US3856259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermally responsive valve assembly
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-20
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A thermally responsive, electrically actuated valve assembly comprising a generally cylindrical capsule having an inlet port in one face thereof and an outlet port in its other face with communication between ports, with one of the ports having a valve seat. Valve means within the capsule are movable into and out of engagement with the valve seat, thereby selectively to block communication between ports, the valve means comprising a generally circular, dish-shaped snap-acting thermostatic disk responsive to a variation in temperature to abruptly change its curvature between a first position in which the disk is bowed toward the seat and the valve means are closed against the seat thereby to block communication between the ports and a second position in which the disk is bowed away from the seat and the valve means are spaced therefrom thereby to open communication between the ports. Spring means bias the disk and the valve means toward the seat when the disk is in its first position thereby to apply sufficient force thereto thereby to maintain the valve means closed against the seat. An electric heater is secured to one face of the capsule in heat-exchange relationship with the disk whereby when electrically energized, it will heat the disk to a temperature at which the disk will reverse curvature from one position to another. An abutment is provided within the capsule against which the disk reacts as it snaps over center from its first to its second position.
Inventors
- 👤 J Doherty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:54
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/025; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/06; F03G7/061; F03G7/0613; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1919; G05D23/1921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A thermally responsive electrically actuated valve assembly comprising a generally flat cylindrical capsule having an inlet port in one face and an outlet port in the other face thereof with communication between said ports, one of said ports having a valve seat, valve means movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat thereby selectively to block communication between said ports, said valve means comprising a generally circular dish-shaped snap-acting thermostatic disk responsive to a variation in temperature to abruptly change its curvature between a first position in which said disk is bowed toward said seat and the valve means are closed against said seat thereby to block communication between the ports and a second position in which the disk is bowed away from the seat and the valve means are spaced therefrom thereby to open communication between the ports, spring means biasing said disk and said valve means toward said seat when the disk is in said first position thereby to apply sufficient force thereto to maintain said valve means closed against said seat, an electric heater secured to one face of the capsule in heat exchange relationship with said disk whereby when electrically energized it will heat said disk to a temperaturE at which said disk will reverse curvature from one position to the other, and abutment means spaced from the disk when it is in its first position and against which the disk reacts to effect movement thereof into its second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A thermally responsive electrically actuated valve assembly comprising a generally flat cylindrical capsule having an inlet port in one face and an outlet port in the other face thereof with communication between said ports, one of said ports having a valve seat, valve means movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat thereby selectively to block communication between said ports, said valve means comprising a generally circular dish-shaped snap-acting thermostatic disk responsive to a variation in temperature to abruptly change its curvature between a first position in which said disk is bowed toward said seat and the valve means are closed against said seat thereby to block communication between the ports and a second position in which the disk is bowed away from the seat and the valve means are spaced therefrom thereby to open communication between the ports, spring means biasing said disk and said valve means toward said seat when the disk is in said first position thereby to apply sufficient force thereto to maintain said valve means closed against said seat, an electric heater secured to one face of the capsule in heat exchange relationship with said disk whereby when electrically energized it will heat said disk to a temperaturE at which said disk will reverse curvature from one position to the other, and abutment means spaced from the disk when it is in its first position and against which the disk reacts to effect movement thereof into its second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a housing adapted for reception of said capsule and comprising a first portion having a passage therein constituting an inlet passage in communication with said inlet port and a second housing portion having a passage therein constituting an outlet passage in communication with said outlet port, said valve means selectively blocking communication between said inlet and said outlet passages in said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first housing portion includes a nipple for connection of said inlet passage to a fluid source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second housing portion includes a nipple for connection of said outlet passage to other components in a fluid system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said thermostatic disk changes from its first position to its second position at a first temperature and said heater is a PTC material having a first low resistance, high heat generating state below a second temperature higher than said first temperature to cause actuation of said thermostatic disk, and a second high resistance, low heat generating state at temperatures above the second temperature to maintain the thermostatic disk in its first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a housing adapted for reception of said capsule and comprising a first housing portion having a passage therein constituting an inlet passage in communication with said inlet port and a second housing portion having a passage therein constituting an outlet passage in communication with said outlet port, said housing having a first and a second electrical terminal secured thereto, said terminals being electrically connected to said heater.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said housing portions are identical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said capsule is of an electrically conductive material and said heater is in electrical contact with said capsule, one of said terminals being in contact with said capsule and the other of said terminals being in contact with said heater.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said other terminal includes a contact arm disposed within said housing in resilient engagement with said heater.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said thermostatic disk is of bimetal having its high expansion side disposed away from said outlet port, whereby upon energization of said heater and upon heating of said disk it abruptly changes its curvature from its second to its first position to block communication between said ports in delayed response to energization of said heater.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
A valve assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said thermostatic disk is of bimetal having its high expansion side disposed toward said outlet port, whereby upon energization of said heater and upon heating of said disk said disk abruptly moves from its first to its second position thereby to open communication between said ports and upon deenergization of said heater and upon cooling of the disk, said disk moving from its second to its first position thereby to block communication between said ports in delayed response to deenergization of said heater.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1665719A
Cited
US3319888A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |