US 12,135,230 B2
Plumbing control device
Joseph Michael Burke, Deerfield, NH (US); Kyle McGurn, Reading, MA (US); and Evan Joseph Sultana, Mansfield, MA (US)
Assigned to Watts Regulator Co., North Andover, MA (US)
Filed by Watts Regulator Co., North Andover, MA (US)
Filed on Dec. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/079,108.
Application 18/079,108 is a continuation of application No. 16/634,498, granted, now 11,543,278, previously published as PCT/US2018/043673, filed on Jul. 25, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/539,155, filed on Jul. 31, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0116158 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. G06F 1/00 (2006.01); G01D 21/02 (2006.01); G01F 15/063 (2022.01); G06F 1/3209 (2019.01); G06F 1/3234 (2019.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.01); G01F 1/00 (2022.01)
CPC G01F 15/063 (2013.01) [G01D 21/02 (2013.01); G06F 1/3209 (2013.01); G06F 1/3243 (2013.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.02); G01F 1/00 (2013.01)] 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for controlling a fluid passing therethrough, the system comprising:
a plumbing control devices (“PCD”) configured to have fluid pass therethrough and modify the fluid passing therethrough using an adjustment feature;
at least one sensor coupled to the PCD and configured to generate a first signal indicative of at least one characteristic of the fluid;
a microcontroller linked to the at least one sensor for controlling operation of and providing power to the at least one sensor;
an antenna board linked to the microcontroller and configured to:
selectively provide power to the microcontroller;
wirelessly receive power from a mobile device, separate from the PCD for transmission of power to the microcontroller; and
receive the first signal and send at least a second signal to the mobile device based on the first signal; and
a battery connected to the microcontroller and the at least one sensor through a switch, wherein the switch is configured to have a normally off position in which no power from the battery is drawn and an on-position that creates an electrical connection between the battery and the microcontroller to supply power to the microcontroller,
wherein:
the mobile device is configured to generate an output display based on the second signal in real-time to allow evaluating the at least one characteristic to properly set the adjustment feature of the PCD for a desired value of the at least one characteristic;
the microcontroller and the at least one sensor are powered off when power is not being transmitted from the antenna board; and
the switch is only set to the on-position when the antenna board comes in range of the microcontroller.