Including Separate Relatively Movable Valve For Each Fluid Supply Patents (Class 236/12.15)
  • Patent number: 11891317
    Abstract: A sanitizing system for sanitizing a water flow at a point of use, the sanitizing system including an ozone demand indicator configured for determining the existence of a demand for ozone in the water flow; an ozone generator configured to be disposed no more than about 72 inches upstream of the point of use on a fluid conductor supplying the water flow at the point of use, wherein ozone generated by the ozone generator is configured to be disposed in the water flow to sanitize the water flow; and a controller operable to control the ozone demand indicator and the ozone generator responsive to the ozone demand indicator, wherein the controller is configured to cause the ozone generator to start generating ozone upon receiving an indication from the ozone demand indicator that the demand for ozone exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Intellihot, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Deivasigamani, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Patent number: 10976758
    Abstract: A valve core connection structure of a valve assembly comprising: a body, two stop valve sets, two limitation structures, and two locking sleeves. The body includes a holder, a cold-water inflow connector, a hot-water inflow connector, a first outflow connector, a second outflow connector, a cold-water inflow seat, and a hot-water inflow seat. Each stop valve set includes a valve core, a limiting loop, a defining structure, and a locating structure. Each limitation structure is defined between a peripheral fence of each second accommodation cavity and the limiting loop so that the limiting loop is retained on the peripheral fence of each second accommodation cavity, thus limiting rotation of the limiting loop. Each locking sleeve is screwed on the cold-water inflow seat and the hot-water inflow seat so that the limiting loop and the valve core are limited in each second accommodation cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventors: Tachun Chang, Yueping Xiao, Kaizhong He
  • Patent number: 10088851
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for mixing cold water and hot water and for setting a mixed water temperature, having an electric motor that is controllable by a control unit and acts via a gear stage on a valve body, which is stroke-adjustable over a setting range and with which the mixing ratio between hot and cold water can be varied depending on a target mixed water temperature, presettable on the user side, and having a sensor element for detecting at least one set position in the setting range of the thermostatic mixing valve. The gear stage has a linearly adjustable linear displacement element, arranged rotationally fixed and provided between the electric motor and the valve body, and the sensor element works together with the linear displacement element to detect the set position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: GROHE AG
    Inventors: Kai Huck, Tanja Schwartpaul, Achim Mielke
  • Patent number: 9594383
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventor: Kevin T. Peel
  • Patent number: 9228483
    Abstract: A first fluid system includes a thermostat portion T, a valve portion V, and an ECU 30A. The thermostat portion T includes a first thermostat 18 in a first divergent pathway PB1 and a second thermostat 19 in a second divergent pathway PB2. The valve portion V includes a valve mechanism in at least a second portion SG2 of portions SG1, SG2, SG3. In the ECU 30A, achieved is a control unit that controls the valve portion V to switch a flow control state of at least one of the valve mechanism of the valve portion V when one of an open failure and a close failure occurs in one of the thermostats 18, 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kuze
  • Patent number: 8931706
    Abstract: A mixed water control valve for a faucet includes a control unit, two mounting seats and a balance unit. The control unit includes a valve housing, a rotation plate and a control handle. The balance unit includes a fixed sleeve and a pressure regulating sleeve. The pressure regulating sleeve is movable in the fixed sleeve by a pressure differential between the two mounting seats to control the water flow rate of the cold and hot water of the two mounting seats and to regulate the water pressure automatically so as to provide a pressure balance and to stabilize the temperature of the mixed cold and hot water in the valve housing so that the mixed water flowing from the valve housing is kept at a constant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ing Tzon Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Fen Lin
  • Publication number: 20140191047
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and second fluid is disclosed. 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. The valve member includes a thermostatic control device in communication with the mixed fluid and a shuttle coupled to the thermostatic control device, configured for movement within a liner, and oriented to adjustably engage the flow of at least the first fluid through at least one opening within a wall of the liner, the direction of flow of the first fluid being at least partially transverse with respect to the shuttle. At least one fluid inlet may include a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of the valve through the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Magarl, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Publication number: 20140026970
