Touchless faucet assembly and method of operation

Abstract

A faucet assembly includes a base for mounting adjacent a basin of a sink and a spout projecting upward and outward away from the base and terminating at a water outlet. A light emitter is mounted to one section of the spout and emits a beam of light directed toward another section of the spout, wherein the beam of light does not intersect a region beneath the outlet. A light sensor, mounted to the spout, produces a signal indicating whether the beam of light is striking the light sensor. A control circuit responds to the signal by opening a valve that thereby conveys water to the spout.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A faucet assembly, comprising:
 a spout having a first end, for mounting proximate to a basin of a sink, and a second end, at which an outlet is located for producing a stream of water in a flow region beneath the outlet;   a light emitter mounted to one section of the spout and emitting a beam of light directed toward another section of the spout, wherein the beam of light does not intersect the flow region beneath the outlet;   a light sensor mounted to the spout wherein the light sensor produces a signal indicating whether the beam of light is striking the light sensor;   a valve assembly that is connected to the spout and electrically operable for controlling flow of water to the spout; and   a control circuit which opens the valve assembly in response to the signal from the sensor.