Abstract:
A self-contained, modular electrically-operated faucets is disclosed which has all of its components which are likely to need replacement over the life of the device contained in removable modules which may be quickly and easily removed and replaced without necessitating the removal of the device from its installed location. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is configurable to be either deck mountable or wall mountable, and to allow either a conventional faucet spout or a gooseneck spout to be mounted thereupon. Optionally, when the modules of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention are accessed for removal and replacement, the flow of water through the device may be automatically deactivated by merely removing the housing of the modular electrically-operated faucet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to electrically-operated faucets which are activated by detecting the presence of an object in front of the faucet proximate a position under the faucet spout, and more particularly to an improved self-contained modular electrically-operated faucet having all components likely to need replacement over the life of the device contained in removable modules which may be quickly and easily removed and replaced without necessitating the removal of the device from its installed location.  
         [0003]     Over the recent past, electronic faucets have become increasingly common in the restrooms of public and commercial buildings. Such electronic faucets are actuated by the user placing his or her hand or hands in proximity to a sensor which is located to detect when the user&#39;s hands are in a position proximate the spout of the faucet. The electronic faucet initiates the flow of water when the user&#39;s hand or hands are detected by the sensor and typically stops the flow of water several seconds after the user&#39;s hand or hands are no longer detected proximate the spout of the faucet, thereby allowing use of the faucet without requiring the user to make physical contact with the faucet. Such electronic faucets effectively prevent the spread of germs by eliminating the need for users to make physical contact with the faucet.  
         [0004]     The early development of electronically-operated faucets relied upon the use of bulky sensors which made it necessary to place the components outside of the faucet itself. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,787, to Johansen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,567,277, to Blackmon, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,167, to Forbes, respectively controlled the flow of water in a faucet based upon detecting the proximity of a user&#39;s hand or hands to the spout of the faucet, the placement of one of the user&#39;s hand into a light beam (or light beams) in a control member located near the faucet, or the presence of a user in front of a sink on which the faucet was mounted. Nearly two decades later, improvements in optical components resulted in the adaptation of infrared sensors for the same use, with the infrared sensors being located in the faucet itself, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,728, to Ying-Chung, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,922, to Stauffer.  
         [0005]     Many electrically-operated faucets have been implemented by placing at least some of the components outside the faucet itself, with only the infrared sensors (the infrared light source, typically an infrared light-emitting diode (“LED”), and the reflected infrared light detector, typically an infrared light-detecting photodiode) generally being located in the faucet assembly. An example of such an implementation is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,588, to Allen et al., which has a control module containing a solenoid valve used to control water flow to the faucet, a battery pack, and a printed circuit (“PC”) board contained in a control module which may be mounted under a counter or in a cabinet on which the faucet is mounted. Thus, the Allen et al. device has the flexibility of at least somewhat modular construction, but it is disadvantageous in that it is not of one-piece construction and that it is more complex and time-consuming to install than a one-piece faucet is.  
         [0006]     While those skilled in the art have recognized the benefits of modular construction in some ways, it has generally not been in the modularity of construction that would make electrically-operated faucets easier to service. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,357, to Gregory et al., which used modular construction to assemble different faucets out of common modules. Unfortunately, Gregory et al. placed all of the components of the electrically-operated faucet into modules which required the complete disassembly of the faucet, and potentially even the complete removal of the faucet prior to such disassembly, in order to service it.  
         [0007]     Up to the present, while the construction of electrically-operated faucets has improved, they still remain relatively difficult to service. Examples of such electrically-operated faucets are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,023, to Eichholz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,746, to Humpert et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,7671,898, to Eggenberger et al., the last of which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent application. The Eichholz et al. and Humpert et al. patents, which disclose the same device, are focused upon eliminating the need to service the device by replacing a battery with an AC-powered battery-replacement unit, with the wire to the battery-replacement unit going from the faucet to a position under the deck on which the faucet is mounted where an AC adapter is located. Thus, Eichholz et al. and Humpert et al., rather than attempting to make the device easier to service, are attempting to obviate the need to work on the device, at least for the purpose of battery replacement.  
         [0008]     The Eggenberger et al. device, in recognition of the need to access the device for replacement of the battery and potentially for other types of servicing, provides a sensor which detects when the housing is being removed and deactivates the solenoid valve to ensure that it is not actuated to allow the flow of water therethrough during servicing of the device. It will thus be recognized by those skilled in the art that none of the devices presented by the prior art have resulted in an electrically-operated one-piece faucet which has a truly modular construction which allows components of the device other than a battery to be removed and replaced for service without requiring the complete disassembly, and potentially even the removal, of the device.  
         [0009]     It is accordingly a primary objective of the present invention that it provide an electrically-operated faucet of compact one-piece construction which is entirely self-contained. It is another primary objective of the present invention that the electrically-operated faucet be of modular construction to make it easy to troubleshoot and to repair. It is a related objective of the present invention that it make the broadest possible use of modular components to thereby make all of the components which may typically be replaced over the life of the device easy to remove and replace without necessitating either the complete disassembly or removal of the device. It is another objective of the present invention that when the modules are accessed for removal and replacement the flow of water through the device is deactivated.  
         [0010]     It is a further objective of the present invention that it be adaptable to operate with either a long-lasting battery or with a battery replacement module connected to an AC adapter. It is a still further objective of the present invention that it be configurable to alternatively allow users to adjust the temperature of water supplied from the device, or to allow only a technician to adjust the temperature of water supplied from the device, or to operate with only cold or with water of a premixed temperature supplied to the device. It is yet another objective of the present invention that it be configurable to allow either a conventional faucet spout or a gooseneck spout to be mounted thereupon.  
         [0011]     It is another objective of the present invention that it be configurable to be either deck mountable or wall mountable. It is a related objective of the present invention that both the deck mount configuration and the wall mount configuration be easy to install. It is yet another related objective of the present invention that it provide substantially improved mounting hardware to make its installation even easier and quicker to accomplish.  
         [0012]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention must also be of construction which is both durable and long lasting, and it should also be designed to require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, it should also be of relatively inexpensive construction as compared to competing devices so as to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, it is also an objective that all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention be achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention. With this invention, a self-contained, modular electrically-operated faucet is provided which has a design which allows all of its components which are likely to need replacement over the life of the device contained in removable modules which may be quickly and easily removed and replaced without necessitating the removal of the device from its installed location. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention has a number of basic configuration options, the most significant of which are its ability to be configured as either a deck mount faucet or a wall mount faucet, and its ability to be fitted with either a conventional faucet spout or with a gooseneck spout.  
         [0014]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is designed around a two-piece housing construction in which an upper housing member is mounted on top of a lower lousing member. The lower housing member accepts the water supply inlets, with either both hot and cold water supplies being accepted or alternately only a single cold water or water of a premixed temperature supply also being accepted. The lower housing also contains some water passages which are designed to supply water to the upper housing member.  
         [0015]     The upper housing member contains a mixing valve chamber to allow hot and cold water to be mixed to provide water of a desired temperature makeup. significantly, virtually all of the components of the modular electrically-operated faucet which are likely to need replacement over the life of the device are mounted on the top side of the upper housing member. A solenoid valve is screwed into the top of the upper housing member, and this construction, together with an electrical plug connecter to supply it with power, make the solenoid valve relatively easy to replace.  
         [0016]     A sealed electronic module containing all of the electronics of the modular electrically-operated faucet, including the infrared signal source and detector, is also mounted on the top side of the upper housing member, and may be easily removed and replaced as a single module. The electronics module has a connector to supply power to the connector of the solenoid valve, and electrical connections which are removably installable in a two-piece battery bracket. The battery bracket is designed to accept either a replaceable long-lasting lithium CRP2 battery, or a battery adapter module having a wire extending through both the upper housing module and the lower housing module and leading to an AC adapter.  
         [0017]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention has a shutoff magnet assembly which has a small magnet located in a housing at the distal end of a flexible lead, the proximal end of which is connected to a screw used to secure the housing of a faucet spout or the housing of a gooseneck spout on the upper and lower housing members. When the shutoff magnet assembly is in its installed position to help to secure the housing of a faucet spout or the housing of a gooseneck spout in place, the magnet is located adjacent a portion of the electronics module. When the magnet is not so located, the electronic module will not allow the solenoid valve to be actuated to allow water to be dispensed from the modular electrically-operated faucet.  
         [0018]     Another option of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is the selection of mixing valve mechanisms installed in the mixing valve chamber in the upper housing module. Two alternate types of temperature adjustment mechanisms may be utilized with the modular electrically-operated faucet, with one being externally adjustable by the user of the device using a mixing valve lever, and the other being accessible only by technicians following removal of the housing of a faucet spout or the housing of a gooseneck spout. A third type of mechanism may instead be installed if only cold or with water of a premixed temperature are to be supplied to the modular electrically-operated faucet.  
         [0019]     For a deck mount installation, the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention has two flexible water supply lines and a threaded mounting post extending from the bottom side of the lower housing member. A novel molded plastic mounting bracket is used to retain the modular electrically-operated faucet in position on a deck. The two flexible water supply lines fit through a large opening contained in the mounting bracket, and the threaded mounting post extends through an aperture contained in the mounting bracket in a light interference fit which will prevent the mounting bracket from slipping off of the threaded mounting post due to the force of gravity alone. An extended length mounting nut which is cylindrical with a threaded interior and a hex head located on the bottom end thereof may be screwed onto the threaded mounting post by hand until it is snugly engaging the mounting bracket, after which a wrench or a screwdriver may be used to tighten it up to retain the modular electrically-operated faucet in place.  
         [0020]     It the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is made in a wall-mount configuration, a different lower housing member is used in conjunction with a side mount adapter member which is mounted under the lower housing member. A side mount housing enclosed the side mount adapter member and the lower portion of the lower housing member, with two flexible water supply lines extending from the side of the side mount adapter and out of a cylindrical mounting member extending from the side of the side mount housing. The outer diameter of the cylindrical mounting member of the side mount housing is threaded to facilitate the mounting of the wall mountable version of the modular electrically-operated faucet in a wall.  