    Abstract: A hot water heater includes a hot water tank having a cold water inlet line and a hot water outlet line, an electronically controlled mixing valve fluid coupled to the cold water inlet line and the hot water outlet line and mixed output line and a controller operatively coupled to the mixing valve. A temperature sensor is operatively coupled to the mixed output line and the controller, the controller being operative in response to the sensor to detect a temperature of the water in the mixed output line, compare a setpoint temperature to the detected temperature of the water in the mixed output line, and regulate a flow of one or both of cold water from the cold water input line and hot water from the hot water output line through the electronically controlled mixing valve to maintain the detected temperature at the setpoint temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Samuel DuPlessis, Thomas Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8579206
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first and second fluids is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having first and second inlets, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid. The member includes a thermostat in communication with the mixed fluid and a shuttle coupled to the thermostat, configured for movement within a liner, and oriented to adjustably engage the flow of the first fluid through an opening within a wall of the liner, the direction of flow of the first fluid being at least partially transverse with respect to the shuttle. A fluid inlet may include a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of the valve through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Magarl, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 8561913
    Abstract: A device for dispensing water includes a water tank for keeping water at a tank temperature higher than the desired temperature of the water to be dispensed. A tank inlet is connected to a source of water. device includes a mixing device with a first water supply, a second water supply and a water discharge connected to a dispensing point. The first water supply is connected to a hot water pipe originating from a central hot water source arranged at a distance, and the second water supply is connected to a tank outlet. The mixing device includes a control device which is designed to mix water from the first and second water supply in such a manner that the water to be dispensed substantially has a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Henri Peteri Beheer B.V.
    Inventors: Niels Theodoor Peteri, Ivo Legel
  • Patent number: 8534568
    Abstract: A sanitary fitting includes a cold water connection; a hot water connection; a mixed water outlet; a valve device for setting a mixed water temperature and a mixed water throughflow rate, wherein the valve device is connected to the cold water connection and the hot water connection at one end and is connected to the mixed water outlet at the other end; an electrical controller for actuating a valve; and a control signal transmitter for generating an input signal to the controller, wherein the valve is an integral constituent part of the valve device, and the controller actuates the valve device as a function of the input signal of the control signal transmitter such that a mixed water temperature and a mixed water throughflow rate are set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: KWC AG
    Inventors: Christian Gautschi, Daniel Baumann
  • Publication number: 20130098595
    Abstract: A temperature control device for a vehicle is provided that includes a first air duct for guiding a first portion of an air flow and a second air duct for guiding a second portion of an air flow. A cooling device is disposed in the first air duct, in order to cool the first portion of the air flow. A mixer device is provided for mixing the first air flow from the first air duct with the second portion of the air flow from the second air duct in order to generate a temperature controlled air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20120330468
    Abstract: Device for supplying water with temperature and flow adjustment and related usage methods. Temperature and flow adjustment device of the type comprising a cold-water inlet and a hot-water inlet each provided with solenoid valves that are adjustable by the user using means for selecting the flow rate and temperature of the water mixed to be supplied and a control unit to adjust the flow rates of cold water and hot water supplied by the respective inlets, in which the device also comprises a mixer connected downstream of said solenoid valves and a mixed-water output characterized in that the inlets of said mixer coming from said solenoid valves face one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Zeyron Technologies, S.L.
