Patent ID: 7628173
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fluid control valve comprising: a lower housing having an open interior; a first flow disc positioned within said open interior; a second flow disc positioned on said first flow disc and being movable relative to said first flow disc to influence fluid flow; a carrier constructed and arranged to control the movement of said second flow disc; a ball stem connected to said carrier whereby movement of said ball stem translates into lateral movement of said carrier; a guide pin assembled to said ball stem; a clamp plate receiving said ball stem; an upper housing constructed and arranged to enclose a portion of said ball stem in cooperation with said clamp plate, wherein said guide pin engages a portion of said upper housing and wherein said ball stem is constructed and arranged for movement in a first direction for controlling water temperature and for movement in a second direction for controlling flow rate that is independent of said first direction of movement, said first direction of movement having a corresponding first moment arm length and said second direction of movement having a corresponding second moment arm length that is less than said first moment arm length; and wherein a first frictional loading is applied to said ball stem during movement in said first direction of movement and a second frictional loading is applied to said ball stem during movement in said second direction of movement, said first frictional loading on said ball stem for controlling water temperature being greater than said second frictional loading on said ball stem for controlling flow rate, said first frictional loading being influenced in part by the length of the first moment arm, said first moment arm being determined by the distance from a center point of said ball stem to a point of contact of said guide pin with said upper housing.