Tubular Valve Member Patents (Class 236/12.2)
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Publication number: 20080093469Abstract: A mixing valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having a hot fluid inlet (14), a cold fluid inlet (16), a mixed fluid outlet (18), and a cavity (20) in the valve body (12) between the inlets (14, 16) and the outlet (18). Mixing valve (10) includes a liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) positioned in valve body (12) and a valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) movable therein between a first position restricting the flow of hot fluid and a second position. Liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) includes a downstream valve seat (74, 174, 274, 474, 574, 674, 774) that, when engaged by valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840), restricts flow of hot fluid past valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2004Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
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Patent number: 7344088Abstract: A dual-function valve with pressure adjustment and temperature control functions comprises a valve body having a first cool water inlet, a first hot water inlet, two first mixing water outlets, a first chamber and a second chamber; the first chamber and second chamber being communicated by a second cool water channel and a second hot water channel; the second chamber being communicated to the first mixing water outlets through a water outlet channel; a pressure balance device for adjusting the water pressures of hot water and cool water; the pressure balance device being installed in the first chamber; and a temperature control device installed in the second chamber; the temperature control device adjusting the amount of water flowing into the second chamber by expansion and contraction of the mixing water of hot water and cold water; and the temperature control device being connected to the first chamber in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Inventor: Tzai-Jen Yang
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Patent number: 7240850Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for hot and cold water has two-stage inlet chambers for the hot and cold water flows respectively. The inlet chambers distribute the flows uniformly with respect to porting for admitting the flows to the mixing chamber to reduce asymmetric flow patterns and promote thorough mixing of the flows within the mixing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Kohler Mira LimitedInventors: Nicholas John Beck, Sean Patrick Conway, Bruce Lewin John Hayward, Kevin Taylor Peel
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Patent number: 7191954Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve is configured to produce a mixed fluid of a particular temperature from a first fluid of a temperature higher than or equal to the particular temperature and a second fluid of a temperature lower than or equal to the particular temperature. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve also includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Magarl, LLCInventor: Kevin B. Kline
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Patent number: 7163157Abstract: An automatic compensating valve, e.g., for individual shower and tub/shower combination fixtures, has a valve body defining cold and hot water inlet flow passageways, a mixing chamber, a mixed temperate water outlet flow passageway, and an axial bore. The valve includes a plunger that defines, with other elements of the valve, a first orifice for communication of the cold water inlet with said mixing chamber and a second orifice for communication of hot water inlet with mixing chamber. The plunger is mounted within a mixing subassembly for axial movement within the bore, including in response to temperature of water within the mixing chamber to vary the ratio of flow of cold water through the first orifice to flow of hot water through the second orifice. The first orifice and the second orifice are arranged for flow of water transverse to axial movement of the plunger within the bore.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.Inventors: Zoltan Goncze, James C. Graves
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Patent number: 7086602Abstract: A valve includes a housing having an inlet opening and an inlet orifice for receiving cold and hot water, a barrel slidably received in the housing and movable to control the cold and the hot water to flow into the housing. A stem is secured to the barrel and shortenable and lengthenable by different water temperature, to control the flowing of the cold and the hot water into the housing. A conduit is secured to the housing and a spring is received in the conduit, to bias against the stem. The conduit includes a passage to allow the water to flow in and out of the conduit, and to allow the spring to be quickly shortened and lengthened by different water temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Inventor: Tsai Chen Yang
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Patent number: 7080790Abstract: A cartridge intended for insertion in a sanitary fitting contains a control disk rotated with respect to a fixed distributor disk. The cartridge contains a thermostatic valve. The disk control formed by the two disks constitutes both a quantity control and a switching device between at least two and preferably three outlets.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Hansgrohe AGInventor: Werner Lorch
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Patent number: 7073725Abstract: A mixer tap for a shower has a body 1, with a cold water pipe connection 2, a hot water pipe connection 3 and a mixed water outlet connection 4. A flow control knob 5 and a water temperature control knob 6 are provided at the front of the tap. The tap has a flow mixer cartridge 11, which is sealed in a cavity 12 in the body. The collar has three sealing grooves 15,16,17 carrying O-rings 115,116,117. To one side, of the oblique groove 16, the collar has a cold water port 22; whilst to the other side it has a hot water port 23. These ports are in communication with the cold and hot water connections 2,3 in the body. The connections are able to be axially aligned with each other, since the ports 22,23 are offset and isolated from each other by the oblique seal.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2001Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Valquest LimitedInventor: Jeremy Philip Swadling
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Patent number: 6988669Abstract: The invention concerns a thermostatic mixer valve for hot and cold water, which comprises a rotary delivery regulator device (15), a thermostatic bulb (17) positioned coaxially to said regulator device, and a mixer control device (16) working in conjunction with the thermostatic bulb. The delivery regulator device (15) and the mixer control device (16) with relative thermostatic bulb (17) are assembled and housed ready to operate in a cartridge body (10) inserted as a whole in a tap body which has means of transporting hot and cold water towards a mixer chamber and means of delivering the water towards the user point.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Zipponi Rubinetterie di Nember OscarInventor: Oscar Nember
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Patent number: 6957778Abstract: A sanitary mixing unit (1), in particular for wall installation, has a cartridge (6) with an outer housing (12), a flow adjustment device, a temperature adjustment device and a thermostatic device, in which the flow adjustment device has a fixed valve disc (13) and a rotatable valve disc (14) which co-acts with the fixed valve disc. A sanitary mixing unit which is of simple and economical construction and in which a functional matching of the inlet connections for hot and cold water can be matched to the locations of the hot and cold water supplies is provided by an inner housing (15), which can be coaxially rotated relative to the outer housing (15) having the thermostat device arranged in it, the rotatable valve disc (14) being fixed to the inner housing (15) and the fixed valve disc being fixed to the outer housing (12).Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2001Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Ideal-Standard GmbH & Co. oHGInventors: Konrad Bergmann, Josef Ems
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Patent number: 6938827Abstract: In a mixing valve for cold and hot water with thermostatic control of the mixed-water temperature by a thermostat (4) that is connected with a tubular double valve slide (3a, 3b) that is positioned by a temperature selector (5) and that is held in a housing (1) having at least one cold-water inlet (10), one hot-water inlet (11), and one mixed-water outlet (12), the inlet ports (22 and 23) of the mixing valve of the double valve slide (31, 3b) being oppositely controlled at opposite ends, it is suggested that the double valve slide (3a, 3b) have an annular web (31, 31a, 30b) formed with a smaller-diameter partition sleeve (31) that is axially shiftable at least at its end in a bore (24, 26) and that downstream of the inlet ports (22 and 23) the hot water and cold water each flow through respective passages (301) opening into an annular mixing compartment (302) in the web (30, 30a, 30b), the mixing compartment (302) extending radially through the partition sleeve (31) such that exiting mixed water is directed tType: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Rohe Water Technology AG & Co. KGInventors: Frank-Thomas Luig, Kai Huck
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Patent number: 6935568Abstract: The cartridge comprises a body in which there is formed a mixed fluid chamber; a fixed disk; a movable disk; thermostatic regulation means including a regulation slide-valve and a thermostatic element which are mechanically connected to each other; and a single control lever for controlling the flowrate and the temperature of the mixed fluid and adapted to drive the movable disk in rotation and in translation and to move the thermostatic element inside the mixed fluid chamber. Cold fluid inlet passage and cold fluid return passage in the fixed disk extend approximately end-to-end in circumferential arcs with substantially equal radii and hot fluid inlet passage and the hot fluid return passage in the fixed disk extend approximately end-to-end in circumferential arcs with substantially equal radii. Application to the field of mixer taps.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Vernet S.A.Inventors: Christian Mace, Jean Chamot
