Mixing valve structure

Claim 2

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said recess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with said valve chamber and its other end communicating with the other of said end surfaces of said body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets, a return port in said outer casing; a second, spray outlet in said outer casing; an auxiliary passage formed in said body for conducting flow between said return port and said spray outlet, and a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages.

Claim 3

A mixing valve which comprises a housing having a central cavity, a hollow cylindrical slide valve member mounted in said central cavity for reciprocation axially and for turning about the axis thereof, there being radial inlet slot means in said slide valve member, a plurality of transverse inlet openings in said housing communicating with said central cavity, a sliding seat member slidably mounted in each of said inlet openings, each sliding seat member having a cylindrically concave face engageable with and complementary to the outer face of the slide valve member, each sliding seat member including a guide plug portion which is mounted in and slidable lengthwise of one of the inlet openings and an enlarged head slidably mounted in the central cavity, the cylindrically concave face being the inner face of said head, there being a port in each sliding seat member providing communication between the inlet opening associated therewith and the inlet slot means in the slide valve, means for introducing liquids under pressure into the inlet openings, the pressure in the inlet openings urging the sliding seat members into engagement with the slide valve, means for reciprocating and turning the slide valve to bring selected portions of the inlet slot means into regisTry with the ports, whereby the liquids flow into the interior of the slide valve member and mix therein, and means for withdrawing mixed liquids from the interior of the slide valve member.

Claim 4

A mixing valve which comprises a housing having a central cavity, a hollow cylindrical slide valve member mounted in said central cavity for reciprocation axially and for turning about the axis thereof, there being radial inlet slot means in said slide valve member, a plurality of transverse inlet openings in said housing communicating with said central cavity, a sliding seat member slidably mounted in each of said inlet openings, each sliding seat member having a cylindrically concave face engageable with and complementary to the outer face of the slide valve member, each sliding seat member including a guide plug portion which is mounted in and slidable lengthwise of one of the inlet openings and an enlarged head slidably mounted in the central cavity, the cylindrically concave face being the inner face of said head, there being a port in each sliding seat member providing communication between the inlet opening associated therewith and the inlet slot means in the slide valve, means for introducing liquids under pressure into the inlet openings, the pressure in the inlet openings urging the sliding seat members into engagement with the slide valve, means for reciprocating and turning the slide valve to bring selected portions of the inlet slot means into regisTry with the ports, whereby the liquids flow into the interior of the slide valve member and mix therein, and means for withdrawing mixed liquids from the interior of the slide valve member.

Claim 5

A mixing valve in accordance with claim 2 characterized by the fact that a circumferential slot is formed in the guide plug portion of each sliding seat and that a resilient sealing ring is mounted in said circumferential slot and engages the interior of the inlet opening associated therewith to form a sliding seal therebetween.

Claim 6

A mixing valve as in claim 2 wherein the means for withdrawing mixed liquids from the slide valve member is spaced from the inlet slot means and outside the housing, a hollow spool member overlies the housing, the withdrawing means discharges into the hollow interior thereof, and there is a port in the spool member for withdrawing the mixed liquids.

Claim 7

A mixing valve in accordance with claim 4 wherein the means for reciprocating and turning the slide valve member is a link rod having a portion extending axially of the spool member, there is a sealing ring in the spool member ahead of the port therein, and the link rod has a frustoconic section engageable with said sealing ring when the valve is in a closed position to prevent outward flow of liquids.

Claim 8

A mixing valve which comprises a hollow casing, a housing removably mounted inside said casing, said housing having a central cavity, a hollow cylindrical slide valve member mounted in said central cavity for reciprocation axially and for turning about the axis thereof, there being a radial inlet slot means in said slide valve member, a plurality of transverse inlet openings in said housing communicating with said central cavity, inlet lines attached to said casing and communicating with the inlet openings of the housing, a sliding seat member mounted in each of said inlet openings, each sliding seat member having a cylindrically concave face engageable with the complementary to the outer face of the slide valve member, each sliding seat member including a guide plug portion which is mounted in the slidable lengthwise of one of the inlet openings and an enlarged head slidably mounted in the central cavity, the cylindrically concave face being the inner face of said head, there being a port in each sliding seat member providing communication between the inlet opening associated therewith and the inlet slot means in the slide valve, means for introducing fluids under pressure into the inlet lines, means for reciprocating and turning the slide valve to bring selected portions of the inlet slot means into registry with the ports, whereby the fluids flow into the interior of the slide valve member and mix therein, and means for withdrawing mixed fluids from the interior of the slide valve member.

