Patent ID: 8517056

Claim:
A fluid regulator for regulating the flow of a fluid stream, said regulator comprising: a body; a flow passage extending through the body and having an inlet for a fluid stream originating from both hot and cold sources of fluid and an outlet for the fluid stream; a fluid collection chamber within the body in fluid communication with the flow passage by way of a conduit that extends into the collection chamber, said fluid collection chamber having a vent that always remains open to atmospheric pressure; and a flow diverter associated with the flow passage and moveable between a closed position in which the fluid stream is directed to the collection chamber by way of the conduit, and an open position in which the fluid stream may flow to the outlet and the fluid in the collection chamber may be drawn from the collection chamber to the outlet by way of the conduit and the flow passage so as to substantially empty the collection chamber; a recirculating passage for recirculating some fluid of the fluid stream near the outlet to the fluid collection chamber, said recirculating passage remains in constant fluid communication with the collection chamber regardless of whether the flow diverter is in the open or closed position; and a bleeder passage for bleeding some fluid of the incoming fluid stream to the outlet whilst the fluid diverter is in the closed position, wherein the flow passage has a constriction located between the inlet and the outlet, said constriction causing fluid to be drawn from the collection chamber into the flow passage by way of a Venturi effect when the flow diverter is in the open position.