Fluid handling – Self-proportioning or correlating systems – Self-proportioning flow systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-21
2001-01-23
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Self-proportioning or correlating systems
Self-proportioning flow systems
C137S454600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176250
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pressure balanced valve assembly for proportionally mixing the volume of hot water and cold water, and more particularly, to a pressure balanced valve assembly having a proportioning member received therein which is moved to control the volume of the hot water and the cold water entering the valve assembly according to the water pressure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional valve assembly is generally used in a pipe system connected to a faucet or a shower head for mixing the cold water and the hot water so that users can get warm water mixed by the hot water and the cold water by operating the lever of the faucet. The conventional valve assembly typically includes a 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 a unexpected low temperature. In order to overcome the spring force so that the water pressure has to be raised to a certain level and this prolongs the reaction time of the valve. That is to say, the conventional valve assembly is not sensitive enough to properly mix the volume of the hot water and the cold water. Furthermore, the springs will reach to their fatigue critical point after a period of time and get rust. This makes the hot water or the cold water entering the valve assembly abnormally and could hurt the users.
The present invention intends to provide a pressure balanced valve assembly which has a proportioning member which is moved relative to the inlets of the hot water and the cold water according to the water pressure applied to the proportioning member. By the valve assembly of the present invention, a proper mixing feature of the hot water and the cold water can be reached so that the inherent disadvantages of the conventional valve assembly can be well mitigated and/or obviated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pressure balanced valve assembly comprising a casing having a passage defined therein for receiving a proportioning member therein. Two inlets and two outlets are respectively defined in two opposite ends of the casing, the two inlets and the two outlets respectively communicating with the passage. The proportioning member has a central passage defined therethrough and two apertures are defined through the wall thereof and communicate with the central passage. The two apertures movably communicate with the two inlets of the casing when the proportioning member is moved and the two outlets of the casing communicate with the central passage.
The object of the present invention is to provide a pressure balanced valve assembly which will automatically adjust the volume of the entry of the hot water or the cold water so as to mix the hot water and the cold water properly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pressure balanced valve assembly which does not need springs received in the casing so as to avoid the inherent shortcomings found in the conventional valve assembly.
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: 3192939 (1965-07-01), Moen
patent: 5983918 (1999-11-01), Chang
Chen Hung-Yin
Lin Tin-Kai
Baxley Charles E.
Hepperle Stephen M.
Metal Industries Research & Development Center
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