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Valve apparatus for regulating a heat exchange liquid

  • US 8,066,198 B2
  • Filed: 01/16/2009
  • Issued: 11/29/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A valve apparatus for regulating flow of a heat exchange liquid, the valve apparatus being adapted for connection to a heat exchanger having flow passages for heat exchange between said heat exchange liquid and a primary liquid having a temperature, operation of the valve apparatus being dependent on the temperature of said primary liquid, said valve apparatus comprising:

  • a valve housing having first and second chambers formed therein, first inlet and outlet ports for flow of said primary liquid into and out of said first chamber, further ports for flow of said heat exchange liquid at either an elevated temperature or at a lower temperature into and out of said second chamber;

    a linear actuator mounted in said valve housing, said actuator including an actuator body containing wax and a piston made of a heat insulating plastic material and movable to an extended position by expansion of said wax due to a predetermined increase in the temperature of said wax, at least a substantial portion of said actuator body being located in said first chamber so that, during use of said apparatus, the temperature of the actuator body and said wax is substantially determined by the existing temperature of said primary liquid flowing through said first chamber, said actuator body having an end portion adjacent said second chamber made of a heat insulating plastic material; and

    a valve mechanism operable by said linear actuator and operably engaged by said piston for movement therewith, said valve mechanism being located in said second chamber and capable of controlling the flow of both said heat exchange liquid at said elevated temperature and said heat exchange liquid at said lower temperature through said second chamber, said valve mechanism including a spool having a first end engaged by said piston, a first valve closure arranged on said spool, and a second end section located opposite said first end and slidably supported in said valve housing; and

    a primary spring mounted in said second chamber so as to bias said spool to a valve closing position where said valve closure engages a first valve seat formed in said valve housing,wherein during use of said valve apparatus, operation of the linear actuator is substantially unaffected by the temperature of said heat exchange liquid flowing through the second chamber.

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