         [0021]     It may therefore be seen that the present invention teaches an electrically-operated faucet of compact one-piece construction which is entirely self-contained. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention that the electrically-operated operated faucet is of modular construction to make it easy to troubleshoot and to repair. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention makes the broadest possible use of modular components to thereby make all of the components which may typically be replaced over the life of the device easy to remove and replace without necessitating either the complete disassembly or removal of the device. Advantageously, when the modules of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention are accessed for removal and replacement, the flow of water through the device is deactivated.  
         [0022]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is adaptable to operate with either a long-lasting battery or with a battery replacement module connected to an AC adapter. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is also configurable to alternatively allow users to adjust the temperature of water supplied from the device, or to allow only a technician to adjust the temperature of water supplied from the device, or to operate with only cold or with water of a premixed temperature supplied to the device. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is configurable to allow either a conventional faucet spout or a gooseneck spout to be mounted thereupon.  
         [0023]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is also configurable to be either deck mountable or wall mountable, both of which configurations are easy to install. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention also provides substantially improved mounting hardware to make its installation even easier and quicker to accomplish.  
         [0024]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which is designed to require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is also of relatively inexpensive construction as compared to competing devices so to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a lower housing member used in the construction of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the lower housing member illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the lower housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , also showing a mounting post which is screwed into the lower housing member;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the lower housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , showing water passages contained in the lower housing member;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an upper housing member which will be mounted on top of the lower housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the upper housing member illustrated in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of upper housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a first cross-sectional view of the upper housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 7 , showing water passages contained in the upper housing member;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a second cross-sectional view of the upper housing member illustrated in FIGS.  5  through  8 , showing additional water passages contained in the upper housing member;  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a third cross-sectional view of the upper housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 9 , showing an access passageway contained in the upper housing member;  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an electronics module used in the construction of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention from the front side thereof;  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is an exploded isometric view showing the electronics module illustrated in  FIG. 11  from the back side, and also showing a front window and gaskets which are used to protect the electronics assembly;  
         [0038]      FIG. 13  is a exploded isometric view of a battery bracket used in the construction of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention together with a battery;  
         [0039]      FIG. 14  is an isometric view of the battery bracket illustrated in  FIG. 13  from the back side thereof, showing battery adapter and a strain relief member;  
         [0040]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of a shutoff magnet assembly, with a magnet shown in phantom lines within a housing at the end of a lead opposite a screw;  
         [0041]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view of a solenoid valve with the valve element shown in its fully extended position, and with the retracted position of the valve element being shown in phantom lines;  
         [0042]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view of a faucet spout used in the construction of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the faucet spout illustrated in  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 19  is an isometric view of a mixing barrel having a mixer coupling located at one thereof which components are used in the construction of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 20  is an end view of the mixer coupling mounted on the mixing barrel illustrated in  FIG. 19 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the mixing barrel and mixer coupling illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 22  is an isometric view of a limiter which will mount onto mixer coupling illustrated in  FIGS. 19 through 21 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 23  is an end view of the limiter illustrated in  FIG. 22  from a first end thereof;  
         [0049]      FIG. 24  is an end view of the limiter illustrated in  FIGS. 22 and 23  from a second end thereof;  
         [0050]      FIG. 25  is a side plan view of a mixer handle lever which will mount onto the limiter illustrated in  FIGS. 22 through 24 ;  
         [0051]      FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the mixer handle lever illustrated in  FIG. 25 ;  
         [0052]      FIG. 27  is an inside plan view of the mixer handle lever illustrated in  FIGS. 25 and 26 ;  
         [0053]      FIG. 28  is an exploded isometric view showing the assembly of the mixer handle lever illustrated in  FIGS. 25 through 27 , the limiter illustrated in  FIGS. 22 through 24 , the mixing barrel and mixer coupling shown in  FIGS. 19 through 21 , and an O-ring into the upper housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 10 , where they are retained by a capscrew and a pilot capscrew;  
         [0054]      FIG. 29  is an isometric view from the bottom and the side of a mounting bracket used to install the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention in a deck mount configuration;  
         [0055]      FIG. 30  is a bottom plan view of the mounting bracket illustrated in  FIG. 29 ;  
         [0056]      FIG. 31  is a top plan view of the mounting bracket illustrated in  FIGS. 29 and 30 ;  
         [0057]      FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket illustrated in  FIG. 29  through  31 ;  
         [0058]      FIG. 33  is an isometric view from the top and the side of an extended length mounting nut which will be used to retain the mounting bracket illustrated in  FIGS. 29 through 32  on the mounting post on the lower housing member illustrated in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0059]      FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view of the extended length mounting nut illustrated in  FIG. 33 ;  
         [0060]      FIG. 35  is an exploded isometric view showing the assembly of the components illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 34  into a first embodiment of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention;  
         [0061]      FIG. 36  is an isometric view of the components of the assembled modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention shown in  FIG. 37 , showing the installation of a battery into the battery bracket;  
         [0062]      FIG. 37  is an isometric view of components of the assembled modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention with the faucet spout removed, showing the modular construction of the modular electrically-operated faucet;  
         [0063]      FIG. 38  is a top plan view of the components of the assembled modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention shown in  FIG. 37 , with the battery bracket removed to show the location of the shutoff magnet assembly;  
         [0064]      FIG. 39  is an isometric view of the components of the assembled modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention shown in  FIG. 37 , showing the location of the mixer assembly;  
         [0065]      FIG. 40  is an enlarged exploded isometric view showing the components of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention shown in  FIG. 35  which will be used to mount the modular electrically-operated faucet in a deck mount configuration;  
         [0066]      FIG. 41  is a first cross-sectional view of selected components of the assembled modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, showing the flow of water through passages in said the upper and lower housing members;  
         [0067]      FIG. 42  is a second cross-sectional view of selected components of the assembled modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, showing the flow of water through passages in said the upper and lower housing members;  
         [0068]      FIG. 43  is a third cross-sectional view of selected components of the assembled modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, showing the flow of water through passages in said the upper and lower housing members;  
         [0069]      FIG. 44  is a schematic block diagram showing the components of the electronic module illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ;  
         [0070]      FIG. 45  is a isometric view of a mixing barrel having a screwdriver-engageable mixer drive member located at one thereof which components may be used in the construction of an alternate embodiment modular electrically-operated faucet, showing a pilot capscrew used to limit rotation of the mixing barrel by the mixer drive member in a first direction in phantom lines;  
         [0071]      FIG. 46  is an isometric view of the mixing barrel and mixer drive member illustrated in  FIG. 45 , showing a pilot capscrew used to limit rotation of the mixing barrel by the mixer drive member in a second direction in phantom lines;  
         [0072]      FIG. 47  is an end view of the mixer drive member mounted on the mixing barrel illustrated in  FIGS. 45 and 46 ;  
         [0073]      FIG. 48  is a side plan view of a view of a mixing plug which may be used in the construction of an alternate embodiment modular electrically-operated faucet having only a single water inlet with either cold water or water of a premixed temperature;  
         [0074]      FIG. 49  is a side plan view of an inlet plug which may be used in conjunction with the mixing plug illustrated in  FIG. 48  to block one of the inlets in the lower housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 ;  
         [0075]      FIG. 50  is a gooseneck faucet spout which may be used in the construction of an alternate embodiment modular electrically-operated faucet instead of the faucet spout illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ;  
         [0076]      FIG. 51  is a cross-sectional view of the gooseneck faucet spout illustrated in  FIG. 50 ;  
         [0077]      FIG. 52  is a top plan view of a lower housing member used in the construction of an alternate embodiment wall mount modular electrically-operated faucet;  
         [0078]      FIG. 53  is a bottom plan view of the lower housing member illustrated in  FIG. 52 ;  
         [0079]      FIG. 54  is a side view of the lower housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 52 and 53 ;  
         [0080]      FIG. 55  is a cross-sectional view of the lower housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 52 through 54 , showing water passages contained in the lower housing member;  
         [0081]      FIG. 56  is an isometric view of a side mount adapter member for use with the lower housing member illustrated in  FIGS. 52 through 55 ;  
         [0082]      FIG. 57  is a first cross-sectional view of the side mount adapter member illustrated in  FIG. 56 , showing water passages contained in the side mount adapter housing member;  
         [0083]      FIG. 58  is a second cross-sectional view of the side mount adapter member illustrated in  FIGS. 56 and 57 , showing additional water passages contained in the side mount adapter housing member;  
         [0084]      FIG. 59  is an isometric view showing the assembly of the side mount adapter member illustrated in  FIGS. 56 through 58  to water inlet hoses within a side mount housing together with mounting hardware used to mount the side mount housing to a wall;  
         [0085]      FIG. 60  is a top plan view of a wall mount housing;  
         [0086]      FIG. 61  is a cross-sectional view of the wall mount housing illustrated in  FIG. 60 ;  
         [0087]      FIG. 62  is an exploded isometric view showing the assembly of the components illustrated in  FIGS. 52 through 61  into the bottom portion of the alternate embodiment wall mount modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention;  
         [0088]      FIG. 62  is a cross-sectional view of the lower housing member, the side mount adapter member, and the wall mount housing shown in  FIG. 62 ;  
         [0089]      FIG. 63  is an isometric view of the side mount adapter member and the wall mount housing shown in  FIGS. 62 and 63 ; and  
         [0090]      FIG. 64  is an isometric view showing the assembly of an alternate embodiment wall mount modular electrically-operated faucet having a goose neck faucet.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0091]     The preferred embodiment on the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention will be discussed in a preferred embodiment which is deck mountable, which has a conventional faucet spout and user-adjustable water temperature, and is powered by a replaceable battery, with other configurations being described as well.  FIGS. 1 through 34  show the various components of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, and  FIGS. 35 through 40  show the assembly of these and other components into the modular electrically-operated faucet.  FIGS. 41 through 44  show various aspects of the operation of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, and  FIGS. 45 through 62  show various options and alternative constructions of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention.  
