Patent ID: 6079625
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: G05D

Abstract:
A mixing valve which receives fluid from a first source and fluid from a second source and outputs a mixture of the fluids, the mixing valve comprising:a valve body comprising:a first fluid inlet;a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet;a second fluid inlet;a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet;a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber; anda fluid outlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber;a fluid flow regulator mounted within said housing between said first fluid chamber and said second fluid chamber, wherein a lower surface of said fluid flow regulator is disposed within said first fluid chamber and an upper surface of said fluid flow regulator is disposed within said second fluid chamber, said fluid flow regulator being mounted within said valve body in such a away as to permit movement of said fluid flow regulator along a longitudinal axis of said valve body, said fluid flow regulator having apertures therein which permit a flow of fluid between said second fluid chamber and said mixing chamber, said fluid flow regulator including a central hub which extends below said lower surface into said mixing chamber;a temperature-sensing device mounted to said central hub of said fluid flow regulator, said temperature-sensing device including a cup portion disposed proximate said mixing chamber and a piston which extends through said central hub of said fluid flow regulator and into engagement with an adjustably fixed surface of an adjustment device of the mixing valve, the adjustment device being mounted to said valve body of said mixing valve, said cup portion being constructed and arranged for sensing a temperature of fluid which flows from said mixing chamber to said outlet, causing said piston to extend from said temperature-sensing device in response to an increase in temperature and causing said piston to retract into said temperature-sensing device in response to a decrease in temperature; anda bias spring mounted between said valve housing and said temperature-sensing device which biases said temperature-sensing device against said adjustably fixed surface of the adjustment device;wherein, when the temperature of fluid passing from said mixing chamber over the cup increases, said temperature-sensing device moves said fluid flow regulator downward to limit the flow of fluid from said first fluid chamber to said mixing chamber and increase the flow of fluid from said second fluid chamber to said mixing chamber, and when the temperature of fluid passing from said mixing chamber over the cup decreases, said temperature-sensing device moves said fluid flow regulator upward to limit the flow of fluid from said second fluid chamber to said mixing chamber and increase the flow of fluid from said first fluid chamber to said mixing chamber, thereby causing fluid flowing from said fluid outlet to remain close to a preset temperature which is set by the adjustment device.