow of media (e.g., water) through the valve. Exemplary components comprise a programmable clock apparatus comprising a mechanical clock mechanism and a mechanical mainspring, the programmable clock apparatus capable of opening and closing a control valve system by using a first connecting apparatus; the first connecting apparatus which converts the rotational movement of an of an hour dial and a minute dial to a linear movement of a valve plug component to open and close the control valve system and control the flow of media through it; and a turbine apparatus comprising a turbine shaft that has a turbine impeller on one end that is capable of turning when water flows through the control valve system, wherein when the turbine impeller turns its rotational energy is transferred to the mechanical mainspring of the programmable clock apparatus.

A water delivery device that includes a body having a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and an outlet; a mixing valve in the body, and a touchscreen user interface on a surface of the body. The mixing valve includes a housing having a mixing chamber that is fluidly connected to the outlet, a first flow control valve moveably disposed in the housing to control a cold water flow from the cold water inlet to the mixing chamber, and a second flow control valve moveably disposed in the housing to control a hot water flow from the hot water inlet to the mixing chamber. The touchscreen user interface allows a user to control a temperature and/or a flow rate of water from the outlet by controlling the first and second flow control valves.

A shower head that includes a movable handset, a mixing valve, and an electric heater. The movable handset includes a stem configured to detachably engage a shower head dock, and a spray head coupled to the stem and configured to discharge water. The mixing valve is disposed within the movable handset and includes a housing including a waterway located therein for water to flow through, a first flow control valve located within the housing and configured to control the flow of hot water to the spray head, and a second flow control valve located within the housing and configured to control the flow of cold water to the spray head. The electric heater is disposed within the movable handset and configured to heat at least part of the housing to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms within the waterway.