Programmable Sink Valve System

Abstract

A programmable sink valve system for controlling water flow into a sink is provided. The programmable sink valve system includes a housing including a main inlet and a main outlet, wherein the main inlet is connected to a water source; a valve assembly including a valve, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve inlet connected to the main inlet and a valve outlet connected to the main outlet; a flow sensor positioned on one of the valve assembly and the main outlet to monitor flow data; a controller connected to the valve of the valve assembly and the flow sensor; a timer configured to provide time data to the controller; and a memory. The controller receives the flow data from the flow sensor, receives the time data from the timer, and actuates the valve of the valve assembly in response to the flow data or the time data.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A programmable sink valve system for controlling water flow into a sink, the programmable sink valve system comprising:
 a housing including a main inlet and a main outlet, wherein the main inlet is connected to a water source;   a valve assembly including a valve, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve inlet connected to the main inlet and a valve outlet connected to the main outlet;   a flow sensor positioned on one of the valve assembly and the main outlet to monitor flow data;   a controller connected to the valve of the valve assembly and the flow sensor;   a timer configured to provide time data to the controller; and   a memory configured to store program instructions which, when executed by the controller, causes the controller to:
 receive the flow data from the flow sensor; 
 receive the time data from the timer; and 
 actuate the valve of the valve assembly in response to the flow data or the time data. 
   
     
     
         2 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising a data storage in communication with the controller, wherein the data storage stores program settings, and wherein the controller is configured to actuate the valve of the valve assembly based on the program settings. 
     
     
         3 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the step of actuating the valve comprises moving the valve between a closed position and an open position. 
     
     
         4 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to open the valve to obtain a desired flow rate, and wherein the controller is configured to stop opening the valve one the desired flow rate is obtained. 
     
     
         5 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermometric sensor positioned on one of the valve assembly and the main outlet to monitor temperature data. 
     
     
         6 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to receive the temperature data from the thermometric sensor and to close the valve when the temperature data indicates that the water has reached a maximum temperature. 
     
     
         7 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display on an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more control buttons on the exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising piping positioned between the main inlet and the valve inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising piping positioned between the main outlet and the valve outlet. 
     
     
         11 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes first and second main inlets, wherein the first main inlet is connected to a cold water source and the second main inlet is connected to a hot water source. 
     
     
         12 . A programmable sink valve system for controlling water flow into a sink, the programmable sink valve system comprising:
 a housing including a main inlet and a main outlet, wherein the main inlet is connected to a water source;   a valve assembly including a valve, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve inlet connected to the main inlet and a valve outlet connected to the main outlet;   a flow sensor positioned on one of the valve assembly and the main outlet to monitor flow data;   a timer to monitor time data;   a data storage for storing parameters associated with one or more modes of operation; and   a controller connected to the valve of the valve assembly, the flow sensor, the timer, and the data storage;   a memory configured to store program instructions which, when executed by the controller, causes the controller to:
 receive the flow data from the flow sensor; 
 receive user input to select a mode of operation from the one or more modes of operation; and 
 actuate the valve of the valve assembly in response to the flow data and the parameters associated the selected mode of operation. 
   
     
     
         13 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more modes of operation include one or more of handwashing, teeth brushing (adult), teeth brushing (child), or cleaning. 
     
     
         14 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 12 , further comprising a temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the water. 
     
     
         15 . The programmable sink valve system of  claim 14 , wherein the parameters including one or more of a duration of time, a flow rate, and a water temperature.