US4032068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermostatic valve
Assignee: THERMO VALVE CORP
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Filing: 1975-04-08
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1995-04-08
Abstract
Abstract Body constructions for valves responsive to temperatures of inlet fluid so as to open or close thermostatic valve elements and, respectively, direct fluid flow to heat-exchangers or by-pass them. Flow is diverted from the axis of the inlet to permit ready access to thermostatic valves and/or improve flow to heat-exchangers.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell O. Luchtenberg
- 👤 James P. Buchwald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:42
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/01; G05D23/13; G05D23/1306; G05D23/132; G05D23/1333; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
In a thermostatic valve utilizing stock temperature-responsive valve element means comprised of a stem, a ring seat carried by the stem, and a skirted hollow head movable by a temperature-responsive element from a closed position on said ring seat to an open position, a main valve body provided with alternate outlet openings, a partition within said main valve body separating a first cavity within said body which leads to one outlet opening from a second cavity which leads to an alternate outlet opening, openings in said valve body and said partition to receive the skirted head of the stock valve element means, means for removably holding said valve element means in said main body, spaced means to close said skirted head when it is moved axially from the ring seat, and inlet nozzle means for directing fluid to said valve elements, the stem of said valve element being offset from the axis of said inlet nozzle means, whereby fluid entering said inlet means is diverted to the offset stem of said valve element means and said fluid may pass either between said ring seat to one of said body outlets, or through the skirted head to an alternate body outlet, or simultaneously to both outlets, depending upon the position of said skirted head, and means for disconnecting at least a portion of said inlet means from said main valve body to provide access for inspection of said valve element means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
In a thermostatic valve utilizing stock temperature-responsive valve element means comprised of a stem, a ring seat carried by the stem, and a skirted hollow head movable by a temperature-responsive element from a closed position on said ring seat to an open position, a main valve body provided with alternate outlet openings, a partition within said main valve body separating a first cavity within said body which leads to one outlet opening from a second cavity which leads to an alternate outlet opening, openings in said valve body and said partition to receive the skirted head of the stock valve element means, means for removably holding said valve element means in said main body, spaced means to close said skirted head when it is moved axially from the ring seat, and inlet nozzle means for directing fluid to said valve elements, the stem of said valve element being offset from the axis of said inlet nozzle means, whereby fluid entering said inlet means is diverted to the offset stem of said valve element means and said fluid may pass either between said ring seat to one of said body outlets, or through the skirted head to an alternate body outlet, or simultaneously to both outlets, depending upon the position of said skirted head, and means for disconnecting at least a portion of said inlet means from said main valve body to provide access for inspection of said valve element means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A thermostatic valve as defined in claim 1 in which thermostatic valve means comprises a cluster of stock temperature-responsive valves having the construction defined and the cluster is offset from the axis of said inlet means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a valve as defined in claim 2 in which said first cavity leads to a by-pass of a heat-exchanger for fluid circulated through said valve and said second cavity leads to a heat-exchanger for cooling said fluid and the means to close said skirted head when it is moved from said ring seat comprise seats supported within the first cavity of said valve body coaxially with said skirt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
In a valve as defined in claim 3 in which said inlet means comprises a bell shaped inlet nozzle removably secured to said main valve body, the enlarged portion of said nozzle being substantially closed by a deck provided with holes to receive the stems of the valves in said cluster and permit fluid to pass around said stems and through said skirted head or said ring seat and means to seal said deck to said main valve body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
In a valve as defined in claim 4 in which the outer surface of said deck is provided with a groove of substantially the same diameter as the enlarged portion of said nozzle and the means to seal said deck is an O-ring compressed in said groove when said nozzle is secured to said main valve body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
A valve as defined in claim 3 in which the interior of said main valve body is provided with a partition diverting fluid flowing into said inlet means in a direction transverse to the axis of said inlet means, a chest removably secured to a side of said main valve body, a deck substantially closing said chest but provided with an opening to receive fluid diverted from said inlet means and holes to receive the stems of valves in said cluster and permit fluid diverted into said chest to pass around said stems and through said skirted head or said ring seat and means to seal said deck to said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A valve as defined in claim 6 in which said chest, closed by said deck, is substantially bowl shaped, and the outer surface of said deck is provided with a groove of substantially the same diameter as the enlarged portion of said chest and the means to seal said deck is an O-ring compressed in said groove when said chest is secured to said main valve body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
A valve as defined in claim 7 in which the partition within said main valve body and separating two cavities within said valve body comprises a first section parallel to one wall of said body and a second section parallel to a second wall of said body, a second chest is closed by a deck receiving diverted flow from said inlet means and directing such diverted flow around the stems of valves in a cluster carried in the second wall of said body and said second chest is removably secured to said valve body, whereby flow into said inlet means is divided between flow into said first and second chests.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A valve as defined in claim 8 in which said main valve body includes means to support seats spaced from the skirted heads of each valve in said clusters when said heads are seated on their respective ring seats; said supported seats closing said skirted heads when contacted by said heads after said heads have been lifted from said ring seats.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A valve as defined in claim 9 in which said first and second chests are removably secured to opposite walls of said valve body and removal of said chests from said walls permits inspection of said valve elements in said clusters without disconnecting said valve from the inlet thereto and the outlets thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |