| JPH063255 | [Name of invention] Connection pipe for mixing faucet |
| WO/2019/081505 | INTERNAL ASSEMBLY FOR A MIXER |
| JP2008500915 | Methods and equipment for manufacturing tires |
NICKLAS JAMES R (US)
| US4116377A | 1978-09-26 | |||
| US2657860A | 1953-11-03 | |||
| US4349149A | 1982-09-14 | |||
| US3792812A | 1974-02-19 | |||
| US4458839A | 1984-07-10 | |||
| US3260542A | 1966-07-12 | |||
| US4802783A | 1989-02-07 | |||
| US3435849A | 1969-04-01 | |||
| US2593701A | 1952-04-22 | |||
| US3099996A | 1963-08-06 | |||
| US3191976A | 1965-06-29 |
| 1. | 17 The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege iε claimed are def ined aε follows: A mixing valve for fluids εuch aε hot and cold water , εaid valve characterized by: a houε ing hav ing a cav ity ther e in def ining a mixing chamber ; εaid mixing chamber having an outlet and a firεt inlet for unheated fluid and a second inlet for heated fluid; a lever having a firεt εection forming a valve for εaid firεt inlet and a εecond εection forming a valve for εaid εecond inlet ; εaid lever being pivotably mounted about a fulcrum; a thermally reεponεive meanε mounted within εaid mixing chamber and operably connected to εaid lever , εaid thermal ly reεponε iv e meanε be ing reεponεive to the temperature within εaid mixing chamber for pivoting εaid lever to a poεition that deter ineε the proportion of flow from εaid firεt and εecond inletε. |
| 2. | A mix ing valve aε def ined in Cl aim 1 further characterized by: an adjuεtment meanε for adjuεting εaid thermally reεponε ive meanε εuch that εaid thermally reεponεive meanε pivotε said lever to vary the flow through the f irεt and εecond inletε to the mixing chamber in ac¬ cor dance with an adjuεtable preεelected temperature . |
| 3. | A mixing valve aε defined in Claim 1 wherein εaid thermally reεponεive means includeε: a thermally reεponεive element being interpoεed between εaid lever at a poεition εpaced from the fulcrum of εaid lever and a firεt εeat in εaid mixing chamber oppoεing εaid lever; εaid element changing itε length in reεponεe to a change in ambient temperature; a εpring mounted, between εaid lever εpaced from εaid f ul cr um point and a εecond εeat in εaid mixing chamber to biaε εaid lever for pivotal movement when εaid element εhortenε. |
| 4. | A mix ing valve aε def ined in Cl aim 3 wherein εaid fulcrum iε axially interpoεed between εaid firεt and εecond inletε , and εaid thermally reεponεive element and εaid εpring are mounted on oppoεite εideε of εaid fulcrum. |
| 5. | A mix ing valve aε def ined in Cl aim 4 further includ ing a baffle meanε mounted in εaid mixing chamber for directing fluid flow entering into εaid mixing chamber in a εpecific direction and maintaining the fluid away from ε a id thermally reεponε ive element until εaid fluid iε thoroughly mixed. |
| 6. | A mixing valve aε def ined in Claim 4 wherein εaid baffle meanε encloses εaid lever and εaid firεt and εecond inletε , εaid baffle having an aperture for εlidably receiving an extenεion of εaid thermally reεponεive element that εeatε againεt εaid lever ; and a port for receiving εaid εpr ing that εeatε againεt εaid lever , and εaid port having εubεtantially all fluid flow paεεing therethrough. |
| 7. | A mixing valve aε defined in Claim 6 wherein εaid εpring iε a coil εpring paεεing through εaid port with εaid coilε creating turbulence of εaid fluid flow for providing mixing of εaid fluid from εaid firεt and εecond inletε. |
| 8. | A mixing valve aε defined in Claim 6 wherein: εaid port haε a tubular extenεion extending along a εubεtantial length of εaid mixing chamber; and εaid εpring iε a coil εprinς paεεing through εaid port with a plurality of coilε axially located within εaid tubular extenεion creating turbulence of εaid fluid flow for providing mixing of εaid fluid from εaid firεt and εecond inletε. |
| 9. | A mixing valve aε defined in Claim 8 wherein εaid tubular extenεion haε a εlot facing εaid thermally reεponεive element for directing flow thereto. |
| 10. | A mixing valve aε defined in Claim 1 further characterized by: a preεεure balance and proportioning meanε mounted upεtream of εaid mixing chamber within εaid houεing and being reεponεive to the preεsures in the respective firεt and εecond inletε to maintain the relative flow rates through εaid firεt and εecond inletε εet by εaid thermally reεponεive meanε. |
| 11. | A mixing valve characterized by: a body member having firεt and εecond εupply portε; a houεing member having a volume valve εection with firεt and εecond inletε; εaid volume valve εection being εlidably mounted againεt εaid firεt and εecond εupply portε in εaid body between an open poεition which alignε εaid firεt and εecond εupply portε with εaid reεpective firεt and εecond inletε and a cloεed poεition which εealingly miεalignε εaid firεt and εecond εupply portε from εaid firεt and εecond inletε; εaid valve εection being movable to intermediate poεitionε to control the flow to εaid inletε; εaid hoυεing member having firεt and εecond paε¬ εageε extending therethrough from εaid firεt and εecond inletε to a mixing chamber in fluid communication to an outlet; εaid houεing member having a proportioning valve member therein to proportion the flow of fluid from εaid firεt and εecond inletε and through εaid paεεageε to εaid mixing chamber; and εaid houεing having a thermoεtatic control meanε mounted in εaid mixing chamber for controlling the relative flow from εaid firεt and εecond paεεageε into, εaid mixing chamber in reεponεe to the temperature of fluid in said mixing chamber. |
| 12. | A mixing valve aε defined in Claim 11 wherein: εaid valve εection iε rigidly εecured with εaid housing, εaid houεinς is rotatably slidable with reεpect to εaid body againεt εaid firεt and εecond εupply portε for controlling the total volumetric flow; and εaid proportioning valve and thermoεtatic con¬ trol meanε being εecured in εaid houεing for rotation therewith. |
| 13. | A m ix ing valve aε def ined in Cl aim 12 urther characterized by: a rotatable handle coaxially mounted with εaid houεing for adjusting said thermoεtatic control meanε to vary the temperature of fluid in εaid mixing chamber. |
| 14. | A m ix ing valve aε defined in claim 12 wherein εaid thermoεtatic control meanε includes: a l ever having one εection forming a valve for εaid firεt inlet and a εecond εection forming a valve for said εecond inlet , εaid lever being pivotably mounted about a fulcrum; a thermally reεponεive meanε mounted within εaid mixing chamber and operably connected to εaid lever , εaid thermally reεponε ive meanε be ing reεponεive to the temperature within εaid mixing chamber for pivoting εaid lever to a poεition that determines the proportion of flow from said firεt and εecond inlets. |
| 15. | A mixing valve aε defined in Claim 14 wherein εaid thermally responsive meanε includeε: a thermally reεponεive element being interpoεed between εaid lever at a poεition εpaced from the fulcrum of εaid lever and a first εeat in εaid mixing chamber oppoεing εaid lever ; εa id element changing itε length in reεponεe to a change in ambient temperature; a εpring mounted between εaid lever at a position εpaced from εaid fulcrum and a εecond seat in εaid mixing chamber to biaε εaid lever to pivot when εaid element εhortenε. |
| 16. | A m ix ing valve aε def ined in Claim 15 wherein: εaid fulcrum iε axially interpoεed between εaid firεt and εecond inletε ; and εaid thermally reεponεive element and εaid εpring are mounted on oppoεite εideε of εaid fulcrum. |
| 17. | A mix ing valve aε def ined in Claim 16 further includ ing a baffle meanε mounted in εaid mixing chamber for directing fluid flow enter ing into εaid mixing chamber in a εpecific direction and maintaining the fluid away from εaid thermally reεponεive element until εaid fluid is thoroughly mixed. |
| 18. | A mi x ing valve as def ined in Claim 16 wherein εa id baffle meanε encloεeε εaid lever and εaid down¬ stream end s of εaid f irεt and εecond inl etε , εa id baf f le having an aperture for εlidably receiv ing an extenε ion of εaid thermally reεponεive element that εeatε ag ainεt εaid lever , and a port for receiving εaid εpr ing that εeatε aςainεt εaid lever , and εaid port having εubεtantially all fluid flow paεεing therethrough. |
| 19. | A mix ing valve aε defined in Claim 18 wherein : εaid εpring iε a coil εpring paεεing through εaid port w ith εaid coilε creating turbulence of εaid fluid flow for providing mixing of εaid fluid from εaid firεt and εecond inletε. |
| 20. | A mixing valve aε def ined in Claim 18 wherein: εaid port haε a tubular extenεion extending along a εubstantial length of εaid mixing chamber; εaid εpr ing iε a coil εpring paεεing through εaid port with a plurality of coilε axially located within εaid tubular extenεion creating turbulence of εaid fluid flow providing mixing of εaid fluid from εaid firεt and εecond inletε. |
| 21. | A mixing valve aε defined in Claim 20 wherein εaid tubular extenεion haε a εlot facing said thermally reεponεive element for directing flow thereto. |
| 22. | A mixing valve aε defined in Claim 21 further characterized by: an adjuεt ent means for adjusting εaid thermally reεponεive element εuch that εaid thermally reεponεive element pivotε εaid lever in accordance with an adjuεt able preεelected temperature; εaid adjuεtment meanε including a rotatable cam that adjuεtably poεitionε the εeat in εaid mixing chamber to axially move εaid element toward or away from εaid inletε; and εaid cam being operably rotatable by a εtem coaxially mounted with εaid houεing. |
| 23. | A mixing valve characterized by: firεt and εecond εupply portε; a houεing member having firεt and εecond inletε with a volume valve meanε controlling the volumetric flow from εaid firεt and εecond εupply portε to εaid firεt and εecond inletε; a proportioning valve meanε mounted within εaid houεing downεtream from εaid volume valve meanε to proportion the flow from εaid firεt and εecond inletε; εaid hoυεing member having a mixing chamber defined therein in fluid communication with the down¬ εtream end of εaid firεt and εecond inletε and an upstream end of an outlet; and a thermostat control valve meanε mounted in εaid mixing chamber for controlling the relative flow from εεid firεt and εecond inletε into εaid mixing chamber in reεponεe to the temperature in εaid mixing chamber. |
| 24. | A mixing valve characterized by: a body hav ing f ir εt and εecond εupply portε ; a houε ing having a lower εection fitted within εaid body and with a valve member incorporated therein; εaid valve member having f irεt and εecond inletε and being movable with reεpect to εaid firεt and εecond supply portε to control the total volumetric flow through εaid inletε and through εaid houεing ; εa id houεing having an upper εection def ining a mixing chamber therein in fluid communication with the downεtream end of εaid firεt and εecond inletε; a thermoεtatic contr ol valve meanε mounted in εaid mixing chamber for controlling the relative flow from εaid f ir εt and εecond inletε into εaid mixing chamber in response to the temperature in said mixing chamber ; an annular diεcharge chamber in εaid body , εaid chamber εurrounding εaid lower εection of εaid houεing and being in fluid communication with εaid mixing chamber and to a diεcharge outlet in εaid body. |
| 25. | A mixing valve aε defined in claim 24 wherein a proportioning valve meanε iε mounted in εaid lower εection of εa id houεing f or proportioning the flow through εaid firεt and εecond inletε in reεponεe to the preεεureε in the firεt and εecond εupply portε. |
| 26. | A mixing valve characterized by: a body hav ing firεt and εecond εupply lineε and an outlet line; an adapter in operable communication with εaid εupply lineε and outlet line, εaid adapter having firεt and εecond inletε in communication with εaid firεt and εecond εupply lineε and at leaεt one outlet in communi¬ cation with εaid outlet line; a thermoεtatic control valve meanε mounted to εaid body for controlling relative flow from εaid firεt and εecond εupply lineε to εaid outlet line; a houεing mounted in εaid body for movement in εaid body; said houεing having firεt and εecond inletε for forming a volume control valve with reεpect to the firεt and εecond εupply lineε of εaid body and a diε¬ charge outlet in communication with εaid outlet line of εaid body; εaid houεing mounting a thermoεtatic control valve therein for controlling the relative flow from εaid first and second inlets to εaid diεcharge outlet. |
| 27. | A mixing valve aε defined in claim 25 wherein: εaid houεing iε rotatable within εaid body between a shut off poεition and a full open poεition for con¬ trolling the total flow of fluid. |
| 28. | A mixing valve aε defined in claim 25 further characterized by: a preεεure balance proportioning valve mounted in εaid houεing for controlling the relative flow from εaid firεt and εecond inletε to εaid diεcharge outlet. |
| 29. | A mixing valve aε defined in claim 27 further characterized by.: εaid diεcharge outlet in communication with an annular diεcharge chamber about εaid housing; εaid annular diεcharge chamber in communication with said outlet line. |
| 30. | A mixing valve characterized by: a body having first and second supply ports and an outlet; a lever having valving surfaces and operably and pivotably mounted with respect to said body to adjust relative flow through said ports; and means for controlling the pivotable position of said lever and said valving surfaces for controlling the relative flow through the first and second supply ports. |
| 31. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 30 further characterized by: said means for controlling said pivotable position of said lever including a post operably engaging said lever at a position spaced from a fulcrum point of said lever; handle means operably connected to said post to operably move said post thereby pivoting said lever. |
| 32. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 31 further characterized by: said handle means including a rotatable cam that axially adjusts the position of said post. |
| 33. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 31 further characterized by: a housing incorporating said first and second inlets and pivotably mounting said lever; said housing being rotatable in said body to slidably move said inlets over first and second supply ports in said body between an open position and closed position; said housing having first and second passage leading to said pivotably mounted lever with said lever having one section forming a valve for a downstream end of said first passage and a second section forming a valve for a downstream end of said second passage; and said housing having an outlet in communication with said outlet of said body and at least one of said first and second passage. |
| 34. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 33 further characterized by: a proportioning valve means mounted in said housing for proportioning the flow through said first and second passages in response to the pressures in the first and second supply ports, said proportioning valve means being positioned between said inlets and said downstream ends of said passages. |
| 35. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 34 further characterized.by: an annular discharge chamber in said body with said chamber surrounding said housing and being in fluid communication with said outlet in said housing and said outlet in said body. |
| 36. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 34 further characterized by: said housing having a lower section housing said proportioning valve means, and an upper section receiving said lever and defining a mixing chamber; said upper housing defining at least in part said outlet of said housing; and said upper section being nonrotatably connected to said lower section for rotation therewith. |
| 37. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 36 further characterized by: an annular discharge chamber in said body with said chamber surrounding said lower section of said housing and being in fluid communication with said outlet in said hc.ising and said outlet in said body. |
| 38. | A mixing valve characterized by: a body having two supply ports and an outlet; a housing rotatably mounted in said body and including a first valving surface with two inlets therethrough operably positioned adjacent said two supply ports for controlling volume flow into said housing; said housing having two intermediate inlets therein in communication with the respective two inlets; a second valving surface means pivotable within said housing and operably movable over said two intermediate inlets for controlling the relative proportion of fluid from said two inlets; operating means for rotating said housing with said first valving surface and for pivoting said second valving surface means within said housing; and said housing having an outlet in fluid communication with said outlet in said body and at least one of said intermediate inlets. |
| 39. | A mixing valve as defined by claim 38 further characterized by: a pressure proportioning valve mounted in said housing between said two inlets and two intermediate inlets for proportioning the flow through said respective inlets in response to the pressure in the first and second supply ports. |
| 40. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 38 further characterized by: an annular discharge chamber in said body with said chamber surrounding said housing and being in fluid communication with said outlet in said housing and said outlet in said body. |
| 41. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 38 further characterized by: said housing having a lower section housing a proportioning valve means, and an upper section receiving said second valving surface and defining a mixing chamber; said upper housing defining at least in part said outlet of said housing; and said upper section being nonrotatably connected to said lower section for rotation therewith. |
| 42. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 41 further characterized by: an annular discharge chamber in said body with said chamber surrounding said lower section of said housing and being in fluid communication with said outlet in said housing and said outlet in said body. |
| 43. | A mixing valve characterized by: a body having two supply ports and an outlet; a housing rotatably mounted in said body and including a first valving surface operably positioned adjacent said two supply ports; said housing having a passage means for directing water from said first valving surface to an intermediate inlet means; a second valving surface means pivotable within said housing and operably movable over said intermediate inlet means for controlling fluid flow through said intermediate inlet means; operating means for rotating said housing with said first valving surface and for pivoting said second valving surface within said housing; an outlet in said housing for allowing fluid from said intermediate inlet means to flow out of said housing to said outlet in said body; one of said first or second valving surface operable to control total fluid flow through said outlet in said body; and the other of said first or second valving surface operable to control relative proportions of fluid flow from said two supply ports. |
| 44. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 43 further characterized by: a pressure proportioning valve mounted in said housing and interposed between said first valving surface and said intermediate inlet means for proportioning the flow through said first passage means in response to the pressure in the first and second supply ports. |
| 45. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 43 further characterized by: an annular discharge chamber in said body with said chamber surrounding said housing and being in fluid communication with said outlet in said housing and said outlet in said body. |
| 46. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 43 further characterized by: said housing having a lower section housing said proportioning valve means, and an upper section receiving said second valving surface and defining a mixing chamber; said upper housing defining at least in part said outlet of said housing; and said upper section being nonrotatably connected to said lower section for rotation therewith. |
| 47. | A mixing valve as defined in claim 46 further characterized by: an annular discharge chamber in said body with said chamber surrounding said lower section of said housing and being in fluid communication with said outlet in said housing and said outlet in said body. |
| 48. | A rotatable modular housing for a mixing vaive ooαy characterized by: a lower housing section having a valve surface at an end thereof for controlling total volume flow from first and second supply ports in said body; said lower housing section nonrotatably mounted to an upper housing section; said upper housing section receives temperature control valve means for controlling the relative rates of flow from said first and second supply ports in said body that flow through said lower housing section and provides a chamber for mixing the flow from said first and second supply ports; outlets being defined at least in part by said upper housing section to let flow pass out of said upper housing section; said housing being rotatably mountable in said body to control total volume flow and connectable to means for rotating said housing; said temperature control valve means being connectable to adjustment means for controlling said temperature control valve means. |
| 49. | A rotatable modular housing as defined in claim 48 further characterized by: said lower housing section having a proportioning valve means for proportioning the flow through said first and second supply ports in response to the pressures therein. |
| 50. | A modular proportioning valve characterized by: an inner spool piston slidably mounted in an outer spool; said outer spool sealingly mounted in a cavity in a lower housing section; said lower housing section having means for seating an upper housing section of a mixing valve; said lower housing section having means for fixedly securing a valve plate thereto; said valve plate having first and second inlets leading to a first and second passage defined by said lower housing, inner spool piston, and outer spool and having a downstream end positioned to be in communication with said upper housing. |
| 51. | A stem for a mixing valve, said stem characterized by: a central aperture for receiving a temperature control stem; a bottom end keyed so that it is non rotatably connected to a rotatable housing within a mixing valve body; a section adapted to be keyed to a volume control handle. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to thermostatically controlled faucets, and more particularly to thermostati¬ cally controlled faucets with pressure balance and volume control features incorporated therein.
DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
Single handle faucets have become commonplace in today's plumbing market. However, many compromises have been essential to keep the cost of faucets reasonable. Often, faucets come without pressure balance valves. The lack of a pressure balance valve results in rapid change of water temperature if either the hot water supply or the cold water supply pressure drops. The pressure drop can occur if another faucet, a dishwasher, or washing machine is turned on, or a toilet is flushed. When either- the cold or hot water supply pressure changes, extreme discomfort can result if a person is taking a shower.
Furthermore, many valves have been designed without a thermostatic control. Thermostatic control is needed to eliminate constant readjustment of the valve when the temperature of the hot water supply is constantly declin¬ ing or otherwise fluctuating. For example, if water pressure is constant on both the hot and cold sides but the hot water tank is running out of hot water and the hot water supply is cooling down, one must constantly adjust the valve more toward the hot to maintain the initially desired temperature.
Mixing valves have been constructed with thermostatic and pressure balance controls. Many of these mixing valves do not have any volume controls housed within the assembly and require separate volume controls either upstream or downstream from the mixing valve. Previous thermostatic mixing valves that have pressure balance and volume controls have been awkward and complicated.
