Flow detection in a spray wand

Abstract

A faucet assembly including a plurality of operating modes, such as a spray mode and a stream mode. The faucet assembly has a flow rate that is higher in the spray mode than in the stream mode. The faucet assembly illustratively includes an ozone generator that treats water in the faucet. A mode sensor emits a signal indicative of whether the faucet assembly is in spray mode or stream mode. An electronic processor illustratively turns ON the ozone generator when the signal indicates that the faucet assembly is in the stream mode, and turns OFF the ozone generator when the signal indicates that the faucet assembly is in the spray mode.

Description

FLOW IN A SPRAY WAND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.63 / 677,187, filed July 30, 2024, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a kitchen faucet wand or sprayhead. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a structure and related method for detecting the operating mode of a kitchen faucet wand or sprayhead.

[0003] There are times when it would be advantageous to decipher between different operating modes, for example a spray mode and a stream (aerator) mode, on a kitchen faucet wand. One particular instance is when it is desired to add antibacterial ozone to drinking water in a stream (aerated) mode, but not to water in a spray mode that is used only for cleaning items such as dishes. Another particular instance is when it is desired to change the color of a light indicator to indicate a between a stream (aerated) mode and a spray mode.

[0004] Spray modes and aerated modes may have different flow rates associated with them. In one illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a flow sensor detects the flow rate, and the mode is determined based on a signal from the flow sensor.

[0005] In broad terms, the invention may detect different flow patterns associated with different modes (e.g., spray / aerated) and electronically change a function (e.g., ozone or light indicator color) dependent upon the mode.

[0006] According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a faucet assembly includes an outlet assembly configured to discharge water having different flow patterns defining a plurality of operating modes. A mode indicator is configured to detect one of the different operating modes of the outlet assembly and emit a signal indicative thereof. An electronic processor is configured to modify a function of the faucet assembly dependent upon the signal from the mode indicator.

[0007] According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a faucet assembly has a spray mode and a stream mode. The faucet assembly has a flow rate that is5020931.1higher in the spray mode than in the stream The faucet assembly includes an ozone generator that treats water in the faucet. A mode sensor emits a signal indicative of whether the faucet assembly is in the spray mode or the stream mode. An electronic processor is configured to cause liquid treated by the ozone generator to flow through the faucet assembly when the signal indicates that the faucet assembly is in the stream mode, and cause liquid that is not treated by the ozone generator to flow through the faucet assembly when the signal indicates that the faucet assembly is in the spray mode. Illustratively, the electronic processor turns ON the ozone generator when the signal indicates that the faucet assembly is in the stream mode, and turns OFF the ozone generator when the signal indicates that the faucet assembly is in the spray mode.

[0008] According to yet another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a faucet assembly has a spray mode and a stream mode. The faucet assembly has a flow rate that is higher in the spray mode than in the stream mode. The faucet assembly includes a light indicator and a flow sensor emitting a signal indicative of whether the faucet assembly is in the spray mode or the stream mode. An electronic processor controls operation of the light indicator dependent upon the signal from the flow sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG.1 is a side view of a faucet including a sprayhead according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, with a sink deck shown in phantom;

[0011] FIG.2 is a partially exploded view of the sprayhead of FIG.1, showing the sprayface removed from the shell;

[0012] FIG.3 is a diagrammatic view of the faucet of FIG.1, illustrating a water flow path and an electrical flow path;

[0013] FIG.4 is a perspective view of a faucet according to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, with a sink deck shown in phantom; and5020931.1

[0014] FIG.5 is a diagrammatic view of faucet of FIG.4, illustrating a water flow path and an electrical flow path.

[0015] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, and such an exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments described herein enable one skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

[0017] Referring initially to FIG.1, an illustrative faucet 10 is shown as including a faucet body 12 and a faucet sprayhead or wand 14 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. Faucet body 12 is shown supported on a conventional sink deck 15 and includes a neck or delivery spout 16 supported by a hub 17. Faucet sprayhead 14 is adapted to be releasably coupled to body 12, illustratively to neck or delivery spout 16, of faucet 10 and to be extendable therefrom. More particularly, sprayhead 14 is removably coupled to an outlet or dispensing end 18 of delivery spout 16 for manipulation independent from body 12. An illustrative embodiment delivery spout 16 which may be used in connection with sprayhead 14 is described in U.S. Patent No.7,997,301 to Marty et al., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0018] Illustratively, an outlet waterway or tube 20, such as a flexible water conduit, extends through spout 16 and is fluidly coupled to a water supply source 22a, 22b through a valve, illustratively a conventional mixing valve 24 operably coupled to a handle 26. Immediately downstream of the mixing valve 24 may be a water treatment assembly 27. Illustrative water treatment assembly 27 includes an ozone generator 28 for adding ozone to the water stream in order to treat (illustratively disinfect and / or sanitize) the water. An illustrative embodiment ozone distribution arrangement for a faucet is detailed in5020931.1U.S. Patent No.12,152,785 to Rosko et al., disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference.