         [0092]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , a lower housing member  100  is illustrated which has short circular base  102  having a centrally-located three-sided mounting pillar  104  extending downwardly from the bottom side of the circular base  102 . The circular base  102  has a U-shaped channel  106  located in the outer periphery thereof into which an O-ring (not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ) will be located. A hot water inlet  108  and a cold water inlet  110  both extend from the bottom side of the mounting pillar  104  to the top side of the circular base  102 , with the hot water inlet  108  and the cold water inlet  110  both having a larger diameter in the mounting pillar  104  stepping down to a smaller diameter in the circular base  102 .  
         [0093]     Located in the top side of the circular base  102  and leading from the cold water inlet  110  toward the hot water inlet  108  is a recessed passageway  112 . Also located in the top side of the circular base  102  and leading from the hot water inlet  108  and moving in a ninety degree counterclockwise arc is a recessed passageway  114 . Located in the bottom side of the mounting pillar  104  as shown in  FIG. 2  is a threaded aperture  116  into which one end of a threaded mounting post  118  is screwed in as shown in  FIG. 3 . Located in the bottom side of the mounting pillar  104  near the hot water inlet  108  and the cold water inlet  110  and near the side of the mounting pillar  104  furthest from the threaded aperture  116  is a threaded aperture  120 .  
         [0094]     Located in the top side of the circular base  102  and surrounding all of the hot water inlet  108 , the cold water inlet  110 , the passageway  112 , and the passageway  114  is a recessed channel  122  into which a gasket (not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ) will be placed. Another recessed passageway  124  is also located in the top side of the circular base  102 , and the recessed passageway  124  is surrounded by a recessed channel  126  into which a gasket (not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ) will be placed. Located in and extending through the circular base  102  is a slot  128  through which a wire for an external power source (not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ) may be threaded.  
         [0095]     Extending through the circular base  102  at a location near the side of the recessed channel  126  furthest from the recessed channel  122  is a threaded aperture  130 . Extending through the circular base  102  at a location near the side of the recessed channel  122  furthest from the recessed channel  126  is a threaded aperture  132 . Extending through the circular base  102  at a location near the edge thereof and adjacent the furthest point of the passageway  114  from the hot water inlet  108  is a threaded aperture  134  which has a cylindrical countersink on the bottom side of the circular base  102 . Completing the construction of the lower housing member  100  are two threaded apertures  136  and  138  located near the edge of the circular base  102  on opposite sides of the end of the slot  128  closest to the edge of the circular base  102 .  
         [0096]     Referring next to  FIGS. 5 through 10 , an upper housing member  150  is illustrated which is of a generally circular configuration with a side of the circle chopped off leaving a flat side  152 . The circular configuration of the upper housing member  150  is of the same diameter as the circular configuration of the circular base  102  of the lower housing member  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ). Extending upwardly from the top of the upper housing member  150  opposite the middle of the flat side  152  is a pillar  154  which terminates in a cylindrical segment  156  having a U-shaped channel  158  located in the outer periphery thereof into which an O-ring (not shown in  FIGS. 5 through 10 ) will be located.  
         [0097]     An aperture  160  extends from the bottom side of the upper housing member  150  and through the pillar  154  and the cylindrical segment  156 . When the upper housing member  150  is mounted on the lower housing member  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ), the aperture  160  will be in fluid communication with the recessed passageway  124  at the end nearest the side of the circular base  102 . At the end of the aperture  160  on the bottom side of the upper housing member  150  is a tapered extension  162  of the aperture  160 .  
         [0098]     Located in the top side of the upper housing member  150  in one half thereof is a threaded aperture  164  which will be used to install a solenoid valve (not shown in  FIGS. 5 through 10 ). The threaded aperture  164  extends approximately forty percent of the way from the top side of the upper housing member  150  to the bottom side of the upper housing member  150 . Located concentrically in the bottom of the threaded aperture  164  is a cylindrical recess  166 , which extends approximately ninety percent of the way from the top side of the upper housing member  150  to the bottom side of the upper housing member  150 . The cylindrical recess  166  is of a smaller diameter than the threaded aperture  164 .  
         [0099]     Extending upwardly from the bottom of the cylindrical recess  166  concentrically therewith is a hollow cylindrical segment  168  which extends upwardly approximately two-thirds of the height of portion of the cylindrical recess  166  below the threaded aperture  164 . The outer diameter of the cylindrical segment  168  is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical recess  166 , leaving a cylindrical space therebetween. An aperture  170  extends from the bottom side of the upper housing member  150  into the cylindrical recess  166 , with the aperture  170  being concentric with the upwardly extending cylindrical segment  168 . When the upper housing member  150  is mounted on the lower housing member  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ), the aperture  170  will be in fluid communication with the recessed passageway  124  at the end closest to the slot  128 .  
         [0100]     A cylindrical aperture  172  is located in side of the upper housing member  150  furthest from the cylindrical recess  166  and extends toward the cylindrical recess  166  approximately thirty percent of the way from the side of the upper housing member  150  to the cylindrical recess  166 . A slightly smaller cylindrical aperture  174  is concentrically located at the bottom of the aperture  170  and extends approximately ninety percent of the way from the side of the upper housing member  150  to the cylindrical recess  166 . A still smaller cylindrical aperture  176  is concentrically located at the bottom of the aperture  174  and extends from the end of the aperture  174  into the cylindrical recess  166 .  
         [0101]     Located in the bottom of the upper housing member  150  and extending upwardly into the aperture  174  at the bottommost side thereof are apertures  178  and  180 , which are spaced apart. The aperture  178  is located closer to the aperture  172  than is the aperture  180 , and the aperture  180  is located closed to the aperture  176  than is the aperture  178 . When the upper housing member  150  is mounted on the lower housing member  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ), the aperture  178  will be in fluid communication with the passageway  114  at the end furthest from the hot water inlet  108 , and the aperture  180  will be in fluid communication with the end of the passageway  112  furthest from the cold water inlet  110 . An aperture  182  is located in the bottom of the upper housing member  150  and extends upwardly into the aperture  172  at the bottommost side thereof near (but not at) the end thereof.  
         [0102]     An aperture  184  which extends through the upper housing member  150  is located near the edge of the upper housing member  150  at a location between the pillar  154  and the threaded aperture  164 . An aperture  186  which extends through the upper housing member  150  is located near the edge of the upper housing member  150  at a location between the flat side  152  and the aperture  172 . The aperture  186  has a cylindrical countersink on the top side of the upper housing member  150 . When the upper housing member  150  is mounted on the lower housing member  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ), the aperture  184  will be aligned with the threaded aperture  130  and the aperture  186  will be aligned with the threaded aperture  132 .  
         [0103]     Extending from the flat side  152  at the top side of the upper housing member  150  near the aperture  186  is a support arm  188 , which has a threaded aperture  190  extending therethrough. Located in the top side of the upper housing member  150  near the edge thereof on the side of the pillar  154  opposite the aperture  184  is a threaded aperture  192 .  
         [0104]     Located in the side of the upper housing member  150  at a location intermediate the aperture  172  the threaded aperture  192  and extending inwardly into the side of the upper housing member  150  is a threaded aperture  194 . Located in the upper housing member  150  is a passageway  196  which extends from the flat side  152  toward the threaded aperture  192 , with the passageway  196  curving and moving downwardly toward the threaded aperture  194  as best shown in  FIGS. 5, 7 , and  10 . The passageway  196  is open on the top side of the upper housing member  150  from the flat side  152  until the passageway  196  begins to move downwardly to intersect with the threaded aperture  194 . Completing the construction of the upper housing member  150  is another threaded aperture  198  which extends inwardly into the side of the upper housing member  150  on the side of the aperture  184  opposite the pillar  154 . Note that the inclusion of this threaded aperture  198  is optional.  
         [0105]     Referring next to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , an electronics module  210  is illustrated. The electronics module  210  is a completely sealed unit, and when installed into the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention only an cylindrical sensor window  212  (which has an optical signal source and an optical signal sensor, which will be described in more detail below) will be exposed. The cylindrical sensor window  212  on the front side of the electronics module  210  extends slightly outwardly therefrom, as best shown in  FIG. 11 . The electronics module  210  has a number of wires extending from the back side thereof at a location near the top thereof, which wires extend through a strain relief  214  located on the top of the electronics module  210 . Two of the wires  216  and  218  from the electronics module  210  are respectively connected to helical spring battery contacts  220  and  222 , respectively. Two additional wires identified collectively with the reference numeral  224  are connected to a connector  226 , and these wires  224  will supply power to a solenoid valve (not shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ).  
         [0106]     Located in the back side of the electronics module  210  near the bottom and on the left is a magnetic field detector  228  which is shown in phantom lines. When the electronics module  210  is installed in the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, the back side of the magnetic field detector  228  will abut the flat side  152  of the upper housing member  150 , with the magnetic field detector  228  being located proximate the end of the passageway  196  located at the flat side  152  (best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 ).  
         [0107]     The electronics module  210  will be installed in a front window housing member  230  having a sensor aperture  232  located therein. The cylindrical sensor window  212  of the electronics module  210  will be located in the sensor aperture  232  of the front window housing member  230  when the electronics module  210  is installed in the front window housing member  230 . Located in the inside surface of the front window housing member  230  and surrounding the sensor aperture  232  is an annular recess  234  into which an electronic module mounting gasket  236  will be placed to seal between the outer periphery of the cylindrical sensor window  212  and the front window housing member  230 .  