    Inventor: Daniel Lopez Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8302874
    Abstract: When the detected temperature by the first temperature sensor is greater than the preset temperature value, the controller controls the airflow capacity of the waste heat inputted into the first intake apparatus to be reduced and controls the airflow capacity of the cold air inputted into the second intake apparatus to increase, therefore, the temperature of the waste heat inputted into the first intake apparatus is reduced. When the detected temperature by the first temperature sensor is less than the preset temperature value, the controller controls the heater to heat the waste heat inputted into the first intake apparatus, when the detected temperature by the first temperature sensor reaches the preset temperature value, the controller controls the first valve to open, to output the waste heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zh-Wei Jian
  • Patent number: 8249727
    Abstract: A microscope configuration according to an exemplary embodiment includes a microscope system with at least one addressable component and also a control system with a plurality of control modules for influencing a plurality of test-environment parameters in a test chamber of the microscope system. The control modules are configured to be combined in modular manner and to be coupled through an interface unit with a unified bus, through which they are controlled. A control module influencing a test-environment parameter of an incubation system has a control command interface unit configured to receive at least one control command. The control command interface unit couples with a bus. A control device is coupled with the control command interface unit and influences the test-environment parameter based upon the control command. A further interface unit is coupled to the control command interface unit and outputs, again, the received control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Schaffer, Eugen Wehner
  • Publication number: 20110266355
    Abstract: A water mixer of the present invention is adapted to be installed in a faucet. The water mixer has a balance unit and a mixing element, and the water mixer can be connected to two water sources. When the pressure of one water source varies rapidly, the balance element can modulate the effect that may influence the flow rate of each water source. The mixing element is, on the other hand, adapted to mix the two water flows. As such, the faucet provided with the water mixer of the present invention can stabilize the temperature of the mixed water outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: TSAI-CHEN YANG
  • Patent number: 8020779
    Abstract: There is described a mixer tap with integrated thermostatic mixing valve (TMV). The tap comprises in a single housing: hot and cold water inlets; an outlet for mixed water; hot and cold lever controls and a thermostatic mixing device within the single housing to prevent water above a certain temperature being emitted from the common outlet. The cold water control opens a fluid path from the cold inlet to the common outlet, bypassing said thermostatic mixing device, allowing better assurance of purity. The thermostatic mixing device and strainer/check valve cartridges are housed in an internal body so as to be readily accessible for servicing after installation of the device by removing only a cap part of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Horne Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Michael Wellesley Grahame Jarvis
  • Publication number: 20110017152
    Abstract: A boiler capable of simultaneously performing a heating operation and a hot water operation and readily controlling the temperature of the hot water. In the boiler primary heating water is heated by a burner in a main heat exchanger and is supplied to a place in need of heating to be used as heating water. Secondary heating water exchanges heat with the primary heating water in an instant heat exchanger and is supplied to a place in need of hot water to be used as hot water. The boiler includes a flow regulator so that the primary heating water is supplied to the place in need of heating after flowing through the flow regulator which regulates flow depending on heating load, and is subsequently supplied to the instant heat exchanger after regulation by the flow regulator depending on hot water load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: KYUNGDONG NAVIEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae-sik Min
  • Patent number: 7845574
    Abstract: The cartridge comprises two ceramic disks (20, 24) for regulating the temperature and flow of a mixture (M) of two entering fluids. In order to ensure that the temperature of the mixture remains lower than a predetermined value, the cartridge comprises thermostatic means (16) designed for, in the event of a high-temperature mixture, automatically shutting off, upstream from these disks, the circulation of the entering fluid (C) of the highest temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Vernet
    Inventor: Christian Mace
  • Publication number: 20100288844
    Abstract: In a rotary handle for a thermostatically controlled valve, which is arranged on an actuator brought out of a valve housing, having a stop body, which acts together with a stop cam provided on the valve housing. It is provided that the stop body is movable in the rotation direction in such a way that by a relative movement between the stop body and the rotary handle, turning of the rotary handle by a rotation angle greater than 360° is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Frank-Thomas LUIG, Kai HUCK, Bjoern RIEDEL
