Abstract

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• E03D 5/02 - Special constructions of flushing devices operated mechanically or hydraulically
• G01F 23/00 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• E03D 11/00 - Other component parts of water-closets
• E03D 5/00 - Special constructions of flushing devices
• G01F 25/00 - Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume

Abstract

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a capacitance sensor arrangement as in combination with certain features (e.g., flap valve disablement). The system can detect an overflow flush condition of a toilet by sensing the value of a parameter of one or more normal flush cycles of the toilet and establishing a normal range for the value of the parameter using the sensed value. The system can also store the normal range in a memory for comparison to a value of the parameter during subsequent flush cycles. The system can perform sensing over a predetermined timeframe. The system can include the time frame being sufficient to include the entire push cycle of the toilet.

IPC Classes  ?

• E03D 11/00 - Other component parts of water-closets
• E03D 5/02 - Special constructions of flushing devices operated mechanically or hydraulically
• G01F 23/26 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
• E03D 11/13 - Parts or details of bowlsSpecial adaptations of pipe joints or couplings for use with bowls
• E03D 1/14 - Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water

Abstract

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• E03D 5/02 - Special constructions of flushing devices operated mechanically or hydraulically
• G01F 23/00 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• E03D 11/00 - Other component parts of water-closets
• E03D 5/00 - Special constructions of flushing devices
• G01F 25/00 - Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume

Abstract

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a capacitance sensor arrangement as in combination with certain features (e.g., flap valve disablement). The system can detect an overflow flush condition of a toilet by sensing the value of a parameter of one or more normal flush cycles of the toilet and establishing a normal range for the value of the parameter using the sensed value. The system can also store the normal range in a memory for comparison to a value of the parameter during subsequent flush cycles. The system can perform sensing over a predetermined timeframe. The system can include the time frame being sufficient to include the entire push cycle of the toilet.

IPC Classes  ?

• E03D 11/00 - Other component parts of water-closets
• E03D 11/13 - Parts or details of bowlsSpecial adaptations of pipe joints or couplings for use with bowls
• G01F 23/26 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields

Abstract

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• E03D 5/02 - Special constructions of flushing devices operated mechanically or hydraulically
• E03D 11/00 - Other component parts of water-closets
• G01F 23/00 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• G01F 25/00 - Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume

Abstract

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• E03D 5/02 - Special constructions of flushing devices operated mechanically or hydraulically
• G01F 23/00 - Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• E03D 11/00 - Other component parts of water-closets
• E03D 5/00 - Special constructions of flushing devices

Abstract

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectable characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• E03D 11/00 - Other component parts of water-closets

Abstract

A system (10) for preventing overflow of a toilet (12) includes a sensor (70), a processor (78) and an actuator (72). The sensor (70) senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet (12) during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet (12). The processor (78) uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor (70) to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor (78) directs the actuator (72) to close a valve (38), which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• E03D 11/00 - Other component parts of water-closets

Abstract

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• E03D 11/02 - Water-closet bowls