Fluid handling – Systems – Multi-way valve unit
Patent
1998-04-23
1999-07-27
Fox, John
Fluid handling
Systems
Multi-way valve unit
137607, 251331, F16K 1100
Patent
active
059273321
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
There are many existing devices for distributing a fluid obtained from at least two others. Since the fluid results from the two others, they are called "primary fluids" whereas the resulting fluid is called the "secondary fluid".
The fluids in question can be gases, liquids or comparable products such as powder, meal, granules or other materials described as "flowing".
Gas mixtures are necessary in all kinds of industries which need not be cited, and are sometimes essential for the biological needs of man, for example: example underwater diving, work in dangerous atmospheres, space travel, etc., operations, and
Mixtures of liquids are also very common, inter alia for continuous metering of separate components.
The secondary fluid is not always the actual mixture of the primary fluids, since it may be desirable to eliminate one primary fluid completely and/or to use only one pure primary fluid while reserving the possibility of making relatively fine variations in the proportions of the mixture.
This is the case in particular when the device is a mixer or shower mixer for hot and cold water, since the user often wants cold water alone or hot water alone, in addition to the various intermediate proportions.
Many existing commercial devices are manually operated and, in the case of mixers or shower mixers, the most elaborate conventional model comprises a control means graduated in degrees Celsius and enabling the user to display the desired temperature, which is maintained irrespective of the flow rate of the distributed water.
One existing idea is to make these devices more convenient, inter alia by providing them with controls which are relatively automatic, thus replacing manual control by mechanical, that is motor-driven, control.
As is known, however, it is very awkward for a single mechanical assembly to contain electrical energy and conductive liquids which also have very negative physical and chemical effects such as corrosion, oxidation and furring, leaks resulting from short-circuits and the risk of electrocuting the user.
Attempts have therefore been made to improve these devices by making them not only more convenient but also more reliable by maximum insulation of the electric energy, both in order to preserve the actual devices and to protect users.
To this end, one idea already has been remote control of the devices in order to eliminate any physical contact between them and users, particularly when the device is used on sanitary installations such as shower compartments and baths, since the user will then be in a very dangerous situation since a wet body is highly conductive and electrocution under these conditions may be fatal.
To give an idea of the state of the art, the following documents may be cited: adjusting mechanism connected directly to a component which monitors the flow rate of water, thus requiring a number of sealing-tight passages between a part of the mixer in which water flows and a part of the mixer connected to electric conductors. which needs to be made sealing-tight enables a mechanical transmission means to move from a water-containing part to an electrically energised part. monitoring inflowing of water and emptying of the sink, using a number of motors controlled by keys disposed at the edge of the sink. By nature, solenoid valves are mechanisms which open and close a passage for liquid, using a motor energised by electrical energy.
The invention departs from these solutions and can be used for constructing a device in which the parts associated with the fluids are physically separate from the parts associated with the use of electric energy, the device also being remote-controllable without any contact between the user and the device.
To this end, the invention relates to a device for distributing a "secondary" fluid obtainable from a mixture of at least two "primary" fluids and of the kind comprising a body in two parts separated by a sealing-tight flexible wall connected on one side to "inlet" ducts, each for one primary fluid, and a "outlet" duct for the secondar
REFERENCES:
patent: 4662399 (1987-05-01), Buchner et al.
patent: 5398725 (1995-03-01), Nohajawa et al.
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