Claim 9

A mixing valve which comprises a hollow casing, a housing removably mounted inside said casing, said housing having a central cavity, a hollow cylindrical slide valve member mounted in said central cavity for reciprocation axially and for turning about the axis thereof, there being a radial inlet slot means in said slide valve member, a plurality of transverse inlet openings in said housing communicating with said central cavity, inlet lines attached to said casing and communicating with the inlet openings of the housing, a sliding seat member mounted in each of said inlet openings, each sliding seat member having a cylindrically concave face engageable with the complementary to the outer face of the slide valve member, each sliding seat member including a guide plug portion which is mounted in the slidable lengthwise of one of the inlet openings and an enlarged head slidably mounted in the central cavity, the cylindrically concave face being the inner face of said head, there being a port in each sliding seat member providing communication between the inlet opening associated therewith and the inlet slot means in the slide valve, means for introducing fluids under pressure into the inlet lines, means for reciprocating and turning the slide valve to bring selected portions of the inlet slot means into registry with the ports, whereby the fluids flow into the interior of the slide valve member and mix therein, and means for withdrawing mixed fluids from the interior of the slide valve member.

Claim 10

A mixing valve as in claim 6 wherein a circumferential sealing ring is mounted on each guide plug portion engaging the associated inlet opening to form a sliding seat therebetween.

Claim 11

A mixing valve as in claim 6 wherein an end portion of the slide valve member has an axial bore and an axial pin is mounted in the housing extending into the central cavity thereof, the pin being received in the axial bore to guide the slide valve member as it reciprocates and turns.

Claim 12

A mixing valve which comprises a housing having a central cavity, a hollow cylindrical slide valve member mounted in said central cavity for reciprocation axially and for turning about the axis thereof, there being radial inlet slot means in said slide valve member, a plurality of transverse inlet openings in said housing communicating with said central cavity, a sliding seat member slidably mounted in each of said inlet openings, each sliding seat member including a guide plug portion which is mounted in and slidable lengthwise of one of the inlet openings and an enlarged head slidably mounted in the central cavity, an annular seal ring surrounding each sliding seat member and engaging the interior of the inlet opening in which the sLiding seat member is mounted to form a seal therebetween, each sliding seat member having a cylindrically concave face engageable with and complementary to the outer face of the slide valve member, there being a port in each sliding seat member providing communication between the inlet opening associated therewith and the inlet slot means in the slide valve member, means for introducing liquids under pressure into the inlet cavities, the pressure in the inlet cavities urging the sliding seat members into engagement with the slide valve member, means for reciprocating and turning the slide valve member to bring selected portions of the inlet slot means into registry with the ports, whereby the liquids flow into the interior of the slide valve member and mix therein, and means for withdrawing mixed liquids from the interior of the slide valve member.

Claim 13

A mixing valve which comprises a housing having a central cavity, a hollow cylindrical slide valve member mounted in said central cavity for reciprocation axially and for turning about the axis thereof, there being radial inlet slot means in said slide valve member, a plurality of transverse inlet openings in said housing communicating with said central cavity, a sliding seat member slidably mounted in each of said inlet openings, each sliding seat member including a guide plug portion which is mounted in and slidable lengthwise of one of the inlet openings and an enlarged head slidably mounted in the central cavity, an annular seal ring surrounding each sliding seat member and engaging the interior of the inlet opening in which the sLiding seat member is mounted to form a seal therebetween, each sliding seat member having a cylindrically concave face engageable with and complementary to the outer face of the slide valve member, there being a port in each sliding seat member providing communication between the inlet opening associated therewith and the inlet slot means in the slide valve member, means for introducing liquids under pressure into the inlet cavities, the pressure in the inlet cavities urging the sliding seat members into engagement with the slide valve member, means for reciprocating and turning the slide valve member to bring selected portions of the inlet slot means into registry with the ports, whereby the liquids flow into the interior of the slide valve member and mix therein, and means for withdrawing mixed liquids from the interior of the slide valve member.

Claim 14

A mixing valve as in claim 9 wherein each of the annular seal rings is mounted in a circumferential slot in the sliding seat member and extends outwardly therefrom into sliding sealing engagement with the interior of the inlet opening in which the sliding seat member is mounted.

Claim 15

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said recess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with said valve chamber and its other end communicating with an exterior surface of said body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; a return port in said outer casing; a second, spray outlet in said outer casing; and an auxiliary passage formed in said body for conducting flow between said return port and said spray outlet; said auxiliary passage extending between the end surfaces of said cartridge body and being unconnected with said inlet passages and said valve chamber.

