Shower Water Temperature Controller

Abstract

A water temperature controller for a shower that comprises a quiet and efficient, thermostat controlled, motorized device that reliably monitors and maintains water temperature of a shower at a level set by a user for use in single valve or double valve shower systems.

Claims

1. A thermostat controlled, motorized water temperature controller for use in a shower, comprising: a thermostat capable of detecting temperature of water in a main supply pipe of a shower by means of a temperature sensing device, such as a thermocouple and wherein the thermostat is set at a specific water temperature desired by a user; and a motorized servo mechanism which responds to the controlling thermostat by adjusting a hot water valve and a cold water valve that feed hot and cold water into a main supply pipe.

2. The water temperature controller of claim 1, wherein the thermostat is a digital Light Emitting Diode or LED thermostat, wherein the thermostat comprises a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor clamps to the exterior of the main supply pipe of a shower.

3. The water temperature controller of claim 1 wherein the servo mechanism is powered by a Direct Current or DC motor, and the servo mechanism adjusts valve shower controls by means of contact friction wheels, or drive gears.

4. The water temperature controller of claim 3 wherein the shower is a single valve shower and the servo mechanism comprises one set of friction wheels or drive gears.

5. The water temperature controller of claim 3 wherein the shower is a double valve shower and the servo mechanism comprises two sets of friction wheels or drive gears.

6. The water temperature controller of claim 4, wherein the thermostat and servo mechanism interact in a feedback loop to achieve and maintain the water temperature set on the thermostat.

7. The water temperature controller of claim 5, wherein the thermostat and servo mechanism interact in a feedback loop to achieve and maintain the water temperature set on the thermostat.

8. The water temperature controller of claim 6, wherein the thermostat and servo mechanism interact in a feedback loop to achieve and maintain the water temperature set on the thermostat by opening the hot water valve.

9. The water temperature controller of claim 6, wherein the thermostat and servo mechanism interact in a feedback loop to achieve and maintain the water temperature set on the thermostat by closing the cold water valve.

10. The water temperature controller of claim 7, wherein the thermostat and servo mechanism interact in a feedback loop to achieve and maintain the water temperature set on the thermostat by opening the hot water valve.

11. The water temperature controller of claim 7, wherein the thermostat and servo mechanism interact in a feedback loop to achieve and maintain the water temperature set on the thermostat by closing the cold water valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a prototypical, slightly diagonal, front view of a thermostat component that is used with the present invention to set and monitor the water temperature desired by a user taking a shower.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a prototypical, illustrative view that shows a motorized servo mechanism which attaches to a shower's main supply pipe and includes a temperature sensor, a hot water in valve, a cold water in valve, a mixed water out pipe, a motor with drive gears, and a limit switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Please refer to the drawings. The Water Temperature Controller consists of two components. The first component is a thermostat 10, shown in FIG. 1 which detects the temperature of the water in a main supply pipe of a shower by means of a temperature sensing device, such as a thermocouple 12, shown in FIG. 2, and is set at a specific water temperature desires by a user. The second component is a motorized servo mechanism 20, shown in FIG. 2 which responds to the controlling thermostat 10 by adjusting hot water valve 14 and cold water valve 16 that feed hot and cold water into the main supply pipe 18. The thermostat 10 is a digital Light Emitting Diode or LED thermostat, and its corresponding temperature sensor 12 simply clamps to the exterior of the main supply pipe of a shower by any suitable means, such as by a strap 24.

[0016] Powered by a small Direct Current or DC motor 32, the servo mechanism adjusts single or dual valve shower controls by means of one or two contact friction wheels, or drive gears 34. As the temperature within the main supply pipe 18 changes, the thermostat 10 and servo mechanism 20 interact in a feedback loop to achieve and maintain the water temperature set on the thermostat. When the water temperature might normally decline toward the end of a long shower, the thermocouple measures the temperature and if senses a fall in temperature then acts to further open the hot water valve 14 or further limit the cold water valve 16, thereby automatically maintaining the desired water temperature.

[0017] The specific configuration of the servo mechanism 20 varies according to whether the shower to be equipped is a single valve or dual valve. The Water Temperature Controller is manufactured in two distinct models, one model for single valve and one model for dual valve. Installation of the present invention is relatively simple and straightforward.

[0018] The Water Temperature Controller eliminates trial and error guesswork involved in attempting to calibrate the temperature of one's shower water and eliminates discomfort experienced when one's water falls astray from one's desired temperature. With the Water Temperature Controller, a user simply sets a pushbutton digital thermostat to a desired water temperature, turns on a shower of water, waits a moment or two for the water to warm up, and then steps right into a perfectly comfortable and blissful temperature. Perfectly suited for household use, the Water Temperature Controller also functions effectively in hotels and other lodging establishments including gyms, schools, colleges and healthcare facilities.

[0019] Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.