         [0108]     Extending inwardly from the front window housing member  230  near the bottom thereof is a base  238  upon which the electronics module  210  will rest when it is installed in the front window housing member  230 . Located in the base  238  are two apertures  240  and  242  which will be used to mount the front window housing member  230  in the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention. The apertures  240  and  242  will be aligned with the threaded apertures  136  and  138  in the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 1 ) when the front window housing member  230  is mounted on the modular electrically-operated faucet. Located in the base  238  intermediate the apertures  240  and  242  is a notch  244  which will be aligned with a portion of the slot  128  in the lower housing member  100 .  
         [0109]     Located around the outer periphery of the front window housing member  230  is a seal mounting edge indicated generally by the reference numeral  246 . A front gasket  248  will fit into the seal mounting edge  246  of the front window housing member  230 , and will be used to seal around the outer periphery of the front window housing member  230 .  
         [0110]     Referring next to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a two-piece battery bracket consisting of an upper battery bracket  250  and a lower battery bracket  252  is shown. In  FIG. 13 , the battery bracket is shown assembled and with a replaceable CRP2 lithium battery  254  installed, and in  FIG. 14  the battery bracket is shown in exploded fashion with a battery adapter  256 . The upper battery bracket  250  has a flat base  258  with side walls  260  adapted to fit the contours of the sides and rear of the replaceable CRP2 lithium battery  254  when they are installed in the battery bracket. The upper battery bracket  250  has a lip  262  located at its top which will engage the top side of the replaceable CRP2 lithium battery  254  at the rear edges thereof when the replaceable CRP2 lithium battery  254  is installed in the upper battery bracket  250 .  
         [0111]     The upper battery bracket  250  has two apertures  264  and  266  located in the flat base  258  of the upper battery bracket  250 . The tips of the spring battery contacts  220  and  222  extend upwardly through the apertures  264  and  266 , respectively, where they may make contact with contacts (not shown) on the replaceable CRP2 lithium battery  254  or the battery adapter  256 . The lower battery bracket  252  consists of a flat base  268  having a front wall  270  projecting upwardly from the front edge of the lower battery bracket  252 . The front wall  270  of the lower battery bracket  252  will retain the front edge of the replaceable CRP2 lithium battery  254  or the battery adapter  256  in place when they are installed in the battery bracket. The base  268  of the lower battery bracket  252  will retain the spring battery contacts  220  and  222  in their installed position in the battery bracket.  
         [0112]     The battery adapter  256  has wires identified collectively with the reference numeral  272  extending therefrom. The wires  272  extend from the front of the battery adapter  256  near the bottom thereof, and will be routed through an aperture  274  located in the side walls  260  of the upper battery bracket  250 , with a strain relief member  276  being placed in the wires  272  to grip the wires  272  and prevent them from being pulled from the battery adapter  256 . The wires  272  will extend through the slot  128  in the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0113]     Located at the top of the battery adapter  256  at the center of the rear side thereof is an outwardly-extending ledge  278 . Located in the side walls  260  of the upper battery bracket  250  at the center and near to but below the lip  262  of the upper battery bracket  250  is a notch  280  which will engage the outwardly-extending ledge  278  on the battery adapter  256  when the battery adapter  256  is installed in the battery bracket. When the battery adapter  256  is installed in the battery bracket, the top side of the battery adapter  256  will be spaced away from the lip  262  in the upper battery bracket  250 .  
         [0114]     Located in the flat base  258  of the upper battery bracket  250  on opposite sides thereof are two apertures  282  and  284 . Located in the base  268  of the lower battery bracket  252  on opposite sides thereof are two corresponding apertures  286  and  288 . When the battery bracket is installed in the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, apertures  282  and  284  in the upper battery bracket  250  will be respectively aligned with apertures  286  and  288  in the lower battery bracket  252 , and with the apertures  190  and  192  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 ).  
         [0115]     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a shutoff magnet assembly  300  is illustrated which has a screw  302  located at one end thereof. One end of a flexible lead  304  is fixedly attached to the distal end of the screw  302 , and the opposite end of the flexible lead  304  is fixedly attached to a small housing  306  containing a magnet  308  therein (the magnet is shown with phantom lines). When the shutoff magnet assembly  300  is installed in the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, it will extend into the threaded aperture  194  and through the passageway  196  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 ), with the housing  306  and the magnet  308  being located in proximity to the magnetic field detector  228  of the electronics module  210  (best shown in  FIG. 12 ).  
         [0116]     Referring next to  FIG. 16 , a solenoid valve  310  is illustrated which has a threaded cylindrical base  312  having a cylindrical solenoid plunger  314  extending therefrom. Two wires identified collectively with the reference numeral  316  extend from the solenoid valve  310  and are connected to a connector  318 . The connector  318  will be plugged into the connector  226  to supply power to the solenoid valve  310  from the electronics module  210  (best shown in  FIG. 11 ). When the solenoid valve  310  is not powered, the solenoid plunger  314  will extend fully out of the solenoid valve  310  as shown, and when the solenoid valve  310  is powered, the solenoid plunger  314  will be retracted to the position shown in phantom lines.  
         [0117]     Referring now to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a faucet spout  320  is shown which has a hollow cylindrical base  322  having a notch  324  cut out at the front thereof to accommodate the front window housing member  230  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) therein. The cylindrical base  322  of the faucet spout  320  has a larger valve aperture  326  located on one side of the cylindrical base  322  near the bottom thereof, and two smaller countersunk apertures  328  and  330  which are spaced apart and are located on the rear side of the cylindrical base  322  thereof near the bottom thereof. Note that the inclusion of the countersunk aperture  330  is optional. When the faucet spout  320  is installed onto the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, the bottom of the cylindrical base  322  will fit over both the upper housing member  150  and the lower housing member  100 , with the apertures  328  and  330  being respectively aligned with the threaded apertures  194  and  198  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0118]     Located within the cylindrical base  322  near the top thereof and at the back of the faucet spout  320  is a cylindrical aperture  332  which communicates with a passageway  334  running to the front of the spout and terminating at the location of a threaded aperture  336 . An aerator  338  is screwed into the threaded aperture  336 . When the faucet spout  320  is installed on the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, the cylindrical aperture  332  will fit over the cylindrical segment  156  extending from the pillar  154  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0119]     Referring next to  FIGS. 19 through 21 , a mixing barrel  350  having a mixer coupling  352  located at one thereof is shown. The mixing barrel  350  is a hollow cylindrical, with the end of the mixing barrel  350  which is connected to the mixer coupling  352  being closed and the other end of the mixing barrel  350  being open. The mixing barrel  350  has a two triangular openings located therein, with a hot water valve opening  354  being located closer to the end of the mixing barrel  350  which is connected to the mixer coupling  352  than it is to the open end of the mixing barrel  350 , and a cold water valve opening  356  being located closer to the open end of the mixing barrel  350  than it is to the end of the mixing barrel  350  which is connected to the mixer coupling  352 .  
         [0120]     The narrow end of the hot water valve opening  354  is axially aligned with the wider end of the cold water valve opening  356 , and the wider end of the hot water valve opening  354  is axially aligned with the narrower end of the cold water valve opening  356 . Referring for the moment to  FIG. 8  in addition to  FIGS. 19 through 21 , when the mixing barrel  350  is installed in the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, it will be located in the aperture  174  in the upper housing member  150 , with the mixer coupling  352  being located in the aperture  172 .  
         [0121]     Hot water will flow through the aperture  178  in the upper housing member  150  and the cold water valve opening  356  in the mixing barrel  350 , through the interior of the mixing barrel  350 , and through the aperture  176  in the upper housing member  150 . Similarly, cold water will flow through the aperture  180  in the upper housing member  150  and the cold water valve opening  356  in the mixing barrel  350 , through the interior of the mixing barrel  350 , and through the aperture  176  in the upper housing member  150 . By rotating the mixing barrel  350 , the mix of hot and cold water can be adjusted.  
         [0122]     The mixer coupling  352  has an annular U-shaped channel  358  into which an O-ring  360  is located to prevent water from flowing out of the aperture  174  into the aperture  172  in the upper housing member  150 . The mixer coupling  352  has a circular flange  362  centrally located therein which will fit into the aperture  172  in the upper housing member  150 . Located at the end of the mixer coupling  352  opposite the mixing barrel  350  is a cylindrical end  364  having a flat face  366  located therein, and having a threaded aperture  368  located therein.  
         [0123]     Referring now to  FIGS. 22 through 24 , a limiter  380  is shown which will fit onto the cylindrical end  364  of the mixer coupling  352  (shown in  FIGS. 19 through 21 ). The limiter  380  is cylindrical with an aperture  382  extending therethrough, with the aperture  382  having an cross-sectional configuration which is circular with a flat side to match the configuration of the cylindrical end  364  of the mixer coupling  352  having the flat face  366 . Thus, either end of the limiter  380  may be placed onto the cylindrical end  364  of the mixer coupling  352 .  
         [0124]     The limiter  380  has notches  384  and  386  located at opposite ends thereof, with the notches  384  and  386  being aligned as best shown in  FIG. 22 . The limiter  380  also has arcuate notches  388  and  390  cut into the ends thereof, with the arcuate notch  388  being located at the same end as the notch  384 , and the arcuate notch  390  being located at the same end as the notch  386 . Referring now to  FIG. 23 , if the notch  384  is indexed at twelve o&#39;clock, the arcuate notch  388  extends from before three o&#39;clock to after nine o&#39;clock. Referring now to  FIG. 24 , if the notch  386  is indexed at twelve o&#39;clock, the arcuate notch  390  extends from before three o&#39;clock to after eight o&#39;clock.  
