# US 2009/0260696 A1 · Modular pressure balancing valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260696 A1 - Document ID: US20090260696A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/422,033 - Filed: 2009-04-10 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-10 - Assignees: Grohe AG - Inventors: Richard Cruickshank; Frederick Leung; Gerry Larcina - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260696A1 ## CPC - F16K 27/0263: {multiple way valves} - Y10T 137/5283: Units interchangeable between alternate locations - Y10T 137/7504: Removable valve head and seat unit - Y10T 137/7737: Thermal responsive - Y10T 137/7793: With opening bias [e.g., pressure regulator] - Y10T 137/85938: Non-valved flow dividers - Y10T 137/87249: Multiple inlet with multiple outlet - Y10T 137/87684: Valve in each inlet - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A modular valve is provided. The modular valve includes a valve body having a pair of inlet ports and a pair of outlet ports. The pair of inlet ports each includes an integral stop valve and check valve. The valve body includes a cavity configured to selectively receive a pressure balancing cartridge or a thermostatic cartridge assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular valve having a valve body, the valve body comprising: a pair of inlet ports and a pair of outlet ports; an integral stop valve and check valve being provided for each of the pair of inlet ports each includes; and a cavity formed within the valve body, the cavity being configured to selectively receive a pressure balancing cartridge or a thermostatic cartridge assembly, wherein the pressure balancing cartridge or the thermostatic cartridge assembly in conjunction with the valve body forms an integral diverter channel by dividing the cavity into two separate chambers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular valve according to claim 1, wherein each of the divided cavities direct water towards either one of the outlet ports. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular valve according to claim 1, wherein the integral diverter channel includes a radial and inlet O-ring formed around a central axis of the pressure balancing cartridge and surrounding inlets of the pressure balancing cartridge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The modular valve according to claim 3, wherein the radial O-ring is integrally molded into an outer casing of the pressure balancing cartridge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The modular valve according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is configured to receive and retain a holder of the thermostatic cartridge assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The modular valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve body includes at least one notch formed adjacent to an opening of the cavity, the at least one notch facilitating alignment of the pressure balancing cartridge or the thermostatic cartridge assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The modular valve according to claim 1, wherein the integral diverter channel includes a radial and inlet O-ring formed around a central axis of a holder for the thermostatic cartridge assembly and surrounds inlets of the holder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The modular valve according to claim 7, wherein the radial and inlet O-ring is integrally molded into an outer casing of the holder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The modular valve according to claim 7, wherein the holder is configured to be reversible in the cavity of the valve body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The modular valve according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet cap or a duel outlet or a diverter connection connected to one of the pair of outlet ports ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The modular valve according to claim 1, wherein one of the pair of outlet ports includes a venturi. ### Claim 12 A modular valve comprising: a valve body having a pair of inlet ports and a pair of outlet ports, wherein the pair of inlet ports each include an integral stop valve and a check valve, and wherein the valve body includes a cavity; a holder configured to be retained in the cavity of the valve body; a thermostatic cartridge configured to be received in the holder; and a cover fixedly attached to the valve body and securing the thermostatic cartridge and the holder in the cavity of the valve body, wherein the thermostatic cartridge assembly in conjunction with the valve body forms an integral diverter channel by dividing the cavity into two separate chambers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The modular valve according to claim 12, wherein the valve body includes a notch formed adjacent to an opening of the cavity, and wherein the holder includes a tab that engages the notch when the holder is retained in the cavity. ### Claim 14 A pressure balancing cartridge comprising: an integral diverter channel formed around a central axis of the pressure balancing cartridge, the integral diverter channel including a radial and inlet O-ring formed around the central axis of the pressure balancing cartridge and surrounding inlets of the pressure balancing cartridge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The pressure balancing cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the radial and inlet O-ring is integrally molded into an outer casing of the pressure balancing cartridge. ### Claim 16 A thermostatic cartridge assembly comprising: a holder having a plurality of inlets, the holder having an integral diverter channel formed around a central axis of the holder; an insert configured to be received within the holder; and a thermostatic cartridge configured to be received in the holder. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The thermostatic cartridge assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a cover fixedly attaching the thermostatic cartridge to the holder. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The thermostatic cartridge assembly according to claim 16, wherein the holder includes a tab for engaging a notch when the holder is retained in a cavity of a modular valve. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The thermostatic cartridge assembly according to claim 16, wherein the insert is ultrasonically welded to the holder. ### Claim 20 A diverter assembly comprising: a diverter connection having two openings in an inlet side of the diverter connection; and a diverter having two flow channels joined to the two openings of the diverter connection.