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Patent number: 6926205Abstract: A water supply failure protection valve is connected to hot and cold water supplies. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of cold water supply pressure to shut off all water flow. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of hot water supply pressure to permit cold water flow through both a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path so as to ensure a substantial flow of water to a downstream fixture. The supply failure protection valve may be integrated with a thermal mixing valve to provide water at a preselected temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.Inventors: Gareth Peter Taylor, Jason Daniel Scharf
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Patent number: 6886755Abstract: A sanitary mixing unit (1), in particular for wall installation, has a thermostatic device with a thermostatic element (16), and an excess travel spring (40) and a return spring (41) which act on the thermostatic element (16). A a sanitary mixing unit which is of simple and economical construction and with a low installation depth may be provided by the excess travel spring (40) and the return spring (41) acting on the thermostatic element (16) in the same direction, such that, in the case of excess travel, the spring forces of the excess travel spring (40) and the return spring (41) are additive.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Ideal-Standard GmbH & Co. OHGInventors: Konrad Bergmann, Josef Ems
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Patent number: 6820816Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) for operation across a range of flow rates wherein during low pressure operation water enters the TVM (100) into chamber (157) around the circumference of the valve member (150) and cold valve seat (140) and hot water enters into chamber (158), the hot and cold water entering chamber (235) and becoming thoroughly mixed. At low pressure drops, the check valves (230) remain closed so the only pathway the mixed water can follow is through the sensing chamber (125) and the mixed water enters discharge portion (120) to the mixed water outlet (245), the flow path of the hot and cold water shown by pathways (255) and (260), the water becomes thoroughly mixed before entering the sensing chamber (225).Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: The Horne Engineering Co. Ltd.Inventor: William Reid
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Patent number: 6732937Abstract: A mixing valve includes a manifold, a temperature-responsive device, a first by-pass mechanism, and a second by-pass mechanism. The manifold defines a cold fluid inlet, a hot fluid inlet, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the cold fluid inlet and the hot fluid inlet, and a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the cold fluid inlet, the hot fluid inlet, and the fluid outlet. The temperature-responsive device is capable of regulating the relative volumes of flow from the fluid inlets to the mixing chamber. The first by-pass mechanism is responsive to the pressure of cold fluid flow in the manifold to allow cold fluid to flow between the cold fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The second by-pass mechanism is associated with the temperature-responsive device and is responsive to a temperature in the manifold to allow cold fluid to flow between the cold fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.Inventor: James C. Graves
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Publication number: 20040079809Abstract: A thermally responsive valve (1) for controlling the flow of fuel gas to a gas powered appliance for in turn maintaining the temperature of the gas powered appliance at a substantially constant predetermined temperature within a relatively narrow predetermined temperature range comprises a valve housing (2) defining a valving chamber (5). Fuel gas is delivered through an inlet port (13) to the valving chamber (5) and from the valving chamber (5) through an outlet port (17). A concave bi-metal valving disc (23) in the valving chamber (5) co-operates with a valving element (21) for modulating the flow of fuel gas through the inlet port (13) into the valving chamber (5) in response to the temperature of the valving disc (23).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Alfred Peter Oglesby, John Paul Oglesby, John Townsend, Michael John Griffin
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Publication number: 20040011879Abstract: A cartridge intended for insertion in a sanitary fitting contains a control disk rotated with respect to a fixed distributor disk. The cartridge contains a thermostatic valve. The disk control formed by the two disks constitutes both a quantity control and a switching device between at least two and preferably three outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventor: Werner Lorch
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Patent number: 6676025Abstract: A temperature-controlled mixer valve contains a disk control for determining the quantity of mixed water flowing out of the valve. To the disk control is connected a regulating unit, which determines the mixed water temperature. The control disk is movable with respect to the fixed distributor disk in a first degree of freedom for determining the mixed water quantity. By control disk movement in a second degree of freedom, the desired temperature of the thermostatic valve is modified.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Hansgrohe AGInventors: Gerhard Ginter, Andreas Ginter, Franz Wanner
