MOTOR DRIVEN FLOW CONTROL AND METHOD THEREFOR
(19)AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE (54) Title MOTOR DRIVEN FLOW CONTROL AND METHOD THEREFOR (51)6 International Patent Classification(s) F16K 031/58 (21) Application No: 2003298947 (22) Application Date: 2003.12.04 (87) WIPONo: WO04/051128 (30) Priority Data (31) Number (32) Date 60/430,859 2002.12.04 (33) Country US (43) Publication Date : 2004.06.23 (43) Publication Journal Date : 2004.07.29 (71) Applicant(s) THE CHICAGO FAUCET COMPANY (72) Inventor(s) PHILLIPS, Terry, G.; PAI 1 bRSON, Wade, C. (H) Application NoAU2003298947 A1(19)AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE (54) Title MOTOR DRIVEN FLOW CONTROL AND METHOD THEREFOR (51)6 International Patent Classification(s) F16K 031/58 (21) Application No: 2003298947 (22) Application Date: 2003.12.04 (87) WIPONo: WO04/051128 (30) Priority Data (31) Number (32) Date 60/430,859 2002.12.04 (33) Country US (43) Publication Date : 2004.06.23 (43) Publication Journal Date : 2004.07.29 (71) Applicant(s) THE CHICAGO FAUCET COMPANY (72) Inventor(s) PHILLIPS, Terry, G.; PAI 1 bRSON, Wade, C. An electronically controlled valve assembly (40) is disclosed. The electronically controlled valve assembly includes a valve cartridge (70, 70') including a valve; and a motor (62) coupled to the valve cartridge to control movement of the valve in response to an electronic control signal. An electronically controlled fluid dispensing apparatus and a method of electronically controlling fluid dispensation are also disclosed. CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. An electronically controlled valve assembly (40) comprising: a valve cartridge (70,70') including a valve; and a motor (62) coupled to the valve cartridge to control movement of the valve in response to an electronic control signal.
2. The electronically controlled valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the valve comprises a ceramic valve insert.
3. The electronically controlled valve assembly of claim 2 wherein the ceramic valve insert comprises a ceramic disc (74, 74').
4. A method of electronically controlling fluid dispensation, the method comprising the steps of : sending an electronic signal from a controller (82) to a motor (62) coupled to a valve cartridge (70,70'), the valve cartridge including a valve; and moving the valve with the motor in response to the electronic signal to permit or prohibit fluid flow through the valve cartridge.
5. An electronically controlled fluid dispensing apparatus comprising: an electronically controlled valve assembly (40) including a valve cartridge housing a valve and a motor (62) coupled to the valve cartridge to control at least one aspect of fluid dispensation from the valve; and a controller (82) communicating with the motor to provide electronic instructions for controlling movement of the valve.
6. The electronically controlled fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein the valve comprises a ceramic valve insert. <Desc/Clms Page number 22> 7. The electronically controlled fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 6 wherein the ceramic valve insert comprises a ceramic disc (74,74').