A thermostatically-actuated mixing-valve

Abstract

Abstract 1,069,190. Valves. B. K. V. PLATEN. Sept. 9, 1965 [Sept. 9, 1964], No. 38501/65. Heading F2V. A thermostatically controlled mixing valve has a mixing chamber 12 into which a hot water valve 4 and a cold water valve 5 open, a thermostat 18 disposed between the valves and a spout 30 and operatively connected by a push rod 15 and a lever plate 8 to maintain the temperature of the liquid in the spout at a pre-selected value, a handle 26 operatively connected to a closure element 40 partially obstructing liquid flow through an opening in a partition 17 both when the handle 26 is in the fully closed position and during an initial part of the opening movement of the handle, the closure element being moved to the open position after the initial part of the handle movement has taken place, and a leak path around the closure element and the push rod 15 whereby some of the liquid in the chamber 12 is allowed to escape to prevent liquid flowing between the two inlets. Rotation of the handle 26 retracts a screw 6a and permits a spindle 6b to be raised by a spring 41 until a head 6c<SP>1</SP> forming a retractable fulcrum for the plate 8 engages and lifts the element 40. In its upper position, the plate 8 pivots on fulcra 17b on the partition 17 and is inclined to an extent determined by the thermostat 18 to vary the relative flow through the two valves. A flexible capillary tube 19 connects the thermostat to a hollow container 16 surrounded by a helical fin 29 and containing a liquid with a high coefficient of expansion. To alter the setting of the thermostat, the handle 26 is used to rotate a sleeve 25 having a splined connection with a cam 21 which displaces the thermostat through a lever 22 while a spring 24 accommodates axial movement of the cam if the adjustment is made too quickly for the thermostat to follow. In a second construction, separate manual rotary controls actuate the closure element and the thermostat through screwed connections and the container 16 is provided with an additional helical fin surrounding the tube 19. The latter communicates with the space beneath a rubber diaphragm actuating a piston in a cylindrical guide provided with a circumferential recess to receive particles of rubber abraded from the diaphragm so that smooth action of the piston is maintained. The thermostat may be filled with silicon impregnated oil and a bellows may be used in place of the piston.

Inventors

No inventors recorded.

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