Abstract: A water control fixture for use in a water circulation system includes a housing having a plurality of ports defining a hot water inlet port, a bypass port, and a fixture outlet port, wherein water is dispensed via the fixture outlet port. The water control fixture includes at least one operating valve disposed in the housing for controlling a flow of water from the hot water inlet port to the fixture outlet port, and a bypass valve disposed in the housing for controlling a flow of water through a bypass path between the hot water inlet port and the bypass port. The bypass valve includes a valve unit in the bypass path of the water circulation system that is operable in a closed state, an open state, and a failed state. The valve unit restricts water flow through the bypass path in the closed state, the valve unit allows water flow through the bypass path in the open state, and the valve unit restricts water flow through the bypass path in the failed state.

Abstract: A modular multistage pump assembly includes a volute having a suction side and a pressure side, a pump stack having at least one stage, and a modular flange coupled to each of the volute and the pump stack.

Abstract: A universal coupling assembly is provided including a housing having an inner bore that extends along an axis through a fluid port and a flange formed integral with the housing and the inner bore. The flange extends radially outward from the axis and has a mating surface. A nipple extends from the flange along the axis toward the fluid port. The nipple has a mating interface at an end thereof, and the nipple has a junction portion extending at least partially about the nipple and located between the mating interface and the flange. The junction portion and the mating interface are configured to receive at least two different types of interchangeable fittings based on a type of mating joint, and the junction portion is matable with one of a flange fitting, a threaded union fitting, a sweat fitting, an NPT fitting, and a barb fitting.

Abstract: A water control fixture configured to be fluidly coupled to a cold water supply line and a hot water supply line of a water circulating system includes a housing having a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and an outlet. The fixture also includes at least one operating valve disposed in the housing for controlling the flow of water from the cold water inlet and from the hot water inlet to the outlet, and a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in the housing. The bypass valve is configured to bypass water from the hot water inlet to the cold water inlet based on a temperature of the water at the hot water inlet.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a bypass valve with an inlet and an outlet that permits recirculating flow of water from a hot water line of the water circulation system. The valve assembly also includes a shut- off valve with a valve body having a hot water inlet and a hot water outlet configured to be coupled to a fixture of the water circulation system. The shut-off valve is located proximate the fixture and operating in an open position allowing water to flow to the hot water outlet and a closed position restricting water from flowing to the hot water outlet. The shut-off valve is configured to move automatically from the open position to the closed position in a controlled manner to limit discharge, from the hot water outlet, of water having a temperature below a desired level.

Abstract: A pump assembly is configured to fit to a predefined pipe layout defined by supply and discharge interfaces that are positioned in a predefined relation to supply and discharged centerlines, respectively. The pump assembly includes a multistage pump having a plurality of pumping stages mounted along a pump shaft rotating along a rotation axis. The multistage pump has an inlet port and a discharge port, and the multistage pump is aligned horizontally such that the rotation axis is oriented parallel to the supply centerline. The pump assembly also includes an adaptor having a pump interface and a pipe interface, wherein the adaptor has an internal fluid channel extending along a non-linear passageway between the pump and pipe interfaces. The pump interface is coupled to one of the inlet and discharge ports of the multistage pump, and the pipe interface is located proximate one of the supply and discharge interfaces.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes a pump housing, a motor coupled to the pump housing being operated to drive fluid through the pump housing, and a control module operatively coupled to the motor. The control module has a power connector with power contacts, where the power connector has a plug interface. The pump assembly also includes first and second plug assemblies configured to be selectively coupled to the power connector. The first and second plug assemblies have first and second mating interfaces both configured to mate with the plug interface of the power connector. The first plug assembly includes a line cord having a pump plug at one end of the line cord and an outlet plug at an opposite end of the line cord. The second plug assembly includes a conduit box having plug contacts configured to be field wired to a power cable within the conduit box.

Abstract: An electrolysis-resistant coupling assembly for connection with a line fitting of a fluid line includes a fitting having a first mating surface and having an aperture extending therethrough, wherein the fitting is configured to be aligned with and face the line fitting for coupling thereto. The assembly also includes a coupler having one end provided with an outer coupler flange, the fitting being loaded onto the coupler such that the outer coupler flange passes through the aperture. The assembly also includes a substantially non-compressible, electrically non-conductive rigid captive ring. The captive ring is positioned against the outer coupler flange and interposed between the fitting and the coupler to provide electrical separation between the fitting and the coupler, wherein the fitting is held against the captive ring when the fitting is interconnected with the line fitting.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes a permanent magnet motor having a stator with coil windings, a rotor assembly having a shaft and an impeller attached to the shaft, with the shaft being driven by the stator and the impeller driving fluid through the pump assembly, and a control module having a controller and a user interface. The controller measures characteristics of the stator, the controller determines at least one of the flow rate and the pressure of the fluid moved through the pump assembly based on the characteristics measured, and the user interface is configured to display an output representative of the flow rate. A method of operating a pump includes the steps of measuring at least one operating characteristic of the pump utilizing the controller integrated with the pump, determining a flow characteristic of the pump based on the at least one measured operating characteristic, and displaying the determined flow characteristic on a user interface integrated with the pump.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a bypass valve with an inlet and an outlet that permits recirculating flow of water from a hot water line of the water circulation system. The valve assembly also includes a shut-off valve with a valve body having a hot water inlet and a hot water outlet configured to be coupled to a fixture of the water circulation system. The shut-off valve is located proximate the fixture and operating in an open position allowing water to flow to the hot water outlet and a closed position restricting water from flowing to the hot water outlet. The shut-off valve is configured to move automatically from the open position to the closed position in a controlled manner to limit discharge, from the hot water outlet, of water having a temperature below a desired level.