  • Patent number: 7832651
    Abstract: A fluid mixing valve for producing a mixed fluid stream from first and second inlet fluid streams having different, varying temperatures, and having different, varying pressures, the mixed fluid stream having a substantially stable, preselected temperature of a magnitude between the temperatures of the first and second inlet fluid streams, the fluid mixing valve including a housing and a mixing regulation assembly disposed within the housing. The invention also provides a method for producing a mixed fluid stream from first and second inlet fluid streams having different, varying temperatures, and having different, varying pressures, the mixed fluid stream having a substantially stable, preselected temperature of a magnitude between the temperatures of the first and second fluid streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Eitan Rivlin
  • Patent number: 7802733
    Abstract: A fluid delivery control system including a rotatable flow control member to provide a flow control signal to a controller and a rotatable temperature control member to provide a temperature control signal to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Randall Paul Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20100206956
    Abstract: A sanitary fitting includes a cold water connection; a hot water connection; a mixed water outlet; a valve device for setting a mixed water temperature and a mixed water throughflow rate, wherein the valve device is connected to the cold water connection and the hot water connection at one end and is connected to the mixed water outlet at the other end; an electrical controller for actuating a valve; and a control signal transmitter for generating an input signal to the controller, wherein the valve is an integral constituent part of the valve device, and the controller actuates the valve device as a function of the input signal of the control signal transmitter such that a mixed water temperature and a mixed water throughflow rate are set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: KWC AG
    Inventors: Christian GAUTSCHI, Daniel BAUMANN
  • Patent number: 7770807
    Abstract: A water valve assembly including a housing, an inlet chamber defining a water inlet for receiving a flow of water into the inlet chamber and a valve for controlling the flow of water through the inlet into the inlet chamber. A mixing chamber is connected to the inlet chamber so as to receive water from the inlet chamber, the mixing chamber defining a supplementary water inlet for receiving a supplementary flow of water and defining a mixed water outlet from which a mixture of water from the inlet chamber and the supplementary water inlet may be provided. The inlet chamber and the mixing chamber are both provided within the first housing and are arranged one within the other. A second housing may be provided with an inlet chamber, a valve for controlling flow of water into the inlet chamber and a supplementary water outlet for connection to the supplementary water inlet of the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Aqualisa Products Limited
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Robinson, John Patrick Cheek, Matthew Robert Riley
  • Patent number: 7744007
    Abstract: Thermostatic mixing valves and systems for mixing fluids of dissimilar temperature are disclosed. A thermostatic mixing valve in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can include an elongated valve body defining a cold fluid inlet, a hot fluid inlet, a mix fluid outlet and a mixing chamber, a fluid flow regulator for adjusting the flow of cold and hot fluid injected into the mixing chamber, and temperature selection means for adjusting the temperature of fluid contained within the mixing chamber. The valve body may have a vertical, in-line configuration wherein the hot fluid inlet, mixing chamber, and mix fluid outlet are substantially axially aligned along a vertical longitudinal axis of the valve body, allowing hot fluid to pass substantially vertically through the valve body towards the mix fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Beagen, Steve Goins
  • Patent number: 7740181
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided whereby a container can be continuously filled with mixed water from separate cold and hot water pipes K, W within a short time and the temperature T of the mixed water is kept as constant as possible at a predetermined value Ts during the supply process. According to the method according to the invention, the regulating process always takes place only in one direction from higher to lower temperature values. The method is implemented by a regulator 1 to 6 with separate intake pipes K and W for cold and hot water and a mechanical control element 6 which is only moved in one direction. The essential advantage of the method according to the invention is that it can be implemented very cheaply, especially a synchronous motor without reversal of the direction of rotation can be used as a drive for the control member 6. Possible perturbations in the hot water system can by intercepted to a sufficient extent by compensation which is easy to implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Wiemer
  • Publication number: 20090314845