What is needed is an easily assembled valve assembly which controls the total volumetric output, pressure balances the hot and cold water supply, and has a thermo¬ static control built therein which reduces the temperature fluctuation despite the gradual fluctuations of tempera¬ ture in the hot and cold water supply lines. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a mixing valve for fluids includes a housing having a cavity that defines a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber has an outlet and first and second inlets. The first inlet is usually for hot water and the second inlet is usually for cold water. A lever is mounted within the cavity having a first section forming a valve for the first inlet and a second section forming a valve for the second inlet. The lever is pivotally mounted about a fulcrum within said cavity. A thermally responsive element is mounted within the mixing chamber and operably connected to the lever. The thermally responsive element is responsive to temperature within the mixing chamber to pivot the lever to different positions. The different positions vary the proportion of flow from the first and second inlets into the mixing chamber to reduce the fluctuation from a preselected temperature within the mixing chamber.
Preferably, an adjustment mechanism is connected to the thermally responsive element such that the responsive element pivots the lever to vary the flow through the first and second inlets to the mixing chamber in accord¬ ance with an adjustable preselected temperature. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a rotatable cam that seats an end of the thermally responsive element. The opposite end of the thermally responsive element abuts the lever. Movement of the cam moves the element toward or away from the inlet and thus pivots the lever such that its first section opens or closes the first inlet and the second section closes or opens the second inlet, respectively.
In one embodiment, the fulcrum is axially positioned between the first and second inlets. The thermally respon¬ sive element and a spring are mounted on opposite sides of the fulcrum. The spring is positioned above the second inlet and biases the lever to close the second inlet. The thermally responsive element is positioned over the first inlet.
A baffle is mounted within the mixing chamber for directing fluid flow entering into the mixing chamber from the first and second inlets in a direction away from the thermally responsive element. The baffle includes a cover section for enclosing the lever and partitioning the mixing chamber into two sections; one containing the lever and another containing the thermally responsive element. The baffle preferably includes an aperture for εlidably receiving a base of the thermally responsive element. The base seats against the lever.
The baffle also has a port that receives the spring that seats against the lever. The port receives sub¬ stantially all fluid flow therethrough. Preferably, the spring is a coil spring passing through the port with coils of the spring acting as a mixer of the fluid from the first and second inlets. The port preferably has a tubular extension extending along a substantial length of the mixing chamber with a plurality of coils of the coil spring being positioned within the tubular extension. The tubular extension also has a slot facing the thermally responsive element for directing the mixed fluid flow exiting from the extension to the thermally responsive element.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a thermo¬ static mixing valve having a volume valve section mounted therewith that controls the total volumetric flow from first and second supply ports to the first and second inlets leading to the mixing chamber. The volume valve section has a volume control valve manually operable to slide against the first and second supply ports between an open position which aligns the first and second supply ports with the first and second inlets of the housing and a closed position which misaligns the first and second supply ports from the respective inlets leading to the mixing chamber. A proportioning valve preferably is interposed between the volume control valve and a thermo¬ static control valve mounted within the mixing chamber. The proportioning valve is responsive to the pressure to control the relative rates of flow through the first and second inlets.
Preferably the volume valve section is rigidly secured with the housing that defines the mixing chamber. The housing and volume valve section are rotatably slidable against the first and second supply ports by operation of a handle rigidly secured to the housing. The proportioning valve and the thermostatic control valve are mounted within the housing and rotate therewith.
In accordance- with another aspect of the invention, the mixing chamber has an outlet that is in fluid communi¬ cation with an annular discharge chamber that surrounds the valve section that mounts the volume valve and preferably houses the proportioning valve.
In this fashion, a simple and economical valve is constructed that can control the total volumetric flow independent of the temperature of the water through the mixing valve. Secondly, the valve has a proportioning balance mechanism which prevents undue fluctuations of temperature of the water due to pressure drops in either the cold or hot water supply lines. Thirdly, the valve has a thermostatic control mechanism which controls the flow of fluid to the mixing chamber from the first and second inlets based upon the temperature of the mixed fluid within the mixing chamber.
Furthermore, a baffle provides for adequate mixing of the fluids from the first and second inlets before the fluid comes into contact with the thermal responsive element within the mixing chamber. This baffle reduces the unnecessary fluctuations that can occur if the fluid is inadequately mixed before it abuts against the therm¬ ally responsive element.
In addition, the volume control valve is situated upstream from the proportioning valve such that when the volume control valve shuts off the water, the proportioning valve becomes inactive. This prevents the proportioning valve from unnecessarily shuttling back and forth in response to the pressures in the hot and cold water sup¬ plies when the volume control valve is off and it is unnecessary for the proportioning valve to function.