Claim 16

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said recess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with said valve chamber and its other end communicating with an exterior surface of said body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; a return port in said outer casing; a second, spray outlet in said outer casing; and an auxiliary passage formed in said body for conducting flow between said return port and said spray outlet; said auxiliary passage extending between the end surfaces of said cartridge body and being unconnected with said inlet passages and said valve chamber.

Claim 17

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said recess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with an exterior surface of said body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; said casing being formed with a tub outlet and a shower outlet in communication with each other; and at least one auxiliary passage in said body for conducting flow to said tub and shower outlets from said inlets.

Claim 18

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said recess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with an exterior surface of said body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; said casing being formed with a tub outlet and a shower outlet in communication with each other; and at least one auxiliary passage in said body for conducting flow to said tub and shower outlets from said inlets.

Claim 19

A valve as claimed in claim 12 wherein said auxiliary passage extends between the end surfaces of said body and is unconnected with said inlet passages and said valve chamber.

Claim 20

A valve as claimed in claim 12 wherein a pair of auxiliary passages are formed in said body; and each of said auxiliary passages extends between the end surfaces of said body and is unconnected with said inlet passages and said valve chamber.

Claim 21

A valve as claimed in claim 14 further including a locating member projecting from one of said auxiliary passages, and a port in said recess for receiving said locating member to orient said cartridge in said recess and connect said one auxiliary passage with said tub and shower outlets.

Claim 22

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said rEcess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with an exterior surface of said body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; said valve member comprising a slide valve member rotatable in said valve chamber to vary the proportionate amount of flow from each inlet passage, and axially slidable in said valve chamber to vary the total amount of flow from the inlet passages; a spool member received in said outer casing with an end face engaged with said one end surface of said body; an operating member connected with said slide valve member and mounted in said spool member for axially slidable and rotatable movement relative to said spool member to respectively cause axially slidable and rotatable movement of said slide valve member in said valve chamber; an axial chamber in said spool member communicating with the valve chamber in said body; slot means in said spool member providing communication between said axial chamber and said outlet; means defining a valve seat in said axial chamber; a valve head on said operating member movable between open and closed positions relative to said valve seat upon axial movement of said operating member for controlling flow from said axial member through said slots; said slot means comprising a circumferential slot in said spool member, and radial slots in said spool member connecting said axial chamber with said circumferential slot; said outlet comprising a port communicating with said circumferential slot, a second circumferential slot spaced from said first named circumferential slot to define a rib therebetween; and a return, spray port in said casing communicating with said second slot.

Claim 23

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said rEcess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with an exterior surface of said body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; said valve member comprising a slide valve member rotatable in said valve chamber to vary the proportionate amount of flow from each inlet passage, and axially slidable in said valve chamber to vary the total amount of flow from the inlet passages; a spool member received in said outer casing with an end face engaged with said one end surface of said body; an operating member connected with said slide valve member and mounted in said spool member for axially slidable and rotatable movement relative to said spool member to respectively cause axially slidable and rotatable movement of said slide valve member in said valve chamber; an axial chamber in said spool member communicating with the valve chamber in said body; slot means in said spool member providing communication between said axial chamber and said outlet; means defining a valve seat in said axial chamber; a valve head on said operating member movable between open and closed positions relative to said valve seat upon axial movement of said operating member for controlling flow from said axial member through said slots; said slot means comprising a circumferential slot in said spool member, and radial slots in said spool member connecting said axial chamber with said circumferential slot; said outlet comprising a port communicating with said circumferential slot, a second circumferential slot spaced from said first named circumferential slot to define a rib therebetween; and a return, spray port in said casing communicating with said second slot.

Claim 24

A valve as claimed in claim 16 further including a second, spray outlet in said casing; and an auxiliary passage in said body providing communication between said second slot and said second outlet.

Claim 25

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said recess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with said valve chamber and its other end communicating with an exterior surface of said body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; said valve member comprising a slide valve member rotatable in said valve chamber to vary the proportionate amount of flow from each inlet passage, and axially slidable in said valve chamber to vary the total amount of flow from the inlet passages; a spool member received in said outer casing with an end face engaged with said one end surface of said body; an operating member connected with said slide valve member and mounted in said spool member for axially slidable and rotatable movement relative to said spool member to respectively cause axially slidable and rotatable movement of said slide valve member in said valve chamber; an axial chamber in said spool member communicating with the valve chamber in said body; slot means in said spool member providing communication between said axial chamber and said outlet; means defining a valve seat in said axial chamber; a valve head on said operating member movable between open and closed positions relative to said valve seat upon axial movement of said operating member for controlling flow from said axial chamber tHrough said slots; said outlet being located in said casing on the opposite side of said body from said one end surface; and an auxiliary passage in said body between said end surfaces providing communication between said slot means and said outlet.