[0019] Sprayhead 14 includes a shell 30 (Fig.2) having an axially spaced-apart inlet opening 32 and an outlet opening 34, both of which are in communication with a chamber 36 defined by shell 30. A sprayface 38 is operably coupled to shell 30 and supports an outlet assembly 39. More particularly, sprayface 38 includes external threads 40 which engage internal threads 42 formed in outlet opening 34 of shell 30. When properly positioned within shell 30, an outlet 44a of shell 30 is fluidly coupled with a stream outlet 46, illustratively a conventional aerator 47, supported within the center of the sprayface 38. Similarly, an outlet 44b of shell 30 is fluidly coupled with a plurality of spray outlets 48 illustratively arranged in an annular pattern around the stream outlet 46. Together, stream outlet 46 and spray outlets 48 define outlet assembly 39.

[0020] Sprayhead 14 illustratively includes a plurality of different modes of operation, each defining a different flow pattern of water emitting from outlet assembly 39. When fluid flows through outlet 44a and out of stream outlet 46, a stream mode of operation is defined. In the illustrative stream mode of operation, no water flows through outlet 44b and out of spray outlets 48. A spray mode of operation is defined when fluid flows through outlet 44b and out of spray outlets 48. In the illustrative spray mode of operation, no water flows through outlet 44a and out of stream outlet 46.

[0021] Use of faucet spray wand 14 will now be further described. With the water turned on at the faucet handle 26, water flows through conduit 20 and into shell 30. When a knob 50 on shell 30 is in a position that defines the full-spray mode of operation, a diverter valve 52 causes water to flow through outlet 44b and then be discharged in full spray flow through spray outlets 48 of sprayface 38 supported within outlet opening 34 of faucet sprayhead 14. When knob 50 is moved to the full-stream position, the diverter valve 52 causes water to flow through outlet 44a and then be discharged through stream outlet 46 of spray face 38 supported within outlet opening 34. While a rotary diverter valve 52 is shown in FIGS.1 and 2, it should be appreciated that other conventional diverter valves (e.g., linear piston valves) may be substituted therefor.

[0022] A light indicator 54 (e.g. a light-emitting diode (LED)) may be on sprayhead 14 to provide a visual indication of whether sprayhead 14 is in the stream mode or the spray5020931.1mode. Alternatively, such a light-emitting 54 may be on body 12 (e.g., spout 16), for example.

[0023] An electronic mode indicator or sensor, illustratively a flow sensor 56, may be disposed downstream of the mixing valve 24, such as in body 12, spout 16 or sprayhead 14 to detect the rate of water flow through sprayhead 14. In one illustrative embodiment, the flow sensor 56 is a water wheel or turbine type of sensor that is rotated by the water flow. The greater the rotational speed of the turbine, the greater the measured flow rate. A flow rate signal from the flow sensor 56 may be received by an electronic processor-based controller 58 which may be disposed either inside of faucet 10 or outside of faucet 10. Illustrative controller 58 includes a processor 59 in communication with a memory 61. In a conventional manner, processor 59 may execute machine readable instructions stored in memory 61.

[0024] Based on the flow rate signal, controller 58 may control some function of faucet 10, such as the operation of ozone generator 28 and / or of light-emitting diode 54, for example. More particularly, if the flow rate is below a threshold flow rate, it may indicate that faucet sprayhead 14 is in stream mode, in which the aerator 47 impedes the flow rate. Consequently, controller 58 may cause ozone generator 28 to operate, and / or cause light- emitting diode 54 to visually indicate that the faucet 10 is in a stream mode. On the other hand, if the flow rate is above the threshold flow rate, it may indicate that faucet sprayhead 14 is in spray mode, in which the aerator 47 does not impede the flow rate. Consequently, controller 58 may cause the ozone generator 28 to not operate, and / or cause light-emitting diode 54 to visually indicate that the faucet 10 is in a spray mode.

