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.

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 shower head that includes a stem, a spray head coupled to the stem and including a plurality of outlets for discharging water into at least one spray pattern, and a valve provided within one of the stem and the spray head. The valve has a body including a waterway located therein for water to flow through, and a flow control valve located within the body and configured to control the flow of water to the plurality of outlets. The shower head also includes an electric heater extending through at least a portion of the body of the valve and configured to heat at least a portion of the body to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms within the waterway.

Abstract: A faucet that includes a base, a spout, a valve body, a first flow control valve, a second flow control valve, and an electric heater. The valve body includes a first end section, a second end section having an outlet, and a center section provided between the end sections and including first and second inlets configured to receive cold and hot water, respectively. The first flow control valve is located within a first waterway of the valve body to control the flow of cold water, and the second flow control valve is located within a second waterway of the valve body to control the flow of hot water. The electric heater extends through the valve body and is configured to heat a surface defining at least a part of one of the first and second waterways of the valve body to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms therein.

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: A mixing valve includes a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and an outlet, first and second flow control valves for controlling the flow of hot and cold water. Each of the first and second flow control valves include a valve inlet, first and second valve outlets communicating with the outlet, and a valve member assembly to control the flow of water through the first and second valve outlets. Each valve member assembly includes a first valve member configured to engage with a first valve seat and a second valve member configured to engage with a second, separate, valve seat. The first valve member is configured to be urged closed by water entering through the valve inlet and the second valve member is configured to be urged open by water entering through the valve inlet such that water exerts substantially no net force on the valve members.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a body and a mixing valve within the body. The mixing valve includes a first linear actuator for controlling a first flow control valve within the mixing valve and a second linear actuator for controlling a second flow control valve within the mixing valve. A controller is located within the body and is configured to send control signals to control actuation of the linear actuators.

Abstract: A plumbing component includes a valve provided within a portion of the plumbing component and configured to control the flow of water through the plumbing component. The valve includes a body and at least one waterway within the body. An electric heater extends through at least a portion of the body of the valve and is configured to heat at least a portion of the body to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms within the waterway.

Abstract: A valve for a plumbing fixture includes an internal passageway configured to route fluid through the valve. The internal passageway includes a surface and at least a portion of the valve comprises a thermally-conductive material. The valve also includes an electric heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the thermally-conductive material to an elevated temperature sufficient to disinfect the surface.

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 method of disinfecting a valve configured for use as part of a water delivery system includes activating a heating element that is configured to heat a body of the valve to a temperature sufficient to kill organisms that may be present on internal surfaces of the valve, wherein the heating element and the valve are configured to be provided within the water delivery system.

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 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 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 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 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 mixing valve includes a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and an outlet, first and second flow control valves for controlling the flow of hot and cold water. Each of the first and second flow control valves include a valve inlet, first and second valve outlets communicating with the outlet, and a valve member assembly to control the flow of water through the first and second valve outlets. Each valve member assembly includes a first valve member configured to engage with a first valve seat and a second valve member configured to engage with a second, separate, valve seat. The first valve member is configured to be urged closed by water entering through the valve inlet and the second valve member is configured to be urged open by water entering through the valve inlet such that water exerts substantially no net force on the valve members.

Abstract: A faucet is configured to receive a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit. The faucet 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 faucet 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 valve for a plumbing fixture includes an internal passageway configured to route fluid through the valve. The internal passageway includes a surface and at least a portion of the valve comprises a thermally-conductive material. The valve also includes an electric heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the thermally-conductive material to an elevated temperature sufficient to disinfect the surface.