Drain system for bathtub

Abstract

A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drain system for a bathtub, the system comprising:
 a first drain assembly;   a second drain assembly fluidly connected to the first drain assembly; and   a valve in fluid communication with each of the first drain assembly and the second drain assembly, an inlet end of the valve being fluidly connected downstream of the first drain assembly and an outlet end of the valve being fluidly connected downstream of the second drain assembly;   wherein the valve is configured to control water flow through the first drain assembly based on a condition sensed by at least one sensor coupled to the at least one valve.   
     
     
         2 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is structured to control water flow through the first drain assembly based on the condition sensed by the at least one sensor satisfying a threshold. 
     
     
         3 . The drain system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor, and wherein the threshold corresponds to a temperature setpoint associated with water within the bathtub. 
     
     
         4 . The drain system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor, and wherein the threshold corresponds to a level of water within the bathtub. 
     
     
         5 . The drain system of  claim 4 , wherein the valve comprises an air passageway configured to contain an air bubble pressurized by water in the bathtub. 
     
     
         6 . The drain system of  claim 5 , wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense pressure associated with the water from the bathtub by measuring a pressure within the air passageway. 
     
     
         7 . The drain system of  claim 6 , wherein the pressure sensor is positioned within a pressure sensor housing configured to engage with a portion of the valve. 
     
     
         8 . The drain system of  claim 7 , wherein the valve is coupled to an inlet valve body, the inlet valve body configured to engage with one or more recesses of the pressure sensor housing. 
     
     
         9 . The drain system of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor operatively coupled to the valve, the motor configured to control an operational state of the valve. 
     
     
         10 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a paddle valve. 
     
     
         11 . The drain system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a butterfly valve. 
     
     
         12 . A drain system for a bathtub comprising:
 a first drain assembly;   a second drain assembly fluidly connected downstream of the first drain assembly; and   a valve in fluid communication with each of the first drain assembly and the second drain assembly, wherein the valve is configured to control water flow through the first drain assembly based on a condition sensed by at least one sensor coupled to the at least one valve, the at least one sensor comprising a pressure sensor.   
     
     
         13 . The drain system of  claim 12 , wherein the first drain assembly is coupled to an overflow drain cover. 
     
     
         14 . The drain system of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the at least one controller configured to receive an input from the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The drain system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a thermistor, the thermistor configured to measure a temperature of water within the bathtub. 
     
     
         16 . The drain system of  claim 12 , further comprising a flow meter coupled between the first drain assembly and the valve. 
     
     
         17 . The drain system of  claim 12 , wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure associated with the water from the bathtub, the pressure corresponding to a level of water within the bathtub. 
     
     
         18 . The drain system of  claim 17 , wherein the valve comprises an air passageway pressurized by the water within the bathtub, and wherein the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor corresponds to a pressure within the air passageway. 
     
     
         19 . The drain system of  claim 12 , further comprising a motor operatively coupled to the valve, the motor configured to operate the valve in at least one of a first position or a second portion for a preset period of time. 
     
     
         20 . The drain system of  claim 19 , further comprising a user device in communication with the motor, the user device configured to control the motor.