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Publication number: 20030234295Abstract: The cartridge comprises a body in which there is formed a mixed fluid chamber; a fixed disk; a movable disk; thermostatic regulation means including a regulation slide-valve and a thermostatic element which are mechanically connected to each other; and a single control lever for controlling the flowrate and the temperature of the mixed fluid and adapted to drive the movable disk in rotation and in translation and to move the thermostatic element inside the mixed fluid chamber. Cold fluid inlet passage and cold fluid return passage in the fixed disk extend approximately end-to-end in circumferential arcs with substantially equal radii and hot fluid inlet passage and the hot fluid return passage in the fixed disk extend approximately end-to-end in circumferential arcs with substantially equal radii. Application to the field of mixer taps.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: Christian Mace, Jean Chamot
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Publication number: 20030197065Abstract: A mixing valve includes a manifold, a temperature-responsive device, a first by-pass mechanism, and a second by-pass mechanism. The manifold defines a cold fluid inlet, a hot fluid inlet, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the cold fluid inlet and the hot fluid inlet, and a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the cold fluid inlet, the hot fluid inlet, and the fluid outlet. The temperature-responsive device is capable of regulating the relative volumes of flow from the fluid inlets to the mixing chamber. The first by-pass mechanism is responsive to the pressure of cold fluid flow in the manifold to allow cold fluid to flow between the cold fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The second by-pass mechanism is associated with the temperature-responsive device and is responsive to a temperature in the manifold to allow cold fluid to flow between the cold fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Applicant: Watts Regulator Co., a Massachusetts corporationInventor: James C. Graves
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Publication number: 20030173410Abstract: A temperature-controlled mixer valve contains a disk control for determining the quantity of mixed water flowing out of the valve. To the disk control is connected a regulating unit, which determines the mixed water temperature. The control disk movable with respect to the fixed distributor disk can be moved in a first degree of freedom for determining the mixed water quantity. During the control disk movement in a second degree of freedom, the desired temperature of the thermostatic valve is modified.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Gerhard Ginter, Andreas Ginter, Franz Wanner
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Patent number: 6604687Abstract: A thermal control valve provides more accurate control of the valve outlet temperature for a high flow rate valve in a low flow rate environment. The valve utilizes a thermal motor to close the valve during high temperature operation and includes flow-directing element that restricts the flow of water through the valve at low pressures and directs the flow of water toward the thermal motor. The flow-directing encircles the thermal motor and is formed from a flexible material so that it expands under pressure of water flowing through the valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Marks Controls CorporationInventors: Zoltan Goncze, Jim Graves
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Patent number: 6585167Abstract: A thermostatic valve contains a hollow cylindrical valve element, each of whose two ends form an inlet port for hot or cold water. The mixed water formed by mixing hot and cold water strikes a temperature sensor which, as a function of the temperature, displaces the valve element to a greater or lesser extent. Within the valve element is located a mixing device, which divides the inflowing hot water into several flows, namely two radially directed flows and an axial flow flowing round the end of a sleeve. The radial parts of the hot water flow are encountered by an axial cold water flow. This leads to a particularly intimate mixing of hot and cold water before the temperature sensor is reached.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Hansgrohe AGInventors: Helmut Wolber, Stephan Gruhler, Franz Wanner, Werner Lorch
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Patent number: 6575377Abstract: A mixing valve includes a manifold, a temperature-responsive device, a first by-pass mechanism, and a second by-pass mechanism. The manifold defines a cold fluid inlet, a hot fluid inlet, a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the cold fluid inlet and the hot fluid inlet, and a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the cold fluid inlet, the hot fluid inlet, and the fluid outlet. The temperature-responsive device is capable of regulating the relative volumes of flow from the fluid inlets to the mixing chamber. The first by-pass mechanism is responsive to the pressure of cold fluid flow in the manifold to allow cold fluid to flow between the cold fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The second by-pass mechanism is associated with the temperature-responsive device and is responsive to a temperature in the manifold to allow cold fluid to flow between the cold fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.Inventor: James C. Graves
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Publication number: 20030089787Abstract: A thermal control valve provides more accurate control of the valve outlet temperature for a high flow rate valve in a low flow rate environment. The valve utilizes a thermal motor to close the valve during high temperature operation and includes flow-directing element that restricts the flow of water through the valve at low pressures and directs the flow of water toward the thermal motor. The flow-directing encircles the thermal motor and is formed from a flexible material so that it expands under pressure of water flowing through the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Zoltan Goncze, Jim Graves
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Patent number: 6557770Abstract: To obtain an exact regulation of temperature, a strong flow, and a moderate cost, the cartridge comprises a first disc having two transverse hot fluid passages and two transverse cold fluid passages as well as a groove, the base of which forms a seat for a regulating valve which is joined to a thermostatic element, and a second disc having two passages for hot and cold fluid respectively, and which is coupled and rotatable relative to the first disc, between a communicating position and a non-communicating position of the two hot fluid passages on the one hand and the two cold fluid passages on the other of the first disc. The cartridge may be used for thermostatic water mixer taps, in particular for sinks, washbasins, showers and bathtubs.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Vernet S.A.Inventors: Christian Mace, Jean Chamot
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Patent number: 6517006Abstract: Two flow control ceramic discs (22 and 24) for a thermostatic valve (10) have ports (30, 32, 38 and 40) to adjust water flow from a closed to a full open position. Ceramic disc (24) has a contoured opening (38 and 40) that has a wide section (84) and a narrow section (85) that provide regulation fields with significant different capacities of flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Masco CorporationInventor: Ing. Alfons Knapp
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Publication number: 20030019943Abstract: A valve element for mixing and flow-rate adjustment in faucets and the like, comprising a thermostat-controlled cartridge for adjusting the mixing between hot water and cold water which can be accommodated in a chamber formed in a faucet body and is provided with ports for connection to a cold water inlet duct and to a hot water inlet duct. A bushing for controlling the connecting ports is interposed between the thermostat-controlled cartridge and the chamber and is able to perform an axial translational motion in the chamber in order to adjust the flow-rate when a bonnet valve body of the thermostat-controlled cartridge is turned.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventor: Oscar Nember
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Patent number: 6484949Abstract: A dual control assembly for a shower fitting comprising a thermostatic valve in the form of a cartridge removably fitted in the mixing chamber of the fitting, and a flow rate valve, the two valves being operatively linked or coupled together, for example by a sleeve. The valves are co-axially aligned and provided with respective control knobs which are disposed at the same end of the shower fitting.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Bristan LimitedInventor: Frank Procter
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Patent number: 6471132Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve includes a body, inlets for intake of hot and cold water and a discharge outlet for delivery of mixed water. A mixing chamber is within the body and is defined by a perimeter wall member that houses a slide valve which slidably moves in the mixing chamber so as to control the opening and closing of the inlets to the mixing chamber. A thermostatic element is mounted to control motion of the slide valve. A partition is mounted in the mixing chamber between the inlets. A cross passage allows water from one inlet to pass the partition toward the discharge outlet. The mixing chamber has an inclined surface to direct water from the other inlet toward the cross passage to promote mixing of the hot and cold water.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Masco Corporation of IndianaInventor: Francesco Knapp
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Patent number: 6454175Abstract: A thermostatic valve contains a control system comprising two disks for the quantity control. One of the two disks is placed in fixed manner in the valve casing, whereas the second disk can be rotated. Each of the two disks contains an inlet opening for cold water and an inlet opening for hot water. These openings are made to coincide to a greater or lesser extent for the quantity control. In addition, each of the control disks contains a subdivided outlet opening for the mixed water leaving the valve. On rotating the valve there is also a modification of the flow cross-section of the outlet opening. This is also brought about by a greater or lesser coincidence of the openings.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Hansgrohe AGInventor: Werner Lorch
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Patent number: 6402041Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for controlling the flow of a fluid through a thermostatic faucet comprising a temperature control device (5) within the body of the faucet for controlling the outlet temperature of the fluid and comprising a thermosensitive element (3) and a flow control device (11) for controlling the flow from the faucet. The temperature control device includes a control knob (12) and the flow control device includes a control element (13). This control device is characterized in that the flow control device (11) is disposed downstream from the mixing chamber and controls the flow cross section of an outlet located downstream from the mixing chamber, and the control knob and control element are located on the same side of the body of the faucet that houses the control device, and on the opposite side from the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Eurotherm Watts, S.A.Inventors: Eddy Jelloul, Frédéric Regnier, Laurent Bongrand
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Patent number: 6382517Abstract: The invention relates to a device for equalizing the hot water and cold water pressures in a hot water faucet for sanitary use comprising, upstream from a thermostatic unit (200); a moving element (108) constituted by a membrane (109) whose plane determines the plane of symmetry of the chambers and a control rod (110) passing through the membrane (109) at its center, to which rod said membrane is attached, valves (111, 112) mounted on each of the two ends of the common control rod, which cooperate with seats (113, 114), means (115, 116) for translationally guiding the control rod, a nonreturn valve (117, 118) installed in each of the inlets of the chambers. This device is characterized in that the guiding means (115, 116) are located at each of the ends of the control rod and have guiding surfaces smaller than the cross section of the valve and/or the control rod.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Watts Eurotherm SAInventors: Christian Bommelaer, Laurent Bongrand
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Patent number: 6364210Abstract: A sanitary valve contains an inlet for cold water, an inlet for hot water and two outlets for mixed water. The valve contains a thermostat, which determines the mixed water temperature. For controlling the mixed water quantity leaving the valve a disk control is provided, which simultaneously forms a changeover device between the two outlets. For changeover purposes use is made of the actuator with which the quantity control is also implemented. On turning from the closed position in one direction one outlet is opened, whereas on turning in the opposite direction the other outlet is opened.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Hansgrohe AGInventor: Werner Lorch
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Patent number: 6360956Abstract: A temperature-actuated mixing valve for controlling outlet temperature in a fluid flow system including a valve housing having first and second inlets for introducing first and second respective supply fluids and an outlet. A shuttle assembly is positioned in the housing. A valve member is mounted within the housing and responds to the temperature of the supply fluids to vary their mixture ratio to dispense fluid at an outflow temperature. A shuttle member is positioned within the valve member, is moveable responsive to supply fluid temperature variation, and includes an elongate grip pad for manual removal of the shuttle member from the housing. A thermal actuator converts thermal energy into mechanical movement using a piston. A spring maintains the valve and shuttle members in a stationary condition relative to each other and permits movement of the shuttle member relative to the valve member for accommodating movement of the piston when the valve member has reached its limit of travel.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.Inventors: Gareth P. Taylor, Ralph T. Teague, Jr.
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Patent number: 6328219Abstract: A temperature-actuated mixing valve for controlling outlet temperature in a fluid flow system including a valve housing having first and second fluid supply inlets for introducing first and second respective supply fluids and a fluid outlet for dispensing a fluid at a predetermined outflow temperature. The mixing valve includes a shuttle assembly positioned in the housing. The shuttle assembly includes a valve member mounted for movement within the housing responsive to the temperature of the supply fluids to vary the mixture ratio of the first and second supply fluids as required to dispense fluid at the predetermined outflow temperature. A shuttle member is positioned within the valve member and is moveable as a unit therewith within a predetermined range of motion responsive to supply fluid temperature variation. A thermal actuator is provided of the type which converts thermal energy into mechanical movement by movement of a piston.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2000Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.Inventors: Gareth P. Taylor, Ralph T. Teague, Jr.
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Patent number: 6325295Abstract: A cartridge for a sanitary fitting contains within a cartridge casing a distributor, which can be rotated with the aid of a control grip. A rotation of the distributor leads to a rotation of a rotatable control disk of a disk control, which is replaceably placed in the cartridge casing. By replacing the disk control or only a single disk of the disk control, the valve characteristics can be modified. The cartridge has a compact construction and can be adapted to different functions.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Hansgrohe AGInventor: Werner Lorch
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Patent number: 6318638Abstract: In a hot and cold water mixing device, the slope in a medium-temperature range is gently, and the slopes in a low-temperature range and a high-temperature range are steep. When the target temperature of water mixture is set in the medium-temperature range, a combined biasing force of serially-arranged bias springs acts on a main shaft leftwards, a biasing force of a temperature-sensitive spring acts on the main shaft rightwards, and these biasing forces balance with each other so that the main shaft and valve elements are stopped. When a handle is turned to enter into the high-temperature range exceeding, e.g. 50° C., a slide shaft biases the main shaft leftwards only with the second bias spring. When the handle is turned to enter into the low-temperature range, e.g. below 30° C., the slide shaft biases the main shaft only with the first bias spring leftwards.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Inax CorporationInventors: Michio Banno, Mamoru Hashimoto, Toshio Kawachi
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Patent number: 6315210Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve is configured to produce a mixed fluid of a particular temperature from a first fluid of a temperature higher than or equal to the particular temperature and a second fluid of a temperature lower than or equal to the particular temperature. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve also includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
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Patent number: 6315209Abstract: A mixing valve includes a manifold defining a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, a temperature-controlled fluid outlet, and a cold fluid outlet. The cold fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the cold fluid outlet, and the cold fluid inlet and the hot fluid inlet are in fluid communication with the temperature-controlled fluid outlet. The manifold further defines a mixing chamber for mixing of cold fluid from the cold fluid inlet and hot fluid from the hot fluid inlet. Mixed fluid from the mixing chamber is delivered to the temperature-controlled fluid outlet. A temperature-controlled device associated with the hot fluid inlet controls the volume of flow from the hot fluid inlet to the mixing chamber. The mixing valve further includes a one-way check valve located between the hot fluid inlet and the cold fluid outlet for limiting flow of hot fluid to the cold fluid outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2000Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Watts Regulator CompanyInventor: Dale S. Tripp
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Patent number: 6279831Abstract: A thermostatic valve contains a control system, which can be actuated by a single operating member. It produces a connection between a cold water inlet and a hot water inlet on the one hand and a mixed water outlet on the other. The control system can in particular have two control disks, whereof one is constructed as a fixed control disk and the other as a rotatable control disk in contact therewith. The control system is designed in such a way that on opening initially only cold water flows out of the outlet. This is achieved in that a direct connection is formed between the cold water inlet and the mixed water outlet. Only on further opening the valve is it ensured that the direct connection is closed, so that the cold water must then flow through the thermostatic valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Hansgrohe AGInventor: Werner Lorch
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Patent number: 6250559Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve having an inlet valve closure sleeve whose position relative to cold and hot water inlet valve seats is controlled by a temperature sensitive expansion element located in a mixing chamber. The closure sleeve is formed with a center body defining an annular gap through which water from the cold water inlet is channeled onto a baffle surface at the entrance to the mixing chamber. Water from the hot water inlet is also directed onto the baffle surface for turbulent mixing with water from the cold water inlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Honeywell AGInventor: Erwin Knauss
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Patent number: 6237853Abstract: A sanitary fitting for attachment to a plumbing wall including a fitting body with a common supply housing, the common supply housing having an elongated shape with a hot water supply and a cold water supply which are positioned in a supply plane substantially perpendicular to the plumbing wall and a valve for closing and/or mixing water flowing through the sanitary fitting, the valve having an elongated shape and being located outside the supply housing underneath the supply plane and the common supply housing, where a lengthwise axis of the valve means extends substantially parallel to a lengthwise axis of the supply housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventor: Konrad Bergmann