US 6,637,668 B2 · Thermostatic control valve with fluid mixing

Abstract

A thermostatic control valve assembly for use in continuously mixing a hot first fluid with a cold second fluid to continuously produce a mixed fluid at a constant temperature. The valve assembly includes an improved mixing dome defining a mixing chamber that facilitates thorough mixing of the hot and cold fluids over a wide range of flow rates, including rates as low as two gallons per minute. The improved mixing performance is accomplished by a plurality of baffles sequentially disposed along the flow path within the mixing chamber and extending at an angle in opposition to the flow path. Each baffle exhibits a paisley shape and is angularly displaced from the adjacent baffles to turn the fluid flow, thereby optimally mixing the hot and cold fluids over a wide range of flow rates while minimizing the pressure drop between the valve inlet and outlet.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A thermostatic control valve assembly for mixing a hot fluid and a cold fluid for discharge at a controlled temperature, the valve assembly comprising:

a cold fluid inlet;
a hot fluid inlet;
a flow control valve for controllably mixing hot and cold fluid received through said hot fluid inlet and said cold fluid inlet, respectively;
a housing defining a fluid outlet and a mixing chamber providing a fluid flow path between said flow control valve and said outlet;
at least two baffles sequentially arranged and angularly displaced from each other in said flow path within said housing for turning the fluid flow through the mixing chamber, each of said baffles projecting at a non-perpendicular angle into said flow path;
and
a thermostat disposed within said mixing chamber between said at least two baffles and said fluid outlet and operably connected to said flow control valve to control said flow control valve in response to the temperature of fluid flowing through said mixing chamber.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermostatic control valve with fluid mixing

Life of this patent

Thermostatic control valve with fluid mixing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27