Claim 26

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said recess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with said valve chamber and its other end communicating with an exterior surface of said body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; said valve member comprising a slide valve member rotatable in said valve chamber to vary the proportionate amount of flow from each inlet passage, and axially slidable in said valve chamber to vary the total amount of flow from the inlet passages; a spool member received in said outer casing with an end face engaged with said one end surface of said body; an operating member connected with said slide valve member and mounted in said spool member for axially slidable and rotatable movement relative to said spool member to respectively cause axially slidable and rotatable movement of said slide valve member in said valve chamber; an axial chamber in said spool member communicating with the valve chamber in said body; slot means in said spool member providing communication between said axial chamber and said outlet; means defining a valve seat in said axial chamber; a valve head on said operating member movable between open and closed positions relative to said valve seat upon axial movement of said operating member for controlling flow from said axial chamber tHrough said slots; said outlet being located in said casing on the opposite side of said body from said one end surface; and an auxiliary passage in said body between said end surfaces providing communication between said slot means and said outlet.

Claim 27

A valve as claimed in claim 18 further including an end wall in said recess and wherein the other end surface of said body is seated against said end wall, a port in said end wall communicating with said outlet, and locating means projecting from said body for engaging said port to locate said body in said recess with said auxiliary passage in registry with said port.

Claim 28

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said recess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with said valve chamber and its other end communicating with an exterior surface of body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; and a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; said valve member comprising a slide valve member rotatable in said valve chamber to vary the proportionate amount of flow from each inlet passage, and axially slidable in said valve chamber to vary the total amount of flow from the inlet passages; a spool member received in said outer casing with an end face engaged with said one end surface of said body; an operating member connected with said slide valve member and mounted in said spool member for axially slidable and rotatable movement relative to said spool member to respectively cause axially slidable and rotatable movement of said slide valve member in said valve chamber; an axial chamber in said spool member communicating with the valve chamber in said body; slot means in said spool member providing communication between said axial chamber and said outlet; means defining a valve seat in said axial chamber; a valve head on said operating member movable between open and closed positions relative to said valve seat upon axial movement of said operating member for controlling flow from said axial chamber through said slots; said casing being formed with a tub outlet and a shower outlet, and further including a plurality of auxiliary passages in said body extending between the end surfaces of said body and unconnected with said cavity and inlet passages for providing communication between said slot means and said tub and shower outlets.

Claim 29

A valve comprising: an outer casing having a pair of inlets, at least one outlet, and a cup-shaped recess formed therein; a valve chamber cartridge removably received in said recess, said cartridge including a body having a pair of end surfaces, a valve chamber in said body extending from one of said end surfaces, a pair of inlet passages in said body each having one end communicating with said valve chamber and its other end communicating with an exterior surface of body; ports in said casing connecting each of said inlet passages with one of said pair of inlets; and a slide valve member received in said valve chamber operable to control communication between said pair of inlets and said outlet through said inlet passages; said valve member comprising a slide valve member rotatable in said valve chamber to vary the proportionate amount of flow from each inlet passage, and axially slidable in said valve chamber to vary the total amount of flow from the inlet passages; a spool member received in said outer casing with an end face engaged with said one end surface of said body; an operating member connected with said slide valve member and mounted in said spool member for axially slidable and rotatable movement relative to said spool member to respectively cause axially slidable and rotatable movement of said slide valve member in said valve chamber; an axial chamber in said spool member communicating with the valve chamber in said body; slot means in said spool member providing communication between said axial chamber and said outlet; means defining a valve seat in said axial chamber; a valve head on said operating member movable between open and closed positions relative to said valve seat upon axial movement of said operating member for controlling flow from said axial chamber through said slots; said casing being formed with a tub outlet and a shower outlet, and further including a plurality of auxiliary passages in said body extending between the end surfaces of said body and unconnected with said cavity and inlet passages for providing communication between said slot means and said tub and shower outlets.

Claim 30

A valve as claimed in claim 20 further including a packing chamber in said spool member surrounding said operating member, and an adjustment member rotatably mounted on said spool member for selectively varying the volume of the packing chamber.

Claim 31

A valve as claimed in claim 21 further including means for selectively connecting said adjustment member with said operating member to thereby vary the volume of the packing chamber upon rotation of the operating member.

Claim 32

A valve as claimed in claim 22 wherein said last named means includes a disk having an opening slidably receiving said operating member, said disk being rotatable with said operating member.