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Automated thermal recirculation valve

  • US 9,879,796 B2
  • Filed: 02/18/2013
  • Issued: 01/30/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An automated valve comprising:

  • a casing providing flow between a first end and a second end and having a casing interior wall;

    said casing comprising a central hollow configured to receive a thermal assembly;

    said casing interior wall comprising an area of reduced cross sectional void space forming a seat;

    said seat comprising a seat opening having an inside diameter open to flow through said casing;

    said thermal assembly comprising a thermally expansive substance within a cup and sealed with a molded diaphragm, said thermal assembly configured to expand to move a piston to position a piston casing end comprising a piston casing end outside diameter into said seat opening to obstruct flow through said casing when said thermal assembly is heated above a set point;

    said piston casing end outside diameter is less than said inside diameter of said seat to maintain communication flow through said casing between said seat and said piston casing end when said thermal assembly is fully expanded and said piston casing end is inserted into said seat opening;

    a carrier configured to position said thermal assembly within said central hollow of said casing;

    said seat comprising a seat interface configured to retain a spring between said seat interface and a piston casing collar to automatically move said piston casing end out of said seat opening when said thermal assembly is cooled below a set point; and

    a retaining ring disposed within a retaining groove disposed on said casing interior wall and configured to retain said carrier within said casing.

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