US 2002/0163432 A1 · Liquid flow meter

Abstract

A liquid flow meter (50), including a microcontroller (60) and associated algorithm, monitors urine flow through a cartridge trap (20). Measuring the duration of such flow and the number of times the urinal is used will determine, in accordance with preset criteria, when servicing or replacement is needed, and alerts a service person to that effect by a warning light (68) or other signal. Because urine has a high mineral content, it is electrically conductive, effective to complete circuits between closely spaced metal contacts (62a-62c, 64a-64c) coupled to the PROM, which allows the manner and existence of the urine to be detected. The liquid flow meter is installed in the cartridge trap by utilizing and placing a split ball stem (52) located at the base of the meter into a mounting hole (42) located in the center of the drain holes (36) on the cartridge cover (26).

Claims11

Dependent claims

An electric circuit for monitoring the flow of at least one electrically conductive liquid through a trap in a urinal to determine when the trap needs to be changed or serviced, comprising:

a microcontroller for sensing the presence and duration of the presence of the conductive liquid and for directing actions established by preset criteria;
at least one pair of contact sensor probes coupled to said microcontroller and disposed to be electrically connected together by the electrically conductive liquid;
an indicator coupled to said microcontroller for indicating the actions directed thereby.

In a urinal having a removable trap having a urine flow path, a method for determining when the trap requires changing and servicing by use of a microcontroller and a designator for respective effecting of the changing and servicing, comprising the steps of:

sensing flow of the urine;
activating the microcontroller when the urine is sensed;
recording the number of sensed flows with respect to contact with the urine;
sensing the length of time of the urine contact and any blockage and times of blockage produced thereby;
appropriately activating the designator in response to the blockage sensing;
and
resetting the microcontroller should blockage not occur a preset number of times consecutively.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Liquid flow meter

Life of this patent

Liquid flow meter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11