Abstract: An universal fluid coupling assembly is provided that includes a coupler housing that has an inner bore extending along an axis of, and opening onto a mating end of, the coupler housing. The coupler housing has an outer perimeter that includes an outer coupler flange that extends about the outer perimeter and that is located proximate to the mating end. The outer coupler flange has a periphery that follows a predetermined circumferential envelope and that has at least one discontinuity therein to define a blank area in the envelope. The assembly further includes a fitting member with an aperture there through. The aperture has an inner diameter that is smaller than the circumferential envelope of the outer coupler flange. The fitting member is loaded over the outer coupler flange onto the outer perimeter of the coupler housing by orienting the fitting member in a non-orthogonal relation with the coupler housing such that the outer coupler flange passes through the aperture.

Abstract: An electrolysis-resistant coupling assembly for a valve within a fluid line. A line flange within the line includes a first mating surface and a fluid passageway therethrough. A valve flange downstream from the line flange includes a second mating surface. The valve flange has an aperture passing therethrough with first and second bores forming a lip. A valve coupler has an upstream end provided with a coupler flange having a third bore. A substantially non-compressible, non-metallic captive ring is interposed between the lip, and the flange and body of the valve coupler. Bolts and nuts assemble the valve flange to the line flange with a gasket therebetween, compressing the lip against the captive ring and the coupler flange. The valve is either sweat fitted or threadably attached to the downstream end of the valve coupler. Various configurations for the valve flange, the captive ring, and the valve coupler are disclosed.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes a manifold having an inlet port configured to be coupled to a supply pipe and an outlet port configured to be coupled to a discharge pipe. The pump assembly also includes a cartridge having a pump stack including a plurality of pumping stages. Each pumping stage includes an impeller. The cartridge extends between a first end and a second end. The first end is removably coupled to the manifold. A carrier assembly supports the cartridge. The carrier assembly moves the cartridge between an advanced position and a retracted position. The cartridge engages the manifold in the advanced position and the cartridge is disengaged from the manifold in the retracted position. Optionally, the carrier assembly may include a support frame and at least one rail. The support frame is slidable along the rail and the cartridge is supported by the support frame.

Abstract: A multistage pump assembly includes a manifold having an inlet port configured to be coupled to a supply pipe and an outlet port configured to be coupled to a discharge pipe. The inlet and outlet ports define an end suction, radial outlet port configuration. The pump assembly also includes a cartridge having a sleeve and plurality of pumping stages that define a pump stack received within the sleeve. An outer chamber is defined between the pump stack and the sleeve. Each of the pumping stages includes an impeller mounted along a pump shaft that rotates about a rotation axis. The cartridge is aligned horizontally such that the rotation axis is substantially horizontal. An end plate is positioned between the manifold and the cartridge and includes at least one cartridge engagement surface supporting the cartridge. The end plate is removably coupled to the manifold.

Abstract: A thermostatically controlled bypass valve includes a housing having a first inlet port and a first discharge port located proximate to one another, wherein the first inlet port is configured to receive hot water, and the first discharge port is configured to discharge the hot water. The housing has a second inlet port and a second discharge port located proximate to one another, wherein the second inlet port is configured to receive cold water, and the second discharge port is configured to discharge the cold water. The first and second inlet and discharge ports are formed integral with one another as part of the housing, and the housing includes a passage permitting recirculating flow between the first and second inlet ports. A thermally sensitive actuating member is disposed in a chamber in the housing, wherein the thermally sensitive actuating member extends when heated and contracts when cooled.

Abstract: A water control fixture having an operating valve and a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in the fixture for bypassing water away from the fixture until the water temperature reaches a desired level. When pressurized water from the hot water heater reaches the desired temperature level at the fixture, the bypass valve closes and hot water is made available to the fixture. The bypass valve has a thermal actuator element that is thermally responsive to the temperature of the water. The fixture can have a housing with an interior chamber for operatively receiving the bypass valve. Various passages or channels can be provided to facilitate communication between the bypass valve and the water supply lines. Alternatively, the bypass valve can be positioned in the operating valve, including the moveable ball and the replaceable cylindrical valving cartridge types. A system using the in-fixture bypass valve is also provided.

Abstract: A water circulating system including a water control fixture having an operating valve and a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in the fixture for bypassing water away from the fixture until the water temperature reaches a desired level. When pressurized water from the hot water heater reaches the desired temperature level at the fixture, the bypass valve closes and hot water is made available to the fixture. The bypass valve has a thermal actuator element that is thermally responsive to the temperature of the water. The fixture can have a housing with an interior chamber for operatively receiving the bypass valve. Various passages or channels can be provided to facilitate communication between the bypass valve and the water supply lines. Alternatively, the bypass valve can be positioned in the operating valve, which can include the moveable ball or replaceable cylindrical valving cartridge types of valves.