    Abstract: A single lever valve for mixing hot and cold liquids has a mixer which can internally impose an upper limit on the temperature of any liquid emerging from it. The means used may enable the upper limit to be changed by exchange of a component so that the mixer can be used in any location in an installation even though different locations might have different upper limit requirements. The mixer may take the form of a cartridge able to be exchanged with an existing cartridge to convert an “unsafe” mixer to a “safe” one. There is a cylindrical mixing chamber with hot and cold liquid entry through ports through the side walls at opposite ends. A piston sealingly slidable within the chamber effects opening and closing of the ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: GREENS INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventors: John William Green, Ian Morgan
  • Patent number: 7624757
    Abstract: A faucet assembly is operable automatically or mechanically to facilitate control in a non-powered or motor failure condition. In the automatic control position, separate and automatic control of fluid flow and temperature is provided by respective actuation of first and second handles. In the manual control position, the first and second handles are moved axially to decouple electric motors from corresponding fluid control valves. Such axial movement of the first and second handles concurrently couples the handles mechanically to the corresponding fluid control valves to provide the desired manual actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Randall Paul Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7597269
    Abstract: A water circulation unit (120) for reducing bacteria growth in a water supply system includes elements for controlling temperature and flow (133) which is arranged to provide a dynamically controlled flow of water from both a hot water pipe (140) and a cold water pipe (150) to at least one return water pipe (160) such that the water from the hot water pipe is above the temperature region in which dangerous bacteria growth may occur, and the water from the cold water pipe (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Mikael Nutsos
  • Publication number: 20090200388
    Abstract: There is described a mixer tap with integrated thermostatic mixing valve (TMV). The tap comprises in a single housing: hot and cold water inlets; an outlet for mixed water; hot and cold lever controls and a thermostatic mixing device within the single housing to prevent water above a certain temperature being emitted from the common outlet. The cold water control opens a fluid path from the cold inlet to the common outlet, bypassing said thermostatic mixing device, allowing better assurance of purity. The thermostatic mixing device and strainer/check valve cartridges are housed in an internal body so as to be readily accessible for servicing after installation of the device by removing only a cap part of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: HORNE ENGINEERING LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Wellesley Grahame Jarvis
  • Patent number: 7475827
    Abstract: A fluid mixer including a mixing element configured to separate and mix hot and cold water streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Randall Paul Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20090000026
    Abstract: A thermostatic faucet including a holder configured to be coupled to a mounting deck and a thermostatic valve assembly supported by the holder and configured to be removed from above the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: James Richard Hanson
  • Patent number: 7458520
    Abstract: An electronic proportioning valve for connection to a cold water source, a hot water source and a mixed water outlet and for providing a mixed water of a desired water temperature and flow rate to the mixed water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Jeffrey Belz, Randall Paul Schmitt, Jeff Iott, Cliff Chiang, Thomas Alan Barnett
  • Patent number: 7448553
    Abstract: A fluid mixer including a pair of inlets configured to impart a rotational fluid flow and a mixing element configured to facilitate fluid mixing streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Randall Paul Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20080061155
    Abstract: A water faucet comprises a valve body, a thermostatic flow control device and a first manually operated flow regulating device. The valve body has therein a water outlet channel, a water inlet channel, a water return channel and a flow control device cavity. The water outlet channel extends between the flow control device cavity and a water outlet port of the valve body. The water inlet channel extends between the flow control device cavity and a water inlet port of the valve body. The water return channel extends between the flow control device cavity and a water return port of the valve body. The thermostatic flow control device is mounted within the flow control device cavity of the valve body. The thermostatic flow control device blocks the water outlet channel and unblocks the water return channel when water in the flow control device cavity is below a prescribed minimum temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Steven Seymour
  • Patent number: 7325747
    Abstract: A fluid control system includes a valve and a restrictor. The valve is configured to regulate the proportion at which a first fluid and a second fluid are mixed together. Based on the pressure drop across the restrictor, the valve further regulates the overall flow rate of the mixed first and second fluids. In one form, the valve includes a pair of spools that regulate the proportion and flow rate of the fluids. In another form, the valve includes a thermostatic element that regulate the proportion at which the first and second fluids are mixed together so as to control the temperature of the mixed fluids. The valve in a further form incorporates a pair of diaphragm valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Patrick Jonte
