Method of mixing fluids using a valve
First Claim
1. A mixing valve comprising:
- a valve body formed to include a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, a recirculated fluid inlet, and a mixing chamber positioned to receive fluid from the hot and cold fluid inlets, a thermostat to sense the temperature of fluid in the mixing chamber and move a valve member in response to changes in the temperature of fluid in the mixing chamber, the recirculated fluid inlet positioned relative to the cold fluid inlet to permit fluid to flow through the recirculated fluid inlet into the cold fluid inlet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve is configured to produce a mixed fluid of a particular temperature from a first fluid of a temperature higher than or equal to the particular temperature and a second fluid of a temperature lower than or equal to the particular temperature. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve also includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid. The valve member includes a thermostatic control device in communication with the mixed fluid and a shuttle coupled to the thermostatic control device, configured for movement within a liner, and oriented to adjustably engage the flow of at least the first fluid through at least one opening within a wall of the liner, the direction of flow of the first fluid being at least partially transverse with respect to the shuttle. At least one fluid inlet may include a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of the valve through the inlet. The check valve includes a first check valve member which is stationary, a second check valve member which is movable and engageable with the first check valve member, and a spring for urging the second check valve member into engagement with the first check valve member and for defining the path of motion of the second check valve member.
56 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mixing valve comprising:
- a valve body formed to include a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, a recirculated fluid inlet, and a mixing chamber positioned to receive fluid from the hot and cold fluid inlets, a thermostat to sense the temperature of fluid in the mixing chamber and move a valve member in response to changes in the temperature of fluid in the mixing chamber, the recirculated fluid inlet positioned relative to the cold fluid inlet to permit fluid to flow through the recirculated fluid inlet into the cold fluid inlet.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 17, 18, 19)
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11. A method of mixing fluids comprising:
- providing a valve body formed to include a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, and a mixing chamber positioned to receive fluid from the hot and cold fluid inlets, positioning a thermostat at least partially in the mixing chamber to sense the temperature of fluid in the mixing chamber and move a valve member in response to changes in the temperature of fluid in the mixing chamber, and introducing a recirculated fluid into the fluid flowing through the cold fluid inlet to permit blending of cold fluid and recirculated fluid.
- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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20. A system for mixing fluids comprising:
- a mixing valve and a fluid conducting network, the mixing valve including a mixed fluid outlet, a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, a recirculated fluid inlet, a valve member to adjust the amount of fluid flowing through at least one of the hot and cold fluid inlets, and a thermostat to move the valve member in response to changes in temperature of the fluid adjacent the thermostat, the fluid conducting network coupled to the mixing valve and including a hot fluid supply line to supply hot fluid to the hot fluid inlet of the mixing valve, a cold fluid supply line to supply cold fluid to the mixing valve, a mixed water line coupled to the mixed fluid outlet, and a recirculation line coupled between the mixed water line and the recirculated fluid inlet to permit flow of mixed fluid into the recirculated fluid inlet.
Specification