Patents Assigned to Lawler Manufacturing Co., Inc.
  • Patent number: 6543478
    Abstract: Check valves for use in fluid conducting structures such as thermostatic mixing valves are provided. Illustratively, the fluid conducting structure provides a passageway defining an axis, and the check valve comprises a cap coupled to the structure, a seat disposed in the passageway and spaced apart from the cap, a valve member axially movable between a sealed position engaging the seat and an opened position spaced apart from the seat, and a spring urging the valve member to engage the seat, the spring being coupled to the valve member and the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 6315210
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 5379936
    Abstract: A fluid condition controlled mixing valve assembly includes a valve body having a warm fluid inlet, a relatively chilled fluid inlet, a fluid mixing chamber, and a fluid outlet in communication with the mixing chamber. A thermally responsive control member, or thermostat, is disposed within the mixing chamber. A cylindrical liner is situated within the valve body with openings for chilled fluid flow and warm fluid flow. Concentrically located piston and valve disc are connected through an actuator to the thermostat so that the piston and disc move according to the thermostat response to the fluid temperature in the mixing chamber. The piston controls flow through the fluid openings. The liner and the shuttle define primary and secondary passageways. Fluid flows through the primary passageway when the flow control member is in a normal operating condition, i.e., with substantial fluid flow through both inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 5323960
    Abstract: A thermostatic control valve assembly for use in continuously mixing a hot first fluid with a cold second fluid to continuously produce a mixed fluid at a constant temperature. The valve assembly includes an improved baffled mixing dome defining a mixing chamber that facilitates thorough mixing of the hot and cold fluids over a wide range of flow rates. Also included is an improved multiple response thermostat having a fast response rate adjacent to the entrance of the mixing dome for responding quickly to the temperature of fluid entering the mixing dome. The valve assembly further includes a piston/cylinder configuration which covers and uncovers internal passageways to control the mixed fluid temperature. The internal passageways are shaped to cause a non-linear change in the mixed fluid temperature in the mixing dome as the piston moves in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 5203496
    Abstract: A thermostatic control valve assembly for use in continuously mixing a hot first fluid with a cold second fluid to continuously produce a mixed fluid at a constant temperature. The valve assembly includes an improved mixing dome defining a mixing chamber that facilitates thorough mixing of the hot and cold fluids over a wide range of flow rates, including rates as low as two gallons per minute. The improved mixing performance is accomplished by a plurality of baffles sequentially disposed along the flow path within the mixing chamber. Each baffle defines an elongated opening which is angularly displaced from the elongated opening of the other baffles to turn the fluid flow, thereby optimally mixing the hot and cold fluids over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 5011074
    Abstract: A thermally controlled mixing valve assembly includes a valve body having a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, a fluid mixing chamber, and a fluid outlet in communication with the mixing chamber. A thermally responsive control member, or thermostat, is disposed within the mixing chamber. A cylindrical liner is situated within the valve body with slots for cold fluid flow and an opening at the bottom of the liner for hot fluid flow. Concentrically located piston and valve disc are connected through an actuator to the thermostat so that the piston and disc move according to the thermostat response to the fluid temperature in the mixing chamber. The piston controls flow through the cold fluid slots while the disc controls flow through the hot fluid opening in the liner. Also connected to the actuator is a back-seat which is situated opposite the valve disc across the hot fluid opening. A spring biases the back-seat, as well as the actuator assembly, upward against the downward motion of the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline