Water control fixture having thermostatically controlled bypass valve

• US 6,929,187 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2001
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Grundfos Pumps Manufacturing Corporation (POUL DUE Jensen's FOND)
• Original Assignee: Grundfos Pumps Manufacturing Corporation (POUL DUE Jensen's FOND)
• Inventors: Lum, Ken, Kempf, Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US10/006,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20020062867A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 236/12.11, 236/12.1, 236/93.A, 137/337, 463/8, 467/6, 122/13.3, 417/32
• US Class Current: 236/12.11
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/045 diverting initially cold water in warm water supply
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/09 Component parts or accessories tools for cleaning pipes B08B9/02; devices for preventing contamination of drinking water pipes for domestic use E03C1/10; devices for preventing damage in case of bursts of pipes F16L; heating or cooling of pipes or pipe systems F16L53/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/002 actuated by temperature variation thermo-electric F16K31/025
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/0078 Recirculation systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/022 the sensing element being placed within a regulating fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/134 measuring the temperature of mixed fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/411 Water saving techniques at user level
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6416 With heating or cooling of the system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6497 Hot and cold water system having a connection from the hot to the cold channel

Abstract

A water control fixture having an operating valve and a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in the fixture for bypassing water away from the fixture until the water temperature reaches a desired level. When pressurized water from the hot water heater reaches the desired temperature level at the fixture, the bypass valve closes and hot water is made available to the fixture. The bypass valve has a thermal actuator element that is thermally responsive to the temperature of the water. The fixture can have a housing with an interior chamber for operatively receiving the bypass valve. Various passages or channels can be provided to facilitate communication between the bypass valve and the water supply lines. Alternatively, the bypass valve can be positioned in the operating valve, including the moveable ball and the replaceable cylindrical valving cartridge types. A system using the in-fixture bypass valve is also provided.

Claims

1. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water; and

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said water control fixture, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level, said actuating element being insulated.

2. The water control fixture according to claim 1, wherein said actuating element comprises an actuating body and a rod member, said rod member configured to operatively extend from said actuating body and seal said bypass valve.

3. The water control fixture according to claim 2, wherein said rod member has a reduced diameter section to allow for lime buildup.

4. The water control fixture according to claim 2 further comprising a sharp cornered guide bore on said actuating body.

5. The water control fixture according to claim 4, wherein said rod member has a reduced diameter section to allow for lime buildup.

6. The water control fixture according to claim 1, wherein said actuating element is a wax-filled cartridge actuator.

7. The water control fixture according to claim 1 further comprising a screen disposed in a hot water inlet of said water control fixture so as to be cleaned by the movement of water from said pressurized supply of hot water when said operating valve is open.

8. The water control fixture according to claim 1 further comprising a bias spring disposed in said bypass valve between said valve seat and said actuating body to urge said rod member toward said actuating body to open said valve seat.

9. The water control fixture according to claim 1 further comprising a check valve disposed in said bypass valve.

10. The water control fixture according to claim 1 further comprising a housing with an interior chamber disposed in said housing, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water, said bypass valve disposed in said interior chamber.

11. The water control fixture according to claim 10, wherein said bypass valve is disposed in a cartridge configured to fit within said interior chamber.

12. The water control fixture according to claim 10, wherein said bypass valve is removably disposed in said interior chamber.

13. The water control fixture according to claim 12, wherein said bypass valve is removable through the top of said water control fixture.

14. The water control fixture according to claim 10, wherein said housing interconnects said supply of hot water and said supply of cold water.

15. The water control fixture according to claim 14, wherein said housing further comprises a hot water cross passage interconnecting said interior chamber with hot water conduit located in said housing, said hot water conduit connected to said supply of hot water.

16. The water control fixture according to claim 15, wherein said housing further comprises a cold water cross passage interconnecting said interior chamber with a cold water conduit located in said housing, said cold water conduit connected to said supply of cold water.

17. The water control fixture according to claim 16, wherein said interior chamber interconnects said hot water cross passage and said cold water cross passage, said bypass valve configured to bypass water from said hot water cross passage to said cold water cross passage.

18. The water control fixture according to claim 10, wherein said housing has a hot water channel interconnecting said supply of hot water with said interior chamber and a cold water channel interconnecting said interior chamber with said supply of cold water, said bypass valve configured to bypass water from said hot water channel to said cold water channel.

