Faucet assembly

Abstract

A touch-free faucet provides control over flow and/or temperature by detecting object presence in one or more detection zones. In one embodiment, the faucet provides for continuous-flow water flow wherein the spout of the faucet pours water for a period of time regardless of whether an object is detected in a detection zone, such as the sink, during that time. The faucet may initiate continuous-flow based on the detection of an object in another detection zone, and may cause continuous-flow operation for a determined period of time based on the amount of substantially uninterrupted time during which an object is detected in a detection zone associated with initiating continuous-flow mode. Furthermore, the faucet may provide for user-programmable sensitivity affecting the amount of continuous-flow time that is determined based on the amount of time that the faucet detects object in the continuous-flow mode detection zone.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A control valve apparatus for a touch-free faucet, the control valve apparatus comprising:
 an electrical power supply package;   a logic processor electronically coupled to said electrical power supply package;   a user-notification component electronically coupled to said logic processor; and   a water-detection component configured to detect the presence of water and, in response thereto, provide a water-detection signal to the logic processor;   wherein said logic processor is configured to receive said water-detection signal and, in response thereto, transmit a signal to said user-notification component, thereby causing said user-notification component to transmit an indication of a detected water leak.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said water-detection component comprises an electronic humidity sensor such as capacitor humidity sensor, resistive humidity sensor or thermal conductivity sensor to detect humidity increase inside the control valve box due to the water leaking from the control box. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said water-detection component comprises two sensor diodes such that, in the presence of sufficient water, the two sensor diodes form a circuit having a signal conducted by said water and, in the absence of sufficient water, the two sensor diodes do not form a circuit. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said user-notification component comprises an audio notification component configured to make an audible notification of a detected water leak. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said audio notification component comprises a beep-component configured to transmit a beeping noise as a notification of a detected water leak. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said audio notification component comprises a voice-component configured to transmit a spoken statement as a notification of a detected water leak. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said user-notification component comprises a display notification component configured to provide a visual notification of a detected water leak. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said display notification component comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) that provides a blinking indication of a detected water leak. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said display notification component comprises a display screen component configured to display a plurality of images on a screen, including an image indicating a detected water leak. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a water control valve configured to receive one or more signals from said logic processor and, in response thereto, adjust the temperature and/or flow rate of water passing through the valve, and wherein the logic processor is further configured, in response to the receipt of a water-detection signal, to transmit a shutoff signal to the water control valve thereby causing the water control valve to shut off the flow of water exiting the water control valve. 
     
     
         26 .- 28 . (canceled)