Patent ID: 8327873

Claim:
A temperature control valve apparatus for a recirculation pump the control valve apparatus being configured for preventing back flow from a cold water line into a hot water line during selected periods of non-operation of the pump, the control valve apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet for connection to the hot water line, an outlet for connection to the cold water line, and an interconnecting bore, the bore including a valve seat; a moveable valve plug disposed in the bore proximate said valve seat; a valve spring, biasing the valve plug in a spaced apart relationship with said valve seat, for enabling water to flow therepast and through said housing from the hot water line to the cold water line; a thermal actuator disposed in an operative position for moving said valve plug to a sealing position against said valve seat to prevent water flow therepast from the cold water line to the hot water line only during non-operation of the pump, the actuator being operative at a preselected water temperature; and a temperature sensor disposed in said housing for sensing water temperature in the hot water line, wherein the preselected water temperature for operating the actuator is greater than a predetermined temperature for stopping said pump.