19. The water control fixture according to claim 10, wherein said housing is disposed at the rear of said fixture.

20. The water control fixture according to claim 10, wherein said housing is a threaded pipe integral with said fixture.

21. The water control fixture according to claim 10, wherein said housing is adapted for use as a dual handle, single spout water control fixture by adding a side port for the discharge of water from said fixture.

22. The water control fixture according to claim 1, wherein said bypass valve is disposed in said operating valve.

23. The water control fixture according to claim 22, wherein said operating valve comprises a moveable valving ball having one or more inlet ports thereon for selective communication with said supply of hot water and said supply of cold water.

24. The water control fixture according to claim 23, wherein said ball has an annular compartment and an inner compartment in the interior of said ball.

25. The water control fixture according to claim 24, wherein said actuating element is disposed in said inner compartment and said annular compartment is in fluid communication with said one or more inlet ports on said ball.

26. The water control fixture according to claim 25, further comprising one or more bypass ports on said ball, said bypass ports in fluid communication with said inner compartment to allow said bypass valve to bypass fluid from said supply of hot water to said supply of cold water.

27. The water control fixture according to claim 22, wherein said operating valve comprises a replaceable cylindrical valving cartridge having a moveable valving spool.

28. The water control fixture according to claim 27, wherein said actuating element is disposed in said moveable valving spool.

29. The water control fixture according to claim 28, wherein said actuating element has a shuttle connected to a piston actuated by an actuator.

30. The water control fixture according to claim 29, wherein said shuttle has an integral elastomer sleeve.

31. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water;

a housing having an interior chamber, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water, and

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said interior chamber, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level, said actuating element configured to operatively seal said bypass valve, said bypass valve disposed in a cartridge configured to fit within said interior chamber.

32. The water control fixture according to claim 31, wherein said bypass valve is removably disposed in said interior chamber.

33. The water control fixture according to claim 32, wherein said bypass valve is removable through the top of said water control fixture.

34. The water control fixture according to claim 31, wherein said housing has a hot water channel interconnecting said supply of hot water with said interior chamber and a cold water channel interconnecting said interior chamber with said supply of cold water, said bypass valve configured to bypass water from said hot water channel to said cold water channel.

35. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water;

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said water control fixture, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level, said actuating element configured to operatively seal said bypass valve; and

a screen disposed in a hot water inlet of said water control fixture so as to be cleaned by the movement of water from said pressurized supply of hot water when said operating valve is open.

36. The water control fixture according to claim 35, further comprising a housing with an interior chamber disposed in said housing, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water, said bypass valve disposed in said interior chamber.

37. The water control fixture according to claim 36, wherein said bypass valve is disposed in a cartridge configured to fit within said interior chamber.

38. The water control fixture according to claim 36, wherein said bypass valve is removably disposed in said interior chamber.

39. The water control fixture according to claim 38, wherein said bypass valve is removable through the top of said water control fixture.

40. The water control fixture according to claim 36, wherein said housing has a hot water channel interconnecting said supply of hot water with said interior chamber and a cold water channel interconnecting said interior chamber with said supply of cold water, said bypass valve configured to bypass water from said hot water channel to said cold water channel.

41. The water control fixture according to claim 35, wherein said bypass valve is disposed in said operating valve.

42. The water control fixture according to claim 41, wherein said operating valve comprises a moveable valving ball having one or more inlet ports thereon for selective communication with said supply of hot water and said supply of cold water, said ball having an annular compartment and an inner compartment in the interior of said ball.

43. The water control fixture according to claim 42, wherein said actuating element is disposed in said inner compartment and said annular compartment is in fluid communication with said one or more inlet ports on said ball.

44. The water control fixture according to claim 43, further comprising one or more bypass ports on said ball, said bypass ports in fluid communication with said inner compartment to allow said bypass valve to bypass fluid from said supply of hot water to said supply of cold water.

45. The water control fixture according to claim 42, wherein said operating valve comprises a replaceable cylindrical valving cartridge having a moveable valving spool, said actuating element disposed in said moveable valving spool.

46. The water control fixture according to claim 45, wherein said actuating element has a shuttle connected to a piston actuated by an actuator and said shuttle has an integral elastomer sleeve.

47. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water;

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said water control fixture, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level; and

a screen disposed in a hot water inlet of said water control fixture so as to be cleaned by the movement of water from said pressurized supply of hot water when said operating valve is open.

48. The water control fixture according to claim 47, wherein said actuating element comprises an actuating body and a rod member, said rod member configured to operatively extend from said actuating body and seal said bypass valve.