         [0125]     The notches  384  and  386  will serve to drive rotation of the limiter  380  and thus also the mixing barrel  350 , which has the mixer coupling  352  to which it is connected engaged by the limiter  380 . When the limiter  380  is mounted onto the cylindrical end  364  of the mixer coupling  352 , the one of the notches  384  and  386  in the limiter  380  which is oriented away from the mixer coupling  352  will serve to drive the limiter  380 , the mixer coupling  352 , and the mixing barrel  350 . The one of the arcuate notches  388  and  390  which is oriented toward the mixer coupling  352  will serve to limit the rotational movement of the limiter  380 , the mixer coupling  352 , and the mixing barrel  350 . If the arcuate notch  388  is oriented toward the mixer coupling  352 , the adjustment allowed will be between 100% cold water to 100% hot water, and if the limiter  380  is oriented toward the mixer coupling  352 , the adjustment allowed will be between 80% cold water to 100% hot water.  
         [0126]     Referring next to  FIGS. 25 through 27 , a mixer handle lever  400  which will be mounted on the end of the limiter  380  (shown in  FIGS. 22 through 24 ) which is not attached to the mixer coupling  352  (best shown in  FIG. 19 ) is shown. The mixer handle lever  400  has a recess  402  located in one side thereof and near one end thereof. The recess  402  is essentially cylindrical, but has a tab  404  projecting into the recess  402  at the side of the recess  402  toward the opposite end of the mixer handle lever  400 , and an arcuate tab  406  extending over an approximately ninety degree arc on the side of the recess  402  opposite the arcuate tab  406 . Thus, the recess  402  will drivingly receive either end of the limiter  380 , with the tab  404  fitting into the one of the notches  384  and  386  which is on the end of the limiter  380  inserted into the mixer handle lever  400 . A recessed aperture  408  extends from the opposite side of the recess  402  in the mixer handle lever  400 , and communicates with the recess  402 .  
         [0127]     Referring now to  FIG. 28  in conjunction with  FIGS. 19 through 27  and also to the upper housing member  150  as shown in  FIG. 8 , the assembly of the mixing valve members into the upper housing member  150  is illustrated. A pilot capscrew  420  will extend through the aperture  182  in the upper housing member  150  into the aperture  172  in the upper housing member  150 . The distal tip of this pilot capscrew  420  will serve to engage the side of the circular flange  362  of the mixer coupling  352  opposite the mixing barrel  350 , thereby retaining the mixing barrel  350  in place in the aperture  174  in the upper housing member  150 . Additionally, the pilot capscrew  420  will also serve to limit the rotation of the limiter  380  and thus the mixer coupling  352  and the mixing barrel  350 , since the distal tip of the pilot capscrew  420  will engage the arcuate notch  388  in the limiter  380 .  
         [0128]     A capscrew  422  extends through the recessed aperture  408  in the mixer handle lever  400 , through the aperture  382  in the limiter  380 , and into the threaded aperture  368  in the mixer coupling  352 . Thus, it will be appreciated that by rotating the mixer handle lever  400 , the water temperature mix may be adjusted.  
         [0129]     Referring next to  FIGS. 29 through 32 , a highly innovative mounting bracket  430  for use with the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is illustrated. The mounting bracket  430 , which may be molded of a plastic material, will be used to retain the modular electrically-operated faucet in position in a deck mount configuration. The threaded mounting post  118  (which is mounted on the lower housing member  100  as best shown in  FIG. 3  and is shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 31 ) and a flexible hot water supply tube  432  and a cold water supply tube  434  (both shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 31 ) extend from the bottom of the modular electrically-operated faucet and through the mounting bracket  430 .  
         [0130]     The mounting bracket  430  has an annular base  436  which has a flat side  438  (which will typically be oriented toward the back side of a sink on which the modular electrically-operated faucet is being mounted). Extending downwardly from the inside edge of the annular base  436  over approximately 270 degrees thereof is a frustroconical segment  440  which tapers in diameter from a larger diameter at the top adjacent the annular base  436  to a smaller diameter at the point furthest from the annular base  436 . Extending outwardly from the open side edges of the frustroconical segment  440  are two support fins  442  and  444  which are parallel and which extend nearly to the outer edge of the annular base  436 .  
         [0131]     A roughly semicircular bottom surface  446  extends from the bottommost edges of the frustroconical segment  440 , with the flat side of the bottom surface  446  extending between the ends of the support fins  442  and  444 . A hollow cylindrical support tube  448  extends from the bottom surface  446  upwardly approximately half of the way toward the plane of the annular base  436 , and the support tube  448  is orthogonal with respect to the annular base  436 . The support tube  448  has an aperture  450  extending all the way therethrough, with the aperture  450  also extending through the bottom surface  446  to which the support tube  448  is connected. The mounting bracket  430  will be mounted with the threaded mounting post  118  extending through the aperture  450  in the support tube  448 , and the diameter of the aperture  450  in the support tube  448  is sized to present a light interference fit on the threaded mounting post  118 .  
         [0132]     The support tube  448  is supported from the frustroconical segment  440  by four web members  452 ,  454 ,  456 , and  458 . The web member  452  extends between the support tube  448  and the intersection of the support fin  442  and the frustroconical segment  440 , and the web member  454  extends between the bottom surface  446  and the intersection of the support fin  444  and the frustroconical segment  440 . The web member  456  extends between the support tube  448  and the frustroconical segment  440  at a location on the opposite side of the support tube  448  from the web member  454 . Similarly, the web member  458  extends between the support tube  448  and the frustroconical segment  440  at a location on the opposite side of the support tube  448  from the web member  452 . Extending downwardly from the inside edge of the annular base  436  over approximately the 90 degrees arc between the support fins  442  and  444  is a short reinforcing segment  460 .  
         [0133]     Referring now to  FIGS. 33 and 34 , an extended length mounting nut  470  is illustrated which consists of a long, hollow cylindrical segment  472  having a hollow hex head segment  474  at one end thereof. The cylindrical segment  472  has an internally threaded portion  476  located near to, but not at, the end of the cylindrical segment  472  opposite the hex head segment  474 . The internally threaded portion  476  approximately to the midpoint of the cylindrical segment  472 , although if desired it may extend further toward the hex head segment  474 . The end of the hex head segment  474  furthest from the cylindrical segment  472  is notched as indicated by the reference numerals  478  to allow the extended length mounting nut  470  to be rotated using a large flat-bladed screwdriver (not shown).  
         [0134]     The assembly of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 35  and the assembled views of  FIGS. 36 through 39 , and will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 34 , which depict the various parts of the modular electrically-operated faucet. An inlet gasket  490  is placed into the recessed channel  122  in the lower housing member  100  (as best shown in  FIG. 1 ), and a solenoid gasket  492  is placed into the recessed channel  126  in the lower housing member  100  (also best shown in  FIG. 1 ). The upper housing member  150  is placed on top of the lower housing member  100 , and a capscrew  494  is inserted through the aperture  184  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ) and screwed into the threaded aperture  130  in the lower housing member  100  (again best shown in  FIG. 1 ). A capscrew  496  is inserted through the aperture  186  in the upper housing member  150  (also best shown in  FIG. 5 ) and screwed into the threaded aperture  132  in the lower housing member  100  (once again best shown in  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0135]     The front window housing member  230  is mounted onto the lower housing member  100  by inserting two screws  498  and  500  respectively through the apertures  240  and  242  (best shown in  FIG. 12 ), and screwing the screws  498  and  500  into the threaded apertures  136  and  138  in the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 1 ). The solenoid valve  310  is then installed on the upper housing member  150  by screwing the threaded cylindrical base  312  of the solenoid valve  310  (best shown in  FIG. 16 ) into the threaded aperture  164  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ). The electronics module  210  is installed into the front window housing member  230 , with the electronic module mounting gasket  236  mounted over the cylindrical sensor window  212  and in the annular recess  234  in the front window housing member  230 . The connector  318  from the solenoid valve  310  is than connected to the connector  226  from the electronics module  210 .  
         [0136]     The tips of the spring battery contacts  220  and  222  are inserted through the apertures  264  and  266  in the upper battery bracket  250 , and the lower battery bracket  252  is placed underneath the upper battery bracket  250  to retain the spring battery contacts  220  and  222  in place (all best shown in  FIG. 14 ).  
         [0137]     If the battery adapter  256  (shown in  FIG. 14 ) is to be used rather than the replaceable CRP2 lithium battery  254 , at this point the wires  272  from the battery adapter  256  would be fed through the aperture  274  in the upper battery bracket  250 , and the battery adapter  256  would be placed loosely into the upper battery bracket  250 . At this point, the outwardly-extending ledge  278  on the battery adapter  256  would not yet be placed into the notch  280  in the upper battery bracket  250 . The strain relief member  276  would be installed into the aperture  274  in the upper battery bracket  250  to retain the wires  272  from the battery adapter  256 . The wires  272  from the battery adapter  256  would be fed through the slot  128  in the lower housing member  100 .  
         [0138]     Two screws  502  and  504  are respectively inserted through the apertures  282  and  284  in the upper battery bracket  250  (again best shown in  FIG. 14 ), then respectively through the apertures  286  and  288  in the lower battery bracket  252  (yet again best shown in  FIG. 14 ), and are then respectively screwed into the threaded apertures  190  and  192  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0139]     A check valve  506  is placed into the hot water inlet  108  in the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ), and a check valve  508  is placed into the cold water inlet  110  in the lower housing member  100  (again best shown in  FIG. 2 ). A check valve  510  is placed into the aperture  160  in the cylindrical segment  156  on the pillar  154  on the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ). Note that the check valves  506 ,  508 , and  510  may be check valves from Neoperl, Inc. An O-ring  512  is placed into the U-shaped channel  158  in the cylindrical segment  156  on the pillar  154  on the upper housing member  150 .  
         [0140]     An O-ring  514  is placed into the U-shaped channel  106  in the circular base  102  of the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ). The front gasket  248  is place into the seal mounting edge  246  in the front window housing member  230  (best shown in  FIG. 12 ). The replaceable CRP2 lithium battery  254  is placed into position in the upper battery bracket  250 . (Alternately, if the battery adapter  256  is instead being used, the battery adapter  256  is seated in the upper battery bracket  250  by placing the outwardly-extending ledge  278  of the battery adapter  256  into the notch  280  of the upper battery bracket  250  (best shown in  FIG. 14 ).)  