All the assemblies are mounted within a single modular housing assembly that can be easily attached to two supply lines and an outlet line. Complete control of the outlet water is thereby achieved by a single valve assembly that is economical and durable. The volume control valve is the shear type which does not use compression washers or plungers which allows for ease of maintenance and easy replacement of necessary seals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference now will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a segmented view of a valve assembly according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the valve assembly shown in Figure 1 with the operable handles and connecting escutcheon plate removed;
Figure 3 is an exploded top perspective view of the valve assembly mixing chamber parts;
Figure 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the adjustment control parts;
Figure 5 is a fragmented top perspective view of the valve housing top section;
Figure 6 is an exploded view of the housing lower section mounting the proportioning valve and volume valve;
Figure 7 is a lower perspective and partially broken view of the volume valve, lower body, and the housing
εhowing the passage from the mixing chamber to the annular discharge chamber in the lower body; and
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 in Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT . Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a thermally responsive mixing valve 10 has a valve body 11 with an external lower valve body section 12 amd upper body section 30. The lower body section 12 has two supply lines 14 and 16 and an outlet line 18. The supply lines and outlet line can be connected to a standard adapter 19 that has a cold inlet 21, hot inlet 23 and two outlets 25. Each supply line 14 and 16 has appropriately sized bores 22 and 24 at the downstream end to receive a spring and seal assemblies 26. The lower external valve body section 12 teleεcopically receives an upper body section 30 that is keyed in position by slots 35 and key 33. A seal ring 32 in groove 37 prevents leakage there¬ between. A locking bonnet 34 threadably engages external threads 36 on the lower section 12 to lock the upper section 30 thereto. The locking bonnet 34 also positions the escutcheon 39 about body section 12.
Referring to Figure 1, a valve housing 40 is rotatably mounted within the valve body 11. As clearly shown in Figures 3 and 6, the valve housing 40 includes a lower section 42 that has peripheral shoulders 43 and keys 45 upwardly extending therefrom. The valve housing 40 also includes an upper section 44 as clearly shown in Figure 5 that has slots 47 that are keyed to the lower keys 45. The lower portion 42 has at its lower end 46 a volume valve plate 48 rigidly connected thereto. Plate 48 has two inlets 50 and 52 which can be rotated such that both inlets 50 and 52 become misaligned, partially aligned or fully
aligned with the bores 22 and 24 of the supply lines 14 and 16 respectively. The plate 48 abuts the seal assemblies 26. Appropriate seal rings 56 are interposed between each inlet 50 and 52 and the valve housing lower section 42 to prevent leaking therebetween.
As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the valve housing lower section 42 has passages 58 and 60 leading to a first section 62 and a second section 64 respectively of a spool type proportioning valve 66. The spool type proportioning valve 66 has an outer spool 66 with five sealing rings 69 about its outer circumference to separate inlet passage 58, the inlet passage 60, the continuation passage 70 of inlet passage 58, and the continuation passage 72 of passage 60. The outer spool 68 also has axially spaced apertures 74, 76, 78 and 80 aligned with the respective passages 58, 60, 70 and 72. A piston 62 is εlidably mounted within the outer spool 68. The piston has two annular grooves 84 and 86.- The grooves 84 and 86 selectively communicate the passages 58 to 70 and 60 to 72 depending on the axial position of the piston 82. The piston 82 also has apertures 88 therethrough which communicate the grooves 84 and 86 to the internal section 89 to allow fluid from each passage 58 and 60 to exert pressure against the full croεε εectional area of each end of the piston 82.
Aε shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6, paεεageε 70 and 72 have inlet endε SO and 92 at the flat upper εurface 94 of the lower houεing section 42. The lower εection 42, for eaεe in manufacturing, is made from two halveε 96 and 98, each having a cavity 100 sized to receive the proportioning valve 66. Each half also has a flange 102 that receiveε thread faεteners 104 and nuts 105 to secure the two halves together. Each half 96 and 98 also has two upper prongs
106, each having a recess 108 such that when the halves are joined together, the recesseε 108 form apertureε 110 that pivotably receive fulcrum pinε 112 of a valve lever 114.
The upper portion 44 of houεing 40 defineε a mixing chamber 115 that houεes the thermostatic valve assembly 101. The valve lever 114 as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 8, has two lower valve surfaces 116 and 118 inclined with respect to each other such that when the lever pivotε about pinε 112, each valve εurface 116 and 118 can close inlet ends 90 or 92, reεpectivel . Lever 114 haε itε upper εurface forming a εeat 120. Seat 120 εeatε the lower end of coil spring 124 which haε itε upper endε εeated against the εeat 126 on the lower end of post 127 that is integral with upper portion 44 of valve housing 40. The spring 124 iε compressed between the lever 114 and εeat 126 such that it biases the lever 114 to close off inlet end 90 with valve εurface 116.
The thermoεtatic valve aεεembly 101 includeε a thermal¬ ly reεponεive element 130 as shown in Figures 1 and 3 that iε operably εeated againεt εeat 120 of lever 114 within the mixing chamber 115 on the opposite side of the pivot fulcrum 132 from the spring 124. The thermally responεive element 130 includeε a wax cartridge 131 of conventional conεtruc- tion. One εuitable cartridge iε model number 18110H by Calther . The wax cartridge haε a protruding pin 136 that iε εeated in a εliding base 134. The top of the wax cartridge 131 εeatε againεt a εpring overload aεεembly 140. The εpring overload aεεembly 140 includeε two coaxially mounted coil εpringε 142 and 144 interposed between εeatε 146 and 148 within cage 149. The coil εpringε 142 and 144 have a combined compreεεion rate εignificantly higher than coil spring 124. The upper εeat 148 has an extension post
150 extending upwardly therefrom and passing through aper¬ ture 151 in cage 149 and aperture 152 in the housing upper section 44.