49. The water control fixture according to claim 48, wherein said rod member has a reduced diameter section to allow for lime buildup.

50. The water control fixture according to claim 48, further comprising a sharp cornered guide bore on said actuating body.

51. The water control fixture according to claim 50, wherein said rod member has a reduced diameter section to allow for lime buildup.

52. The water control fixture according to claim 47, wherein said actuating element is a wax-filled cartridge actuator.

53. The water control fixture according to claim 47 further comprising a bias spring disposed in said bypass valve between said valve seat and said actuating body to urge said rod member toward said actuating body to open said valve seat.

54. The water control fixture according to claim 47 further comprising a check valve disposed in said bypass valve.

55. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water;

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said water control fixture, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level; and

a housing having an interior chamber disposed in said housing, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water, said bypass valve disposed in a cartridge in said interior chamber.

56. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water;

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said water control fixture, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level; and

a housing having an interior chamber disposed in said housing, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water, said bypass valve removably disposed in said interior chamber, said bypass valve removable through the top of said water control fixture.

57. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water;

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said water control fixture, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level; and

a housing disposed at the rear of said fixture, said housing having an interior chamber disposed in said housing, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water, said bypass valve disposed in said interior chamber.

58. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water;

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said water control fixture, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level; and

a housing having an interior chamber disposed in said housing, said housing a threaded pipe integral with said fixture, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water, said bypass valve disposed in said interior chamber.

59. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water;

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said water control fixture, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level; and

a housing having an interior chamber disposed in said housing, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water, said bypass valve disposed in said interior chamber, said housing adapted for use as a dual handle, single spout water control fixture by adding a side port for the discharge of water from said fixture.

60. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water; and

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said operating valve, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level.

61. The water control fixture according to claim 60, wherein said operating valve comprises a moveable valving ball having one or more inlet ports thereon for selective communication with said supply of hot water and said supply of cold water.

62. The water control fixture according to claim 61, wherein said ball has an annular compartment and an inner compartment in the interior of said ball.

63. The water control fixture according to claim 62, wherein said actuating element is disposed in said inner compartment and said annular compartment is in fluid communication with said one or more inlet ports on said ball.

64. The water control fixture according to claim 63 further comprising one or more bypass ports on said ball, said bypass ports in fluid communication with said inner compartment to allow said bypass valve to bypass fluid from said supply of hot water to said supply of cold water.

65. The water control fixture according to claim 60, wherein said operating valve comprises a replaceable cylindrical valving cartridge having a moveable valving spool.

66. The water control fixture according to claim 65, wherein said actuating element is disposed in said moveable valving spool.

67. The water control fixture according to claim 66, wherein said actuating element has a shuttle connected to a piston actuated by an actuator.

68. The water control fixture according to claim 67, wherein said shuttle has an integral elastomer sleeve.

69. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water;

a housing having an interior chamber disposed therein, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water; and

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve removably disposed in said interior chamber, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level, said actuating element configured to operatively seal said bypass valve, said bypass valve removable through the top of said water control fixture.

70. The water control fixture according to claim 69, wherein said housing has a hot water channel interconnecting said supply of hot water with said interior chamber and a cold water channel interconnecting said interior chamber with said supply of cold water, said bypass valve configured to bypass water from said hot water channel to said cold water channel.

71. A water control fixture, comprising:

an operating valve in said water control fixture for controlling the flow of water from a pressurized supply of hot water; and

a thermostatically controlled bypass valve disposed in said operating valve, said bypass valve having a thermally sensitive actuating element therein configured to bypass water from said supply of hot water to a supply of cold water until the temperature of the water is at a preset level, said actuating element configured to operatively seal said bypass valve.

72. The water control fixture according to claim 71 further comprising a housing disposed in said operating valve, said housing having an interior chamber therein, said interior chamber hydraulically connected to said supply of hot water, said bypass valve disposed in said interior chamber.

73. The water control fixture according to claim 72, wherein said bypass valve is disposed in a cartridge configured to fit within said interior chamber.

74. The water control fixture according to claim 72, wherein said bypass valve is removably disposed in said interior chamber.

75. The water control fixture according to claim 74, wherein said bypass valve is removable through the top of said water control fixture.

76. The water control fixture according to claim 72, wherein said housing has a hot water channel interconnecting said supply of hot water with said interior chamber and a cold water channel interconnecting said interior chamber with said supply of cold water, said bypass valve configured to bypass water from said hot water channel to said cold water channel.