Abstract: An improved structural arrangement of a pressure balancing valve of the type where flow between two unequal pressure flowing fluids introduced at the valve inlets is regulated to produce substantially equal pressure flowing fluids at its outlets.

Abstract: An improved foreign particle resistant valve assembly having a pressure responsive diaphragm main valve member activated by a pilot valve which controls flow through small orifice passages whereby pressure forces are created across the diaphragm main valve member to permit and prevent flow through the main flow section of the valve. Several arrangements illustrate various configured foreign particle-screening passages that protect the pilot valve orifice passages from blockage. The screening may be an integral part of the valve body or may be a removable member to facilitate cleaning or manufacture, and may be adapted to metallic or plastic valves. Other embodiments provide the means to enlarge a pilot pressure drop orifice passage which would then be less susceptible to foreign particle blockage and could also be combined with the screening passage means of the first embodiment.

Abstract: A pilot operated valve assembly having a pressure responsive valve member for opening and closing a main valve, the pilot valve actuator permits a very small operating force and a short actuation travel which is less than the stroke of the main valve member. Compactness and manufacturing economy is attained by the incorporation of an insert structure within a valve housing to facilitate the arrangement of pilot valve and bleed passages that operate the pressure responsive main valve member. Valve construction permits an axial in line arrangement of pilot valve actuator and main valve member to further achieve a compact valve size and to ease manufacturing assembly.

Abstract: A hot and cold water mixing valve to maintain the outlet water temperature at a preset level by using electronic sensors to actuate low voltage, pulse operated solenoid valves to regulate pressure in control passageways. The control passageway pressure differential across a drive diaphragm causes the diaphragm to move in response thereto to change the position of the main mixing valve. Minimum electrical energy is thus expended to regulate the temperature level.

Abstract: A flow modulating fluid control valve assembly utilizing a spring biased armature to directly operate a pilot passage in a main flow control valve. An electromagnetic coil assembly opens the valve by shifting the armature and its seal away from the pilot passage allowing the control valve to open and follow the armature until its seal again restricts the pilot passage and achieves a new force balance position for the control valve. Precise modulation is achieved by shaping the force vs. displacement curves for the electromagnetic assembly opening force acting on the armature and the same curve for the spring and other forces acting in a closing direction on the armature so they have substantially different slopes and intersect at a locus of points in the operating range of movement of the armature.

Abstract: A pilot operated flow modulating control valve with a pilot valve to incrementally control the position of the control valve and flow. The control valve has a closure valve for blocking flow through the valve and an oppositely acting but integral modulating valve that modulates flow through the control valve. An electromagnetic coil driven actuator has a pilot seal that modulates flow through a pilot passage in the control valve to effect following movement of the control valve. A relatively low voltage through the coil positions the control valve in its maximum flow position and a relatively high voltage through the coil moves the control valve in its modulating positions, minimizing inadvertent control valve instability from transient voltages or pressures when the valve is modulating.

Abstract: A pilot operated flow modulating control valve assembly with a pilot valve to initiate opening and closing of a main control valve, and a secondary valve for separately controlling pressure across the control valve to achieve its modulated positions.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve with a rotatable valve member offset from its outlet seat so it engages in a different position at each closure and requires less opening force.

Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid operated plastic bodied appliance inlet valve having the armature, poppet, spring, elastomeric valve seat and plastic armature guide installed as a sub-assembly onto the valve body and secured thereon in fluid pressure sealing arrangement by weldment of a plastic retainer thereon. The electro-magnetic coil and pole frame are installed as a separate assembly. In one embodiment the valve inlet has a metal insert retained in the body by insertion of a metal spring clip and the body closed by weldment of a plastic cover thereover. In another embodiment the insert is retained by an annular ring received over the insert and secured to the body by weldment. The metal insert receives a threaded compression-type tube fitting for attachment of the supply tube. Reaction torque on the insert from the tube fitting is absorbed by the valve mounting bracket which engages hexagonal surfaces on the exterior end of the metal insert.

Abstract: The freeze protection valve includes a molded plastic valve housing (A) including a peripheral wall (10) which defines an elongated recess (12) therein. The valve housing includes a first seating region (18) surrounding the elongated recess open end, a drain outlet (C) in fluid communication with the elongated recess, and at least one side fluid passage defining configuration (30). The side fluid passage defining configuration defines a first recess (32) having a wall portion (34) which is adapted to be cut through to provide one or more fluid passages (170) into the elongated recess. A first fitting assembly (60) includes a metal nipple (62) having a flange (64) peripherally therearound, a hold down plate (68), and a plurality of screws (70) for pressing the hold down plate and nipple flange in a fluid sealing relationship with the first or second seating region.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve having a single inlet and dual outlets. A lever means is pivotally disposed in a valving chamber and is provided with poppet means which upon movement of the lever alternately closes one outlet while the other outlet remains open. An external solenoid coil moves an armature disposed in said chamber which effects lever movement. One embodiment employs separate spaced poppets for each outlet and another embodiment employs a single poppet with opposing sealing faces for each outlet. Spring means biases said lever means against said armature means.

