Yue Zhang

US Patent:

7396000, Jul 8, 2008

Filed:

Jun 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/145524

Inventors:

Natan E. Parsons - Brookline MA, US
Fatih Guler - Winchester MA, US
Kay Herbert - Winthrop MA, US
Xiaoxiong Mo - Lexington MA, US
Haiou Wu - West Roxbury MA, US
Yue Zhang - Nashua NH, US

Assignee:

Arichell Technologies Inc - W. Newton MA

International Classification:

F16K 31/02

US Classification:

25112904, 4623, 4304

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.

US Patent:

7549436, Jun 23, 2009

Filed:

May 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/442635

Inventors:

Natan E. Parsons - Brookline MA, US
Fatih Guler - Winchester MA, US
Jean F. Daher - Auburn MA, US
Kay Herbert - Winthrop MA, US
Xiaoxiong Mo - Lexington MA, US
Yue Zhang - Nashua NH, US
Haiou Wu - West Roxbury MA, US

Assignee:

Arichell Technologies - W. Newton MA

International Classification:

F15B 13/00

US Classification:

137 1518, 137269, 25112904, 4249

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method and system for converting or retrofitting manually-operated flush valves. A conversion system for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve includes a power module, a control module, and a driver module mechanically coupled to a manual handle to externally activate the converted flush valve.

US Patent:

7731154, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Jul 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/217511

Inventors:

Natan E. Parsons - Brookline MA, US
Fatih Guler - Winchester MA, US
Kay Herbert - Winthrop MA, US
Xiaoxiong Mo - Lexington MA, US
Haiou Wu - West Roxbury MA, US
Yue Zhang - Nashua NH, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/02

US Classification:

25112904, 4304, 4623

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.

US Patent:

7921480, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Jun 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/446506

Inventors:

Natan E. Parsons - Brookline MA, US
Fatih Guler - Winchester MA, US
Yue Zhang - Nashua NH, US
Xiaoxiong Mo - Lexington MA, US
Kay Herbert - Winthrop MA, US
Haiou Wu - West Roxbury MA, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/06

US Classification:

4313, 4623, 13762411, 250221, 25112904

Abstract:

An optical system includes one or several passive optical detectors sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling, for example, the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. The passive optical sensors provide signals to flow controllers, including control electronics and flow valves and require only very small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. To control the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers based on ambient light, the controller executes novel algorithms.

US Patent:

8276878, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Jun 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/802396

Inventors:

Natan E. Parsons - Brookline MA, US
Fatih Guler - Winchester MA, US
Kay Herbert - Winthrop MA, US
Xiaoxiong Mo - Lexington MA, US
Haiou Wu - West Roxbury MA, US
Yue Zhang - Nashua NH, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/02

US Classification:

25112904, 4623

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.

US Patent:

20060006354, Jan 12, 2006

Filed:

Jun 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/159422

Inventors:

Fatih Guler - Winchester MA, US
Natan Parsons - Brookline MA, US
Yue Zhang - Nashua NH, US
Xiaoxiong Mo - Lexington MA, US
Kay Herbert - Winthrop MA, US
Haiou Wu - West Roxbury MA, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/02

US Classification:

251129040

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation that can be used to control the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, enabling battery operation for many years. An electronic system for controlling fluid flow may include an electromagnetic actuator, a controller and an optical sensor. Preferred embodiments include a control circuit constructed to sample periodically the detector based on the amount of light detected; a control circuit constructed to adjust a sample period based on the detected amount of light after determining whether a facility is in use; a detector optically coupled to the input port using an optical fiber; the input port may be located in an aerator of the electronic faucet; the system includes batteries for powering the electronic faucet. These embodiments may also include a variety of other features. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. An active optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light detector. The detected signals may be processed using novel algorithms

US Patent:

20100024895, Feb 4, 2010

Filed:

Jun 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/456690

Inventors:

Natan E. Parsons - Brookline MA, US
Fatih Guler - Winchester MA, US
Jean F. Daher - Auburn MA, US
Kay Herbert - Winthrop MA, US
Xiaoxiong Mo - Lexington MA, US
Yue Zhang - Nashua NH, US
Haiou WU - West Roxbury MA, US

International Classification:

E03D 5/00
F16K 31/05

US Classification:

137 1518, 137269, 4249, 25112904

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method and system for converting or retrofitting manually-operated flush valves. A conversion system for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve includes a power module, a control module, and a driver module mechanically coupled to a manual handle to externally activate the converted flush valve.

US Patent:

20100275359, Nov 4, 2010

Filed:

Apr 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/798667

Inventors:

Fatih Guler - Winchester MA, US
Nathan E. Parsons - Brookline MA, US
Yue Zhang - Nashua NH, US
Xiaoxiong Mo - Lexington MA, US
Kay Herbert - Winthrop MA, US
Haiou Wu - West Roxbury MA, US

International Classification:

E03D 1/24
E03D 1/30

US Classification:

4313, 25112901, 25112904

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation that can be used to control the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, enabling battery operation for many years. An electronic system for controlling fluid flow may include an electromagnetic actuator, a controller and an optical sensor. Preferred embodiments include a control circuit constructed to sample periodically the detector based on the amount of light detected; a control circuit constructed to adjust a sample period based on the detected amount of light after determining whether a facility is in use; a detector optically coupled to the input port using an optical fiber; the input port may be located in an aerator of the electronic faucet; the system includes batteries for powering the electronic faucet. These embodiments may also include a variety of other features. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. An active optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light detector. The detected signals may be processed using novel algorithms