# US 2018/0321697 A1 · Thermostatic mixing valve with disinfecting facility > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0321697 A1 - Document ID: US20180321697A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/773,893 - Filed: 2016-11-04 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-05 - Assignees: Reliance Worldwide Corporation (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. - Applicants: Reliance Worldwide Corporation (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. - Inventors: David Peter Forrestal; Gary Hay - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180321697A1 ## CPC - G05D 23/02: with sensing element expanding and contracting in response to changes of temperature (G05D23/13 takes precedence) - F16K 11/044: with movable valve members positioned between valve seats - G05D 23/13: by varying the mixing ratio of two fluids having different temperatures - G05D 23/1346: {with manual temperature setting means} - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - 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)} ## Abstract A thermostatic mixing valve including: a first fluid inlet; a second fluid inlet; an outlet; a thermostatic element connected to a return spring and a piston such that movement of the thermostatic element assists with moving the piston, movement of the piston controlling fluid flow from the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet to the outlet; a housing containing an overtravel spring, the overtravel spring configured to resist a force applied by the thermostatic element during movement thereof; and a plunger extending into the housing, the plunger configured to engage the overtravel spring, wherein rotating the plunger adjusts the resistance applied onto the thermostatic element from the overtravel spring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A thermostatic mixing valve including: a first fluid inlet; a second fluid inlet; an outlet; and a thermostatic element connected to a return spring and a piston such that movement of the thermostatic element assists with moving the piston, movement of the piston controlling fluid flow from the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet to the outlet; an intermediary body connected to the body, the intermediary body configured to support a housing containing an overtravel spring, the overtravel spring configured to resist a force applied by the thermostatic element during movement thereof; and a plunger extending into the housing, the plunger configured to engage apply a force on the overtravel spring, wherein rotating the plunger adjusts the resistance applied onto the thermostatic element from the overtravel spring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 1, wherein in response to rotating the plunger in a first direction, a first portion of the plunger moves towards the thermostatic element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 2, wherein in response to rotating the plunger in a second direction, the first portion of the plunger moves away from the thermostatic element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 2, wherein the first portion of the plunger is configured to move from a first position to a second position where substantially no resistance is applied onto the thermostatic element from the overtravel spring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 4, wherein a visual indicator is visible on the plunger in the second position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 4, wherein the plunger includes a second portion that is threadingly coupled to the first portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 6, wherein in the second position, the thermostatic element is able to move through an aperture of the second portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 1, wherein the housing is threadingly connected to an intermediary body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 1, wherein a first body in the form of a knob covers the housing and the plunger. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 9, wherein the plunger is connected to the first body such that the first body may be turned to rotate the plunger. ### Claim 11 A thermostatic mixing valve including: a body comprising: a first fluid inlet; a second fluid inlet; an outlet; and a thermostatic element connected to a return spring and a piston such that movement of the thermostatic element assists with moving the piston, movement of the piston controlling fluid flow from the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet to the outlet; an intermediary body connected to the body, the intermediary body configured to support a housing containing an overtravel spring, the overtravel spring configured to receive a force from the thermostatic element, a plunger extending into the housing, the plunger configured to apply a force on the overtravel spring, wherein the plunger is connected to a first body such that when the first body is moved away from the housing, the force on the overtravel spring is decreased. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 11, wherein the first body covers the housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 11, wherein the plunger threadingly engages the housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The thermostatic mixing valve of claim 11, wherein the thermostatic mixing valve includes a visual indicator that is exposed as the first body moves away from the housing. ### Claim 15 A method of elevating a temperature in a thermostatic mixing valve, the method including the steps of: providing fluid to a first fluid inlet of a body; rotating a plunger extending into a housing in order to reduce the resistance applied by an overtravel spring onto a thermostatic element, the thermostatic element being connected to a piston and the housing being supported by an intermediary body that is attached to the body; and allowing the piston to move in a direction that maintains the flow of fluid through the first fluid inlet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the step of rotating the plunger extending into the housing in order to reduce the resistance applied by the overtravel spring onto the thermostatic element includes engaging a tool with an upper portion of the plunger. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the step of rotating the plunger extending into the housing in order to reduce the resistance applied by the overtravel spring onto the thermostatic element includes rotating a knob covering the housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the step of rotating the plunger includes rotating a first body such that when the first body is rotated away from the housing, the force on the overtravel spring is decreased. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the step of rotating the first body away from the housing includes exposing a visual indicator. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid is above approximately 60° C.