Shower head with integrated mixing valve
First Claim
1. A plumbing fitting configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluid supply and a second fluid from a second fluid supply, the plumbing fitting comprising:
- a hollow body;
a mixing valve comprising;
a valve housing separate from and located within the hollow body, the valve housing comprising;
a first inlet for receiving the first fluid;
a second, separate inlet for receiving the second fluid; and
a mixing chamber;
a first flow control valve operatively coupled to the valve housing;
a second flow control valve operatively coupled to the valve housing; and
an actuator configured to move the first flow control valve relative to the valve housing to control a flow of the first fluid from the first inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the first fluid flowing from the first inlet to the mixing chamber exerts substantially no net force on the first flow control valve, and configured to move the second flow control valve relative to the valve housing to control a flow of the second fluid from the second inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the second fluid flowing from the second inlet to the mixing chamber exerts substantially no net force on the second flow control valve.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plumbing fitting having a body and a housing located in the body that includes a first inlet for receiving the first fluid, a second inlet for receiving the second fluid, and a mixing chamber. The plumbing fitting includes a first flow control valve operatively coupled to the housing; a second flow control valve operatively coupled to the housing; and an actuator assembly configured to move the first flow control valve relative to the housing to control flow of the first fluid from the first inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the first fluid exerts substantially no net force on the first flow control valve, and configured to move the second flow control valve relative to the housing to control flow of the second fluid from the second inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the second fluid exerts substantially no net force on the second flow control valve.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A plumbing fitting configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluid supply and a second fluid from a second fluid supply, the plumbing fitting comprising:
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a hollow body; a mixing valve comprising; a valve housing separate from and located within the hollow body, the valve housing comprising; a first inlet for receiving the first fluid; a second, separate inlet for receiving the second fluid; and a mixing chamber; a first flow control valve operatively coupled to the valve housing; a second flow control valve operatively coupled to the valve housing; and an actuator configured to move the first flow control valve relative to the valve housing to control a flow of the first fluid from the first inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the first fluid flowing from the first inlet to the mixing chamber exerts substantially no net force on the first flow control valve, and configured to move the second flow control valve relative to the valve housing to control a flow of the second fluid from the second inlet to the mixing chamber, such that the second fluid flowing from the second inlet to the mixing chamber exerts substantially no net force on the second flow control valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A plumbing fitting configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluid supply and a second fluid from a second fluid supply, the plumbing fitting comprising:
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a hollow body; a mixing valve separate from and located within the hollow body, the mixing valve comprising; a housing having a first inlet for receiving the first fluid, a second inlet for receiving the second fluid, and a mixing chamber; a first flow control valve movable relative to the housing to control a flow of the first fluid from the first inlet to the mixing chamber; and a second flow control valve movable relative to the housing to control a flow of the second fluid from the second inlet to the mixing chamber; and a heating element located in the plumbing fitting and configured to thermally disinfect the mixer valve during a heating cycle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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17. A plumbing fitting comprising:
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a hollow body; a mixing valve separate from and located within the hollow body, the mixing valve comprising; a housing having a first inlet for receiving the first fluid, a second inlet for receiving the second fluid, and a mixing chamber; a first flow control valve at least partially disposed within the housing; a second flow control valve at least partially disposed within the housing; a first motor coupled to the housing and configured to move the first flow control valve relative to the housing to control a flow of the first fluid from the first inlet to the mixing chamber; a second motor coupled to the housing and configured to move the second flow control valve relative to the housing to control a flow of the second fluid from the second inlet to the mixing chamber; and a controller coupled to the housing and configured to control operation of the first and second motors independently of one another. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification