Method of mixing fluids using a valve

• US 7,191,954 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magarl, LLC
• Original Assignee: Magarl, LLC
• Inventors: Kline, Kevin B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai; Willliam E.
• Application Number:
  US10/939,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20050028876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 4676-677, 137/625.4, 137/625.41, 236 121- 122
• US Class Current: 236/12.2
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/134 measuring the temperature of mixed fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 236/02 Fail safe
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7937 Cage-type guide for stemless valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87684 Valve in each inlet

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.

Claims

1. A mixing valve comprising:

a valve body formed to include

a hot fluid inlet,

a cold fluid inlet,

a third fluid inlet,

a mixed fluid outlet,

a first chamber for receiving cold fluid from the cold fluid inlet and third fluid from the third fluid inlet,

and a mixing chamber positioned to receive fluid from the first chamber and the hot fluid inlet and discharge a mixture of the received hot, cold, and third fluids from the mixing chamber via the mixed fluid outlet port,

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 third fluid inlet positioned relative to the cold fluid inlet to permit fluid to flow through the third fluid inlet and mix with the fluid from the cold fluid inlet in the first chamber prior to being received by the mixing chamber.

2. The mixing valve of claim 1, wherein the third fluid inlet is positioned relative to the cold fluid inlet to permit third fluid to flow through the third fluid inlet into a cold fluid chamber in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of cold fluid flows through the cold fluid inlet.

3. The mixing valve of claim 1, further comprising a check valve, wherein the third fluid inlet is positioned downstream of the check valve so that, when the check valve is in a closed orientation, the flow of fluid through the cold fluid inlet is substantially obstructed, and the third fluid inlet is substantially unobstructed.

4. The mixing valve of claim 1, wherein the third fluid inlet is positioned so that fluid flows from the third fluid inlet in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the valve member.

5. The mixing valve of claim 4, wherein the third fluid inlet is positioned relative to the cold fluid inlet to permit fluid to flow through the third fluid inlet into a cold fluid chamber in a direction substantially transverse to the direction in which cold fluid flows through the cold fluid inlet.

6. The mixing valve of claim 3, wherein the check valve includes a check valve member movable between a position engaging a seat to restrict flow of fluid past the seat to a position permitting flow of fluid past the seat, and the third fluid inlet is positioned so that fluid flows from the third fluid inlet in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the check valve member.

7. The mixing valve of claim 6, wherein the third fluid inlet is positioned relative to the cold fluid inlet to permit fluid to flow through the third fluid inlet into a cold fluid chamber in a direction substantially transverse to the direction in which cold fluid flows through the cold fluid inlet.

8. The mixing valve of claim 1, further comprising a cap, and the third fluid inlet is an opening formed in the valve body and is sized to receive the cap when the third fluid inlet is not in use.

9. The mixing valve of claim 8, wherein the cap and the opening are complementarily threaded.

10. The mixing valve of claim 2, further comprising a threaded cap, and the third fluid inlet is an opening formed in the valve body and is complementarily threaded and sized to receive the cap when the third fluid inlet is not in use.

11. A method of mixing fluids comprising:

providing a valve body formed to include a hot fluid inlet, a cold fluid inlet, a third fluid inlet adjacent the cold fluid inlet, and a mixing chamber positioned to receive fluid from the hot, cold, and third fluid inlets, the valve body further comprising a thermostat positioned at least partially in the mixing chamber to sense the temperature of a mixture of the fluids received via the hot, cold, and third inlets 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 third fluid via the third fluid inlet and introducing cold fluid via the cold fluid inlet into a cold fluid chamber to permit blending of cold fluid and third fluid.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the valve body is formed to include a third fluid inlet positioned relative to the cold fluid inlet to permit fluid to flow through the third fluid inlet into the cold fluid chamber in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of cold fluid flows through the cold fluid inlet.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the valve body is formed to include a third fluid inlet, the valve body further comprising a check valve in the cold fluid inlet, wherein the third fluid inlet is positioned downstream of the check valve so that, when the check valve is in a closed orientation, the flow of fluid through the cold fluid inlet is substantially obstructed, and the third fluid inlet is substantially unobstructed.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the third fluid inlet is positioned relative to the cold fluid inlet to permit fluid to flow through the third fluid inlet into the cold fluid chamber in a direction substantially transverse to the direction in which cold fluid flows through the cold fluid inlet.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the check valve includes a check valve member movable between a position engaging a seat to restrict flow of fluid past the seat to a position permitting flow of fluid past the seat, and the third fluid inlet is positioned so that fluid flows from the third fluid inlet in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the check valve member.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the third fluid inlet is positioned relative to the cold fluid inlet to permit fluid to flow through the third fluid inlet into the cold fluid chamber in a direction substantially transverse to the direction in which cold fluid flows through the cold fluid inlet.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a cap, and the third fluid inlet is an opening formed in the valve body and is sized to receive the cap when the third fluid inlet is not in use.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cap is complementarily threaded with complementary threads formed at the opening.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a threaded cap, and the third fluid inlet is an opening formed in the valve body and is complementarily threaded and sized to receive the cap when the third fluid inlet is not in use.

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 third fluid inlet adjacent the cold fluid inlet, a first chamber for receiving cold fluid from the cold fluid inlet and third fluid from the third fluid inlet, and a mixing chamber positioned to receive fluid via the first chamber and the hot fluid inlet, a valve member to adjust the amount of fluid flowing through at least one of the hot and the 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 third fluid inlet to permit flow of third fluid to the mixing valve via the third fluid inlet.