Patent EA-002407-B1 (EA)
Title: Flowmeter system useable with water treatment device
Inventor: GIORDANO EDWARD C
IPC: B01D21/00
Filed: 1998-07-27
Abstract: 1. A meter system for a water treatment device, the device having an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture and a channel for channeling water between the inlet and outlet apertures, the meter system comprising: a flow reactive device positioned in the channel and exposed to the flowing water, signal generating member positioned on the flow reactive device causing said flow reactive device to produce a spatially varying signal in reaction to water flow; a sensor coupled to the flow reactive device, and being sensitive to the proximity of the spatially varying signal of the flow reactive device, the sensor generating a flow signal corresponding to water flow in the channel; an output device for indicating when the water treatment device is usable; and a controller coupled to receive and accumulate the flow signal, and including a first threshold representing a delay function during water flow, and a second threshold representing a termination of use, said controller comparing the accumulated flow signal to the first threshold, the controller not actuating the output device when the accumulated flow signal is below the first threshold, the output device thus indicating the delay function, and the controller activating the output device when the accumulated flow signal exceeds the first threshold and is below the second threshold. 2. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first threshold corresponds to a total volume of water passed through said channel. 3. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the flow reactive device is a turbine rotatable about an axis and having a plurality of blades. 4. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the signal generating member is a magnet. 5. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein: the flow reactive device is a turbine rotatable about an axis, and having a plurality of blades equally spaced about the turbine, each blade having a distal end; a magnetic member positioned in the distal end of one of blades and at least one blade opposite the blade comprising a magnetic member contains a counterweight. 6. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the switch is a reed switch. 7. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the switch is a Hall-effect sensor. 8. A meter as defined in claim 3, wherein said switch is unexposed to the flowing water. 9. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein said second threshold represents a period of time. 10. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein said second threshold represents a volume of water flow. 11. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein the signal generating member produces a magnetic field. 12. A meter system as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller includes a third threshold representing a period of cautious use; said output device has a third signal corresponding to said third threshold; and said controller activates the third signal of said output device when the flow signal exceeds said third threshold. 13. A meter system as defined in claim 12, wherein said output device has a fourth signal corresponding to said fourth threshold; and  said controller activates the fourth signal of said output device when the flow signal exceeds said fourth threshold. 14. A meter system for a water treatment device, the device having an inlet port and an outlet port, the meter system comprising: a turbine rotatably positioned in the channel and exposed to the flowing water; a signal generating member positioned on the turbine; a switch positioned proximately to the flow reactive device, and being sensitive to the proximity of the signal generating member the switch generating a flow signal corresponding to water flow in the channel; a controller, having a plurality of thresholds programmed therein, said plurality of thresholds including a threshold for each of delay use during water flow, acceptance use, cautious use and termination of use conditions, receiving and accumulating the flow signal and comparing the accumulated flow signal to each of the plurality of thresholds; and an output device in communication with said controller and capable of providing a plurality of output signals, each of said output signals associated with one of said plurality of thresholds; and said controller actuating said output device to provide said one of said plurality of output signals associated with said one of the plurality of threshold surpassed. 15. A meter system as defined in claim 14, wherein said plurality of said thresholds includes corresponding time based and total-flow based thresholds. 16. A meter system as defined in claim 14, wherein said controller has a flush condition and a delay condition programmed therein. 17. A meter system as defined in claim 14, wherein the meter system includes a filter having a set total useful life, said acceptable use threshold is less than or equal to approximately 90% of total useful life, said cautious use threshold is greater than 90% and less than 100% of total useful life and said termination of use threshold is 100% of total useful life. 18. A meter system as defined in claim 14, wherein the meter system includes a filter having a set total useful life of approximately 90 days, said acceptable use threshold is approximately less than or equal to 81 days, said cautious use threshold is greater than approximately 81 days and less than 90 days; and said termination of use threshold is greater than or equal to 90 days. 19. A meter system as defined in claim 14, wherein said controller has a delay condition programmed therein prior to be used. 20. A water filter for attachment to the end of a faucet to filter water flowing from the faucet and provided with a water treatment device and having an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture and a channel for channeling water between the inlet and outlet apertures, wherein the water filter further comprises a flow reactive device positioned in the channel and exposed to the flowing water, signal generating member positioned on the flow reactive device causing said flow reactive device to produce a spatially varying signal in reaction to water flow; a sensor coupled to the flow reactive device, and being sensitive to the proximity of the spatially varying signal of the flow reactive device, the sensor generating a flow signal corresponding to water flow in the channel; an output device for indicating when the water treatment device is usable; and a controller coupled to receive and accumulate the flow signal, and including a first threshold representing a delay function during water flow, and a second threshold representing a termination of use, said controller comparing the accumulated flow signal to the first threshold, the controller not actuating the output device when the accumulated flow signal is below the first threshold, the output device thus indicating the delay function, and the controller activating the output device when the accumulated flow signal exceeds the first threshold and is below the second threshold. 21. The filter as defined in claim 20, wherein said second threshold represents a period of time. 22. The filter as defined in claim 20, wherein said second threshold represents a volume of water flow. 23. The filter as defined in claim 20, wherein the first threshold corresponds to a total volume of water passed through said channel. 24. The filter as defined in claim 20, wherein the flow reactive device is a turbine rotatable about an axis and having a plurality of blades. 25. The filter as defined in claim 20, wherein the signal generating member is a magnet. 26. The filter as defined in claim 20, wherein the signal generating member produces a magnetic field. 27. The filter as defined in claim 20, wherein: the flow reactive device is a turbine rotatable about an axis, and having a plurality of blades equally spaced about the turbine, each blade having a distal end; a magnetic member positioned in the distal end of one of blades and at least one blade opposite the blade comprising a magnetic member contains a counterweight. 28. The filter as defined in claim 20, wherein the switch is a reed switch. 29. The filter as defined in claim 20, wherein the switch is a Hall-effect sensor. 30. The filter as defined in claim 24, wherein said switch is unexposed to the flowing water.