         [0141]     The faucet spout  320  may then be installed by placing it in position with the cylindrical segment  156  on the pillar  154  on the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ) fitting into the cylindrical aperture  332  of the countersunk aperture  330  (best shown in  FIG. 18 ). The notch  324  of the faucet spout  320  fits over the front window housing member  230 , with the front gasket  248  sealing between the faucet spout  320  and the front window housing member  230 . The lower portion of the cylindrical base  322  of the faucet spout  320  fits over the circular base  102  of the lower housing member  100 , with the O-ring  514  sealing between the cylindrical base  322  of the faucet spout  320  and the circular base  102  of the lower housing member  100 .  
         [0142]     A screw  516  is then inserted through the countersunk aperture  330  in the cylindrical base  322  of the faucet spout  320  (best shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ) and is screwed into the threaded aperture  198  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ). Note that the inclusion of the screw  516  is optional, and is only done if the countersunk aperture  330  in the cylindrical base  322  of the faucet spout  320  and the threaded aperture  198  in the upper housing member  150  are present. The shutoff magnet assembly  300  may then be installed by inserting the end with the housing  306  and the magnet  308  through the countersunk aperture  328  in the cylindrical base  322  of the faucet spout  320 , through the threaded aperture  194  and into the passageway  196  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10 ). By advancing the shutoff magnet assembly  300 , eventually the screw  302  will be screwed into the threaded aperture  198  in the upper housing member  150 . At this point, the housing  306  and the magnet  308  of the shutoff magnet assembly  300  will be located adjacent the magnetic field detector  228  of the electronics module  210  (best shown in  FIG. 12 ).  
         [0143]     The O-ring  360  is placed in the U-shaped channel  358  of the mixer coupling  352 , and the mixing barrel  350  and the mixer coupling  352  are assembled to the limiter  380  and the mixer handle lever  400  using the capscrew  422 . Note that the limiter  380  must be placed in the proper orientation to obtain either a full range of water temperatures (100% cold water to 100% hot water), or a limited range of water temperatures (100% cold to 80% hot). The mixing valve assembly is then assembled to the modular electrically-operated faucet, with the mixing barrel  350  and the mixer coupling  352  being inserted into the aperture  172  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 8 ) and the mixing barrel  350  being fully inserted into the aperture  174  in the upper housing member  150  (again best shown in  FIG. 8 ).  
         [0144]     When installed, the circular flange  362  of the mixer coupling  352  is located at the wall between the aperture  172  and the aperture  174 . The pilot capscrew  420  is then screwed into the threaded aperture  134  in the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), with the distal tip of the pilot capscrew  420  extending through the aperture  182  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 8 ). The distal tip of the pilot capscrew  420  will engage the circular flange  362  of the mixer coupling  352  (best shown in  FIG. 19 ), thereby retaining the mixing barrel  350  and the mixer coupling  352  in place. Further, the distal tip of the pilot capscrew  420  cooperates with the arcuate notch  388  or the arcuate notch  390  (depending on the orientation of the limiter  380 ) to restrict the rotational movement of the mixing valve assembly.  
         [0145]     The threaded mounting post  118  is installed by screwing it into the threaded aperture  116  in the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Referring now to  FIG. 40  in addition to  FIG. 35  and other figures as referenced herein, two flexible supply tubes  520  and  522  are used to supply hot and cold water from water supplies (not shown) to the modular electrically-operated faucet. The flexible supply tube  520  has a water inlet adapter  524  having an enlarged head  526  with a U-shaped channel  528  located in the outer periphery of the enlarged head  526  of the water inlet adapter  524 . The flexible supply tube  522  has a water inlet adapter  530  having an enlarged head  532  with a U-shaped channel  534  located in the outer periphery of the enlarged head  532  of the water inlet adapter  530 .  
         [0146]     Two O-rings  536  and  538  are respectively placed into the U-shaped channels  528  and  534 . The enlarged head  528  of the water inlet adapter  524  is inserted into the hot water inlet  108  in the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ), and the enlarged head  532  of the water inlet adapter  530  is inserted into the cold water inlet  110  in the lower housing member  100  (also best shown in  FIG. 2 ). A screw  540  is then screwed into the threaded aperture  120  in the lower housing member  100  (again best shown in  FIG. 2 ). The head of the screw  540  covers a portion of the enlarged heads  526  and  532  of the water inlet adapters  524  and  528 , respectively, retaining them in place.  
         [0147]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention may then be mounted onto a sink and/or in a deck. A deck washer  538  is placed over the flexible supply tubes  520  and  522  and the threaded mounting post  118  so that the deck washer  538  is located beneath the circular base  102  of the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ). The flexible supply tubes  520  and  522  and the threaded mounting post  118  are then fed through a hole in a sink or a deck (not shown herein).  
         [0148]     From beneath the sink or deck, the flexible supply tubes  520  and  522  are threaded through the annular base  436  and between the support fins  442  and  444  of the mounting bracket  430 , and the support tube  448  of the mounting bracket  430  is placed over the threaded mounting post  118  so that the threaded mounting post  118  extends through the aperture  450  in the support tube  448 . Since there is a slight interference fit of the support tube  448  of the mounting bracket  430  on the threaded mounting post  118 , it will stay in place. The extended length mounting nut  470  is then screwed onto the threaded mounting post  118  to retain the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention in place.  
         [0149]     Referring now to  FIGS. 41 through 43 , the flow of water through the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is illustrated. Hot water is supplied from the flexible supply tube  520 , as best shown in  FIG. 41 . The hot water flows through the check valve  506  and into the hot water inlet  108  in the lower housing member  100 , again as shown in  FIG. 41 . Referring now to  FIG. 42 , the hot water flows from the hot water inlet  108  to the passageway  114  in the lower housing member  100 , and then through the aperture  178  in the upper housing member  150  and into the aperture  174  in the upper housing member  150  where the mixing barrel  350  is installed.  
         [0150]     Cold water is supplied from the flexible supply tube  522 , as best shown in  FIG. 41 . The cold water flows through the check valve  508  and into the cold water inlet  110  in the lower housing member  100 , again as shown in  FIG. 41 . The cold water flows from the cold water inlet  110  into the passageway  112 , once again as shown in  FIG. 41 . Referring now to  FIG. 42 , the cold water flows through the passageway  112  in the lower housing member  100 , and then through the aperture  180  in the upper housing member  150  and into the aperture  174  in the upper housing member  150  where the mixing barrel  350  is installed. Rotation of the mixing barrel  350  will vary the mixture of hot and cold water, as described above.  
         [0151]     Still referring to  FIG. 32 , from the inside of the mixing barrel  350  in the aperture  174 , the mixed water flows through the aperture  176  in the upper housing member  150  and into the cylindrical recess  166  in the upper housing member  150 . When the solenoid valve  310  is not energized, the solenoid plunger  314  will be located partially within the cylindrical segment  168  in the upper housing member  150 , thereby blocking the flow of mixed water through the modular electrically-operated faucet. When the solenoid valve  310  is energized, the solenoid plunger  314  will be retracted above the cylindrical segment  168 , thereby allowing mixed water to flow from the cylindrical recess  166  into the cylindrical segment  168 , and then through the aperture  170  in the upper housing member  150  and into the recessed passageway  124  in the lower housing member  100 .  
         [0152]     Referring now to  FIG. 43 , the mixed water flows through the recessed passageway  124  in the lower housing member  100 , and through the aperture  160  in the upper housing member  150 , from which it is supplied to the cylindrical aperture  332  in the faucet spout  320 . The mixed water flows through the cylindrical aperture  332  in the faucet spout  320  and the passageway  334  in the faucet spout  320 , and will in due course be discharged from the faucet spout  320  through the aerator  338  (shown in  FIG. 18 ).  
         [0153]     The operation of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention may now be described with reference to the schematic flow diagram illustrated in  FIG. 44 . The components of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention which have been described above are given the same reference numerals in  FIG. 44 . These components include the electronics module  210  (best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ), the magnetic field detector  228  (best shown in  FIG. 12 ), the replaceable CRP2 lithium battery  254  (best shown in  FIG. 13 ), the battery adapter  256  (best shown in  FIG. 14 ), the solenoid valve  310  (best shown in  FIG. 16 ), and the faucet spout  320  (best shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ).  
         [0154]     The path of water is illustrated as having a hot water supply  550  and a cold water supply  552 , which respectively supply hot and cold water to a mixing mechanism  554 . Mixed temperature water from the mixing mechanism  554  is supplied to the solenoid valve  310 , the operation of which is controlled by the electronics module  210 . Mixed temperature water which is passed by the solenoid valve  310  is then supplied to the faucet spout  320 .  
         [0155]     Power is supplied to the electronics module  210  either from a replaceable battery  254  or from the battery adapter  256 , which itself is electrically connected to an AC adapter  556  which is connected to an AC power source  558 . Either the replaceable battery  254  or the battery adapter  256  provides electrical power to a power management module  560  contained in the electronics module  210 , which in turn provides power for the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention to a microprocessor  562  contained in the electronics module  210 , which operates the modular electrically-operated faucet.  
         [0156]     The microprocessor  562  is connected to a crystal oscillator  564  which is also contained in the electronics module  210 . The crystal oscillator  564  is used to provide a timing signal to the microprocessor  562 . The microprocessor  562  is operatively connected to the magnetic field detector  228 , also contained in the electronics module  210 , which is used to detect the proximity of the magnet  308  (which is contained in the shutoff magnet assembly  300  shown in  FIG. 15 ). The microprocessor  562  operates a solenoid valve driver  566 , also contained in the electronics module  210 , which is used to selectively operate the solenoid valve  310  to control the flow of water through the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention.  
