Patents by Inventor Ken Lum
Ken Lum has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9170584Abstract: A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a valve body defining a bypass passage between a hot water side and a cold water side of the valve body. The bypass passage has a valve seat therein. A bypass valve is received within the bypass passage. The bypass valve restricts the flow of water through the bypass passage based on a temperature of the water in the bypass passage. The bypass valve is variably positionable with respect to the valve seat to control a bypass shut-off temperature of the water.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Ken Lum, Dale Kempf
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Patent number: 9139985Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: GRUNDFOS PUMPS CORPORATIONInventors: Ken Lum, Dale Kempf
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Patent number: 8820652Abstract: A bypass valve includes a housing having a hot water port configured to communicate with a hot water supply line and a return port configured to discharge water from the housing for recirculation to a hot water source. The housing has a passage permitting recirculating flow between the hot water port and the return port. A valve member is operable to allow and restrict recirculating flow through the passage. The valve member restricts water flow through the passage in a failed state.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
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Patent number: 8820653Abstract: A water control fixture includes a fixture body in fluid communication with a pressurized supply of hot water and a pressurized supply of cold water. The fixture body interconnects the supply of hot water and the supply of cold water. The fixture body has a spout outlet configured to dispense water from the fixture body. At least one operating valve is coupled to the fixture body for controlling a flow of water to the spout outlet. A bypass valve is disposed in the fixture body for controlling a recirculating flow of water through the fixture body. The bypass valve blocks and permits recirculating flow from the supply of hot water to the supply of cold water based on a temperature of the water.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Inventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
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Publication number: 20140034166Abstract: A water control valve assembly includes a valve manifold having a mixing chamber for mixing water from a supply of hot water and a supply of cold water. The valve manifold has a water control element controlling the flow of water from the mixing chamber to a discharge port of the valve manifold. A thermostatically controlled bypass valve is in fluid communication with the valve manifold, wherein the bypass valve is configured to bypass water from the supply of hot water to the supply of cold water.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
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Publication number: 20130299010Abstract: A water control fixture includes a fixture body in fluid communication with a pressurized supply of hot water and a pressurized supply of cold water. The fixture body interconnects the supply of hot water and the supply of cold water. The fixture body has a spout outlet configured to dispense water from the fixture body. At least one operating valve is coupled to the fixture body for controlling a flow of water to the spout outlet. A bypass valve is disposed in the fixture body for controlling a recirculating flow of water through the fixture body. The bypass valve blocks and permits recirculating flow from the supply of hot water to the supply of cold water based on a temperature of the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: Grundfos Pumps Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Ken Lum, Dale Kempf
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Publication number: 20130240053Abstract: A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a valve body defining a bypass passage between a hot water side and a cold water side of the valve body. The bypass passage has a valve seat therein. A bypass valve is received within the bypass passage. The bypass valve restricts the flow of water through the bypass passage based on a temperature of the water in the bypass passage. The bypass valve is variably positionable with respect to the valve seat to control a bypass shut-off temperature of the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Ken Lum, Dale Kempf
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Patent number: 8522814Abstract: A water control valve assembly includes a valve manifold having a mixing chamber for mixing water from a supply of hot water and a supply of cold water. The valve manifold has a water control element controlling the flow of water from the mixing chamber to a discharge port of the valve manifold. A thermostatically controlled bypass valve is in fluid communication with the valve manifold, wherein the bypass valve is configured to bypass water from the supply of hot water to the supply of cold water.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
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Patent number: 8505830Abstract: A water control fixture includes a fixture body in fluid communication with a pressurized supply of hot water and a pressurized supply of cold water. The fixture body interconnects the supply of hot water and the supply of cold water. The fixture body has a spout outlet configured to dispense water from the fixture body. At least one operating valve is coupled to the fixture body for controlling a flow of water to the spout outlet. A bypass valve is disposed in the fixture body for controlling a recirculating flow of water through the fixture body. The bypass valve blocks and permits recirculating flow from the supply of hot water to the supply of cold water based on a temperature of the water.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Grundfos Pumps Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
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Publication number: 20130180611Abstract: A water control fixture includes a housing having a plurality of ports defining a hot water inlet port, a cold water port, a fixture outlet port, and an auxiliary port. A flow control unit is configured to be selectively positioned in fluid communication with different combinations of the plurality of ports, wherein the flow control unit has a main passage in fluid communication with the hot water inlet port, the cold water port, and the fixture outlet port. The flow control unit controls the flow of water from the hot water inlet port and the cold water port to the fixture outlet port. The flow control unit has an auxiliary passage in fluid communication with the auxiliary port and at least one of the hot water inlet port, the cold water port, and the fixture outlet port to perform an auxiliary function.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Ken Lum, Dale Kempf
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Patent number: 8434510Abstract: A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a valve body defining a bypass passage between a hot water side and a cold water side of the valve body. The bypass passage has a valve seat therein. A bypass valve is received within the bypass passage. The bypass valve restricts the flow of water through the bypass passage based on a temperature of the water in the bypass passage. The bypass valve is variably positionable with respect to the valve seat to control a bypass shut-off temperature of the water.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Ken Lum, Dale Kempf
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Publication number: 20120325918Abstract: A bypass valve includes a housing having a hot water port configured to communicate with a hot water supply line and a return port configured to discharge water from the housing for recirculation to a hot water source. The housing has a passage permitting recirculating flow between the hot water port and the return port. A valve member is operable to allow and restrict recirculating flow through the passage. The valve member restricts water flow through the passage in a failed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
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Publication number: 20120222757Abstract: A water control fixture includes a fixture body in fluid communication with a pressurized supply of hot water and a pressurized supply of cold water. The fixture body interconnects the supply of hot water and the supply of cold water. The fixture body has a spout outlet configured to dispense water from the fixture body. At least one operating valve is coupled to the fixture body for controlling a flow of water to the spout outlet. A bypass valve is disposed in the fixture body for controlling a recirculating flow of water through the fixture body. The bypass valve blocks and permits recirculating flow from the supply of hot water to the supply of cold water based on a temperature of the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2011Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: GRUNDFOS PUMPS MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONInventors: DALE KEMPF, KEN LUM
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Patent number: 8231146Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2010Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventor: Ken Lum
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Patent number: 8231064Abstract: A water control fixture includes a housing having a plurality of ports defining a hot water inlet port, a cold water port, a fixture outlet port, and an auxiliary port, wherein water is dispensed from the housing via the fixture outlet port. A flow control unit is configured to be selectively positioned in fluid communication with different combinations of the plurality of ports, wherein the flow control unit has a main passage in fluid communication with the hot water inlet port, the cold water port, and the fixture outlet port. The flow control unit controls the flow of water from the hot water inlet port and the cold water port to the fixture outlet port. The flow control unit has an auxiliary passage in fluid communication with the auxiliary port and at least one of the hot water inlet port, the cold water port, and the fixture outlet port to perform an auxiliary function.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Ken Lum, Dale Kempf
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Patent number: 8210441Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
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Patent number: 8091793Abstract: A faucet has a fixture body in fluid communication with a pressurized supply of hot water. The fixture body has a spout outlet configured to dispense water from the fixture body. At least one operating valve is coupled to the fixture body for controlling a flow of water to the spout outlet. A bypass valve is disposed in the fixture body for controlling a recirculating flow of water through the fixture body, where the bypass valve changes state when heated and when cooled to block and permit the recirculating flow of water based on a temperature of the water.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Grundfos Pumps Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
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Publication number: 20110259445Abstract: A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a valve body defining a bypass passage between a hot water side and a cold water side of the valve body. The bypass passage has a valve seat therein. A bypass valve is received within the bypass passage. The bypass valve restricts the flow of water through the bypass passage based on a temperature of the water in the bypass passage. The bypass valve is variably positionable with respect to the valve seat to control a bypass shut-off temperature of the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GRUNDFOS PUMPS CORPORATIONInventors: KEN LUM, DALE KEMPF
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Patent number: 7971601Abstract: A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a valve body defining a bypass passage between a hot water side and a cold water side of the valve body. The bypass passage has a valve seat therein. A bypass valve is received within the bypass passage. The bypass valve restricts the flow of water through the bypass passage based on a temperature of the water in the bypass passage. The bypass valve is variably positionable with respect to the valve seat to control a bypass shut-off temperature of the water.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Ken Lum, Dale Kempf
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Publication number: 20110132989Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: GRUNDFOS PUMP CORPORATIONInventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum