GB1570898A - Ultrasonic faucet control - Google Patents
Ultrasonic faucet control Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB1570898A GB1570898A GB5365876A GB5365876A GB1570898A GB 1570898 A GB1570898 A GB 1570898A GB 5365876 A GB5365876 A GB 5365876A GB 5365876 A GB5365876 A GB 5365876A GB 1570898 A GB1570898 A GB 1570898A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- faucet
- detector
- transducer
- ultrasonic
- accompanying
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
- G01S15/02—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems using reflection of acoustic waves
- G01S15/04—Systems determining presence of a target
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
- G01S15/02—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems using reflection of acoustic waves
- G01S15/50—Systems of measurement, based on relative movement of the target
- G01S15/52—Discriminating between fixed and moving objects or between objects moving at different speeds
- G01S15/523—Discriminating between fixed and moving objects or between objects moving at different speeds for presence detection
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Measurement Of Velocity Or Position Using Acoustic Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
- Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
Description
(54) ULTRASONIC FAUCET CONTROL
(71) We STANDARD TELEPHONES
AND CABLES LIMITED, a British Company of 190 Strand, London W.C.2 IOU
England, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us. and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to proximity detectors, and in particular to a detector arrangement employing an ultrasonic reflection technique.
According to the invention there is provided an automatic faucet arrangement adapted to provide a supply of water in the presence of a user, the arrangement including a faucet, an electrically operated valve controlling a water supply to the faucet, and an ultrasonic proximity detector comprising an oscillator coupled to a transducer via first gating means, a detector circuit coupled to the transducer via second gating means and gate control means, the first and second gating means being operable selectively via the control means so as to cause the transducer to emit bursts of radiation and to couple the detector to the transducer for a predetermined portion of the period between each transmission, and in which the arrangement is so adapted that, when an echo signal is received by the detector, the valve is opened thereby supplying water to the faucet.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification and Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic proximity detector arrangement for automatic operation of a faucet, and Figure 2 shows the waveforms employed in the circuit of Figure 1. and to
Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing which shows an automatic faucet arrangement, fitted with the proximity detector of
Figure 1.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the proximity detector arrangement includes an oscillator 11 coupled to an electro acoustic transducer 12 via a first gate 13, the transducer being adapted both to generate and receive acoustic signals. A second gate 14 couples the transducer, via an amplifier 15 tuned to the oscillator frequency, to a level or threshold detector circuit 16 and a velocity sensor circuit 17 arranged in parallel with the threshold detector 16. The gates 13 and 14 are operated via a gate generator circuit 18.
The gate generator feeds a stream of pulses F1 (Figure 2) to the first gate 13 so as to couple the oscillator to the transducer for the duration of each pulse causing the transducer to emit corresponding bursts of ultrasonic radiation F2. In the period between each radiation burst, i.e. when gate 13 is closed, gate 14 is opened by an extended pulse F3 during which period the transducer operates in its receive mode. The duration and time position of the extended pulse F3 determines the operating range of the proximity detector arrangement, i.e. an echo pulse can be received only during the receive 'window' defined by the pulse F3.
Echo signals F4 received from an object 19 during the pulse F3 generate a corresponding electrical signal in the transducer, which signal is fed via gate 14 to the tuned amplifier 15. The amplifier output is coupled to the threshold detector 16 which produces an output signal if the amplifier output exceeds a predetermined amplitude.
Such an arrangement defines the range of the detector. By suitable adjustment of the gate generator unwanted echo signals frpm remote objects can thus be prevented.
Referring to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing, the arrangement of Figure 1 is shown coupled to a faucet arrangement so as to provide automatic hands-free operation, such as is required in a hospital operating theatre. The faucet 31 is provided with a solenoid valve 32 operable via a servo-amplifier 33. The gate generator circuit 18 (Figure 1) is so arranged that the receive signal 'window' corresponds to a predetermined maximum distance, e.g. 2 metres, between the faucet and a user.
When the user approaches closer than this distance reflected ultrasonic signals are received by the detector thus producing an output and causing the servo-amplifier 33 to open the solenoid valve 32. Similarly, when the user recedes from the faucet beyond the predetermined distance, the reflected signal is no longer received and the solenoid valve shuts off.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. An automatic faucet arrangement adapted to provide a supply of water in the presence of a user, the arrangement including a faucet, an electrically operated valve controlling a water supply to the faucet, and an ultrasonic proximity detector comprising an oscillator coupled to an ultrasonic transducer via first gating means, a detector circuit coupled to the transducer via second gating means and gate control means, the first and second gating means being operable selectively via the control means so as to cause the transducer to emit bursts of ultrasonic radiation and to couple the detector to the transducer for a predetermined portion of the period between each transmission and in which the arrangement is so adapted that, when an echo signal is received by the detector, the valve is opened thereby supplying water to the faucet.
2. An automatic faucet substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing together with
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing accompanying the Provisional Specification.