Referring now to Figureε 1, 3 and 8, a baffle member 162 iε positioned in the mixing chamber 115 over the lever 114. The baffle member 162 has a first aperture 166 which εlidably receiveε the base 134. The baffle member 162 alεo haε a port 168 aligned above the cold water inlet end 90. The baffle 162 haε a width dimenεioned larger than the width of the lever to allow fluid to flow about the lever 16 from the inlet endε 90 and 92 to the port 166. A tubular extenεion 170 surrounds port 168 extending upwardly toward the top end of the wax cartridge 131.. A plurality of the coils 125 of coil spring 124 are positioned within the tubular extenεion 170. The upper end of the extension haε a slot 172 facing the wax cartridge 131 to allow water to flow from the εlot toward the wax cartridge 131.
The upper section 44 of the houεing 40 iε circular at its lower end while the baffle 162 and lower portion 42 have flattened εideε 171 and 173 such that outletε 174 aε εhown in Figureε 7 and 8 are provided which allow fluid to flow from the mixing chamber 115 out to an annular diεcharge chamber 175 εurroun ing lower houεing εection 42 within the valve body 12 which then leadε to the outlet line 18.
The adjuεtment control for the volume is illustrated in Figureε 1, 4 and 5. The top cylindrical flange 178 of upper houεing portion 44 iε keyed through εlot 190 to a key 192 of an annular handle stem 180 that can be εplined or keyed to a handle 181. Rotation of handle 181 rotateε the houεing 40 which in turn rotateε the valve plate 48 to control the volume of water flowing from the supply lines 14 and 16 through the valve houεing and out to the output line
18. Lug 194 extending from the annular flange 178 of houεing εection 44 iε interposed between two vertical splines 196 in the body εection 30 to limit the rotation of the housing 40.
The temperature adjustment control 179 iε also il- luεtrated in Figureε 1, 4 and 5. The outer end 154 of poεt 150 extendε into an arcuate εlot 156 in rotatable cam member 158. The εlot 156 has an inclined εurface 160 εuch that aε the member 158 rotateε it axially diεplaceε the poεt 152 and hence the thermally reεponεive aεεembly 130 downwardly toward the inlet end 92 or allows the thermally reεponεive aεεembly 130 to axially move upward away from the inlet end 92 while coil εpring 124 pivotε the lever 114 to maintain abutting contact between the lever, 114 and the thermally reεponεive member 130.
The cam member 158 iε attached for operable rotation to a control ste 182. The stem 182 includeε a hex landing 186 that fitε in a complementing receεε 188 in cam member 158. The εtem 182 exten ε upwardly through aperture 184 in handle εte 180 and can be εplined to a central control knob 183. The control knob 183 when rotated controls the poεition of the wax cartridge 131 which in turn controlε the temperature of the fluid within the mixing chamber aε deεcribed below. The two εhoulders 198 at the two ends of arcuate groove 156 limit the rotation of the εtem 182.
An optional thermal indicator can extend through apertureε 200 and 202 in cam member 58 and εtem 182 reεpec- tively. Furthermore, appropriate seals 204, 206 and 208 prevent leakage from valve houεing 40.
OPERATION OF THE VALVE
The valve houεing can be in an off poεition such that the valve plate 48 haε itε inlets 50 and 52 misaligned with the εupply lineε 14 and 16 and their accompanying boreε 22 and 24 εuch that εpring seal assemblies 26 abut againεt the
va ve plate 48. In this poεition, no water flows paεt the seal aεεe blieε 26. The handle εtem 180 can be rotated to rotate houεing 40 and volume valve plate 48 to allow fluid communication between inlet 50 and the cold water εupply line 14 and inlet 52 and hot water εupply line 16. The inlets 50 and 52 can be either selectively partially aligned or fully aligned depending upon how much volumetric flow is deεired to the outlet line 18. The inletε 50 and 52 have the εame size and are positioned to provide for the εame amount of partial alignment εi ultaneouεly.
Once the valve iε opened, cold and hot water reεpec- tively flow through paεεageε 58 and 60 to the appropriate apertureε 74 and 78 within εpool 68. The water pressure within the two supply lines act upon the piεton 82 to even the flow rate of the hot and cold water paεεing to the continuation paεεageε 70 and 72 if the preεεure in the two εupply lines 14 and 16 iε uneven.
Water paεεing through the continuation paεεageε 70 and 72 paεε into the mixing chamber 115 around the lever 114. The fluid flow is then directed up through the port 168 into the tubular extenεion 170 where the hot and cold water mix together with the help of turbulence created by the presence of the coils 125. The mixed water then flows through slot 172 toward the wax element 131. The wax element 131 responds to the ambient temperature of the mixed water to properly extend the pin 136 to a corresponding poεition. The water in mixing chamber 115 then flowε down through the outlets 174 at the lower end of the upper portion 44, through the annular diεcharge chamber 175, and out through the outlet line 18 to a tub εpout, εhower head or the like..
If the mixed water flowing into chamber 115 iε hotter than the wax cartridge 131, the wax cartridge heatε up and
puεheε pin 136 to an extended poεition * If, on the other hand, the mixed water flowing into chamber 115 iε colder than the wax cartridge 131, the wax cartridge cools down and retracts the pin 136.
