Faucet mixing valve housing with check valves and filter

Details Faucet mixing valve housing with check valves and filter Faucet mixing valve housing with check valves and filter

2000-04-14

2001-05-08

Fox, John (Department: 3753)

Fluid handling

Systems

Multi-way valve unit

C137S549000, C137S614200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06227246

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to faucets and is particularly concerned with electronically-controlled faucets having a cartridge-type mixing valve for setting water temperature mounted in a housing. Hot and cold water is supplied to the mixing valve. A discharge line extends from the housing to the spout. A user sets the mixing valve, through either mechanical or electronic actuators, to obtain a desired water temperature. Typically a solenoid-actuated pilot valve in the discharge line turns the water flow on and off. Proximity sensors control the pilot valve.
The pilot valves used in faucets of the type described are somewhat intolerant of foreign matter in the water. Accordingly, it is common to use a filter or screen to remove foreign particles upstream of the pilot valve. Preferably filtering would be done immediately before water enters the pilot valve but this is not a convenient location in terms of installing and servicing the filter. For purposes of aesthetics and mechanical protection, the pilot valve is always located beneath or behind a faucet housing, wall, sink or the like. Thus, if the filter is located adjacent the pilot valve, the filter is relatively inaccessible and certainly inconvenient for routine maintenance. But placing the filter remote from the pilot valve limits the effectiveness of the filtering.
The useful life of known filters has been limited by their cross-sectional area. Filters are provided in the water lines and therefore they are restricted by the cross-sectional area of the line. This means the filters are subject to clogging, which either restricts flow or reduces the filter's effectiveness at removing impurities.
Another problem with this type of faucet is the need to prevent cross flow between the hot and cold water lines. Check valves (also known as back checks) in the hot and cold water lines can prevent cross flow but again the mounting of such devices poses a problem. Placing the check valves in the supply lines themselves means the lines have to be disconnected for servicing or replacement. This increases the potential for leaks once the check valves have been serviced or replaced
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a faucet that has an improved mounting arrangement for a mixing valve. The mounting arrangement includes a housing having a generally hollow, cup-shaped body that is connectable to the faucet body or deck. The housing has a closed end toward the hidden side of the deck and an open end toward the exposed side of the deck. A spacer assembly has check valves and a filter sub-assembly attached thereto. The spacer assembly and a mixing valve cartridge are mounted in the housing. Each of these components is insertable and removable through the open end of the housing from the exposed side of the deck.
The housing body has first and second inlet ports connectable to hot and cold water supply lines. The body also has an outlet port for mixed water connectable to a discharge line. The discharge line incorporates a pilot valve therein and extends to the faucet's spout. The mixing valve has first and second inlet apertures for receiving hot and cold water. The mixing valve also has an outlet aperture for dispensing mixed water of the desired temperature. Passages in the spacer provide fluid communication between the first inlet port and first inlet aperture, between the second inlet port and second inlet aperture and between the outlet aperture and outlet port. A filter screen surrounds the spacer between the outlet aperture and the outlet port. Thus, the filter is located downstream of the mixing valve and as close as possible to the pilot valve without putting it in the discharge line. Check valves are located in the spacer passages between the inlet ports of the housing and the inlet apertures of the mixing valve. Both the check valves and the filter are accessible from the open side of the housing and the exposed side of the deck.
The filter screen extends circumferentially about the spacer. Water flowing out of the mixing valve get dumped axially into the center of the filter screen and passes radially through the screen on its way to the outlet port of the housing body. This maximizes the filter area and decreases the amount of maintenance required on the filter.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3782417 (1974-01-01), Moen
patent: 3941152 (1976-03-01), Botnick
patent: 4669653 (1987-06-01), Avelov
patent: 4854347 (1989-08-01), Knapp
patent: 4957137 (1990-09-01), Wang
patent: 5329958 (1994-07-01), Bosio

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Faucet mixing valve housing with check valves and filter does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Faucet mixing valve housing with check valves and filter, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Faucet mixing valve housing with check valves and filter will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2549129