Fluid handling – Self-proportioning or correlating systems – Self-proportioning flow systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-21
2001-03-06
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Self-proportioning or correlating systems
Self-proportioning flow systems
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196250
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a valve assembly, and more particularly, to a pressure balanced valve assembly for volumetrically mixing hot water and the cold water according to the pressure thereof in the valve assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A valve assembly for mixing the cold water and the hot water is generally employed in a pipe system connected to a faucet or a shower head so that users can get a warm water from the faucet or the shower head. The conventional valve assembly for mixing the cold water and the hot water includes a pressure balanced member which is urged at two sides thereof by two springs so that when either one of the hot water or the cold water introduces a high pressure to push the balanced member to an extreme position, the user will be incurred with the hot water with a very high temperature or the cold water with an unexpected low temperature. That is to say, the user has to adjust the lever of the faucet frequently to properly mix the volume the hot water and the cold water to let the water flowing from the shower head or the faucet have a desired temperature. In order to overcome the spring force, the water pressure has to be raised to a certain level and this prolongs the reaction time of the valve. Furthermore, the springs could reach to their fatigue critical point after a period of time and get rust. Besides, the inlet water impacts the balanced member in the conventional valve assembly directly and this makes the pressure change in the valve to be so severe that it takes time to wait for the balanced member to work normally.
The present invention intends to provide a pressure balanced valve assembly for mixing hot water and cold water automatically wherein two side members are located on two opposite sides of the body of the valve assembly and each of the side members has a curved inlet path and a chamber to dispense or eliminate the inlet force of water so that the balanced member in the valve assembly is precisely actuated. The valve assembly of the present invention effectively resolves the inherent shortcomings of the conventional valve assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pressure balanced valve assembly for mixing hot water and cold water and comprising a body having two inlets in two opposite sides thereof and two outlets in the top thereof. The two inlets respectively communicate with the two outlets. A flexible balanced member is securely received in the body and located between the two pairs of the inlet and the outlet. Each of the two inlets of the body has a side member received therein and each of the side members has a plurality of curved inlet paths defined in the first side thereof and a chamber defined in the second side thereof. The chamber communicates with the curved inlet paths.
Two rods respectively extend through the two inlets of the body and are connected to the two opposite sides of the balanced member. Each of the rods has a head portion extending radially outward therefrom so as to be movably received in the chamber corresponding thereto and movably engaged with the inlet corresponding thereto.
The object of the present invention is to provide a pressure balanced valve assembly which has two side members each having a chamber and a plurality of curved paths so that the inlet water will not impact the balanced member in the valve directly and the balanced member can be operated precisely.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pressure balanced valve assembly which has no springs received therein so as to avoid the inherent shortcomings raised by the springs.
Further objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3688790 (1972-09-01), Esten
patent: 4174726 (1979-11-01), Arnold et al.
patent: 5732729 (1998-03-01), Shieh
Chen Hung-Yin
Lin Tin-Kai
Baxley Charles E.
Hepperle Stephen M.
Metal Industries Research & Development Center
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