[0025] As shown in FIG.3, faucet 10 includes the mixing valve 24 that mixes hot water from hot water supply 22a with cold water from cold water supply 22b. After being mixed, the water flows to a water treatment device, which in the illustrated case is the ozone generator 28, which may be activated or turned ON to treat the water, or may be deactivated or turned OFF to not treat the water. Alternatively, the water may simply bypass ozone generator 28, or flow past ozone generator 28 without treatment, when it is not desired to treat the water, such as in spray mode.

[0026] The light-emitting diode 54 may be disposed on spout 16. Light-emitting diode 54 may indicate whether faucet 10 is in stream mode or spray mode. Instead of, or in addition5020931.1to, light emitting diode 54, there may be a that emits a sound, vibration, or other signal that indicates a mode or a property of sprayhead 14 to a user.

[0027] Illustrative sprayhead 14 includes diverter valve 52 and mode indicator 56. Diverter valve 52 may control whether water flows through spray outlets 48 of spray face 38 in spray mode, or flows through stream outlet 46 of spray face 38 in stream mode. A user may manually actuate diverter valve 52 via knob 50.

[0028] Mode or indicator 56 or detector may be in the form of an electronic flow sensor that emits a mode signal indicative of the flow rate through sprayhead 14. The flow rate through sprayhead 14 may be relatively low in stream mode wherein the aerator 47 is in the flow and thereby reduces the flow. On the other hand, the flow rate through sprayhead 14 may be relatively high in spray mode wherein the aerator 47 is not in the flow and does not reduce the flow. Alternatively, the mode signal may indicate whether the faucet is in stream mode or spray mode.

[0029] A microprocessor-based controller 58 may be disposed at any convenient location either inside or outside faucet 10, and above or below the mounting deck. Controller 58 may receive the mode signal from mode indicator 56 and control operation of ozone generator 28 and / or light-emitting diode 54 based on the received mode signal. For example, if the mode signal is indicative of the faucet currently being in stream mode, then controller 58 may cause ozone generator 24 to operate and / or cause light-emitting diode 54 to emit a color of light that is indicative of the stream mode. However, if the mode signal is indicative of the faucet currently being in spray mode, then controller 34 may cause ozone generator 24 to not operate or be bypassed by the flow of water and / or cause light-emitting diode 54 to emit a color of light that is indicative of the spray mode.

[0030] A user interface 60 may be disposed at any location where the user can access user interface 60, either inside or outside faucet 10, and above or below the mounting deck. User interface 60 may include, for example, a keypad and a display screen. The user may establish settings of controller 58 by use of user interface 60. The settings may establish whether controller 58 controls ozone generator 28 and / or light 54, and the threshold flow rate that distinguishes stream mode from spray mode, for example.

[0031] The position of the mixing valve 24 may be the primary determinant of the flow rate, with the stream / spray mode having a much smaller effect on the flow rate. However,5020931.1the present invention is still able to use the in flow rate as caused by switching between the stream and spray modes to ascertain which mode the faucet 10 is currently in. In one illustrative embodiment, when the faucet 10 is turned off, the faucet 10 automatically reverts back to stream mode, which is the default mode. The software that controller 58 executes may cause the flow to be sensed as the water is turned on and a steady-state flow rate may be identified. Any subsequent instantaneous flow change, such as from toggling to spray mode, would be sensed by the flow sensor 56 in conjunction with controller 58.

[0032] In certain illustrative embodiments, a flow restrictor (not shown) may be fluidly coupled in-line with stream outlet 46 and / or spray outlets 48 of outlet assembly 39. The flow restrictor limits flow for the associated stream mode and / or spray mode as to facilitate control of faucet 10.

[0033] In another illustrative embodiment, there is a position sensor on the mixing valve 24 that provides a mixing valve position signal to the controller 58. Thus, if the mixing valve 24 position signal changes, then the controller 58 determines that the corresponding change in flow is due to the change in the mixing valve 24 position. However, if the flow changes without any corresponding change in the mixing valve position signal, then the controller 58 determines that the change in flow is due to a change between the stream mode and the spray mode.

[0034] With reference now to FIGS.4 and 5, a further illustrative faucet 110 is shown supported by sink deck 15. Illustrative faucet 110 includes many similar components as faucet 10 further detailed above. As such, in the following description similar components will be identified with like reference numbers.

