Automatic temperature and humidity regulation – Mixing fluid of dissimilar temperature – Having oscillating or reciprocating valve
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-01
2001-11-13
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Automatic temperature and humidity regulation
Mixing fluid of dissimilar temperature
Having oscillating or reciprocating valve
C236S012130, C236S012200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315209
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a mixing valve for supplying fluid to a temperature-controlled fluid outlet and a cold fluid outlet.
Mixing valves for supplying tempered water to, for example, a hot water faucet, are known. Typically, cold water from a supply source flows directly to a cold water faucet and to a cold water inlet of the mixing valve. Hot water from a supply source flows to a hot water inlet of the mixing valve. The cold and hot water are mixed in the valve, with the tempered water flowing through an outlet of the mixing valve to the hot water faucet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a mixing valve for supplying fluid to a temperature-controlled fluid outlet and a cold fluid outlet includes a manifold defining a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, a temperature-controlled fluid outlet, and a cold fluid outlet. The cold fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the cold fluid outlet, and the cold fluid inlet and the hot fluid inlet are in fluid communication with the temperature-controlled fluid outlet. The manifold further defines a mixing chamber for mixing of cold fluid from the cold fluid inlet and hot fluid from the hot fluid inlet. Mixed fluid from the mixing chamber is delivered to the temperature-controlled fluid outlet. A temperature-controlled device associated with the hot fluid inlet controls the volume of flow from the hot fluid inlet to the mixing chamber.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The temperature-controlled device limits flow of hot fluid to the mixing chamber upon a rise of fluid temperature within the mixing chamber above a predetermined level. The mixing valve includes an adjustment element for setting the predetermined level. The adjustment element includes a threaded region for threaded coupling to the manifold. The temperature-controlled device includes a thermostat.
The mixing valve includes a one-way check valve located between the hot fluid inlet and the cold fluid outlet for limiting flow of hot fluid to the cold fluid outlet. The temperature-controlled device includes a sealing surface, and the manifold includes a valve seat. The sealing surface engages the valve seat upon a rise of fluid temperature within the mixing chamber above the predetermined level to limit flow of hot fluid to the mixing chamber. The temperature-controlled device includes a thermostat responsive to changes in temperature to control a position of the sealing surface relative to the valve seat.
The manifold has an H-shaped configuration. The cold fluid inlet and the cold fluid outlet are located along a first leg of the H-shaped configuration, and the hot fluid inlet and the temperature-controlled fluid outlet are located along a second leg of the H-shaped configuration. The manifold includes hose couplings defining the inlets and outlets.
According to another aspect of the invention, the mixing valve includes a manifold defining a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, a temperature-controlled fluid outlet, and a cold fluid outlet. The cold fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the cold fluid outlet, and the cold fluid inlet and the hot fluid inlet are in fluid communication with the temperature-controlled fluid outlet. The manifold further defines a mixing chamber for mixing of cold fluid from the cold fluid inlet and hot fluid from the hot fluid inlet. Mixed fluid from the mixing chamber is delivered to the temperature-controlled fluid outlet. A one-way check valve located between the hot fluid inlet and the cold fluid outlet limits flow of hot fluid to the cold fluid outlet.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of supplying temperature-controlled fluid and cold fluid includes supplying cold fluid to a cold fluid inlet of a manifold; supplying hot fluid to a hot fluid inlet of a manifold; delivering cold fluid from the cold fluid inlet to a cold fluid outlet of the manifold; mixing hot fluid and cold fluid in a mixture chamber defined by the manifold; controlling the volume of flow of hot fluid to the mixing chamber to limit flow of hot fluid to the mixing chamber upon a rise of fluid temperature within the mixing chamber above a predetermined level; and delivering mixed fluid below the predetermined level to the temperature-controlled fluid outlet.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features: Controlling the volume of flow of hot fluid by engaging a sealing surface upon a valve seat upon the rise of fluid temperature within the mixing chamber above the predetermined level; adjusting an adjustment element to select the predetermined level of fluid temperature within the mixing chamber; and/or limiting flow of hot fluid to the cold fluid outlet, e.g., by locating a one-way check valve between the hot fluid inlet and the cold fluid outlet.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of supplying temperature-controlled fluid and cold fluid includes supplying cold fluid to a cold fluid inlet of a manifold; supplying hot fluid to a hot fluid inlet of a manifold; delivering cold fluid from the cold fluid inlet to a cold fluid outlet of the manifold; mixing hot fluid and cold fluid in a mixing chamber defined by the manifold; delivering mixed fluid to the temperature-controlled fluid outlet; and limiting flow of hot fluid to the cold fluid outlet, e.g., by locating a one-way check valve between the hot fluid inlet and the cold fluid outlet.
The invention thus provides a mixing valve, for example, for use with hot and cold water faucets of a sink, to deliver hot and cold water, with the hot water being delivered at a predetermined maximum temperature. The risk of scalding or burns from hot water is thus reduced. The invention also provides a mixing valve having a one-piece design for convenient installation.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment, and from the claims.
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Ali Mohammad M.
Doerrler William
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Watts Regulator Company
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