         [0157]     The microprocessor  562  is connected to a LED driver  568 , also contained in the electronics module  210 , which will drive the LED(s) contained in the electronics module  210  and used to generate an optical signal. The LED driver  568  is used to drive a first LED  570 , also contained in the electronics module  210 , which generates an optical signal used to detect the presence of an object  572  in proximity to the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention. If the object  572  is in sufficiently close proximity, it will reflect the optical signal from the first LED  570  back to the electronics module  210  where it will be detected by a photodiode  574 , which is also contained in the electronics module  210 .  
         [0158]     The reflected optical signal detected by the photodiode  574  is supplied to a signal conditioning module  576 , also contained in the electronics module  210 , which amplifies the reflected optical signal and supplies it to the microprocessor  562 . When the microprocessor  562  determines that the object  572  has reflected the optical signal from the first LED  570  back to the photodiode  574 , it will cause the solenoid valve driver  566  to operate the solenoid valve  310 , opening the flow of water through the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention. Typically, the flow of water will continue for a fixed period after the reflected optical signal is no longer detected.  
         [0159]     In the preferred embodiment, the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention can be programmed by an external controller  578 . In this embodiment, a second LED  580 , also contained in the electronics module  210 , is used to send signals to the controller  578 . The photodiode  574  is used to receive signals from the controller  578 , which signals are processed by the signal conditioning module  576  and detected by a pulse shaping module  582 . Also, in the preferred embodiment the electronics module  210  includes a signal LED  584  which is driven by the microprocessor  562  and is used to generate a visible light signal indicating that the modular electrically-operated faucet needs service.  
         [0160]     There are two alternate embodiments which may be implemented for the mixing valve. The preferred embodiment, which has been discussed above, allows the user of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention to adjust the water temperature mix by virtue of its inclusion of an externally-accessible the mixer handle lever  400  (best shown in  FIG. 28 ). A second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 45 through 47  allows the water temperature mix to be adjusted by a technician following the removal of the faucet spout  320  (best shown in  FIG. 35 ). In this embodiment, the faucet spout  320  is either manufactured without the valve aperture  326  in the cylindrical base  322  of the faucet spout  320 , or a plug (not shown) may be placed into the valve aperture  326 .  
         [0161]     Referring now to  FIGS. 45 through 47 , the mixing barrel  350  is shown with a mixer coupling  590  located at one thereof. The mixing barrel  350  is used with the mixer coupling  590  is identical in all respects to its construction as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 19 through 21 . The mixer coupling  590  has an annular U-shaped channel  592  into which an O-ring  594  is located to prevent water from flowing out of the aperture  174  into the aperture  172  in the upper housing member  150 .  
         [0162]     Instead of having the circular flange  362  of the mixer coupling  352  (shown in  FIGS. 19 through 21 ), the mixer coupling  590  has a larger diameter cylindrical segment  596 . A smaller diameter cylindrical segment  598  extends coaxially from the end of the mixer coupling  590  opposite the mixing barrel  350 . The larger diameter cylindrical segment  596  has an arcuate notch  600  cut into the end thereof which faces the smaller diameter cylindrical segment  598 . As shown in  FIG. 47 , the arcuate notch  600  extends from before three o&#39;clock to after nine o&#39;clock. The notch  600  will serve to drive rotation of the mixer coupling  590  and thus also the mixing barrel  350  to which it is connected, the adjustment allowed will be between 80% cold water to 100% hot water.  
         [0163]     The smaller diameter cylindrical segment  598  is cross-cut at the end thereof as indicated by the reference numeral the cross-cut area  602 . The cross-cut area  602  in the smaller diameter cylindrical segment  598  will allow the insertion of a flat-bladed screwdriver or a Phillips screwdriver to rotate the mixer coupling  590  and the mixing barrel  350  to adjust the temperature of the mixed water.  
         [0164]     A third embodiment shown in  FIGS. 48 and 49  allows premixed temperature water or cold water to be supplied to the modular electrically-operated faucet. In this embodiment, only the flexible supply tube  522  will be used to supply premixed temperature water or cold water to the modular electrically-operated faucet. Referring next to  FIG. 48 , a mixing barrel  610  having a mixer coupling  612  located at one thereof is shown. The mixing barrel  610  is a hollow cylinder which is shorter than the mixing barrel  350  (shown in  FIGS. 19 through 21 ), with the end of the mixing barrel  610  which is connected to the mixer coupling  612  being closed and the other end of the mixing barrel  610  being open. The mixing barrel  610  does not have the triangular openings of the mixing barrel  350  located therein.  
         [0165]     In addition and with reference also to  FIG. 8 , the mixing barrel  610  when installed in the aperture  174  in the upper housing member  150  does not extend to the aperture  180 , thereby leaving the aperture  180  open to the aperture  174 , and thereby allowing premixed temperature water or cold water to flow from the aperture  180  into the aperture  174 , through the aperture  176 , and into the cylindrical recess  166  at all times. When the mixing barrel  610  is located in the aperture  174  in the upper housing member  150 , the mixer coupling  612  is located in the aperture  172 .  
         [0166]     The mixer coupling  612  has an annular U-shaped channel  614  into which an O-ring  616  is located to prevent water from flowing out of the aperture  174  into the aperture  172  in the upper housing member  150 . The mixer coupling  612  has a circular flange  618  centrally located therein which will fit into the aperture  172  in the upper housing member  150 . Located at the end of the mixer coupling  612  opposite the mixing barrel  610  is a cylindrical end  620  which may be used as a handle to push the mixing barrel  610  and the mixer coupling  612  into place in the upper housing member  150 .  
         [0167]     Referring now to  FIG. 49 , a plug  630  is shown which will be installed instead of the flexible supply tube  520  (best shown in  FIG. 35 ) into the hot water inlet  108  of the lower housing member  100  (best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). The plug  630  has a cylindrical body  632  with having an enlarged head  634  with a U-shaped channel  636  located in the outer periphery of the enlarged head  634  of the plug  630 . An O-ring  638  is placed into the U-shaped channel  636 . The head of the screw  540  (shown in  FIG. 35 ) covers a portion of the enlarged head  634  of the plug  630  as well as the enlarged head  532  of the water inlet adapter  528 , retaining them in place.  
         [0168]     Referring next to  FIGS. 50 and 51 , a gooseneck faucet spout  640  is shown which can be used instead of the faucet spout  320  (best shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). The gooseneck faucet spout  640  has a hollow cylindrical base  642  having a notch  644  cut out at the front thereof to accommodate the front window housing member  230  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) therein. The cylindrical base  642  of the gooseneck faucet spout  640  has a larger valve aperture  646  located on one side of the cylindrical base  642  near the bottom thereof, and two smaller countersunk apertures  648  and  650  which are spaced apart and are located on the rear side of the cylindrical base  642  thereof near the bottom thereof. When the gooseneck faucet spout  640  is installed onto the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, the bottom of the cylindrical base  642  will fit over both the upper housing member  150  and the lower housing member  100 , with the apertures  648  and  650  being respectively aligned with the threaded apertures  194  and  198  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0169]     Located within the cylindrical base  642  near the top thereof and at the back of the gooseneck faucet spout  640  is a cylindrical aperture  652  which communicates with a passageway  654  at the top of the cylindrical base  642 . A gooseneck  656  is mounted on the top of the cylindrical base  642  with a gooseneck nut  657 , the gooseneck  656  being allowed to rotate about the cylindrical base  642  of the gooseneck faucet spout  640 . A passageway  658  in the gooseneck  656  runs to the front of the spout and terminates in an aerator  660 . When the faucet spout  640  is installed on the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention, the cylindrical aperture  642  will fit over the cylindrical segment  156  extending from the pillar  154  in the upper housing member  150  (best shown in  FIG. 7 ).  
         [0170]     Another alternate embodiment is a modification of the modular electrically-operated faucet shown in the preceding figures to have a wall-mount configuration. Referring now to  FIGS. 50 through 55 , a substitute lower housing member  670  is illustrated which has circular base  672  having a centrally-located cylindrical mounting pillar  674  extending downwardly from the bottom side of the circular base  672 . The circular base  672  has two spaced-apart U-shaped channels  676  and  678  located in the outer periphery thereof into which O-rings (not shown in  FIGS. 52 through 55 ) will be located. A hot water inlet  680  and a cold water inlet  682  both extend from the bottom side of the mounting pillar  674  to the top side of the circular base  672 , with the hot water inlet  680  and the cold water inlet  682  both having a larger diameter in the mounting pillar  674  and stepping down to a smaller diameter in the circular base  672 .  
         [0171]     Located in the top side of the circular base  672  and leading from the cold water inlet  682  toward the hot water inlet  680  is a recessed passageway  684 . Also located in the top side of the circular base  102  and leading from the hot water inlet  108  and moving in a ninety degree counterclockwise arc is a recessed passageway  686 . Located in the bottom side of the mounting pillar  674  near opposite ends of a line between the hot water inlet  680  and the cold water inlet  682  and near the edges of the mounting pillar  674  are two threaded apertures  688  and  690 .  
         [0172]     Located in the top side of the circular base  672  and surrounding all of the hot water inlet  680 , the cold water inlet  682 , the passageway  684 , and the passageway  686  is a recessed channel  692  into which a gasket (not shown in  FIGS. 52 through 55 ) will be placed. Another recessed passageway  694  is also located in the top side of the circular base  672 , and the recessed passageway  694  is surrounded by a recessed channel  696  into which a gasket (not shown in  FIGS. 52 through 55 ) will be placed. Located in and extending through the circular base  672  is an aperture  698  through which a wire for an external power source (not shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ) may be threaded.  