[0035] Illustrative faucet 110 includes a faucet body 112 and a faucet sprayhead or wand 114. Faucet body 112 illustratively includes a neck or delivery spout 116 supporting sprayhead 114. Delivery spout 116 is illustratively supported by a hub 117 coupled to sink deck 15. Sprayhead 114 is releasably coupled to an outlet or dispending end 118 of delivery spout 116. More particularly, sprayhead 114 is extendable from delivery spout 116 for manipulation independent from faucet body 112. An inlet end 119 of delivery spout 116 may be rotatably coupled to hub 117. A base or pedestal 121 illustratively supports hub 117 above sink deck 15.5020931.1

[0036] As shown in FIG.4, a waterway 122 includes a hot water inlet tube 124a, a cold water inlet tube 124b and an outlet waterway or tube 126. Inlet tubes 124a and 124b extend beneath faucet body 12 and may include conventional fluid couplings for fluidly coupling onto hot and cold water supplies 22a and 22b, respectively, below sink deck 15.

[0037] A water treatment assembly 127 is supported below sink deck 15 and is fluidly coupled to an outlet of mixing valve 24. More particularly, an upstream portion 126a of outlet waterway or tube 126 fluidly couples outlet of mixing valve 24 to water treatment assembly 127, and a downstream portion 126b of outlet waterway or tube 126 fluidly couples water treatment assembly 127 to outlet assembly 39 of sprayhead 114.

[0038] Water treatment assembly 127 illustratively includes a housing 129 supporting ozone generator 28 for treating water passing therethrough via outlet tube 126 (i.e., from upstream portion 126a to downstream portion 126b). More particularly, water from mixing valve 24 is provided to ozone generator 28 via upstream portion 126a of outlet tube 126. Water from ozone generator 28 is provided to outlet assembly 39 of sprayhead 114 via downstream portion 126b of outlet tube 126.

[0039] A light indicator 154 (e.g. a light-emitting diode (LED)) may be in electrical communication with controller 58 to provide a visual indication of whether sprayhead 114 is in the stream mode or the spray mode. Illustratively, light indicator 154 is supported by base 121. Alternatively, such light indicator 154 may be supported on body 112 (e.g., spout 116), for example.

[0040] Controller 58 may also be supported within housing 129 of water treatment assembly 127. An electronic mode indicator or sensor, illustratively an audio or acoustic sensor 156, is illustratively supported within housing 129 of water treatment assembly 127 and is in electrical communication with controller 58. The acoustic sensor 156 is illustratively a microphone acoustically coupled to outlet tube 126. Other acoustic sensors 156 may be substituted for the microphone, for example piezoelectric sensors, ultrasonic sensors, acoustic emission sensors, surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensors, thickness shear mode (TSM) resonators, and flexural plate wave (FPW) sensors.

[0041] As noted above, acoustic sensor 156 is acoustically coupled to the outlet tube 126 providing water to outlet assembly 39 of sprayhead 114. Acoustic sensor 156 is5020931.1configured to detect sound from water outlet tube 126 and provide an acoustic signal indicative thereof to controller 58. As such, controller 58 may distinguish different acoustics of water flow in a stream mode and in a spray mode, and provide a signal indicative thereof to controller 58. Such different acoustics may include intensity (amplitude or loudness), noise patterns (frequency), etc.

[0042] In an illustrative embodiment, audio or acoustic intensity and / or patterns for different modes of operation of faucet 110 may be stored in memory 61. Processor 59 may then compare the audio sensed by acoustic sensor 156 (indicated by acoustic signal received from the acoustic sensor 156) and determine the operating mode (e.g., stream mode or spray mode). Controller 58 may alter an operating parameter of faucet assembly 110 based on the determined operating mode. In the illustrative embodiment, based on the acoustic signal, controller 58 may control some function of faucet 110, such as operation of ozone generator 28 and / or light-emitting diode 154, for example.

[0043] More particularly, processor 59 of controller 58 may determine that the acoustic signal is associated with a stream mode. Consequently, controller 58 may cause ozone generator 28 to operate and / or cause light-emitting diode 54 to visually indicate that the faucet 110 is in the stream mode. On the other hand, processor 59 of controller 58 may determine that the acoustic signal is associated with a spray mode. Consequently, controller 58 may cause ozone generator 28 to not operate, and / or cause light-emitting diode 54 to visually indicate that the faucet 10 is in spray mode.

