US 2021/0325085 A1 · MIXING VALVE WITH ANTI-SCALING FEATURES AND METHODS OF OPERATION

Abstract

A mixing valve for a water heater appliance includes a valve body that defines a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber being in fluid communication with a cold water inlet conduit and a hot water inlet conduit. A plunger valve is mounted within the valve body and is moveable along a translation axis to regulate a flow of water from the hot water inlet conduit and the cold water inlet conduit. A controller periodically initiates a cleaning cycle wherein the plunger valve is moved through a full range of motion (e.g., full hot to full cold). The cleaning cycle may only be performed if there is no water flowing through the mixing valve, e.g., as determined by temperature sensor measurements.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A mixing valve for a water heater appliance, the mixing valve comprising:

a valve body that defines a mixing chamber;
a hot water inlet conduit providing fluid communication between the mixing chamber and a hot water supply;
a cold water inlet conduit providing fluid communication between the mixing chamber and a cold water supply;
a plunger valve mounted within the valve body, the plunger valve being moveable along a translation axis to regulate the flow of water from the hot water inlet conduit and the cold water inlet conduit;
a drive motor operably coupled to the plunger valve for selectively moving the plunger valve;
and
a controller in operative communication with the drive motor, the controller being configured for:
periodically initiating a cleaning cycle, wherein the cleaning cycle comprises moving the plunger valve through a full range of motion.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mixing valve with anti-scaling features and methods of operation

Life of this patent

Mixing valve with anti-scaling features and methods of operation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20