         [0173]     Extending through the circular base  672  at a location near the side of the recessed channel  696  furthest from the recessed channel  692  is a threaded aperture  700 . Extending through the circular base  672  at a location near the side of the recessed channel  692  furthest from the recessed channel  696  is a threaded aperture  702 . Extending through the circular base  672  at a location near the edge thereof and adjacent the furthest point of the passageway  686  from the hot water inlet  680  is a threaded aperture  704  which has a cylindrical countersink on the bottom side of the circular base  672 . Completing the construction of the lower housing member  670  are two threaded apertures  706  and  708  located near the edge of the circular base  672  on opposite sides of the aperture  698  and close to the edge of the circular base  672 .  
         [0174]     Referring next to  FIGS. 56 through 59 , a side mount adapter member  720  is illustrated which will be mounted under the lower housing member  670  (shown in  FIGS. 52 through 55 ). The top side of the side mount adapter member  720  has a configuration which approximately matches the configuration of the mounting pillar  674  of the lower housing member  670  (best shown in  FIG. 53 ). The side mount adapter member  720  has a flat side  722  in which a hot water inlet  724  and a cold water inlet  726  are located. The hot water inlet  724  and the cold water inlet  726  both extend into the interior of the side mount adapter member  720 , although the hot water inlet  724  extends substantially further into the side mount adapter member  720  than does the cold water inlet  726 . Both the hot water inlet  724  and the cold water inlet  726  step down to a smaller diameter within the side mount adapter member  720 .  
         [0175]     Located in the top side of the side mount adapter member  720  and extending downwardly into fluid communication with the cold water inlet  726  is a recessed passageway  728 . When the side mount adapter member  720  is mounted onto the lower housing member  670 , the recessed passageway  728  will be in fluid communication with the cold water inlet  682  in the lower housing member  670  (best shown in  FIG. 53 ). Also located in the top side of the side mount adapter member  720  from a point beyond the furthest point of the cold water inlet  726  and leading to a point at which it is in fluid communication with the hot water inlet  724  is a recessed passageway  730 . When the side mount adapter member  720  is mounted onto the lower housing member  670 , the passageway  730  will be in fluid communication with the hot water inlet  680  in the lower housing member  670  (best shown in  FIG. 53 ).  
         [0176]     Located in the side mount adapter member  720  on opposite sides thereof are two apertures  732  and  734 . The threaded aperture  732  is located in the side mount adapter member  720  on the side of the cold water inlet  726  which is away from the hot water inlet  724 , and the threaded aperture  734  is located in the side mount adapter member  720  on the side of the hot water inlet  724  which is away from the cold water inlet  726 . When the side mount adapter member  720  is mounted onto the lower housing member  670 , the apertures  732  and  734  will be respectively aligned with the threaded apertures  688  and  690  in the lower housing member  670  (best shown in  FIG. 53 ). Located in the flat side  722  of the side mount adapter member  720  between and below the hot water inlet  724  and the cold water inlet  726  and near the bottom of the side mount adapter member  720  is a threaded aperture  736 .  
         [0177]     Referring now to  FIGS. 60 and 61 , a wall mount housing  740  is shown which includes a cylindrical member  742  having a bottom surface  744 . A hollow cylindrical neck  746  is mounted on the side of the cylindrical member  742 , and the interior of the cylindrical member  742  is open to the interior of the cylindrical neck  746 . The distal portion of the cylindrical neck  746  is threaded as indicated by the reference numeral the threaded portion  748 , and the cylindrical neck  746  has a circular flange  750  extending therefrom intermediate the nonthreaded portion of the cylindrical neck  746  and the threaded portion  748  of the cylindrical neck  746 .  
         [0178]     Located in the bottom surface  744  of the wall mount housing  740  are two apertures  752  and  754  which have cylindrical countersinks located on the bottom of the bottom surface  744 . Completing the construction of the wall mount housing  740  is a recessed annular ledge  756  which is located inside the cylindrical member  742  of the wall mount housing  740  at the top end thereof.  
         [0179]     Referring next to  FIGS. 62 through 64 , the assembly of the wall-mount version of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is illustrated. Two flexible supply tubes  520  and  522  are used to supply hot and cold water from water supplies (not shown) to the wall-mount modular electrically-operated faucet. The flexible supply tube  520  has a water inlet adapter  524  having an enlarged head  526  with a U-shaped channel  528  located in the outer periphery of the enlarged head  526  of the water inlet adapter  524 . The flexible supply tube  522  has a water inlet adapter  530  having an enlarged head  532  with a U-shaped channel  534  located in the outer periphery of the enlarged head  532  of the water inlet adapter  530 .  
         [0180]     Two O-rings  536  and  538  are respectively placed into the U-shaped channels  528  and  534 . The enlarged head  528  of the water inlet adapter  524  is inserted into the hot water inlet  724  in the side mount adapter member  720  (best shown in  FIG. 56 ), and the enlarged head  532  of the water inlet adapter  530  is inserted into the cold water inlet  726  in the side mount adapter member  720  (also best shown in  FIG. 56 ). A screw  760  is then screwed into the threaded aperture  120  in the lower housing member  100  (again best shown in  FIG. 56 ). The head of the screw  760  covers a portion of the enlarged heads  526  and  532  of the water inlet adapters  524  and  528 , respectively, retaining them in place. The distal ends of the flexible supply tubes  520  and  522  are then threaded into the interior of the cylindrical member  742  of the wall mount housing  740 , end then through the cylindrical neck  746  and out the distal end thereof. At this point, the side mount adapter member  720  can be moved into its mounted position in the interior of the cylindrical member  742  of the wall mount housing  740 , as best shown in  FIG. 63 .  
         [0181]     Although it is not specifically shown in the figures, the lower housing member  670  is assembled to the upper housing member  150  in the same manner as described above with reference of the assembly of the lower housing member  100  to the upper housing member  150 , using the inlet gasket  490 , the solenoid gasket  492 , the capscrew  494 , and the capscrew  496  (all of which are best shown in  FIG. 35 ). The assembly of all of the components onto the upper housing member  150  are also as illustrated in  FIG. 35 .  
         [0182]     An α-ring  762  is placed into the lower U-shaped channel  678  in the lower housing member the circular base  672  of the lower housing member  670  (best shown in  FIG. 54 ). The lower housing member  670  is mounted on top of the side mount adapter member  720  with a waterway gasket  764  located therebetween, as shown in  FIG. 62 . When the lower housing member  670  is mounted on the side mount adapter member  720 , the passageway  730  of the side mount adapter member  720  (best shown in  FIGS. 56 and 57 ) is in fluid communication with the cold water inlet  682  in the lower housing member  670  (best shown in  FIG. 53 ). Similarly, the recessed passageway  728  of the side mount adapter member  720  (again best shown in  FIGS. 56 and 57 ) is in fluid communication with the hot water inlet  680  in the lower housing member  670  (again best shown in  FIG. 53 ).  
         [0183]     The lower portion of the circular base  672  of the lower housing member  670  (best shown in FIG.  54 ) with the O-ring  762  will fit into the annular ledge  756  of the wall mount housing  740  (best shown in  FIG. 61 ). A capscrew  764  is inserted through the aperture  752  in the bottom surface  744  of the wall mount housing  740  (best shown in  FIG. 60 ), through the aperture  732  in the side mount adapter member  720  (best shown in  FIGS. 56 and 57 ), and screwed into the threaded aperture  688  in the lower housing member  670  (also best shown in  FIG. 53 ). A capscrew  766  is inserted through the aperture  754  in the bottom surface  744  of the wall mount housing  740  (best shown in  FIG. 60 ), the aperture  736  through the aperture  734  in the side mount adapter member  720  (best shown in  FIGS. 56 and 57 ), and screwed into the threaded aperture  690  in the lower housing member  670  (also best shown in  FIG. 53 ).  
         [0184]     Also shown in  FIG. 62  through  64  is hardware which will be used to mount the wall-mount modular electrically-operated faucet onto a wall or other vertical support member. This hardware includes a wall mount gasket  770 , a wall mount washer  772 , and a wall mount nut  774 . The flexible supply tubes  520  and  522  extend through the wall mount gasket  770 , the wall mount washer  772 , and the wall mount nut  774 .  
         [0185]     The wall-mount modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is completed by mounting a spout on it, typically the gooseneck faucet spout  640  as shown in  FIG. 65 . Prior to installation of the gooseneck faucet spout  640 , an O-ring  776  is placed into the upper U-shaped channel  676  in the lower housing member the circular base  672  of the lower housing member  670  (best shown in  FIG. 54 ). The gooseneck faucet spout  640  is secured in the manner previously described.  
         [0186]     Referring finally to  FIG. 63 , the completely assembled side-mount modular electrically-operated faucet is shown with the gooseneck faucet spout  640  mounted thereupon. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the faucet spout  320  (shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 ) could be used instead of the gooseneck faucet spout  640 .  
         [0187]     It may therefore be appreciated from the above detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention that it teaches an electrically-operated faucet of compact one-piece construction which is entirely self-contained. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention that the electrically-operated faucet is of modular construction to make it easy to troubleshoot and to repair. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention makes the broadest possible use of modular components to thereby make all of the components which may typically be replaced over the life of the device easy to remove and replace without necessitating either the complete disassembly or removal of the device. Advantageously, when the modules of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention are accessed for removal and replacement, the flow of water through the device is deactivated.  
         [0188]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is adaptable to operate with either a long-lasting battery or with a battery replacement module connected to an AC adapter. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is also configurable to alternatively allow users to adjust the temperature of water supplied from the device, or to allow only a technician to adjust the temperature of water supplied from the device, or to operate with only cold or with water of a premixed temperature supplied to the device. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is configurable to allow either a conventional faucet spout or a gooseneck spout to be mounted thereupon.  
         [0189]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is also configurable to be either deck mountable or wall mountable, both of which configurations are easy to install. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention also provides substantially improved mounting hardware to make its installation even easier and quicker to accomplish.  
         [0190]     The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which is designed to require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is also of relatively inexpensive construction as compared to competing devices so to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.  
         [0191]     Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.