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US 9,309,992 B2Granted
System for detecting that a valve should be replaced and a method of use thereof
AssigneeSDB IP Holdings, LLC
InventorShawn D. Bush
Life of this patent
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AssigneeSDB IP Holdings, LLC
InventorShawn D. Bush
Estimating the term…
A system for detecting a valve replacement element including a flush valve including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a main valve element adapted for movement between a first position in which the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid isolation, and a second position in which the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication is disclosed. The main valve element includes a replaceable portion. The system also includes a sensor for monitoring usage of the replaceable portion of the main valve element, and an indicator in communication with the sensor for alerting an operator when the replaceable portion of the main valve element should be replaced.
A system for detecting that a valve should be replaced, the system comprising:
A method for detecting that a flush valve should be replaced, the method comprising:
A system for detecting that a valve should be replaced, the system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
For recording or indicating the functioning of a valve in combination with test equipment: by measuring valve parameters
Valves for high or low level cisterns; Their arrangement ; Flushing mechanisms in the cistern, optionally with provisions for a pre-or a post-…:…
Self-closing flushing valves: with diaphragm valve and pressure chamber for retarding the valve-closing movement
With electrically-actuated member in the discharge of the motor: acting on a diaphragm
About 7 years 8 months of term left · ends 14 Jun 2034 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a valve replacement kit for a flush valve, and more particularly, to a system and method for monitoring the valve replacement kit to determine when installation of a new valve replacement kit is required.
2. Background of the Related Art
Additional advantages and details of the invention are explained in greater detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying schematic figures.
FIG. 1 is a left side view of a valve incorporating features of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the valve of FIG. 1.
As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as “up”, “down”, “above”, “below”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like, relate to the invention as it is shown in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention can assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting.
FIGS. 1-5 show a valve 10 of the present invention. The basic components of the valve 10 will first be described in order to clarify the subsequent discussion of the invention.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the valve 10 can be a diaphragm-type valve having a valve housing 12 formed by a valve body 14 and a cover 16. The valve body 14 and/or cover 16 can be of any desired material, for example, metal or plastic. In one non-limiting embodiment, the valve body 14 and cover 16 are both made of plastic. Alternatively, one is made of plastic and the other of metal. The valve body 14 has a flow passage extending therethrough with an inlet end 18 and an outlet end 20. The cover 16 is connected to the valve body 14 by a plurality of cover screws 22 or bolts, such as aluminum or stainless steel screws engaged with the valve body 14. A diaphragm 26 of suitable material, such as rubber or plastic, is sandwiched between the valve body 14 and the cover 16 to form a seal between the two chambers of the valve 10. A main valve element 300, such as a flapper assembly, is positioned in the flow passage and the upper side of the main valve element 300 engages the central region of the diaphragm 26 when the valve 10 is assembled. In one embodiment, the main valve element 300 is a conventional swing check valve. The valve 10 further includes a solenoid 28 threadably attached to the cover 16 and operationally connected with a vent system to control water pressure in a control chamber formed above the diaphragm 26, as is typical in known diaphragm valves. In one non-limiting embodiment the vent system includes a passage, such as a crescent-shaped vent passage, in flow communication on one end with the control chamber and on the other end with a vent chamber. Flow through a vent outlet for the vent chamber is controlled by a plunger 29 associated with the solenoid 28, which can be moved to open or close the vent outlet. The valve 10 also includes a rotatable knob 30 that can be used to adjust or control the maximum opening position of the main valve element 300.