3. A method of controlling an automatic faucet substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings accompanying the
Provisional Specification and to the accompanying drawing.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (3)
1. An automatic faucet arrangement adapted to provide a supply of water in the presence of a user, the arrangement including a faucet, an electrically operated valve controlling a water supply to the faucet, and an ultrasonic proximity detector comprising an oscillator coupled to an ultrasonic transducer via first gating means, a detector circuit coupled to the transducer via second gating means and gate control means, the first and second gating means being operable selectively via the control means so as to cause the transducer to emit bursts of ultrasonic radiation and to couple the detector to the transducer for a predetermined portion of the period between each transmission and in which the arrangement is so adapted that, when an echo signal is received by the detector, the valve is opened thereby supplying water to the faucet.
2. An automatic faucet substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing together with
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing accompanying the Provisional Specification.
3. A method of controlling an automatic faucet substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings accompanying the
Provisional Specification and to the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB5365876A GB1570898A (en) | 1976-12-22 | 1976-12-22 | Ultrasonic faucet control |
DE19772755665 DE2755665C2 (en) | 1976-12-22 | 1977-12-14 | Control device for the flow of water in the sink or the like. with an ultrasonic retroreflective locator as a proximity switch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB5365876A GB1570898A (en) | 1976-12-22 | 1976-12-22 | Ultrasonic faucet control |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB1570898A true GB1570898A (en) | 1980-07-09 |
Family
ID=10468573
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB5365876A Expired GB1570898A (en) | 1976-12-22 | 1976-12-22 | Ultrasonic faucet control |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
DE (1) | DE2755665C2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1570898A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2137749A (en) * | 1983-04-07 | 1984-10-10 | Healey Meters Limited | Intruder Detection System |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4402095A (en) * | 1981-03-26 | 1983-09-06 | Pepper Robert B | Ultrasonically operated water faucet |
DE3222004C2 (en) * | 1982-06-11 | 1985-10-10 | Gotthilf Robert 7140 Ludwigsburg Dalferth | Device for triggering and interrupting the water outlet when the water tap is open |
DE3333445A1 (en) * | 1983-09-16 | 1985-04-11 | Kai-Uwe 2240 Heide Söht | Method for determining the position of a pipe laid in the ground |
US4520516A (en) * | 1983-09-23 | 1985-06-04 | Parsons Natan E | Ultrasonic flow-control system |
US4839039B2 (en) * | 1986-02-28 | 1998-12-29 | Recurrent Solutions Ltd | Automatic flow-control device |
DE4102551A1 (en) * | 1991-01-29 | 1992-07-02 | Wolf Gmbh Richard | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE OF FOCUSING ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCERS AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1009682B (en) * | 1954-09-06 | 1957-06-06 | Dr Phil Habil Oskar Vierling | Miniature rangefinder |
US3611373A (en) * | 1969-06-23 | 1971-10-05 | Babcock Electronics Corp | Miss distance range detection system |
DE2158793B2 (en) * | 1971-11-26 | 1975-04-10 | Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gmbh, 8000 Muenchen | Device for measuring and displaying the distance and / or the change in distance between a motor vehicle and an obstacle |
US3858205A (en) * | 1972-10-06 | 1974-12-31 | Sperry Rand Corp | Base-band precollision sensor with time domain gating for preventing false responses |
-
1976
- 1976-12-22 GB GB5365876A patent/GB1570898A/en not_active Expired
-
1977
- 1977-12-14 DE DE19772755665 patent/DE2755665C2/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2137749A (en) * | 1983-04-07 | 1984-10-10 | Healey Meters Limited | Intruder Detection System |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE2755665A1 (en) | 1978-06-29 |
DE2755665C2 (en) | 1983-12-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4706227A (en) | Acoustic obstruction detector and method | |
US4382291A (en) | Surveillance system in which a reflected signal pattern is compared to a reference pattern | |
US5235315A (en) | Self test for obstacle detection system | |
US5142134A (en) | Method for operating a circuit arrangement | |
US20070272019A1 (en) | Method and System for Short-Range Ultrasonic Location Sensing | |
FR2370988A1 (en) | RADAR SYSTEM WORKING WITH TWO TYPES OF PULSES | |
GB1536930A (en) | Ultrasonic systems and methods for the examination of the interior of objects | |
JPH0324635B2 (en) | ||
JPS6224747B2 (en) | ||
US4129868A (en) | Radar beacon apparatus | |
US4202049A (en) | Ultrasonic-filling position limit switch operating according to the echo principle | |
JP2002544491A (en) | Detection device for objects around the vehicle | |
GB1570898A (en) | Ultrasonic faucet control | |
US4197528A (en) | Movement-detecting processing circuit for an ultrasonic detection system | |
TW330223B (en) | The light barrier for reopening elevator door | |
DE102006054605A1 (en) | Distance measuring method and distance measuring device | |
SE422502B (en) | CLUTCH DEVICE FOR AN ULTRAL SOUND WORKING NOISE DETECTOR | |
AU9017682A (en) | Smoke detector | |
JPS5784375A (en) | Failure detector for supersonic device | |
US3710310A (en) | System for determining depth of water | |
GB1418106A (en) | Door opening systems | |
GB1412789A (en) | Methods of and devices for transmitting and receiving as used in navigation system employing the doppler effect | |
JPS55103609A (en) | Remote environment control unit | |
JPS5768964A (en) | Operation controller by voice | |
GB1602441A (en) | Detector |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PS | Patent sealed | ||
746 | Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977) | ||
732 | Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977) | ||
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |