Abstract: A flow control valve includes a valve inlet configured to receive a fluid, a valve outlet configured to output the fluid, and a valve member assembly for controlling the fluid flow through the flow control valve. The valve member assembly and the valve inlet are configured such that, when in use, fluid flowing through the flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly.
Abstract: A method of performing a cleaning cycle for a water supply system having a valve. The method includes determining whether the cleaning cycle is necessary in a central controller located remotely from the water supply system; and when cleaning is necessary, sending a signal from the central controller to a local controller located within the water supply system to activate a heating element within the water supply system to heat an internal waterway of the water supply system to a temperature configured to clean the internal waterway.
Abstract: Apparatus and method for attaching a tap to a mounting surface (13) has a clamping assembly inserted through an aperture (11) in the mounting surface (13) and tightened from above the mounting surface (13). The clamping assembly has a pair of clamping arms (25, 27) that are mounted for pivotal movement from a collapsed position for passage through the aperture (11) to an operative position below the mounting surface (11). The clamping arms (25, 27) are operable on tightening the clamping assembly to engage in a first stage an underside of the mounting surface (13) remote from the fluid delivery device and to engage in a second stage a sidewall of the aperture (11) when continuing tightening. Thus a step change in an operating force is required that provides feedback to an installer that a required clamping force has been achieved.
Abstract: A mixing valve includes an inlet and a flow control valve that includes a valve member assembly having a first valve member coupled to a second valve member. The first and second valve members are spaced apart from each other and are configured to seal two separate outlets when the flow control valve is in a closed position. The mixing valve also includes a stepper motor configured to simultaneously move the first and second valve members to selectively seal or unseal the two separate outlets.
Abstract: A mixing valve includes a first inlet for receiving a first fluid, a second inlet for receiving a second fluid, and a mixing chamber having a fluid outlet for outputting the first fluid or the second fluid or a mixture thereof. The mixing valve includes a first flow control valve for controlling the flow of the first fluid into the mixing chamber and a second flow control valve, separate from the first flow control valve, for controlling the flow of the second fluid into the mixing chamber. At least one of the first or second flow control valve includes at least two separate outlets into the mixing chamber.
Abstract: A power operated valve for controlling fluid flow is provided with a fail-safe device responsive to failure of the power supply to the valve to shut-off fluid flow. A valve member is coupled to linear actuator for movement towards and away from a closed position for controlling fluid flow through the valve. The linear actuator is held in a control position by the fail-safe device for normal operation of the valve with the power supply on. The fail-safe device responds to failure of the power supply to release the linear actuator. When the linear actuator is released, energy stored n a spring while the linear actuator was held in the control position is released and biases the linear actuator away from the control position causing the valve member to move to the closed position to shut-off fluid flow.
Abstract: A shower head is configured to receive a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit, where the shower head includes a mixer valve within a portion thereof that is configured to receive a first fluid from the first fluid conduit and a second fluid from the second fluid conduit and to output the first fluid or the second fluid or a blend the first and second fluids to a shower head outlet.
Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a touchscreen user interface on a surface of a plumbing fixture. The touchscreen user interface is configured to allow a user to control at least one of the temperature or flow rate of a fluid exiting the plumbing fixture by controlling a mixing valve located within a body of the plumbing fixture.
Abstract: A system for remotely disinfecting plumbing fixtures includes a controller provided at a first location remote from a plumbing fixture and configured to control a heater provided within the plumbing fixture. The controller is further configured to activate the heater to heat at least a portion of the plumbing fixture to an elevated temperature.
Abstract: A system is provided for mounting a mixing valve on a support surface to connect the mixing valve (101) to supply pipes (109, 111) projecting from the support surface. The system includes a mounting plate (103) for securing to the support surface so that the supply pipes (109, 111) pass through openings in the mounting plate (103). Sleeves (159, 161) fit over the projecting ends of the supply pipes (109, 111) for reception in inlets of the mixing valve (101) to thereby compress the sleeves (159, 161) to grip and retain the pipes (109, 111) in the inlets. The mixing valve (101) is releasably secured to the mounting plate (103) allowing the mixing valve (101) to be detached and the sleeves (159, 161) and mounting plate (103) to be removed from the pipes (109, 111).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 21, 2011
Date of Patent:
August 23, 2016
Assignee:
KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
Inventors:
Nigel Paul Sansum, Richard William Dauncey, Christopher Ian Thompson
Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a body and a mixing valve provided within the body. The mixing valve includes a first inlet for receiving a first fluid, a second inlet for receiving a second fluid, and a mixing chamber having a fluid outlet for outputting the first fluid or the second fluid or a mixture thereof. The mixing valve includes a first flow control valve for controlling the flow of the first fluid into the mixing chamber and a second flow control valve, separate from the first flow control valve, for controlling the flow of the second fluid into the mixing chamber, wherein at least one of the first or second flow control valve includes at least two separate outlets into the mixing chamber.
Abstract: A method of controlling at least one of the flow rate or temperature of outlet water from a mixing valve having a first control valve configured to receive water at a first temperature and a second control valve configured to receive water at a second temperature higher than the first temperature includes moving at least one of the first or second flow control valves to output a flow of water from the mixing valve having at least one of a desired flow rate or temperature, wherein the force required to actuate the flow control valves is substantially independent of water flow.