  • Publication number: 20070252012
    Abstract: A device for controlling a temperature of a fluid includes a plurality of valve assemblies, each coupled to a cold fluid supply, a hot fluid supply, and an outlet line. An orifice is coupled to each outlet line and to a combined outlet line that is common to all orifices. Each of the orifices has a proportionally different flow area. Hot and cold fluid supply temperature sensing elements are coupled to supplies. A controller is coupled to the hot and cold fluid supply temperature sensing elements and the plurality of valve assemblies. The controller selectively couples one of the cold fluid supply or the hot fluid supply to the outlet line for each of the plurality of valve assemblies responsive to the cold fluid supply temperature sensing element, the hot fluid supply temperature sensing element, and a desired temperature in the combined outlet line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: STURMAN DIGITAL SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Gardner, Oded Eddie Sturman, Timothy P. Kranz
  • Patent number: 7168628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for monitoring the operation of a control valve (1), which is adapted to supply fluid at a predetermined temperature via an outlet (4). The device includes a sensor (10) adapted to be coupled to the outlet (4) so as to sense the temperature of the fluid. An indication device (16) and a processor (18) are provided. In use, the processor is adapted to determine the temperature of the fluid from the sensor and, provide an indication of this via the indication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Smart Flow Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Howard Stephen Sheeran, Jeffrey James Watts, Christopher Joachim Bullen, Scott Milan, Paul Degnan, Timothy Fisher
  • Patent number: 6929188
    Abstract: A tempering valve is connected to hot and cold water supplies. The tempering valve has first and second thermal valves, each of which mixes hot and cold water flows to produce a tempered flow at a selected temperature. the mixed flow from the first thermal valve bypasses through the second thermal valve. A small valve assembly is responsive to the flow rate therethrough. At low flow rates, direct hot and cold water flow paths to the second thermal valve are blocked. At or above a selected transition flow rate, the small valve assembly opens to permit direct hot and cold water flows from hot and cold water inlets to the second thermal valve. The tempering valve may include a failure protection valve which shuts off all flow in case of a cold water supply failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gareth Peter Taylor, Jason Daniel Scharf
  • Patent number: 6910501
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for mixing hot water and cold water includes a valve body defining a first inlet, a second inlet, a mixing chamber, a first passageway between the first inlet and the mixing chamber, and a second passageway between the second inlet and the mixing chamber. The thermostatic valve includes first and second flow control assemblies and first and second screen assemblies assembled into the valve body. A first screen assembly is positioned downstream of a first flow control assembly and a second screen assembly is positioned downstream of a second flow control assembly. Each screen assembly is removable from the valve body and includes a screen body having a screening portion with a lower open end and a top portion. The screen assembly includes a closing cap to retain accumulated particulate matter. A retaining clip is used to hold the screen assembly in position within the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Garry R. Marty, Gerald J. McNerney
  • Patent number: 6823892
    Abstract: A valve installed at the inlet of a thermostatic mixing device for automatically stabilizing the operation of the thermostatic device by maintaining the pressure within the thermostatic mixing device close to the water supply pressure, thereby making the thermostatic device response to small pressure changes while maintaining the fluid flow through the device. The valve comprises a tubular body inserted within the water supply line, a holding seat within the tubular body, a cursor that moves within the valve body with respect to the seat, the cursor moving between a first position where the seat is partially occluded and a second position where the seat is substantially clear. The cursor is subjected to the pressure existing inside the thermostatic mixing device, and a spring positioned with the valve body that acts upon the cursor to urge the cursor towards the first cursor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp
  • Publication number: 20040173688
    Abstract: A freestanding or Roman bathtub plumbing system including a bathtub filler (such as a spout and/or hand-held shower) controlled by a compact thermostatic mixing valve. The thermostatic mixing valve is installed in a bathtub plumbing set having a hand-held shower accessory. The thermostatic mixing valve receives hot and cold water from the main hot and cold water inlet pipes, respectively, located upstream of the respective hot and cold water control valves used to control the supply of water to the fillers. The hot and cold water feed pipes are each hydraulically connected to a first respective hot and cold water inlet of the thermostatic mixing valve. The bathtub fillers are hydraulically connected to the outlet of the thermostatic mixing valve, such as by a pipe or flexible hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Cary E. Gloodt
