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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A water control fixture 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. At least one operating valve is disposed in the housing for controlling a flow of water from the hot water inlet port to the fixture outlet port. A bypass valve is disposed in the housing for controlling a flow of water from the hot water inlet port to the bypass port.

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 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.

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 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.

Abstract: 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.

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 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 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. At least one operating valve is disposed in the housing for controlling a flow of water from the hot water inlet port to the fixture outlet port. A bypass valve is disposed in the housing for controlling a flow of water from the hot water inlet port to the bypass port.

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 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 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.

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.