Ozone generator for a faucet

1 . An ozone generator system for use with a faucet, the ozone generator system comprising:

a body including an ozone generator receiving chamber and an outlet passageway downstream from the ozone generator receiving chamber;

an ozone generator received within the ozone generator receiving chamber;

wherein the ozone generator comprises an outer cartridge, and an electrolytic cell assembly received within the outer cartridge, the electrolytic cell assembly including:

a first housing,

a first current spreader supported by the first housing,

an anode in electrical communication with the first current spreader,

a second housing,

a second current spreader supported by the second housing,

a cathode in electrical communication with the second current spreader, and

a separator between the anode and the cathode;

a controller operably coupled to the ozone generator;

a water flow meter operably coupled to the controller and in fluid communication with water passing through the outlet passageway to detect a flow rate of water and provide a flow rate signal indicative thereof to the controller;

a temperature sensor operably coupled to the controller and in thermal communication with water passing through the outlet passageway to measure a temperature of water and provide a temperature signal indicative thereof to the controller; and

wherein the controller controls the ozone generator in response to the flow rate signal and the temperature signal, thereby altering the amount of ozone generated.

2 . The ozone generator system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a mixing valve having a cold water inlet fluidly coupled to a cold water source, a hot water inlet fluidly coupled to a hot water source, and an outlet in selective fluid communication with the cold water inlet and the hot water inlet;

wherein the body further includes a first valve receiving chamber and a second valve receiving chamber;

a first electrically operable valve received within the first valve receiving chamber and operably coupled to the controller, wherein the first electrically operable valve is configured to control water flow from the outlet of the mixing valve to the outlet passageway of the body; and

a second electrically operable valve received within the second valve receiving chamber and operably coupled to the controller, wherein the second electrically operable valve is configured to control water flow from the cold water source to the ozone generator.

3 . The ozone generator system of claim 2 , wherein the first electrically operable valve is a first pilot operated diaphragm solenoid valve, and the second electrically operable valve is a second pilot operated diaphragm solenoid valve.

4 . The ozone generator system of claim 3 , further comprising a printed circuit board supported by the body, wherein the first pilot operated diaphragm solenoid valve includes a first solenoid armature supporting a seal movable by activation of a first solenoid coil coupled to the printed circuit board, and the second pilot operated diaphragm solenoid valve includes a second solenoid armature supporting a seal movable by activation of a second solenoid coil coupled to the printed circuit board.

5 . The ozone generator system of claim 1 , wherein the controller controlling the ozone generator controls the concentration of ozone in the water in the outlet passageway based on the flow rate signal and the temperature signal.

6 . The ozone generator system of claim 1 , wherein the water flow meter includes a flow turbine rotatably supported by bearings, and a sensor operably coupled to the flow turbine for generating the flow rate signal.

7 . The ozone generator system of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor.

8 . The ozone generator system of claim 7 , further comprising a printed circuit board supporting the controller and the thermistor.

9 . The ozone generator system of claim 8 , further comprising a metal rivet supported by the body in thermal communication with the water passing through the outlet passageway and operably coupled to the thermistor.

10 . The ozone generator system of claim 1 , further comprising a holder that couples the first housing to the second housing independently of the outer cartridge.

11 . The ozone generator system of claim 10 , wherein the holder comprises at least one sealing ring around the first and second housings.

12 . The ozone generator system of claim 1 , further comprising an outer pipe fitting snap fit to the outer cartridge.

13 . The ozone generator system of claim 12 , wherein the outer pipe fitting is internally threaded for coupling with an externally threaded fluid pipe.

14 . An ozone generator for use with a faucet, the ozone generator comprising:

an outer cartridge;

an electrolytic cell assembly received within the outer cartridge, the electrolytic cell assembly including:

a first housing;

a first current spreader supported by the first housing;

an anode in electrical communication with the first current spreader;

a second housing;

a second current spreader supported by the second housing;

a cathode in electrical communication with the second current spreader; and

a separator between the anode and the cathode; and

an outer pipe fitting snap fit to the outer cartridge.

15 . The ozone generator of claim 14 , wherein the outer pipe fitting is internally threaded for coupling with an externally threaded fluid pipe.

16 . The ozone generator of claim 14 , wherein the outer cartridge includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms snap fit to the outer pipe fitting.

17 . The ozone generator of claim 14 , further comprising a holder that couples the first housing to the second housing independently of the outer cartridge.

18 . The ozone generator of claim 17 , wherein the holder comprises at least one sealing ring around the first and second housings.

19 . The ozone generator of claim 14 , further comprising:

an end cap coupled to the outer cartridge; and

wire leads extending through the end cap.

20 . An ozone generator for use with a faucet, the ozone generator comprising:

an outer cartridge;

an electrolytic cell assembly received within the outer cartridge, the electrolytic cell assembly including:

a first housing;

a first current spreader supported by the first housing;

an anode in electrical communication with the first current spreader;

a second housing;

a second current spreader supported by the second housing;

a cathode in electrical communication with the second current spreader; and

a separator between the anode and the cathode; and

an outer pipe fitting coupled to the outer cartridge, wherein the outer pipe fitting is internally threaded for coupling with an externally threaded fluid pipe.

21 . The ozone generator of claim 20 , further comprising a holder that couples the first housing to the second housing independently of the outer cartridge.

22 . The ozone generator of claim 21 , wherein the holder comprises at least one sealing ring around the first and second housings.

23 . The ozone generator of claim 20 , further comprising:

an end cap coupled to the outer cartridge; and

wire leads extending through the end cap.