[0044] In certain illustrative embodiments, flow elements (not shown) may be fluidly coupled in-line with stream outlet 46 and / or spray outlets 48 of outlet assembly 39 to alter water turbulence and resulting “noise”. In other words, the flow elements create a turbulent path or a cavitation path. For example, a series of fingers or ribs could be aligned in the stream path to decrease turbulence and resulting “noise”. Similarly, a series of fingers or ribs could be positioned perpendicular in the spray path causing the water to turn, and increase turbulence and resulting “noise”.

[0045] While various flow sensors 56 and / or acoustic sensors 156 are detailed above to distinguish between a stream mode and a spray mode of the illustrative faucet 10, 110, other types of sensors to provide an indication of flow rate may be substituted therefor.5020931.1

[0046] Illustratively, the mode 156 may include a vibration sensor operably coupled to the outlet tube 20, 126 and configured to detect vibration caused by water flow through the outlet tube 20, 126. The vibration sensor provides a signal indicative of vibration to the controller 58 which then determines flow rate and associated operating mode (stream mode or spray mode) based thereon.

[0047] Further illustratively, the mode indicator 56, 156 may include a strain gauge sensor operably coupled to the outlet tube 20, 126 and configured to detect applied force caused by water flow through the outlet tube 20, 126. The strain gauge sensor provides a signal indicative of applied force from water flow on the outlet tube 20, 126 to the controller 58 which then determines flow rate and associated operating mode (stream mode or spray mode) based thereon.

[0048] While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.5020931.1

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A faucet assembly comprising: an outlet assembly configured to discharge water having different flow patterns defining a plurality of different operating modes; a mode indicator configured to detect one of the different operating modes of the outlet assembly and emit a signal indicative thereof; and an electronic processor configured to modify a function of the faucet assembly dependent upon the signal from the mode indicator.

2. The faucet assembly of claim 1, wherein the different operating modes of the outlet assembly include a spray mode and a stream mode.

3. The faucet assembly of claim 2, wherein the outlet assembly includes a plurality of spray outlets and a stream outlet spaced apart from the plurality of spray outlets, wherein water flows through the plurality of spray outlets and water does not flow through the stream outlet in the spray mode, and water flows through the stream outlet and water does not flow through the plurality of spray outlets in the stream mode.

4. The faucet assembly of claim 1, wherein the mode indicator comprises a flow sensor configured to detect a rate of flow of liquid through the faucet assembly.

5. The faucet assembly of claim 4, further comprising a spout and a valve fluidly connected to the spout, the valve configured to selectively connect the spout with a supply of liquid, the valve having a greater effect than the mode of the spray assembly on the rate of flow, the electronic processor being configured to distinguish between changes in the rate of flow due to movements of the valve and changes in the rate of flow due to switching between the modes of the faucet assembly.

6. The faucet assembly of claim 1, wherein the mode indicator comprises an acoustic sensor configured to detect sound of water flow through the faucet assembly.

7. The faucet assembly of claim 6, further comprising a spout and a valve fluidly connected to the spout, the valve configured to selectively connect the spout with a supply of5020931.1liquid, the electronic processor being to distinguish between changes in acoustics due to switching between the modes of the faucet assembly.

8. The faucet assembly of claim 7, wherein the acoustics sensor is positioned below a sink deck supporting the spout.

9. The faucet assembly of claim 6, further comprising a flow element fluidly coupled in- line with the outlet assembly to alter water turbulence.

10. The faucet assembly of claim 1, further comprising an outlet tube fluidly coupled to the outlet assembly, wherein the mode indicator comprises a vibration sensor operably coupled to the outlet tube and configured to detect vibration caused by water flow through the outlet tube.

11. The faucet assembly of claim 1, further comprising an outlet tube fluidly coupled to the outlet assembly, wherein the mode indicator comprises a strain gauge sensor operably coupled to the outlet tube and configured to detect applied force caused by water flow through the outlet tube.

12. The faucet assembly of claim 1, further comprising a water treatment device configured to treat water in the faucet assembly, the electronic processor being configured to cause water treated by the water treatment device to flow through the faucet assembly dependent upon the signal from the mode indicator.

13. The faucet assembly of claim 12, wherein the water treatment device comprises an ozone generator.

14. The faucet assembly of claim 1, further comprising a light-emitting device, the electronic processor being configured to cause the light-emitting device to emit a color of light dependent upon the signal from the mode indicator.

15. The faucet assembly of claim 14, further comprising a spout, the light-emitting device being disposed on the spout.

16. The faucet assembly of claim 1, further comprising a flow restrictor fluidly coupled in-line with the outlet assembly.5020931.

117. A faucet assembly having a spray and a stream mode, the faucet assembly having a flow rate in the spray mode that is different from a flow rate in the stream mode, the faucet assembly comprising: an ozone generator configured to treat a liquid in the faucet assembly; a mode sensor configured to emit a signal indicative of whether the faucet assembly is in the spray mode or the stream mode; and an electronic processor configured to cause liquid treated by the ozone generator to flow through the faucet assembly when the signal indicates that the faucet assembly is in the stream mode, and cause liquid that is not treated by the ozone generator to flow through the faucet assembly when the signal indicates that the faucet assembly is in the spray mode.

18. The faucet assembly of claim 17, wherein the flow rate is higher in the spray mode than in the stream mode.

19. The faucet assembly of claim 17, further comprising a spout and a valve fluidly connected to the spout, the valve configured to selectively connect the spout with a supply of liquid, the valve having a greater effect than the mode of the spray assembly on the rate of flow, the electronic processor being configured to distinguish between changes in the rate of flow due to movements of the valve and changes in the rate of flow due to switching between the modes of the faucet assembly.

20. The faucet assembly of claim 17, further comprising a light-emitting device, the electronic processor being configured to cause the light-emitting device to emit a color of light dependent upon the signal from the flow sensor, the color of light being indicative of whether the faucet assembly is in spray mode or stream mode.

21. The faucet assembly of claim 20, further comprising a spout, the light-emitting device being disposed on the spout.

22. The faucet assembly of claim 17, wherein the mode sensor comprises a flow sensor including a turbine to sense a rate of flow through the faucet assembly.

23. The faucet assembly of claim 17, wherein the mode sensor comprises an acoustic sensor configured to detect the sound of water flow through the faucet assembly.5020931.

124. The faucet assembly of claim 17, comprising an outlet tube fluidly coupled to the ozone generator, wherein the mode indicator comprises a vibration sensor operably coupled to the outlet tube and configured to detect vibration caused by water flow through the outlet tube.

25. The faucet assembly of claim 17, further comprising an outlet tube fluidly coupled to the ozone generator, wherein the mode indicator comprises a strain gauge sensor operably coupled to the outlet tube and configured to detect applied force caused by water flow through the outlet tube.

26. The faucet assembly of claim 17, further comprising an outlet assembly including a plurality of spray outlets and a stream outlet spaced apart from the plurality of spray outlets, wherein water flows through the plurality of spray outlets and water does not flow through the stream outlet in the spray mode, and water flows through the stream outlet and water does not flow through the plurality of spray outlets in the stream mode.

27. A faucet assembly having a spray mode and a stream mode, the faucet assembly having a flow rate that is higher in the spray mode than in the stream mode, the faucet assembly comprising: a light indicator; a flow sensor configured to emit a signal indicative of whether the faucet assembly is in spray mode or stream mode; and an electronic processor configured to control operation of the light indicator device dependent upon the signal from the flow sensor.

28. The faucet assembly of claim 27, further comprising a spout and a valve fluidly connected to the spout, the valve configured to selectively connect the spout with a supply of liquid, the valve having a greater effect than the mode of the spray assembly on the rate of flow, the electronic processor being configured to distinguish between changes in the rate of flow due to movements of the valve and changes in the rate of flow due to switching between the modes of the faucet assembly.5020931.

129. The faucet assembly of claim 27, comprising an ozone generator configured to disinfect a liquid in the faucet assembly, the electronic processor being configured to operate the ozone generator dependent upon the signal from the flow sensor.

30. The faucet assembly of claim 27, wherein the electronic processor is configured to cause the light indicator to emit a color of light dependent upon the signal from the flow sensor, the color of light being indicative of whether the faucet assembly is in the spray mode or the stream mode.

31. The faucet assembly of claim 27, further comprising a spout, the light indicator being disposed on the spout.

32. The faucet assembly of claim 27, wherein the flow sensor including a turbine to sense a rate of flow through the faucet assembly.5020931.1

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