  • Publication number: 20040149831
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for monitoring the operation of a control valve (1), which is adapted to supply fluid at a predetermined temperature via an outlet (4). The device includes a sensor (10) adapted to be coupled to the outlet (4) so as to sense the temperature of the fluid. An indication device (16) and a processor (18) are provided. In use, the processor is adapted to determine the temperature of the fluid from the sensor and, provide an indication of this via the indication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Howard Stephen Sheeran, Jeffrey James Watts, Christopher Joachim Bullen, Scott Milan, Paul Degnan, Timothy Fisher
  • Patent number: 6769480
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) controls the temperature of air flow from a temperature control system (10) The apparatus (100) includes a blend door (150), an output gear (140), and a biasing mechanism (124) The biasing mechanism (124) facilitates rotation of the output gear (140) in a first rotation direction (136) and impedes rotation of the output gear (140) in a second rotation direction (138) opposite the first rotation direction (136) This results in the torque necessary to rotate the output gear (140) in the first rotation direction (136) being substantially equal to the torque necessary to rotate the output gear (140) in the second rotation direction (138).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Vu Le, Thomas Dippel
  • Patent number: 6708895
    Abstract: A new use of a flow rate regulating device (5, 6) is disclosed whose feature consists of the fact that, when inserted in a water pipeline, it permits the passage of a flow of water having a substantially constant flow rate and predetermined in keeping with the variation within certain limits of the pressure at which the water is supplied to the device, thus constituting a variable resistance that is opposed to the water flow. The new use is especially designed to perform the function of reducing the temperature peak presented by the mixed water drawn from a thermostatic mixing device (1) during the transitory period of regulation when the pressure of the water supplied to one of the inlets (2, 3) of the thermostatic mixing device (1) varies abruptly with respect to the pressure of the water supplied to the other inlet of the thermostatic mixing device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp
  • Patent number: 6705534
    Abstract: A shower control system for facilitating a user's control of the temperature and pressure of water used during a shower. The shower control system includes a shower assembly having a pair of inlet pipes. A first of the inlet pipes is designed for being in fluid communication with a building cold water supply. A second of the inlet pipes is designed for being in fluid communication with a building hot water supply. A stem pipe of the shower assembly is in fluid communication with the inlet pipes. A shower head of the shower assembly is in fluid communication with the stem pipe. A mixing assembly is operationally coupled to the shower assembly. The mixing assembly is designed for controlling pressure and temperature of water sprayed from the shower head. A power assembly is operationally coupled to the mixing assembly for providing power to the mixing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Craig D. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040016816
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for sanitary fittings contains an extensible material element, which is exposed to the temperature of the mixed water resulting from the mixing of hot and cold water. The extensible material element is operatively connected to two closing bodies each associated with a valve and which move simultaneously when the mixed water temperature changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Gerhard Ginter, Andreas Ginter, Franz Wanner
  • Publication number: 20040016815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sanitary mixing unit (1), in particular for wall installation, comprising a cartridge (6) with an external housing (12), a flow adjustment device, a temperature adjustment device and a thermostatic device, whereby the flow adjustment device comprises a fixed valve disc (13) and a rotating valve disc (14) co-operating therewith. According to the invention, a mixing unit in which the functional matching of the inlet properties to the properties of the connection may be achieved in a simple and economical manner is provided, whereby an inner housing (15) which may be rotated through at least 180° co-axially to the outer housing (12), has the thermostat device (15) arranged therein, the rotating valve disc (14) is fixed to the inner housing (15) and the fixed valve disc (13) is fixed to the outer housing (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Konrad Bergmann, Josef Ems
  • Publication number: 20040000594
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for hot and cold water has two-stage inlet chambers for the hot and cold water flows respectively. The inlet chambers distribute the flows uniformly with respect to porting for admitting the flows to the mixing chamber to reduce asymmetric flow patterns and promote thorough mixing of the flows within the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas John Beck, Sean Patrick Conway, Bruce Lewin John Hayward, Kevin Taylor Peel