Patent ID: 7650653

Claim:
An electrically-operated faucet having modular construction for ease of maintenance, said electrically-operated faucet comprising: a housing adapted to be secured to a support surface, said housing comprising at least one water supply inlet to which a source of water may be connected; an electrically-operated valve module that is removably installed on said housing to control the flow of water therethrough; an electronics module that is removably installed on said housing to operate said valve module, said electronics module comprising an optical transmitter that transmits ranging pulses and an optical receiver that detects those of said ranging pulses transmitted from said optical transmitter which are reflected by an object located in a predetermined area; a power source that is removably installed on said housing to provide electrical power to operate said electronics module and said valve module; and a spout housing that is installed over said housing to enclose said valve module, said electronics module, and said power source thereunder, said spout housing being removable from said housing to access said valve module, said electronics module, and said power source for service thereof; a bracket mounted on said housing wherein said bracket is designed to receive a battery therein, said bracket having electrical contacts mounted therein, said electrical contacts being electrically connected to said electronics module, said housing having an aperture extending therethrough, and wherein said power source comprises a battery adapter for installation into said bracket, said battery adapter having electrical contacts which contact said electrical contacts mounted in said bracket when said battery adapter is installed in said bracket, said battery adapter having wires connected to said electrical contacts in said battery adapter which wires extend from said battery adapter and through said aperture in said housing; and an AC adapter which is electrically connected to said wires to supply electrical power to said battery adapter when said AC adapter is connected to a source of AC electrical power; wherein said battery adapter is smaller in size than a battery that would be accepted by said bracket, wherein said bracket comprises a notch located therein which notch is spaced away from the top of said bracket; and wherein said battery adapter comprises a ledge located adjacent the top thereof, said ledge being engaged by said notch in said bracket when said battery adapter is installed in said bracket, wherein the top of said battery adapter is spaced away from the top of said bracket when said battery adapter is installed in said bracket.