Patent ID: 6604687
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: G05D

Abstract:
A thermostatically controlled valve assembly, comprising:a valve body having a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet for receiving hot and cold water from respective hot and cold water supplies connected to said valve body, the valve body further including an outlet for discharge of water therefrom; a flow passage extending through said valve body and defining a passage for water to pass between said hot and cold water inlets and said outlet, the flow passage including a valve seat; a thermally responsive member disposed in said flow passage that moves in proportion to temperature of said water in said flow passage; a valve plug operatively connected to the thermally responsive member to move with said thermally responsive member; and, a restrictor element interposed in said flow passage between said valve body hot and cold water inlets and said valve body outlet, the restrictor element having inlet and outlet openings formed at opposite ends thereof, and an annular flow-directing surface extending therebetween, said restrictor element being disposed in said flow passage such that said restrictor element outlet surrounds said thermally responsive member and said flow-directing surface extends toward said thermally responsive member, whereby water passing through said flow passage is directed onto said thermally responsive member, said restrictor element outlet opening being expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter in response to pressure of water flowing through said flow passage.