The temperature adjustment control 179 iε adjuεted by the turning of the control εtem 182 which axially moveε the thermally reεponεive element 130 axially up or down toward or away from the inlet end 92. For example, if hotter water iε desired, the control εtem 182 iε rotated in a direction εuch that the poεt 150 extendε into the deeper part of εlot 156. The coil εpring 124 biaεeε the lever 114 and εhiftε the thermal reεponεive element upward. The valve surface 116 of lever 114 further reεtrictε inlet end 90 and valve εurface 118 moveε away from inlet 92 thereby creating a reεtriction on the cold water εide and allowing an increaεe in hot water to flow into the mixing chamber 115. The lever 114 pivots until any clearance between the wax cartridge 131 and the inclined εurface 160 of εlot 156 iε taken up.
Cn the other hand, if colder water iε deεired, the control εtem 162 iε turned εuch that the cam member 156 is rotated so that the inclined εurface 160 of groove 156 puεheε the wax element 131 toward the inlet end 92 and pivotε the lever 114 εuch that valve εurface 118 moveε toward the inlet end and reεtrictε the flow from the inlet end 90 into the mixing chamber 115. Becauεe the εpring aεεembly 140 haε a compression rate εignif icantly higher than the coil εpring 124, it doeε not co preεε but merely forceε the coil εpring 124 to compreεs.
The thermostatic valve aεεembly 101 within the mixing chamber 115 compensates for changes in temperature of the water within the hot or cold εupply line. For example, if the hot water line haε only lukewarm water in the beginning, and the temperature iε set for a warmer εetting, the combi¬ nation of the εhifted higher poεition of the wax element 131
and the semi-retracted poεition of pin 136 allows the coil εpring 124 to expand and pivot lever 114 to shut off the cold water inlet end 90 thereby allowing only the water from the hot supply line 16 to enter the mixing chamber 115 and pasε out through the outlet line 18. Aε the temperature in the hot water line εtartε to exceed the εet temperature, the wax element 131 heatε up and extendε poεt 136 εo that the lever 114 εtartε to pivot whereby the valve εurface 118 εtartε to reεtr ict the inlet end 92 and valve εurface 116 l iftε from and openε up inlet end 90 to allow cold water to en ter the mixing chamber 115 to mix with the hot water .
On the other hand , if the hot water within the εupply l ine 16 εtartε to cool down (for example, the water tank i ε r unning out ^ of hot water ) the wax cartridge 131 then contractε in response to the cooler mixed water and allows the coil εpring 124 to expand and pivot the lever 114 to reεtrict or cloεe off inlet 90 to reduce the cold water flow and openε up inlet end 92 to allow more hot water to flow into mixing chamber 115 to compensate for the lower hot water temperature.
The εpr ing over l oad aεεembly 140 iε normally in a r elaxed εtate- If , however , hot water haε been flowing through the mixing chamber 115, the wax cartridge 131 haε i tε pin 136 extended εo that the cartr idge 131 iε fully expanded between the incline εurface 160 of the groove 156 in cam member 158 and the lever 114, and if the control εtem 182 i ε then qui ckly rotated to the cold poεition: the aεεembly 140 can be co preεεed. The cam member 158 driveε the poεt 150 toward the lever 114, the lever 114 pivotε until the valve εurface 118 completely cloεeε off the inlet
end 92. The wax cartridge 131, however, iε εtill expanded due to itε inability to inεtantly contract from expoεure to the cold water. The overhead εpring aεεembly 140 then co preεseε to compensate for the extra length of the cartridge 131. Aε the wax cartridge 131 contracts in reεponεe to cold water within the mixing chamber 115, the εpring overload aεεembly 140 then expandε back to itε normal relaxed state.
If preεεure in the cold or hot water line εuddenly dropε, the proportioning valve 66 immediately reεpondε to thiε preεεure drop to maintain the εame comparative flow rateε through inlet endε 90 and 92 even though the preεεure within the εupply lineε 14 and 16 may radically change. The proportioning valve 66 preventε εudden temperature changeε due to preεsure changeε within the hot and cold εupply lineε that can be cauεed by diverεion of either εo e of the hot or cold water to a toilet, diεhwaεher, waεhing machine or another faucet.
The preεent invention provides a reliable and compact thermostatically controlled volume valve aεεembly with a preεεure balance valve in a single aεεembly. The mixing valve iε controlled by two coaxially mounted handles that are conveniently placed at the end of the valve aεεembly.
The thermoεtatic valve aεεembly iε eaεily constructed. A pivoting lever that iε controlled at each εide of itε fulcrum by a valve εpring and a thermally reεponεive wax element. The pivoting lever haε two valve surfaceε to control the flow of . hot and cold fluid. The temperature adjuεtment iε easily operable by use of an arcuate cam that can be rotated to its desired poεition.
A proportioning valve is houεed within the valve houεing for providing preεεure balance of the hot and cold
water supplieε. The proportioning valve iε mounted within a volume valve houεing that can be rotated within the valve body to control the total volumetric flow through the valve aεεembly. The houεing iε compactly structured with the mixed fluid doubling back and paεεing through an annular diεcharge chamber which surrounds the proportioning valve to an outlet at the εame side of the valve body aε the two water inletε.
Furthermore, the houεing containε the volume valve, proportioning valve and thermoεtatic control valve. The modular feature of the mixing valve provideε for ease in maintenance. The mixing valve can obtain new valve componentε by mere removal of the houεing and replacement with a. new houεing containing new valve componentε.
Variationε and odif icationε of the preεent invention are poεεible without departing from itε εpirit and scope aε defined by the appended clai ε.