Abstract: The freeze protection valve includes a valve housing (A) which has a bore (20) through a lower wall portion (22) thereof to define a freeze drain outlet (B). A valve assembly (C) including a valve cup (50), a valving element (54), and a valve element biasing spring (56) is biased away from the valve housing lower wall portion by a valve cup spring (60). A thermal sensing assembly (D) including a thermal sensing element (82) which is disposed closely adjacent the valving element urges the valve assembly toward the lower wall portion as the temperature of fluid around the thermal element increases and allows the valve cup biasing spring to move the valving element away from the lower wall portion as the fluid around the thermal sensing element cools below a preselected temperature. In this manner, the valve assembly opens the freeze drain outlet in response to the fluid at the bottom of the valve housing adjacent the valve assembly dropping below a preselected temperature.

Abstract: A switchover valve (20) is employed within a heat pump system (10) including a heat exchanger coil (14) within a structure (18) to be heated and cooled, and a second heat exchanger coil (16) external of the structure and in fluid communication with the first coil. The system also includes a compressor (12) which circulates a refrigerant between the coils to effect a net heat transfer into or out of the structure. The switchover valve operates to selectively reverse the flow of refrigerant between the coils, depending upon the operating mode of the system. The valve comprises a body (64) defining inlet and suction ports (22 & 28) for interconnection with the compressor and two reversing valve ports (36 & 40) for interconnection with the coils, a solenoid (196) operated pilot valve (153) and a slave valve (121) for selectively interconnecting the inlet port with one of the reversing valve ports, and a shuttle poppet valve (235) for interconnecting the suction port with the remaining reversing valve port.

Abstract: A flow control device (10) is disclosed for achieving precision flow control over a wide range of inlet pressures. The device is particularly suited to household appliance applications where energy savings through hot water conservation are imperative. The device comprises a pressure responsive valve member (88) having a flanged portion (92) sealingly connected by a diaphragm (94) to the walls of a fluid chamber (68) defined by housing portions (14), (18). Flow passageways (104) are formed through diaphragm (94) and flange (92). A flow restricting opening is defined by the space between a control orifice (70) and an end surface (91) on the valve member. An axial passageway (106) in the valve member communicates outlet fluid pressure to a compensating chamber (86) sealed from fluid pressure in the control chamber by a diaphragm (112) mounted thereacross and to one end of the valve member (88).

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated pilot control diaphragm valve having the pilot opened in response to energization of an electromagnetic actuator. The actuator includes a movable armature means operable to open the pilot and stop means movable with the armature for limiting the amount of opening of the pilot. The stop means includes means operative to prevent closing of the pilot when the armature means is subsequently moved by fluid pressure opening of the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: A mixing and flow control valve assembly (10) for water inlet to domestic appliances having individual solenoid operated inlet valves (30,32) for connection to heated and unheated fluid sources. The individual actuated inlet valves discharge to a common inlet (40) of a solenoid operated (34) flow control valve which in the deenergized state provides a high rate of discharge to one outlet (28) and in the energized state diverts flow to a substantially lower rate of discharge outlet (24). The valve assembly employs only three solenoid operators (30, 32, 34) which are mounted integrally in a common valve body.

Abstract: A system (10) for controlling the flow of temperature selected water to the tub of a washing machine. Individual solenoid operated inlet valves (12,15) are employed to admit and control mixing of water from a heated and unheated source. The temperature selected mixed water is discharged through a third solenoid operated diverter valve (24) yielding a high rate of flow when the solenoid thereof is deenergized and a lower rate of discharge to the tub when the flow control valve solenoid is energized by the water level sensing switch (48) associated with the tub. A timer controlled switch (82) interrupts the power to the hot and cold filling valves to provide stepped filling during agitation during washing and rinsing cycles. The valve assembly employs only three solenoid valve operators.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated pilot control diaphragm valve having the pilot opened in response to energization of an electromagnetic actuator. The actuator includes a movable armature means operable to open the pilot and stop means movable with the armature for limiting the amount of opening of the pilot. The stop means includes means operative to prevent closing of the pilot when the armature means is subsequently moved by fluid pressure opening of the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: A simplified calibration mechanism is provided for a pressure switch using an adjustable, spring-biased plunger arrangement for controlling the trip force and hence the pressure to which the switch responds. The mechanism includes an especially configured lever pivoted at one end, contacting an especially shaped cam as a follower at its other end and the plunger at its mid portion. First calibration means are provided in the lever's pivoted end to adjust the normal low-high pressure settings of the switch. Second calibration means are provided to isolate the lever and cam from the plunger for effecting a precise setting of the pressure switch at extra-low pressures.